H.—3

1873: NEW ZEALAND.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND.

ANNUAL REPORT.

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of Sis Excellency.

Mr. Tanceed to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sic,— Wellington, 25th April, 1873. I have the honor herewith to enclose the annual report of the proceedings of this Council for the year ending 31st March ultimo, together with an account of income and expenditure audited as required by clause 16 of " New Zealand University Act, 1870." I have, &c, Henry John Tancred, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chancellor. ♦—

ANNUAL REPORT. In compliance with the 16th section of " The New Zealand University Act, 1870," the Council makeß the following report to His Excellency the Governor of the proceedings of the University during the year ending 31st March, 1873. The approval lately given by the Governor to the regulations passed by the Council has placed the University in a position to make more permanent arrangements for the improvement of the higher education in the Colony than was possible while these regulations were altogether in abeyance or only operative for a limited time. The Council has great gratification in announcing that a liberal donation has been made by His Excellency the late Governor, Sir George Ferguson Bowen, for the encouragement of learning in this University. This donation is a sum of one hundred guineas as a foundation for a prize to be called " The Bowen Prize," for the best English Essay on a subject to be given. The deed of gift prescribes that this prize shall be awarded under regulations to be framed by the Council. The Council has, during the present session, passed regulations, and submitted them for His Excellency's approval, by ■which the conditions of competition for this prize are prescribed. During the last meeting of the Council in April, 1872, the four following institutions were affiliated to this University, viz.: — 1. Auckland College and Grammar School, Auckland. 2. Nelson College, Nelson. 3. Wellington College, Wellington. 4. Canterbury Collegiate Union, Christchurch. Systematic instruction has been given in a variety of subjects under the direction of the University in these institutions, and their sphere of usefulness has been sensibly enlarged. One great difficulty has been experienced in properly developing the teaching capabilities of these institutions, owing to the uncertainty which has hitherto existed as to tho position of the University. More especially, the uncertainty as to the ability of the Council, under the provisional state of the regulations, to continue the grants made, has prevented these institutions, as well as individuals interested, from making their arrangements on the faith of the assistance being permanent. The continuance of this assistance being dependent upon the continued operation of the regulations under which it was given, nothing of a permanent nature could be undertaken while the regulations were only temporary. Thesa regulations, however, having now been approved by His Excellency without being limited as to time, it may be considered that this state of uncertainty has passed away. The first step towards raising and increasing higher education in the Colony generally having now been taken, by the establishment of the courses of instruction alluded to above, a further step in advance is now required. Acomprehensivo curriculum of study will bo of but little value without real efficiency in the teaching and improvement in those taught: and in order to secure this, it is proposed to appoint a qualified person to visit and carefully inquire into the condition and course of study pursued at the various institutions affiliated to the University, as well as to assist them by suggestions and counsel. Examinations for University Scholarships were held in May, of last year, which resulted in the award of seventeen scholarships under the regulations then in force. The thanks of the Council are due to those geutlemen who undertook the office of Examiners for last year's scholarships for the great care and ability with which they have performed their duties, and the real interest which they have taken in producing, under considerable difficulties, a successful result. The reports of the Examiners, taken as a whole, show that the papers sent in disclose generally a higher state of education than was expected. In Classics, the knowledge possessed by some few of th«> I—E. 3