NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 19

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

WELLINGTON, February 28

The University Senate opened this morning. The Chancellor delivered his annual ] address, which stated that the income for the year amounted to £7133 and the ex- ' penditure to £6504, leaving a balance of • £629. He referred to the steady growth i in influence and prosperity of the univer- . sity, and congratulated the senate on the inauguration of a university college in Wellington, which has completed its first year with a large number of students. He j stated that the university was now in a position to extend its scholarships, should the senate consider the time opportune. "\vith the address several papers were laid j on the table, also numerous questions for ] consideration by the senate. Sir James Hector is to be nominated for a further .term for the chancellorship. The appointment will be made to-morrow.

March 2. The University Senate to-day decided to adhere to the decision to abolish examinations in small centres. Mr Cohen moved — " That requirements and standard of degree of Doctor of Laws be referred to a committee." He emphasised the fact that the Doctor of Laws degree of the New Zealand University was m no way an honours degree, but was a mere pass degree. He asked whether there was any reason, any argument, . why the NewZealand University should not exact from claimants for a Doctor of Laws degree that they should be hqnours men. In his opinion the degree should be one given foi special excellence in various subjects. Dr Macgregor, who seconded the motion, said he thought the senate was indebted to Mr Cohen " for having put his finger on what is nothing more than a missing panel m our fence." Sir Robert Stout thought the requirements for a Doctorate of La.ws ought to include special excellence in some mental science. Some persons who had gained a Doctor of Laws degree had shown great excellence in their work, but the possession of the degree did not necessarily mean that the possessor had any deep knowledge in law or jurisprudence. The motion was agreed to on the voices.

It was decided to postpone till next session consideration of the resolution of the medical faculty in favour of repealing the regulation that makes the taking of B.A. or B.Sc. compulsory on candidates for a Doctorate of Medicine. Professor Brown gave notice to move that tbe senate in future hold its annual session in November.

The coal steamer which the old Fortification Coal Company used to bring their coal up the river with, has been dismantled, and the boiler and engines shifted to the mine, where they will be used in connection with the works. — Bruce Herald. -A-Wednesday was the thirtieth anniversary of the departure of the last Imperial troops, Hill's 15th Royal Irish having been detained here four years after all the other troops were withdrawn, owing to the Maori troubles on. the West Coast under Tito'kowaro. This gallant regiment was the first in the field and last out of ih

Jn an article on Rotorua, published in th? Sydney Morning Herald, the writer says: — " Some day, in the 'not very distant future, Rotorua will become a city. There is noth-. ing in Bath, or in Continental cities famous for waters, to compare with the marvels of the thermal springs district of New Zealand, which extends over an area of about 1000 square miles."