RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14185, 10 April 1908, Page 7

RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES.

Slß,—As one who is keenly interested in student life I desire to thank you for your leader in to-day's issue and to express, on bshalf of tho council of Selwyn College, our deep the noble contribution that has been mado by tho authorities of tho Presbyterian Church to tho cause of higher education in Otago, and to wish it overy success in its noble work. I had the privilege a few years ago of visiting a number of universities in Europo ind America, and I was deeply impressed b)\ the naturo of tho provision that is being mado for tho establishment of residential | hostels or colleges at tho different university _ centres. In England and America it is a, recognised plan for the Anglican Churoh and other religious bodies to establish these colleges for tho benefit of students in the various facuties, and much is being dono at the present time to keep pace- with the expansion of the new provincial universities of Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and Wales. In Australia tho residential colleges are an essential featuro of tho university system, and tho Stato Governments nave largely assisted the religious bodies to establish such institutions. At Sydney St. Paul's College (Anglican), St. Andrew's Presbyterian), St John's (Roman Cathoio), and the Women's Collcgo are "colo 6g f °>> Wld witnill the University of uydney ; and' at Melbourne, Trinity College (Anglican), Ormond College (Presbyterian) and Queen's College (Methodist) havo a liko status in tho University of Melbourne.

When I camo to Diinedin two years and a-half ago, I camo with tho full intention of. helping Selwyn College to realise tho original purpose of its founders. It was, and us, intended to bo a residential collogo ill connection with tho Anglican Church for students attending tho University of Otago and also to provide theological instruction or such of its students as intend to take holy orders It will bo an encouragement to my Presbyterian friends to know that at the present time, in spito of the poverty of our resources and the inadequacy of our endowment we have been able to receive 10 students into residence for tho University eess.on of whom 11. are studonts in medicine ark, Jaw, science, and engineer- . i hav ,° had i 0 declina I" otl,er students through want of accommodation. It has always been a matter of regret to mo that tho residential colleges'of the Anglican and other churches in New Zealand are not officially connected with the university system, and I trust that the expressed desire of tho New Zealand University to encourage tho establishment of residential colleges at the various centres .-nay lead to tho affiliation of those rcsidential colleges aa a part of the university system. I may bo allowed to point out that the reoont affiliation of Selwyn College to tho University of Durham is due to no lack of appreciation of tho University of Now Zealand, but to a desire to secure to tho theological students of this college not only admission to the degree in arts, but mora particularly to tho degrees in divinity.—l am, etc., R- A. Woodihorpe, (Warden of Selwyn Collego; late vicewarden of St Paul's College in the University of Sydnev). Dunedin, April" 7.