N.Z. UNIVERSITY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10571, 24 January 1906, Page 3

N.Z. UNIVERSITY.

. « __ SPEECH BY THE CHANCELLOR. (Per Press Association.; DUNEDIN, this day. Sir Robert Stout, Chancellor, m his address at the opening of the Senate, stated he hopes soon to be able to congratulate Auckland on the erection of new and suitable buildings for College purposes. There is an ideal site available, aud there can be no objection to its utilisation for 6uch purposes. The present buildings, would then be useable for boarding purposes, the uoed for which the Senate has already affirmed on several occasion. There lias been a considerable increase m the number of candidates for matriculation, but not of candidates for degree's proper. The matriculation candidates numbered 973, the largest ever entered m a single year for degrees, and the law and professional candidates wei\. 790, against 778 last year. The great increase iii the number of pupils at the secondary schools is mainly due to the aid given by tbe Government to thase passing the Sixth Standard at the primaries and the creation of national scbo--larships. The increased attendance at the secondary schools must soon affect the attendance at the university colleges, and we may then look forward to increased candidates for matriculation, also uuiversity students He hopes the people will recognise that tho aim of all education ie to create efficient citizens University education should therefore have a relation to our industrial lifo The youth must be so trained so that higher education will not only help to make them •thinking men and women but also fit them for work. If higher education is directed into mere professional channels, much disappointment will be m store for many students. The openings for professional men and women- are not unlimited, though at present the supply of skilled, cultured journalists, teachers aud business men is not too great. Wliilo warmly approving of a superannuation scheme for primary teachers, Sir Robert hopes similar provision will be made for university professors, lecturers, teachers and staff. At the capping ceremonies the behavior of the undergraduates of Auckland was everything that- could be desired, but the same could not be said of other centres. Considering the attitude of niuny students and graduates towards the ceremony, the Senate was now called on to determine whether or not the public function should be continued. The.ye cuppings cost a considerable sum, which might be better utilised, allowing at least two junior scholarships. Regret m expressed that, as yet no students for agricultural degrees liave presented them-ss-lves. It might be. wise for the Government to consider whether there ought not to be an agricultural college affiliated with Auckland College to provide tuition must suitable to agriculture m the semitropical north. Tlie. Chancellor mentions the receipt of a communication from a musical expert, who thinks one fullyequipped school of music, with 'at least four teachers, might be established. Such a school might undertake tho examinations now carried on by musical experts sent from England annually. It is worthy of consideration whether, the time has not arrived when our musical education should be considerably extended. • The whole question of awarding honors require* careful consideration. The vear"s income totalled £8500, of -which £4503 was represented m fees and £946 m interest. The expenditure totalled £7396, the examiners drawing £2129, expenses connected with examinations £1382, scholarships £2000, general purposes £532, balance carried forward £1104.-