LAW AND DENTISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13208, 15 February 1905, Page 4

LAW AND DENTISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY.

The proposal to revive the law lectureships nt the Otago University, perhaps by utilising the services of a corps of voluntary lecturers, is one which should be very generally commended. The disappearance of the law lectureships from tho provision' made at the University tfas a reproach to the institution and tho community which has been heightened by tho lapse of time, and we cordially welcome the suggestion of Mr Hosting, president of the- Otngo Law Society, that steps should be taken whereby the law classes may be re-established. Mr Hosking's proposal is that members of the legal profession should deliver lectures voluntarily which would be recognised by tlie University, and, with an optimism which wo sincerely > trust is justified, lie thinks that an invi-

ifition to help law teaching in conneclion with tlie University on this basis vcriikl meet with a sufficient response.

Many years ago voluntary* lectures were given by Sir Robert Stout and Mr A. R-. Barclay, and eventually the University Council found itself iii a. position to appoint paid lecturers, and Mr Barclay and Mr Allan Holmes carried on the work in the Faculty of Law. But the pressure of financial embarrass-

•meiit ultimately led to the sacrifice of the law classes, and at the presont time students have to fall back on their own resources with such assistance as they can obtain from private tutors. This state of

tilings cannot possibly be regarded as satisfactory. Students in most cases cram for the necessary examinations to qualify as a solicitor, and, having succeeded to this extent, are frequently satisfied to wait till the few years' prac-

ico required enables them to claim

admission as barristers. The desire of those who havo the interests of the profession at heart should be, and doubtless is, to raise its status. Mr Hosking apparently has this in mind in coming forward at this juncture with a proposal for enlisting tho services of voluntary lecturers. Be suggests that the work should be distributed, and that not more than 12 lectures of about an hour each shoitld be undertaken by any lecturer. On this basis the services of at loast sis or seven gentlemen qualified for tho task would be required. Mr liosking m«y not be asking anyone to do anything that ho is not prepared to -do himself, but at the same time it is expecting a good deal of any member of the legal profession that lie should' prepare a dozen lectures on any of tho subjeccs which tho course should cover. The fact that a busy man like Mr Hosking has taken

the initiative should, however, encourage other iiiembers of the profession to support tiie proposal, and the University Council will no doubt be only too glad to recognise the classes conducted bv

these means. Tiie lectures shoiild be of tiie greatest value arid assistance to law students, who are seriously handicapped at the present time by the absence of lecture.? of any kind. If the system contemplated by Mr Hosking works out successfully, it may lead ultimately to the reappointment of paid lecturers, wheii the study of law at the University would bo placed on a much inore satisfactory footing. Another matter of importance which the University Council had befote it on Monday afternoon was that of the establishment of classes for the teaching of dental surgery. The committee to whom the question was referred emphasised the necessity of the Council making such provision as will enable dental students to tako, in connection with' the University, the course which will be prescribed % the new regulations that have been adopted by the Senate. It will be remembered that the ilospifal Trustees in December last could riot see their way to give, the accommodation necessary if instruction and' practice 111 dental surgery were to be carried oil in tiie institution,, but. deferred a final decision for three months. As a proposal is afoot with the view to the erection of. considerable additions

I to; shortly, it: is quite possible 'iiirife the Trustees lhhy ydfc -bb iti .li position to griht tile rooms asked foi'jby 'the committee of thr-University Council. The neM for qualified 'dentists iti the cdhilminity is'not likely t<i become less proribiliiced; and. ilici'e'must be a <*reat ninny people iii ■ poor ciroumstaneeTwlio would be Exceedingly glad of the opportunity, as patients -at tho Hbspitnlj; 'bf>; obtjiiiiihg the services of dental surgeons. -The establishment of a dental at the ihniedin Hospital ironid greatly facilitate the sttidies of dental; studetits, and we have tlie. 'ussuratibe. of Mi- Sicley that there would bo no lack of competent honorary dental, siirgebhs wiliiilg to act as supervisors.anjj deinbiistratprs.