F.—No. 1.

ships for the purpose above mentioned. I would not limit in any way the choice of Universities in the old countries to the scholars (or exhibitioners, as they would more properly be called), but in the event of their selecting the Universities of London, Edinburgh, or other place, where there is little or no control over the moral behaviour of the students, it would be advisable that the exhibitioners should each year produce testimonials of ordinary good conduct from some known and respectable authority. The less restriction is placed upon the exhibitions the more valuable they would be as prizes. The choice of their University might, I think, safely be left to the judgment of the exhibitioners or their friends and the general reputation of the several seats of learning. The effect of these exhibitions would not be confined to the successful candidates. The competition for them by establishing a high standard would tend to raise the character of education in all the schools of the Colony. 2.] The foundation of exhibitions to the amount of £40 or £50 per annum each would be a useful encouragement to candidates for the higher reward of the University Exhibitions. The gaining of such a prize would frequently determine the question with parents or guardians whether they should continue the education of their children or put them out at an early age and with their faculties half trained into the business of active life. By poorer parents this question without some such assistance could only be answered in one way. But I would by no means make poverty a condition or recommendation for the exhibitions. To do so would be to set a social slur upon the prizes. The natural stimulus given by want is, I think, in cases of talent (and it is only such cases that it is proposed to assist) a very effective counterpoise to the advantages of greater means. Adams, the Astronomer, gained his first knowledge of algebra by reading through the panes of a bookseller's window. 3.] The awarding of the exhibitions, both greater and less, should of course be determined by examination. A sufficient Board of Examiners (three at least) could, I think, be formed, of competent persons resident in the Colony who would be willing to give their services gratuitously. It would be desirable that a permanent body or Council of Education of seven or nine persons should be established to appoint the examiners either from among themselves or other available persons. This would give a fixed and steady character to the examinations. Examination-papers, in closed envelopes, could be forwarded to the Superintendents, Resident Magistrates, or any trustworthy officials of the several districts where candidates had given notice of their intention to present themselves. These papers could be handed, unopened, to the examiners. It would only be necessary that some person of integrity should be present during the time allowed for answering the questions, who should take charge of and transmit the replies to the examiners. The expense and difficulties of locomotion are a serious obstacle to bringing all the candidates to a common centre. The excitement and perhaps physical disturbance produced by travelling might be a drawback to boys coming from a distance, and perhaps from home for the first time. 4.] I have already given an answer to this question in my reply to No. 1. 5.] £200 a-ycar for four years, with a passage to Europe and back would, I think, be as much as it would be wise to give. The expenses of a commoner in the University of Oxford, of which I speak from practical knowledge as formerly tutor and burser of a College, can be kept below £70 (seventy pounds) a-year. This includes room rent, tuition, and living, with the exception of tea, sugar, and milk, for about twenty-eight weeks in the year. Undergraduates of good conduct arc allowed, if it is expedient for them, to pass at any rate the shorter vacations, say of nine weeks, in their own rooms in College, £1 a-week will during this time cover their necessary expenses in College, as their rooms are their own. It is only of late years that students have been allowed to remain in Oxford during the whole of the long vacation ; but I do not think that in the case of exhibitioners from New Zealand, without friends or relatives in England, there would be any difficulty in their obtaining permission to do so. But it would, I think, be better for them to spend the summer elsewhere. A change of scene and surroundings is of advantage to every one, especially to Colonial youth. The assistance of a private tutor is of great use, say for one term during the early part of the University career, and for three months in the long vacation preceding the final examination. £200 a-ycar would leave a sufficient margin for this expense of about £40 spread over three and a-half or four years. If the exhibitioners were worthy of their reward there is little doubt that they would be able to secure something additional in the shape of scholarships or exhibitions in the Colleges of the University itself. Scholarships vary in value from £40 to £80 a-year. I believe that in a case of ceeteris paribus the circumstance of having been educated under the disadvantages of a Colony would weigh in favour of the candidate from it. If London or Dublin or some Scotch or Foreign University were selected, so far as I have learnt from persons who have pursued their studies at these places, £200 a-year would be a munificent allowance. 6.] The subjects and limitation of the competition for the University exhibitions should be the same as arc usual for scholarships in the Colleges at home. Latin and Greek composition in prose, with a readiness and accuracy in translating from the same; the principles of Grammar, Greek, Roman, and English History; pure Mathematics, Euclid, Algebra, plane Trigonometry, Conic Sections, Differential and Integral Calculus. I should recommend that the power of translating a simple passage of some Latin author, a tolerable facility in Arithmetic, and a knowledge of at least one book of Euclid should be essential with all the candidates. - The power of verse composition in Greek or Latin is the result of long artificial

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REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE