E.—7A,

question of the location of a special school of mining were to be considered de novo, the best place for it would be alongside a school of engineering. We are well aware that the history of the Mining School of Otago is interwoven with that of the University of Otago, and that its graduates have in the past won a reputation beyond the bounds of the Dominion. In view, however, of the fact that mining in New Zealand has not to-day the importance it had formerly, and that despite the Government grants the maintenance of the school deprives the Arts and General Accounts of so large a sum, it appears that the best course will be to remove this school when a suitable opportunity offers. Before an opinion is expressed on the engineering courses conducted by the Auckland University College the circumstances leading to their establishment should be stated. Shortly after the opening of the Auckland University College the question of the distribution of special schools was brought forward. Just about this period, the Otago University was finding it increasingly difficult to finance special schools of both medicine and mines. In 1887 Dr. Coughtrey (ex-Professor of Anatomy and Physiology at Otago University) wrote to the Auckland University Council suggesting that Otago should have the only special school of medicine, that Canterbury should concentrate on engineering, and that Auckland should establish a school, of engineering and mines. The matter made no progress, however, until 1904, when the Premier, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, in reply to a deputation, promised assistance to the Otago Medical School, on the sole condition that the School of Mines should be closed down and transferred to Auckland. This proposal aroused considerable local feeling in Dunedin, and the transfer was successfully resisted, but a compromise was arrived at by which Auckland was also to have a school of mines, and a professor was accordingly appointed in 1906. The Government made a grant of £5,000 to start the school, and in 1909 gave an additional grant of £1,200 for an electrical laboratory. As there were four mining schools actually on the Auckland mining fields where the students could receive theoretical training, and at the same time work in the mines, the University school failed to attract a sufficient number of students. Accordingly, the equipment was used for the training of engineering students. In 1918, with the consent of the Senate, the Auckland University College started classes in architecture. With Schools of Mines and Architecture Auckland found that the College was authorized to teach all of the subjects of the first three years of the full B.E. course in mechanical engineering, and practically, also, those for civil and electrical engineering. The Senate has, however, persistently refused to acknowledge the School of Engineering at Auckland, and the anomalous position has arisen that for most of the examinations in the first two professional divisions of the degree in engineering an Auckland student may sit and count a pass towards degrees in Mining and Architecture, but he may not sit for Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering degrees, although the examination papers are identical. This evidence was tendered by the President of the Auckland University College, who was very emphatic in his protests. There would appear to be, therefore, some ground for the opinion expressed by witnesses that the Senate was influenced by provincial jealousies. One witness, Professor Hunter, expressly stated, " Whenever there is a question of Special Schools involved, educational principle is thrown to the winds." We were, however, much impressed with the evidence of Messrs. Furkert and Jones, who, representing the Engineers' Registration Board and Institute of Civil Engineers respectively, were both emphatic against the danger of weakening the usefulness of the School of Engineering, " if the available funds were divided, in place of concentrating on one thoroughly efficient establishment." We note, however, that Mr. F. W. Furkert states, " Whether Canterbury College is the most suitable location for the School of Engineering may perhaps be open to question, but the School is well established there, has done excellent work in the past, and has the advantage of being fairly central." There is no doubt that a school of engineering should be in vital touch with industrial development, and the rapidly increasing population of Auckland cannot be ignored. Moreover, it appears probable that the effect of the recently established Engineers' Registration Board should be an increased demand for college-trained engineers. On the whole, therefore, particularly in view of the establishment of Schools of Architecture and Forestry in Auckland, and the appointment of professors j

How Engineering School developed at Auckland.

Refusal of Senate to recognize Auckland School of Engineering.

Recommendation in favour of Auckland Engineering School.

53