THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1029, 19 August 1871, Page 17

THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

The following is the memorial addressed by the ladies of Dunedin and the neighbourhood to the Council of the Otago University :: — > Dunedin, July 31, 1871. To the Chancellor and Council of the University of Otago. Gentlemen — Hearing that there will be a full meeting of Council soon, we, the underBigned ladie3 of Otago, hasten to bring under your consideration the desirability of opening the doors of your University for the admission of ladies to the classes. On all sides it is admitted that the standard of education for women should be raised ; and this in no way can be more effectually furthered than by affording to them a participation in the many privileges which well-appointed Universities are calculated to bestow. It is not in the power of private teachers, nor do the Government Schools of the Province— as now organised — profess to supply adequate means and inducements for continuing the process of a higher mental culture ; the privileges, therefore, at your disposal through the instrumentality of your College, by ladies, governesses, and schoolmistresses, if conferred, would be eagerly welcomed. \Ve are the more encouraged to proffer our request from the fact that your Chancellor, Major Richardson, in his inaugural address, made distinct reference to the Universities as affording means of conferring a higher education to women ; and also, that Professor .Sale, in his speech, expressed his willmgness — indeed, the pleasure it would give him — to Bee ladies at his lectures, and in attendance at the classes. If we may venture an opinion, fve do not think that your University would depart from its dignity by allowing ladies to chare its advantages ; on the contrary, it would rather reflect honour upon it. We therefore trust that if there be nothing in the constitution of the University which offers serious obstacles to the attainment of pur wishes, that you will be pleased to grant them.

We also desire to remind you of the acknowledged beneficial results which have accrued in the home country from the now well-tried system of examinations for women by the Cambridge and other Universities. We regard a degree as neither more nor less than a certificate, and a great want to ladies ! and others preparing themselves for teachers is a standard to work up to. We would, therefore, respectfully suggest that not only those ladies (supposing admission to the classes be granted) who are regular students of your University be allowed to become candidates, but that the boon be further extended ; and, on the plan of the University of London, ladies who may have studied at home or elsewhere be admitted as candidates for matriculation and degrees. We consider that the value of competition for a degree would be, to women intending to become teachers, far greater indirectly than directly. Few probably would pass, but inasmuch as a process of preparation 13 almost equal to a result, the higher culture would inevitably be attained, and thence shed its influence throughout every school and family in which they taught. We may add that, should this suggestion be acceded to, we would not wish the standard of examination to be lowered, in any degree, on account of sex.

Finally, we beg to express our conviction, that in justice to all, if no legal impediments exist, the Scholarships belonging to your University should also be made available to ladies for competition. We are, Gentlemen, Very faithfully yours, [Here follow 149 signatures.] The following are the resolutions, with reference to the proposed amalgamation with the New Zealand University, which were passed by the University Council : — 1. That this Council expresses its regret that the union of the X. Z. University and the University of Otago, as contemplated by the Act of 1870, was not effected.

2. It also regrets that the Councils of the two Universities, at their late conference, were unable to arrive at any conclusion which might form the groundwork of future legislation towards the establishment of the New Zealand University at Dunedin.

3. It is of opinion that the University of Otago should share in any past and future appropriation out of the consolidated revenue for University purposes, on the same principle a3 that which guides the distribution of the Capitation grant, under the Payment to Provinces Act, 1870, viz., that the amounts payable should be proportional to population. The following resolutions on common school education were passed by the same meeting of the Council :—: — That whereas it is highly probable that the General Assembly of New Zealand will, during the ensuing session, introduce a Bill for aiding and regulating education in the colony, and that such legislation may affect the educational system now in operation in Otago, and as it is therefore expedient that the Council of the University should express its opinion as to tho direction in which any alteration might be made, it is therefore resolved —

1. That, in the opinion of this Council, the system of education now in operation is generally well adapted to impart a sound and liberal education.

2. That to increase its efficiency, and remove, so far as may be practicable, all cause of complaint, it ia expedient that, while the Bible »uould be daily read, as provided for by

the Ordinanoe of ISG4, the school teachers should be precluded from giving instruction in or by any creed or formulary distinctive of any denomination.