NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 31

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY SENATE.

THE CHANCELLOR'S ADDRESS. "WELLINGTON, January 22. The annual session of the senate of the TJniver6itv of New Zealand was opened at Wellington to-day under the presidency of Sir Robert Stout (chancellor). DUTY OF THE WEALTHY. In the course of his address the Chancellor commented on the marked difference between this country and the United States of America in the matter of private bequests for higher education. If the wealthy men had gi\en as freely as jn America we should receive £40.000 a yea. 1 in this way, whereas during the 37 yeais .lince our University institutions were founded we had not received an aggregate of £40,000 from the wealthy men. Sir Robert was glad to say that one settler, the late Mr Arthur Beverly, of Dunedin, "had left the bulk of his fortune. some £15,000 or £16,000, to the Otago University. 4 Ex \ mixatioxs. 'The Chancellor &aid he had received A memo, from Dr David Starr Jordan, of California, who recently visited New Zealand, expressing hie views on our university system. Dr Jordan ' thinks we have too many university examinations, and that the professors have not cast on them the responsibility of saying who have earned distinction in our university colleges. Considering the constitution of our University •and its relation to our teaching colleges, I do not see how we can get rid of many of our examinations without entirely changing our university system. After all, examinations of some kind must be held, and the question really is, who ie to examine. I have always held that the time mu6t come when we must depend upon ourselves, and not seek examiner 6 from outeide the Dominion. The question is, has that time arrived ? In the meantime we must consider whether there are not some additional examinations to those now held in the Dominion that might be conducted by local examiners, and we might also consider whether more attention should not be paid to reports from the teachers regarding the work of the students. The examining or not examining of students is not, however, in rr.y opinion, tbe most important thing in university education. tb is to see that able teachers are obtained, and that the subjects taught are modern a-nd useful as well a 6 tending to the training of the intellect and character of the undergraduate. Our present system of awarding junior university scholarships," said Sir Robert, "is leading in many instances to rather unsatisfactory results. Some of the scholars seem, when they get into the teaching colleges, worn out by their previous struggle to obtain scholarships. Might we not consider whether the matriculation examination, added to no doubt, might not suffice for determining the award of scholarships? In Lon•doji University one examination is made sufficient for the awarding of distinction ■and scholarships, as well as being the -entrance examination. If such a system wejre adopted, the standard of our matriculation examination might require to be •lightly raised, and I do not know if that -would be a disadvantage." OLD AND NEW LEABNING. After further reference to Professor Jordan's memo., the Chancellor added : "We need to encourage the new learning, and at present our encouragement is given mainly to the old learning, a learning that is sometimes of little use in after lifeI do not underrate the mental gymnastics -that the studies afford, but students may be intellectually trained by the study of new «übject3 that will also prove useful to them in the callings and occupations they have to follow." ' SCHOLABSHIPS. Sir Robert also expressed satisfaction the alterations made by Parliament in the requirements for senior national scholarships. The Chancellor expressed regret that nothing had been done by the Government towards making provision for the •superannuation of professors. The numbers who sat for matriculation in the past five years was as follows : 1903, 98,7; 1904, 920; 1905, 1046; 1906, 1278; 1907, 1396. ' The numbers of candidates for degree »nd law profession exams, during the past •two years were:— l9o6, 842; 1907, 844. THE SYLLABUS. Sir Robert Stout concluded his address as follows:— "Many important questions are submitted for the consideration of tho Senate. I may especially direct your attention to the reports from Professorial "Boards and individual professors on various questions connected with our courses — in English, physical science, chemistry, mental science, etc. Two colleges have also sent in formal protests against the new Bachelor ■of Science degree, which was adopted in the -closing days of last session. The fact that two of our teaching colleges condemn unreservedly the syllabus for this degree is a most serious matter. The Senate will -no coubf -consider whether the syllabus ■which was adopted to encourage research ■wilJ require any modification. I can only commend the subject to your most careful consideration. With refcraace to the syllabus in English, three of tie professors ;n -the subject are agreed in favour of revision, ■while the fourth is opposed. Some of the arguments against change seem to indicate an impression that there is something -Bacred and inviolable about a university •syllabus It must be obvious, however, that courses of work in all faculties arc subject to revision from 1 time to time, and aae a matter of fact changes are frequently made in all our own degrees courses. No particular sanctity can he claimed for the English syllabus, and the question should be coneidered on its merits.^ I may also correct the impression that we have a fixed ■five years' syllabus. That is not the case, as some years ago the Senate reduced the fixed syllabus from five years to three. I also recommend to the careful consideration ■of the Senate a memorandum from Dr Hight recommending changes in the prescriptions •for economics, honours, and the B A. degree, -and urging the abolition of the present Jionours course in political eoience, and the substitution of separate honours ©oursea in history and economics. Dr Hight' b proposals have evidently been carefully thought out, and are. as lie cays, prompted br his own experience as a teaoher, and based on a careful •etudy of the demands made upon candi•idates for degrees in the great universities -o.f tho United Kingdom. Copies of this memorandum have already been supplied to members of the Senate. While giving •due consideration to th« proposals, it

1 would be well to guard against precipitate action. I have received a letter from Professor Malcolm urging that physiology be included among the subjects for the ordinary B.Sc. degree. The suggestion is worthy of consideration. Physiology is a science which has other apnlications than merely to medical purposes. The suggestion of teaching, of rour«e, presents a serious difficulty, as at present the suhie^t is only taught in Otago. but in the course of time the difficulty might be got over. Another difficulty would lie in the mode of conducting the examination. It is. of course, ob\ious that the examination in such a subject must be of a practical character, and therefore must be conducted in New Zealand. "' Consideration of the matters mentioned in i L ho address was made an order of the day for to-morrow. January 23. The annual session of the senate was continued to-day. A committee was appointed to draw up a minute in reference to the deaths of Sir James Hector, the Rev. J. C. Andrew, Mr W. D. Milne, and Dv Routh (of Cambridge). Referring to Dr Starr Jordan's suggestions, the Chancellor said there was a considerable feeling that students should not be required to take so many subjects compulsorily. Mr F. E. Baume pointed out that there was a proposal to establish a degree of Bachelor of Literature. He mentioned a striking case of a man at Auckland who failed to get a degree at all. He was : now Professor of Languages in a German ; university. Mr George Hogben : No; at St. Petersburg. Professor MacMillan Brown instanced the case of a student at Christchurch who had taken nine years to get through her mathematical course. It was eventually agreed to defer Dr Starr Jordan's suggestions for consideration until the matter of establishing a degree of Bachelor of Literature was under review. Paragraph 7 of the chancellor's address, relating to scholarships, was referred to the Scholarships Committee. The Chancellor again commented on the failure of the Government to provide some system of superannuation for professors. The Rev. W. A. Evans said that in a matter like this, where they were all unanimous (Mr Baume : No, we are not) — the professors themselves were not ! Mr Hogben : That is so. Half the professors vote one way and half the other. Mr Evans: Well, in that case I favour a proposal to refer the question to a special committee.— The senate agreed to get a report from a special committee on the subject. The Chancellor urged that the senate should make provision for undertaking the examinations now held by the Associated Board and the Trinity College of Music. A great deal of money was now being spent in this way. A letter was read from the Joint Board of Universities of Adelaide and Melbourne on the subject. — It was agreed to refer the whole subject to the Music Committee. Professor Sale protested against the reexamination of scholarship candidates throughout New Zealand in consequence of the destruction of certain examination papers by the fire in the Parliamentary Buildings. They ought not to truckle to public opinion so far as to make the general public believe certain unfairness had been done. A separate examination for the Wellington candidates would have been sufficient. Surely those who acted as examiners before could have been trusted to set a fairly equitable paper. The senate should not satisfy the morbid desires of some people. Mr J. W. Joynt (registrar), in reply to Professor MacMillan Brown, detailed the enormous amount of labour entailed in arranging for re-examinations, which could not. he said, possibly be held earlier unless a risk was to be run. Tke Chancellor said that no doubt Professor Sale was right when he 6aid the senate might have relied on the examiners to do what was just and fair. At first he (Sir Robert) was in favour of reexamining only the Wellington candidates, but later he considered the same papers should be set to all. If this had not been done there would have been considerable correspondence. He did not know that candidates were placed at a disadvantage by being asked 'to answer another paper. As the examination was a competitive one he thought it was proper to set fresh papers. This would avoid the question of favouritism being raised. Mr H. F. yon Haast considered the committee had taken the ritrht -course, while Mr Baume took the opposite view. The expense of re-examination was not warranted in view of the fact that only 18 candidates at Wellington were affected by the fire. Over 100 students were concerned in the examination throughout the Dominion. Several other members upheld the action of the committee, and Dr Fitchett moved — " That the senate express its approval of the action of the committee." , Mr Hogben agreed that this should be done, but he reiterated that scholarships could have been awarded to those candidates who succeeded, and the re-examina-tion of the comparatively few affected by the fire could have been proceeded with. — (Mr Baume: "#ear, hear.") There were other alternatives open. Mr Baume persisted that the wrong course had been followed and 1)9 hoped a similar course in the case of a like ocur- > rence would not be followed. A great deal of expense would have been saved by re-examining only the Wellington candidates. The Chancellor said to do what Mr Baume suggested would be violating ;he statute. The senate had no power to create two credit lists, for national scholarships were awarded on the credit list of the junior scholarship results. Mr Hogben : But the statute does not say how the credit list is to be compiled. Dr Fitchett' s motion was seconded by Professor Sale and carried, Mr Baume dissenting. January <2*. The New Zealand University Senate resumed proceedings to-day. The only business of importance transacted was the appointment of committees to deal with I various matters coming under the scope ! of the university. The motion of Mr G. Hogben that a separate senior scholarship be awarded for botany and for zoology, for electricity and | magnetism, heat, sound, and light, was referred to the Scholarship Committee for report. Members of the Senate have received an invitation to Trentham for Saturday's racea.

January 26. The deliberations of'^the University Senate were resumed yesterday morning. An adjournment was ordered until 11.30 to enable the work of committees to be carried a step further. Interim reports were received from the Medical, Law, and Scholarship "Committees. Mr G- Hogben, on behalf of the lastnamed, stated that it had come to a resolution that it could not consider the conditions under which 6enior science scholarships were held without also considering the conditions on which all senior scholarships were held. It therefore asked that the word "science," before "senior scholarship," in the amendment carried yesterday, should be deleted. The meeting was then adjourned until Monday, at 10 a.m. January 29. At the sitting of the University Senate to-day Mr F. E. Baume, K.C., moved— " That in the opinion of the Senate The University Act Amendment Act, 1902, section 4, sub-section 6, should be so amended as to prevent the abuse of the power to transfer, and that this resolution be transmitted to the Hop. the Attorney- general. The mover pointed out that it was possible for a graduate of the University to vote at elections in more than one district. It was possible for a graduate of one college to remain on the books of that college and be qualified to vote in its district at the general election. A casual vacancy might, then occur in the district in which he was residing and he might vote there. The section was not intended to provide for such abuse as this. The motion was seconded by Mr yon Haast. " , „ Considerable discussion ensued, and Mr Hay suggested that the difficulty might be •overcome by the addition of the words "And shall not be entitled 1 to have his name transferred until cue year after he has had his name previously transferred." After Mr Baume had replied to the opposition led by the Chancellor and Dr Fitchett, the motion was carried by a small majority. The Rev. Mr Cameron propo=ed, and Professor J. F. Scott seconded— " That the question of giving a travelling scholarship to graduates in medicine be referred to the Finance Commitee to report." The mover said that no member of the Senate could object to a scholarship in medicine when scholarships were already given in the other professions. The scholarship would be given to a man who had taken his degree, and a man of exceptional talent. There~~were many medical problems which could not be studied in New Zealand, and they should send their best men abroad to become acquainted with these problems. Professor J. M. Brown said he would oppose the motion. When a young man left New Zealand with a travelling scholarship he rarely came back. In this lay a very grave danger to New Zealand, and it was the duty of the university to try to keep what talent there was in the Dominion. The Rhodes scholarship and the 1851 Exhibition scholarship would take away quite enough of the best talent without the establishment of any other travelling scholarship. The Hon. C. C. Bowen supported the motion. The isolated position of New Zealand made travel of more value to a student here than to one of almost any other country. Mr G. Hogben also wished to see the motion passed. It was true that New Zealand would lose some clever men, but they should not grudge these. If it was the best thing for a young man to leave 3Sew Zealand they should not stand in his way. Dr M'Dowell followed in favour of the proposal, A great deal of good to the world might be done by the establishment of such a scholarship as that proposed. The Hon. Dr CoUins was also a hearty supporter of the motion on the one ground that the money expended on the scholarships could be better spent on students at i Home.

The Rev. Mr Cameron, in answer to his opponents, said that the finances of the university would not permit the establishment of more than one travelling scholar-

1 ship just at present. He would also point out that the Rhodes and 1851 Exhibition scholarships provided for all schools but the medical, as it was very difficult for a medical student to get either of , these. The motion was carried on the voices. Mr H. A. Gordon moved that the Senate deem it desirable that the Government should recognise the high standard of qualification that graduates in mining engineering haie before obtaining their degree, and amend the mining and coal mining acts to enable thc^e graduates to obtain minemanagers' -certificates on the production of certificates fiom authorised managers that they have been employed in the undergTOvmd working of a mine for a period of three years. Tho mover pointed out that in the future mining would have to be carried on in a much more scientific manner than had been the case in the past. It was, of course, obvious that the university graduate would be more fitted to carry on mining scientifically than any other. The greatest difficulty met with by a. mine manager was the management of men. In fact, the working men were often masters of the situation. It could not be expected that a young man fresh lirojn the university would bo able to grapple with such a problem straight away, but after three years underground he ought to be quite competent to deal with all matters that might arise under his management. The motion was seconded by Professor J. M. Brown, and carried without dissent. Mr G-. Hogben moved — " That elementary agriculture be added to the list of subjects in the matriculation examination, and that the matter be referred to the Science Committee to frame a syllabus." Mr Hogben showed that in many district high sohools agriculture was taught as a regular subject, and perhaps many of the pupils taking the subject intended to go on some day to the Bachelor of Agriculture degree. These, however, were blocked from going on to the university because agriculture was not a matriculation subject. They had either to drop agriculture or give up hopes of matriculation. Professor J. M. Brown seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Tho Medical Committee (Professor J. F. Scott, convener) recommended that candidates who have failed in the third professional examination shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, be admitted to re-examination in six months. It was explained that this recommendation affected seven candidates. The cost of holding a separate examination would be about £150. The Senate considered that such a sum could not be afforded, and refused to adopt the committee's recommendation. Mr James Hay broug-ht up the repeort of the Law Committee. The first two clauses aprointing examiners for the 1908 examinations were adopted. I The third clause read as follows: — A question has been raised as to the construction of clause IV of the regulations for the professional examination in law (page 205 of the Calendar). It has been the practice in dealing with the matriculation results when a candidate has obtained I slightly less than the examiners' minimum in some subjects to treat the case as a conditional pass, and to pass the candidate in that subject for matriculation if excellence is shown in other subjects. The committee is of opinion that any candidate who has passed the matriculation examination, passing in Latin in the manner above nwntioned, is, under clause IV of the law professional examination regulations, entitled to pass in the solicitors' general knowledge examination ; that the attention i of their Honors the- judges be drawn to this | matter with a view to the amendment of their regulations, if so desired. Warm discussion ensued on the motion. The Hon. J. A. Tole moved, and Pro- , fessor Shand «=«conded — "That the word ' not ' be inserted before the words ' entitled t^pass'," thus entirely negativing the recommendation of the committee. The amendment was carried by a small majority. The clause with regard' to allowing 1 candidates prevented by illness in November to 6it in the following May, and with regard to the amendment of olause IV of the statute, " certificates of proficiency," were adopted without dissent. The order paper contained the following motion against the name of Sir Maurice O'Rorke (who was absent) : — " That in tho note to the statute ' Colleges ' (Calendar, page 39) the Auckland University College be added to the University of Otago as a recognised s_chool of mining and metallurgical engineering." Professor Sale moved, and it was agreed toy— " That the- matter be referred to the Mining Committee." January 30. At the University Senate rodiy the examiners for the Bowen. Prize recommended that no prize be awarded this year. One es--ay, which otherwiee should have taken the prize, did not altogether deal with the subject, but the subject re- j commended for the essay in the coming J year was " Tho Probable- Future of the Pacifio Considered in Its Relation to the Destiny of the Australian Colonies." — The Senate unanimously adopted both recommendations. The November Examiners' Committee recommended, and it was agreed, that the following be asked to act as examiners in tho November examinations this year: — _ In Engineering Drawing. — G. P. Williams, 8.A., A.1.C.E., Chriatchureh. In Accounting—A. T. Clarke, A.C.A. In Chemistry — Profe6.<K>r R. Meldola, F.R.S., Finsbury Technical College, London; Professor W. H. Perkin, Ph.D., F.R.S., University of Manchester; Professor James Walker, D.E.S.C., Ph.D., F.R.S., University College, Dundee. In Mental Science— Professor A. T. Mackenzie, M.A.. Cardiff University College; Professor J. H. Muirhead, M.A., LL.D., University of Birmingham ; Professor James Ward, M.A., St. John's College, Cambridge. In Mechanical Drawing — Professor D. S. Capper, King's College, London; Professor F. W. Buretall, M.Sc, M.lnet.C.E., Birmingham: Professor S. Dunkerly, M.So., M.lnst.C.E., Greenwich. In Electrical Engineering — Professor W. Ayston, F.R.S., Central Technical College, London ; Professor Sylvanus Thompson, D.Sc, F.R.S., London; Cams Wilson, M.1.E.E., 41 Old Queen street, Westminster. In Metallurgy and Assaying — Professor Henry Lewis, College of Science, New-castle-on-Tyne; Kirk Rose. D.So., Master of Royal Mint; Professor T. Turner, M.Sc., A.R.S.M., University of Birmingham. In Mine and Land Surveying— Thomas Humphries, Surveyor-general, New Zealand.

On the motion of Professor J. R. Browri, the following recommendations of the Ad eundern Committee were adopted:/— "Thafc William Ohisholm Wilson M'Dowell, a Doctor of Medicine of the University of Edinburgh, be admitted ad eundem to the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the University of New Zealand ; that Archie James Coombea, Bachelor of the University of Sydney, be admitted ad eundem to the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the University of New Zealand ; that the request of a jfraudate of St. David's College, Lampeter, for admission ad eundem be not entertained." On the motion of Professor J: E. Scott the following were admitted to the degrees of M.B.s and C.H.B.'s:— S. E. V. Brown. J. G. Crawford, T. Harrison, F. A. Scannell, R. A. Shore, S. J. Simpson, A. C. Thomson, T. Wi Repa, and E. T. Rogers (on his forwarding the required certificate). Mr Baume moved — "'That a fee of £3, 3s be charged in future for the degree cf Bachelor of Laws." Slpeaking to his motion, Mr Baume said that it was clear that law candidates were more hampered in the jyrosecution of their studies by their examination fees than students in training: for any other profession. They had to sit for four examinations, for each of which they , paid the fee of £2 2s, and for their diploma they had to pay £7 7s. What this meant could be seen from the fact that over onethird of the £2000 expended on last year's November examinations had been paid by ( the fees from law candidates— The motion I was seconded by Dr Fitchett. Mr yon Haast moved as an amendment — ;" That the matter be referred to the i Finance Committee with a view to a reducI tion of the fee to £5 55." After discussion, Mr yon Haast asked leave to withdraw I his amendment, as he had come to tha conclusion that the whole matter of feea should be discussed, and attention not given merely to one case here and there. I Permission to withdraw the amendment I was granted, and Mr Baume's motion waa lost on the voices. .January 31. At the sitting of the University Senate to-day the Science Committee brought down a report. The first- clause read- as folI lows: — The committee, having considered Professor Malcolm's suggestion that physio- , logy be included h the science subjects for , the B.Sc. degree, reporrs that physiology is [ a suitable subject for inclusion in the B.Sc. ' degree. —The clause was adopted, and tha matter referred to the Medical Committeß ■ for the preparation of a syllabus. I The Science Committee recommended that the Senate accede to the request from I the Institution of Givil Engineers (London) I that in qualifying for the studentship I of the institution the condition of keepings a year's terms before passing the entrance examination be relaxer; that the following note be added after paragraph 5 of section 9 of the Statute " The Degree of I Bachelor •of Engineering " : '" Candidates for- the profession of engineering may be admitted to the entrance examination in engineering and shall no*, be required to beep terms at an affiliated college, but suca candidates shall be required to fulfil all 1 the other conditions ■of the examination. ] I The passing of the examination in such manner shall not be ' deemed to be the passing of the entrance examination in I engineering as prescribed for a degree in Engineering." — The recommendations were approved. The Science Committee further recommended that to the definition of honours I in chemistry on page 106 of the Calendar j there be added the sentence : " The credit to be assigned to this thesis shall not so ! much depend on the novelty or importance of the results obtained, as upon the evidence it may afford of ability to carry on good, practical work,, and of the power of in- ; dependent observation." j Another recommendation was that tha practical work for honours in chemistry ■ should be more fully defined, and that Professor Easterfield's suggested definition and i the suggestion of the Auckland Professorial Board, that the definition of chemstry for all university examinations should ba revised and amplified, be referred to tha professors of chemistry of the affiliated colleges for consideration, and that they b« | asked to report to the Senate at its nexl 1 session. I Both proposals were agreed to. The Law Scholarship Committee tabled a report in connection with the new post graduate scholarship in law, which read as follows:— " The senior scholarship examination in law shall be held at the same time as the examination for honours in law, and shall be open only at the time of the I first or second examination for honours . whioh is held after the date upon which the candidate passes the final examination for the Degree of Bachelor of Laws: that the subjects of examination shall be (1) Roman law ; (2) the law of contracts and tort (English law) ; (3) the law of real property (New Zealand law) ; and that the papers shall be the honours papers in each subject." The Chancellor pointed out that tae Senate had had to name a limited number of subjects, for there were so many subjects in law that there would be no competition if candidates' choice were unlimited. The subjects chosen were those dealing with the very foundations of law. The "committee's recommendations were adopted. The Superannuation Committee recom« mended that the Senate should communi-

cate 'with the Government with a view to the Government providing a scheme for the superannuation of professors and other officials of the University and affiliated institutions on the same footing as that provided for the public service. Professor J. R. Brown and several fther senators raised the question of compulsory superannuation. It was ' pointed out that it would be a great hardship for a- professor who had elaborately insured himself at Home to have to contribute to a new scheme of superannuation when he came to New Zealand, perhaps at an advanced age. Such a regulation would simply have the effect of preventing Home professors from being candidates for New Zealand chaifs. An amendment, proposed by Professor J. R. Brown and seconded by the Rev. A. Cameron, referring the matter first to the four Professorial Boards and College Councils, with a view to communicating with the Government, was carried without dissent. The Senate approved the committee's recommendation that a- deputation from the Senate should approach the Government with a -request that the Government 6et apart a sum of money for the establishment of a. conservatorium of music in New Zealand. On the recommendation of the December ■Examiners' Committee the Senate decided jjo ask the following to act as examiners in December, 1908:— Matbiculation. I/atm: O. F. Browne, M.A. (chief examiner), Auckland; C. F. Salmond, M.A. (assistant examiner), Christchurch. Greek: The new Auckland Professor of Classics. English: W. Douglas Andrews, M.A. '{chief examiner), Nelson; W. F. Ward, M.A. LL.D. (assistant examiner), Wellington. French: -Professor G. W. Yon Zedlitz, M.A., Wellington. German: Professor T. G. R. Blunt, M.A., Christchuxeh. Arithmetic: D. Brent, M.A., Dunedin. Algebra: Professor J. Shand, M.A., IjL.D., Dunedin. Geometry: Professor Richards. M.A. (chief examiner), Dunedin; Professor Pichen, M.A. (assistant examiner), Wellington. History: J. P. Grossman, M.A., Auckland. Geography: Professor H. Mackenzie, M.A., Wellington. Heat: C. C. Farr, D.Sc, Christchurch. Chemistry: Professor W. P. Evans, M.A., Ph.D., Christohureh; Mechanics: A. D. Cook, M.A., Christchurch. Botany and Zoology: Professor C. Chilton, M;.A., d:§o., .M.8.," CM., F.L.S., Christehurch.' Musio: J. C. Bradshaw, M,us.D., Christchurch. Drawing: G. Pitcaithly, A.R.C.A., Wellington. Agriculture: P. Marshall, M.A., D.Sc. JUNIOB SCHOLABSHIP. Latin: T. D. Adams, M.A., Dunedin. Greek: The new Auckland Professor of Classics. English: J. Hight/D.Litt., Christchurch. French: Professor T. G. R. Blunt. M.A.. Christchurch. German: Professor G. W. Yon Zedlitz, M.A., Wellington. Physics: O. C. Farr, D.Sc., Christchurch. - Mechanics: Professor C. H. H. Cook, M.A., Christchurch. Chemistry: Professor F. D. Brown. M.A. , B.Sc., Auckland. History: J. P. Grossman, M.A., Auckland. Geography: P. Marshall. M.A., D.Sc, Dunedin. Botany: Professor A. P. W. Thomas, JLA., F.L.S., Auckland. Mathematics: Professor H. W. Segar, M A., Auckland. Intermediate Mus.B. : Tt. Parker, Wellington. - - . On the recommendation of the Science Committee the Senate decided that consideration of Professor J. ,M. Brown's motion — " That the degree of Master of Arts shall not be given for pure science subjects "—be postponed until the next aimual se^sion^j The following further recommendations of the Science Committee were adopted: — 1. That the question vi hether a thesis be required for honour 1 ? in physics. Profe oc oi ulaetei-nelcTs suggestions with lCpraid to ml.ys'cs, and tho reports of the Profo==oi u^l .ySoards relating to phvics be remitted to >!ne Professors of Ph\sics in the affilaiod VJoUeges for further consideration, and ig-

port to the next annual session of the Senate, with a suggestion from the Senate that if possible the professors of physics should arrange to have a conference on the matters remitted. 2. That no one be admitted to examination for honours in arts or science in any subject in which he has not already pasbed in the B.A. or B.Sc. degree. 3. (a) That every candidate repeating: in his final examination a subject in which a certificate that he passed a practical examination or passed through a course of practical woik in such subjects during the year in which he repeats such subjects ; (b) that the examination paper in such repeated subject shall include some questions to test s»6h practical work; (c) that a syllabus of such practical work should be drawn up by the professor of each subject in which such practical work is required; (d) that the recommendation in paragraph (c) be sent to the Professorial Boards for communication to the said professors. Early in the present session of the Senate a letter was received from the Council of Defence suggesting that military drill and rifle shootina; should be allowed as a subject for the" B.A, degree: the matter was then referred to a Drill Committee, which brought down a report as follows: — " The committee has considered I the memo, from the Council of Defence, and is not prepared to recommend that j effioienoy in military drill and rifle shootI ing be accepted as excusing a candidate j from any subject in the B.A. examination. If, however, a practical item can be devised under which the University #an in any way promote efficiency in military subjects the committee thinks that the Senato should give it favourable consideration. To this end the committee suggests that the Chancellor should confer with the Council of Defence and "bring tbo matter up for consideration at the next meeting of the Senate." I The report was adopted without discussion. February 3. i The New Zealand University Senate concluded its session to-day. The next meetI ing will be held at Auckland in January ! next year. 4 HANDSOME BEQUEST. WELLINGTON, January 30. The late Mr Daniel O'Sullivan, of Pleasant Point, near Timaru. by .his will made on 17tb September, 1907, bequeathed the residue of his estate, after the fulfilment of certain trusts therein contained, to the University of New Zealand for the purpose of founding a scholarship or scholarships for medical students of the Roman Catholic faith. The present value of the estate, as : shown in the stamp accounts was, it was stated, approximately £4800 subject to payment of 'legacies and costs, charges, and expenses. To-day, at a meeting of the University Senate, the Chancellor moved — (1) " That the senate expresses its satisfaction at the generous benefaction /which Mr O'Sullivan has bequeathed for educational purposes ; (2) that it would be contrary to precedent and not in accordance with the spirit or intention of our university constitution, as explained in its acts and chapters, for the university to administer such a trust ; (3) that the trust should in the opinion of the senate be transferred to the Public Trusts to administer; (4) that so far as examinations, etc.. are concerned the uniI versity will be glad to assist the Public Trustee in administering the trust."' Dr Fitchett moved an amendment that the bequests should be accepted with thanks with the hope that it may be the forerunner of many such fiom public-spirited citizens for the advancement of sound learning through the medium of the University of New Zealand. He fuithor moved that in every case, as here, the Uni\eiMty received a benefaction which is not open to students generally, but is confined io a specified class, the money should be Lept distinct from the University funds, an'l for that purpose be placed in the hands of the Public Trustee. I The Chancellor considered thai the bequest should be handed over to tho Public i Trustee, and that they should maintain j the purely secular character of the Universit\. Dr Fitchett submitted that there was nothing to justify the refusal of a piivate benefaction fov specific purposes. He failed to see that the acceptance of a bequest reserved for members of a certain church was in any way proposing lehsious tests.

There was no practical difficulty in working out a scheme for administering the terms of the bequest. The University and the Government should not interfere with a private benefaction. There was not the least danger of introducing sectaiian strife. Mr Yon Haa-st, in supporting the Chancellor's motion recapitulated the extreme difficulties that were involved in the question. The Hon. J. A. Tole proposed that they should take the bequest simphcitcr, and moved that the benefaction should be gratefully accepted by the senate. He submitted that to reject the bequest was not in the spirit of the University. His idea was " Let them all came," whether Socialists, Freethinkers, or what not. The University had nothing to do with inquiring into the matter. Sectarianism was a mere bogey. The whole of the statute was an anomalj, and it* wording was such as o forbid a recurrence of the intolerant acts of centuries past. It was strange that the Request should be almost simultaneous with the Chancellor's complaint in his address of the lack of generosity in public benefactions. They were willing to take the bequest, but only by a side track. There was the bogey that men would profess to be Catholics just to qualify for the scholarship. He had noticed that when he bscame Minister for Justice a number of prisoners suddenly became Catholics. He asked the senate to consider the question carefully. The senate voted by 14 to 6 for the acceptance of the trust.