UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18764, 18 January 1923, Page 2

UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND

CHANCELLOR’S REPORT. RETIREMENT ANNOUNCED. At the opening meeting of the senate of the University of New Zealand in the Allen Hall yesterday the chancellor (.Sir Robert Stout) presented his report for 1922. In the course of his remarks ho said; — I regret that I have again to commence my report by referring to the loss by deai.. of several distinguished scholars who have been connected with our University. Prolessor F. D. Brown, who had been one ol our follows from 18S3 to 1914, suddenly passed away on August 2. He held the position of Professor of Chemistry and Physics in Auckland University College irom 1883 to 1914. To those of the fellows of the senate who were his contemporaries it is not necessary that 1 should state the services ho rendered to higher education in our dominion. Ho was not only a great scholar, but he was a man of ripe judgment and strong common sense. He was essentially a wise man, imbued with an enthusiasm for learning, and his advice could always be accepted. It was pleasing to note that the news of his death was received with regret by many men of science in our Motherland, and that scientific journals paid great praise to his memory and life. No doubt the senate will convoy to his daughters its heartfelt sympathy with them in their and our groat loss.

The sad intelligence of the death of the first Professor of Classics in New Zealand —Professor G. SI. Sale—reached us at the close of the year. He was appointed in 1870. and entered on his duties in July, 1871. Ho had reached the great age of 91 years when ho passed away. Ho was born at Rugby in 1851. Plis academic career was a distinguished one : he was a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, and had us bis contemporaries as brilliant a set of follow students as over entered the college at ono time. Ho took in 1854 first class honours in classics and second class honours in mathematics. His college two years later elected him to a fellowship,

and in another two years appointed him lecturer in classics. His health failed him, and ho resolved to come to New Zealand, and ns a pioneer of Canterbury he, in 1861, entered another university—what an American writer has called the university of “hard knocks/’ In, these early days—for the Canterbury settlement was only about 10 years old when he landed—he followed many avocations; he was the first editor of the Press, of Christchurch, and he went to the diggings, having a claim, with other university men, at the Blue Spur. In 1865 he was appointed Government agent and commissioner at Hokitika. We next find him in London studying for the bar; ho relinquished that study when he accepted the position as first Professor of Classics in the Utago'University. He was a man of clear mind and strong character, most honourable in all his doings, with high ideals of life As a teacher he glossed over no mistakes, no carelessness in work. His students respected him, and those that had

tiro fortune to become his friend never lost his friendship. Ho was the moat intimate friend of most of the best early settlers, and they revered him. Bioncers like dames Edward Fitzgerald, William Rolleston, Mr Justice Williams, and others were his closest friends. He went back to the Mother Country to London in iboß, and was pre-sent-stopping in his old College of Trinity —at Uie Darwin Centenary celebrations in Cambridge in 1909. '1 hough he was unable to move about in 1921, his interest in New Zealand and in the University was unabated, and it was a pleasure to discuss with him our educational outlook. New Zealand was fortunate in her earliest professors, and, amid the galaxy of talent that came as teachers to us, Professor Sale occupied no second place. He has left a widow and two children, and to them th e senate will no doubt send its sympathy, ana let them know that the memory of the head of their homo will not be forgotten by any who knew him.

Uno who was a distinguished examiner for our Univeristy, and who took a great interest in Polynesian and Melanesian an-‘-ropology, died during tlie year. I refer to tho Rev. xtobert Henry Codrington, iX He was nearly 92 years of age. He went in his early years to the Melanesian Mission Field and joined the revered Bishop Patleson, and continued on tho mission stalf wall Bishop Sehvyn. He earned the title of (ho Apostle of the Pacific. He wrote Uie grammars and vocabularies of 34 languages; recorded the J-’olk Loro of Melanesia ; and transiateu tne Bible into manv tongues. He was celebrated not only for his scholastic work and missionary labours, but for his high character and saintly life, earning the reputation of being the kindliest ot teachers and the most genial and tolerant of friends. Our University has in the past gained much from its “Horae fj-xamuiers."’

Another celebrated scholar and examiner was Prolessor Uoldart. lie was in weak health and was advised to go to Jamaica, itis death took place there quite unexpectedly. Our agent in London says that his loss to education is looked upon as a serious one.

Iho conferring of degrees was carried out by the Semite at its last annual meeting. Several were conferred in absentia, 'the largest number was given at the three University Colleges and at the University of Dunedin. Judging by the newspaper reports of the proceedings that took place on the days the degrees were granted, both inside and outside of the buildings where the graduation ceremony took place, the judicious and lovers of higher education must feel grieved. Our people are not likely to bo interested in university work if wo have the occurrences of these days repeated. To ‘see processions of undergraduates in vulgar attire and giving way to buffoonery does not in my opinion tend to advance tils higher tilings in life. Inside the buildings there was little effort made to attract the minds of the audience to educational problems. Instead, in more than one meeting there were noise and disturbances that would not be permitted inside a oomio theatre. In two of the meetings the chief speaker, though taking part in the New Zealand University function, thought it fitting to advocate the abolition of our university. No one present seems to have raised any objection to this proposal. 1 may point out that if tho Now Zealand University is abolished there must bo some corporation or authority to supervise university education. This has been found necessary in our Motherland. We may take Scotland as an illustration as it has four universities, lliese four universities have an ancient lineage, and yet they are all controlled by a body tnat is not even all Scottish. 'lire Universities Committee of the Privy Council consists of the following members:—The Lord President of the Privy Council, tho Secretary of State for Scotland, the Lord Justice General, tho Lord Justice Clerk, tho Lord Advocate, tho Chancellor and Lord Pec tor of each of the universities if members of the Privy Council, one member at least of the Judicial Committee of tin? Privy Council. And such other members of tho Privy Council as His Majesty may appoint. '.the function of the University Commit tee of the Council is that ot an appellate and controlling tribunal. All .Statutes passed by any of the universities are submitted to this committee. In the provisions of tho Universities Act, 1889, commissioners wore appointed that had plenary powers to do anything they thought lit in dealing with tho Universities of Scotland. '1 ho most powerful body in connection with university management is the '‘University Court,” and it consists of (taking tho UDiversity of Edinburgh for example)(a) Tito Hector, (h) Principal, (c) the Lord Provost of Edinburgh for the time being, (d) an assessor nominated by the Chancellor, (o) an assessor nominated by the Poclor, (f) an assessor nominated by tho Lord Provost Magistrates and Town Council of Edinburgh, (g) four assessors elected by the General Council (that is a similar body to our Court of Convocation), (h) four assessors elected by the Senates Aoadcmicttg, that is tho teaching staff, and also assessors representative of the affiliated colleges. There are none at present representing affiliated colleges. No person wtio is a principal or professor of a University can be nominated or elected as assessor, except as one of tho four assessors elected by tne senatus. This University Court is a body corporate, and is trustee of all University property'. Its powers are very wide. It, has to administer and manage tho whole revenue and property of tho University and Idle college or colleges (hereof; to review any decision of the senatus; to hear appeals against any decision of tho senatus; to appoint professors appointahle by the University; to appoint examiners and lecturers: to define tho nature and limits of a professor's duties, etc,, etc.

It will bo observed that the Senatus Acadomicus is not tho authority that appoints examiners, nor is it necessary to take notice of any representations it may make regarding such appointments. If the New Zealand University were abolished, is (hero to be any body similar to, or having such powers as the Universities Privy Council Committee ext raises '! Or is all powef to be left to individual Universities? Or is

the Minister of Education, assisted by the Directors of Education, to act as a controlling authority ? It may bo observed that at present no professors of colleges or universities are members of the Privy Council Committee, and in the University Courts tne number of the professors is limited. In Edinburgh there are only four on the court. It may then bo asked, Why is it proposed to abolish the New Zealand University? Is it proposed to adopt a new method in controlling higher education, and to leave the whole control of education to (ho teaching colleges? 'lha control by the Government of the United Kingdom over the universities is not. limited to the Universities Privy Council Committee, for now and again commissions are appointed to report on the position of universities. In IeSO, anu again in lb>2, Royal Commissions dealt with the universities and col-

leges of Oxford and Cambridge, and I have before me a report that was presented in to Parliament of another Royal Commission on Oxford and Cambridge Universities and Colleges. It is a very long report, consisting of 256 pages, and it will bo noticed that many suggestions are made tor an alteration in the management of these two ancient universities, 'there was no suggestion that these universities should be free from government control, and that each university should be allowed to do what it pleases in the management of university education. The senate is acquainted with the fact that there is held now annually a conference of the Universities cf Great Britain and Ireland, and that it was proposed that every three years there should be such a conference of the Universities of the Empire. The annual conference met on May 13, 1922, and continued in conference for some days. It dealt with many questions—the need of hostels; the urgent need tor enlarged opportunities of research in the British Universities, and with the specialisation in certain subjects of study

by certain universities, etc. This last question was declared to be by Dr Earned, Vico Chancellor of Oxford, and by others, the most difficult subject that they had to consider, and 1 would referSmembers to u.e abridged report of the proceedings, which gives the interesting discussion and the suggestions of the loaders of education on the subject, such as the president of the Board of Education (the Rt. Hon. H. L. Fisher), the Vice Chancellor of Oxford: the Vice Chancellor of Manchester; various professors, and others. There is another question that hag a bearing on the question of abolishing ou r University, and that is what is to be done if new colleges are started in different centres of population? Wo have had a Cawthron Scientific Institute established in Nelson through the munificence of one of our old settlers. May the time come when other colleges are established in other centres of population through the private munificence ot other settlers. Is there to

be -any provision that, the teaching at such colleges may be recognised for a degree? Is there to be provision for affiliation to existing institutions? Who is to answer these questions? If the University of New Zealand remains, due provision could be made for the utilisation of .such institutions and for enabling their students to get at least part of their education that -would fit them to attain degrees recognised by the New Zealand University. I annex to my report a return showing tile number of examinations and entries of candidates for the past year, and also for the year 1921. It will bo observed that the number that entered for degree examinations amounted to 4593 general and 928 medical and dental. It will bo observed in the return that the numbers are mainly for professional subjects required lor lawyers, doctors,, accountants, teachers, engineers, etc. There are, it is satisfactory to notice, 26 who sat for the Bachelor cf Agriculture, and the Lincoln School of Agriculture had 51 residential students last year, and ot these 21 were sitting for the

Bachelor of Agriculture Degree. This is a most hopeful sign in our University work. There is one matter tliat I think should be pointed out and that is that our Now Zealand graduates do not seem to me to take a sufficient interest in the University. A Court of Convocation if it meets, rarely does so, and when it meets it docs not seem to discuss any educational subjects. Graduates who are not teachers or engaged in university work seldom lake any interest in our senate. Wo have had few who have become members, and our graduates do not seem to consider it their duty to act as missionaries of culture amongst our people. What has made Scotland so successful in education and in the production of a great number of trained men. is that education was a popular subject throughout that kingdom. This has been well illustrated in a famous address that was delivered on May 3, 1922, by the Rector of St. Andrew’s University (Sir J. M. Barrie). May I quote a few lines from that charming address. He said: “Mighty are the Universities of Scotland, and they will prevail. But oven in your highest exultations never forget that they are net four, but five. The greatest of them is the poor, proud homes you come out of, which said so long ago: ‘There shall be education in this land.’ She, not St. Andrew’s, is the oldest University in Scotland, and all the others are her whelps.” This fifth University College has not yet been founded in Now Zealand.

In Juno next 50 years have elapsed since Canterbury University College was founded It was the second institution established in Now Zealand for University education. It is not necessary to point out its great success, nor to enumerate the noble institutions—eii/ginseribg lart, etc., connected with it. The Council of the College has invited the University to bo represented at tlio jubilee celebrations that are to bo held in Christchurch in June. The senate will, I presume, resolve to send an address of congratulation to the college and ask the follows who are able to attend to represent our University on such an auspicious occasion.

Tho General Account of tho Bank of Now Zealand is in credit to the amount of £Bl2 12s sd, and there is £11,300 on deposit at the Post Office Savings Bank. The payment of many November and all December examiners is yet to be provided far. It is anticipated that when the accounts are completed they will show tho position to bo at least as good as it was at December 31, 1921. The balance at the bank to the credit of tho Ordinary Scholarship Account is £528 2s 7d. and at the Post Office Savings Bank £386 ss. Other assets bring the total capital of tho account up to approximately £29,000, being only a small difference between tho present balance and last year’s figures. In conclusion. I wish to refer to a personal matter. My term of office ns Chancellor expires at the next meeting of the senate. I have been a Fellow of the Senate for nearly 38 years. My election was confirmed by tho Governor in May, 1885; and I have been Chancellor for about 20 years. I cannot say that I can quote Emerson's lines as being applicable to myself. He said:

’Tis time to bo old To take in sail. At the same time, however. I think that though able to do my work, that it is only fitting that some other member of the senate should bo chosen to fill the high office which yon have so generously bestowed on me for such a lengthy period. I do not intend therefore to ho a candidate for tho position of Chancellor again. I would ask to be relieved from the qffko towards tho close of this session. I hope, however, I may for some little time longer be present at your meetings and take part in your deliberations.

Professor Macmillan Brown moved that the Chancellor lie thanked for his address which, he stated, covered a wide range of topics and make a number of suggestions which might prove of great value. These would no doubt be productive of much useful discussion. Professor Hunter seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation.