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in the Civil Service, and it would doubtless induce many parents to keep their sons much longer at school. 3.] I would suggest, as before stated, that the University of Melbourne should be the Board of Examiners. 4.] If it should be decided that University Scholarships should be founded not specially in connection with Melbourne, I would suggest that they be tenable at " any University of established reputation." Doubtless one of the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, London, or Melbourne, would in almost every case be chosen by the parents or guardians of the scholars. 5.] I am only able to give an opinion with respect to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. In both, £200 a year should cover all University expenses, including the cost of private tuition, both during term and the long vacation. But it must not be forgotten that a good scholar would largely increase his income by gaining one or more College scholarships, formerly close, but now most of them, if not all, thrown open to competition, without restriction of birth or school. 6.] I would suggest similar subjects to those at the Middle Class Examinations of Oxford and Cambridge. 7.] 1 think that at present New Zealand is not ripe for such an institution, but that, with increased and higher education, which would be sure to result from the foundation of exhibitions and scholarships and the opening to competition of appointments in the Civil Service, in a few years the establishment of an University might be advisable. As a preparatory step, I would suggest the establishment of colleges in the principal towns •of the Colony; for if only one college were established, it would principally benefit only the centre of population in which it might be situated; for comparatively few students from distant parts of the Colony would attend. The classrooms of the existing schools might be used for lectures in the evening, which would induce many clerks engaged during the day to attend. These colleges to be affiliated to the Melbourne University, and instead of members of the colleges going over to Melbourne to be examined, the examiners to send over scaled printed papers to be set on the same day at all the respective colleges. The Melbourne University would of course confer degrees on the successful candidates, and should be asked to class the New Zealand Students in the same lists with those examined at Melbourne, which, by increasing the competition, would, as in the case of the school examinations, be an additional incentive to the students to prosecute a higher course of studies. *3f* To carry out the working of the above plan, it would probably be found necessary to establish a Colonial Board of Education, who would put themselves in communication with the University of Melbourne, and superintend the general arrangements for the various examinations, and determine to whom exhibitions and scholarships should be given. After a few years it would be desirable to establish fellowships, even supposing them to be only of the value of .£5O a year, and tenable for three years, and conferred only on those who take the highest honours at the University. D. BitENT, M.A. Cantab., Math. Master of the High School of Otago.

The Hon. Major Richardson. —I.] Yes, under proper arrangements through which the impetus given to education will not he confined to the chief towns of the Colony, but will extend to its remotest borders. 2.] Yes ; but these exhibitions should not be a charge upon the General Revenue of the Colony, but should be furnished from Provincial Revenues and Provincial land endowments. 3.] I am not able to offer any such suggestions with regard to the conduct of the examinations, but would suggest that each Province select its best scholars, one or more, as may be fixed on, to compete at the scat of Government before a Board of Examiners, which should have a stated remuneration for each such examination. 4.] I would not limit the scholarships to any particular Universities, where security can be taken for educational character of such University. New Zealand is peopled by men of different nationalities, and there are reasons why facilities should be given to lads for being educated in a particular locality. I confess to a preference for the English Universities. It may, however, be a prejudice. 5.] From £200 to £250 a-year, in addition to passage to Europe and back. 6.] This is a point on which I do not feel competent to give any trustworthy advice. 7.] I would not recommend such an establishment at present, but be content with making the necessary provision by endowments in land for a future University, applying the proceeds in the meantime to the scholarship object. *#*! do not know that I could offer any other suggestions, without much delay, beyond the following : — 1. The scholarships should be confined to boys who have resided a certain number of years in the Colony with their parents' or guardians, who should be bond fide settlers. 2. That no Province should be permitted to derive benefit from the establishment of suck

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ESTABLISHMENT OE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.