THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7801, 4 September 1903, Page 3

THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS.

INTERVIEW WITH DR PARKIN. [F»OH OUR CosnESPONDKNT.] WELLINGTON, September 4. Dr Parkin, Principal of the Upper Canada College, Toronto, who arrived here yesterday as representative of the trustees of the CecLl Rhodes .'cholarships at Oxford! University, explains that ior New Zealand there ■will be ii- scholarship given every year, tenuble for three years, so that when the scheme is in full operation there will be three New Zealand-era being educated at Oxford. They will have £300 a year, and as any prudent man can work his way •through Oxford) on £200 a year, this will mean that the student will have £100 for his 'holtd'ays and be able to spend; this money wisely in holidays in Germany or Franoe, where he may pick up a knowledge of the Continental languages. This is the most liberal scholarship in the world, says Dr Parkin, and there will be nearly two hundred students getting this £300 a year. Australia will send eighteen, New Zealand three, Canada twenty-four and South Africa twenty-four students^ and the scholarships, will exist practically for all time. Mr Rhodes left "directions by which , if the diamond mines gave out A the money would have to be invested in consols, and the trustees began investing in consols last year. One object the trustees have in mind is to secure the very best, scholars, and. make I certain that the system adopted is an Imperial one, which will command; public confidence. The scholars will be expected to pass the preliminary examination at Oxford, but there will also be a qualifying local examination, for which the Oxford authorities prefer that tihe papers should! be set locally. After spending a fortnight in New Zealand, Dr and Mrs Parkin will proceed to Australia. ' [Per Press Association.] 'Dr Parkin, appointed) by the trustees of the Rhodes scholarship, scheme to tratverse the English-speaking world to collect materials from which the trustees will frame a scheme, arrived 1 at Wellington by the Turakina last evening. H© holds" a consultation fco-d&y with representatives of the university, colleges, secondary and primary schools, and* the Education Department to receive suggestions as to- the conditions under which the three scholarship." allotted to this colony under Mr* Rhodes's will shall be awarded). A conference of educational representatives with Dr Parkin, representing the trustees of Rhodes' scholarships, opened at the Museum Buildings to-day. Sir Robert Stout, Chancellor of the New Zealand University, was elected chairman, and expressed regret that the Professorial Boards were not represented on the conference. -Dv PaTkin explained that the chief points upon which the Rhodes trustees wanted advice were the method of selecting scholars and i the body to be entrusted with selection, the age limits of candidates, the school or collegiate standing of candidates, the length of residence in the colony before • a candidate could apply for a scholarship, the possibility of adhering closely to the suggestions of Mr Rhodes in the selection of scholars, and the course of study at Oxford which would be recommended to Rhodes scholars. The conference adjourned to 8.30 p.m., to enable the Auckland representatives to be present. ■ ■