P.—No. 1.
J. Macandmtw, Esq.—l.] See No. 7. 2.] See No. 7. 5.] In the event of establishing a New Zealand University, as indicated in my reply to Question 7, the fees I imagine would be, to a great extent, nominal—the chief expense to the students would be the cost of living from home. The system of bursaries, which so largely prevails at some of the Scotch Universities would, no doubt, gradually come into play, as there are many men in New Zealand whom it may fairly be presumed would be glad of such a means of transmitting their names to posterity. Probably the Colony might itself found a few small bursaries, by way of example. 7.] I am of opinion that the whole object in view, as indicated by each of the foregoing questions, can be best attained in every respect by the establishment forthwith of a New Zealand University. The expenditure which will be involved on the part of the Colony in maintaining, say two scholarships, at even the least expensive University in the mother country, inclusive of outfit and passage, cannot be less at the end of five years than £2000 per annum ; probably t £3ooo will be much nearer the mark. Whatever the amount may be, it will suSice to support a couple of chairs in a New Zealand University. What I would suggest therefore is, that the new Post Office, Dunedin, should be diverted from the purposes for which it has been erected (for which it is not required), and that the University of New Zealand should have its local habitation in the building in question. There is in the Province of Otago a large educational endowment which is daily accumulating in value, and is intended ultimately to be applied towards the maintenance of a Collegiate Institute. If the Colony would provide the means which might be necessary in order to adapt the newPost Office to the purposes of a University, and I do not think it would require much to do so ; and if it would also fix an annual endowment upon the institution equal to the cost of the proposed scholarships, assuming there to be only two, I have every reason to believe that the Province of Otago would supplement that endowment to an extent sufficient to maintain not less than five permanent chairs—a number which I apprehend would be sufficient for some years to come, or at all events to begin with. I do not know that it would be absolutely necessary or expedient to begin even with so many as five Professors all at once ; probably two might suffice for the first year—say one for Greek and Latin, and one for Logic and Mental Philosophy. Natural Philosophy and Mathematics, Natural Science, Political Economy, and the other departments of a complete University course might be added from time to time, as the institution becomes fully developed. There are several individuals now in the Colony fully qualified to deliver a course of lectures upon Natural Science (Dr. Hector for example), whose services might be availed of. Should these suggestions be carried out, I am persuaded that instead of two scholarships, there will be placed within the reach of the whole youth of the Colony the means of acquiring an education as liberal, as advanced, and as complete as can be acquired in—for example the University of Aberdeen—which, it is admitted, has turned out as great a proportion of scholars and of able men as any similar institution in Europe. I would only remark further with respect to the new Post Office, that while I do not think that such an extensive edifice is absolutely necessary in order to the establishment of a Colonial University, yet I have no doubt that ultimately the whole of the building will be required. It appears to me moreover, that the mere fact of the institution being lodged in such an imposing structure —(there is nothing in the Colony equal to it) would tend to give it a position not only within, but without New Zealand, which could not fail to be highly beneficial. James Macandrew. Wellington, 9th August, 1867. Superintendent of Otago.
Mr. Justice Chapman.—l.] I recommend most earnestly to the favourable consideration of the Legislature the foundation of Scholarships mentioned in the above question. The plan has been adopted in Tasmania, with very beneficial results, and seems to be especially suited to a Colony not yet sufficiently advanced in population and wealth to establish and maintain with success a University of its own. The beneficial operation of such scholarships I take to be threefold. First: To the successful pupils themselves. Upon them they confer an education of the highest character, which they would not otherwise acquire. They will return to the Colony, and as they increase in number from year to year they will give an improved intellectual tone to society in every part of the Colony. Secondly : The scholarships will be beneficial not merely to those who succeed in obtaining them, but to the much more numerous class of those who propose themselves for examination and who compete for the scholarships. The scholarships will give a great spur to exertion by holding out a very distinguished reward to the successful. Dr. Arnold in consoling one of his old pupils who had been unsuccessful in obtaining some University honours, pointed out to him that it was the effort which was useful, creditable, and healthful to the mind. Every candidate cannot succeed, but every candidate will, in a greater or less degree be elevated, and find his
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