F.—No. 1.

7.] I am not sufficiently informed on the state of education in New Zealand to form any decided opinion on this question at present; but lam disposed to think that in the present state of the Colony the foundation of a University would not produce advantages at all commensurate with the cost. After watching the progress of the Australian Universities we shall be in a better position to act. Meanwhile it would be well to secure the formation of good schools which may in time be developed into something higher. The modern English University has grown out of what were two hundred years ago nothing more than large schools. *#* As to the term of the scholarships, they should be dcterminablc on the holder failing to pass any public examination, or on his College tutor recommending his removal, also on rustication or expulsion. It should be a condition of the scholarship that the holder should read for honours. The curriculum for the ordinary degree is too easy to stimulate the student. If the scholarships were made to extend beyond the degree, the power of deprivation on the holder failing to take honours would be an extra stimulus. Care should be taken to provide for cases where failure results from illness. William Pharazyn, 8.A., Cantab, LL.B., London.

H. E. Tuckey, Esq. —I.] I do. The foundation of such scholarships would, it is to be hoped, raise considerably the standard of education throughout the Colony. Even, in our best schools or Colleges the standard is not yet so high as that of any second-rate Grammar School in England; and it must continue low so long as boys are taken from school at the early age of fifteen or sixteen years, as is customary at present in this country. I know of no means so likely to induce parents to keep their sons at school until (as in England) they are eighteen or nineteen years old, as the foundation of University Scholarships. 2.] I think that such exhibitions would ba more immediately and perhaps more widely beneficial than the University Scholarships. The number and value of the exhibitions being generally known, and the subjects for an examination being published some time beforehand could not fail to be an admirable stimulus in all schools above the simply commercial ones. It is probable, also, that the encouragement offered to the cultivation of a higher class of studies would have the very desirable effect of rendering parents less satisfied with a merely English education for their boys than they have hitherto been. 3.] The examinations might be conducted by means of scaled papers, or (which would be preferable) by the examiners in person, in some central town in the Colony, the expenses of the candidates from other places being allowed them. For the University Scholarships it will probably be found desirable that there should be three examiners (unless the number of candidates prove very limited) since it is likely that of those who come for examination some will have made Classics and others Mathematics their chief study. There are in various parts of the Colony gentlemen who have taken high degrees at one or other of the English Universities. The names of such gentlemen might readily be obtained from the different Provinces, and it would seem probable that the services of some of them might be secured and retained as examiners. Otherwise an application to one of the Australian Universities would be the readiest way to obtain such examiners as might be needed. 4-.] It is probable that if the choice of University were left to the scholars themselves the majority of them would select either Oxford or Cambridge. The degrees of both those Universities are no longer confined to Members of the Church of England, but are open to men of whatever religious belief. It is very desirable that they should so choose, since the advantages to the men themselves, to be gained at either Oxford or Cambridge, are far greater than would accrue to them at any other place of learning. But as it might appear invidious to exclude other Universities, whether English, Irish, or Scotch, or even German and Australian, I am of opinion that the successful candidates should be free to select any chartered University. 5.] I consider that two hundred and fifty pounds (£250) a-year would cover all necessary expenses, including private tutor during vacations. G.] The examinations for such scholarships should embrace quite as high subjects (Classical) as arc included in the scholarship examinations at home; and Mathematical papers as high as the first year's lectures for honour men at Cambridge should be set, in order to test the merits of such men as have chiefly read Mathematics. Candidates should not be admitted under eighteen years of age or over twenty; and a residence of at least two years in some one of our New Zealand Schools should be required. 7.] I fear that the cost would be great, and much disappointment the result. *#* The University Scholarships should be tenable for four years. Passage-money should be allowed. Like other University Scholarships, they should be forfeited in case of failure in either of the previous examinations or of the degree, also in case of rustication or of marriage. 11. E. Tuckey.

Rev. P. Hay Maxwell, M.A.—l.] I doubt whether the foundation of University Scholarships at our English Universities would be very beneficial to the general cause of education in this Colony, unless at the same time there were established some system of local exhibitions,

47

ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.