UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2723, 25 August 1868, Page 4

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

(to the editoe of the independent. Wellington, 15th August, 1868. Sm, — I read with much interest in the Independent of Tuesday last a letter from a correspondent signing himself "Educationist," on the subject of University Scholarships and a Council of Education. The proposal to endow scholarships to the European Universities, which was first brought before the public about a year ago, was certainly somewhat fascinating, and at first there wero not many found to raise objections against it. But it is not surprising to find, after the novelty of tho idea has worn off, that a careful consideration of the question, such as Educationist has evidently given it, should have materially altered our views. Indeed I observe that he states that at the first promulgation of the plan, he expressed some doubt whether tho proposed scholarships would produce the rosults anticipated by its promoters. In his letter he abandons them as unadvisable, or at least premature, and considers more at large tho advantages likely to arise from the establishment of a Council of Education. One would imagine it to bo the interest as well as the duty of the state to provide that all its youth should have tho opportunity of receiving as good an education as possible ; and Avhenever the state does acknowledge its responsibility in this respect, a board of education will no doubt bo found necessary. But in the meantime, the Government having expressed their willingness to carry out the suggestions of the Committee, would it not bo better to take with thankfulness the good things which the gods seem disposed to give, and to urge tho bringing into operation of the proposed scholarships, rather than clamor for something which tho Committee did not think fit to recommend. For my own part, I am very much in favor of the foundation of exhibitions, to be attached to the upper schools in tho principal towns of the colony (as suggested in No. 2 of the Queries sont out by the Committee-) ; but since the powers '■ that bo have decided otherwise, I am pi epared to look forward hopefully to tho carrying cut of the scheme which they have recommended. — I am, j i Sic, TEIBUNB. .| '