F.—No. 1.

2.] I should prefer, for many reasons, that the Grammar Schools in the Colony should be left altogether to private energy, without any interference on the part of the Government. There would be great difficulty also in determining which of the existing schools in the Colony should be considered eligible for such exhibitions. 3.] I would only suggest that those who answer best at a Competitive Examination should not necessarily be considered eligible for scholarships or exhibitions, but that a minimum of qualification should be laid down. 4.] Oxford, Cambridge, and Trinity College, Dublin. 5.] I should think about £200 per annum. 6.] The usual subjects taught in the endowed schools in England and Ireland preparatory to a University education, viz., Greek, Latin, History, and the elements of Mathematics, that is, Arithmetic, Algebra, and Euclid. 7.] A University established in New Zealand would, I conceive, be a great advantage to the whole Colony ; for though, from the circumstances of the country, it would not probably be much resorted to at first, it would gradually create a taste for learning, and would tend greatly to elevate the tone of the whole Colony. It would involve however a large expenditure for buildings and for maintenance ; and it is a question whether the present financial state of the Colony would justify such an outlay, and whether the project may not be premature in this country at the present time. *** One great difficulty in the establishment of a University in this country would be the religious question. That difficulty would, I conceive, be best avoided by adopting the plau of the Sydney University,—by not confiding to the University the responsibility of training young men, but leaving it to affiliated Colleges, to be erected by the religious bodies. John Frederic Lloyd, Archdeacon of Waitcmata.

Rev. D. Bruce. —I.] No. (1.) Because these scholarships would generally be held by those whose position in this Colony is such as to enable them at their own costs to attend any University foreign to the Colony, should they or their relatives be so minded. (2.) Because such scholarships would be a standing public advertisement of the classical and scientific poverty of the Colony. (3.) Because such a system as it is proposed to adopt would tend to retard the establishment and development of native institutions for learning corresponding to those existing in the countries referred to. 2.] No. Instead of this I would recommend the making provision for the teaching of that higher class of studies. At present it does not pay to teach the advanced branches of learning; and the heads or principals of existing institutions in the Colony are therefore obliged to devote their attention, well-nigh exclusively, to those branches which tell upon the revenue. Could the Government or Legislature make provision by grants of money and otherwise— as for example by endowments—whereby the heads of existing institutions at the different centres of population could devote time and energy to the superintendence of such studies, the ordinary proportion of pupils willing to prosecute these studies would, I am persuaded, be forthcoming without these exhibitions. 3.] No, as I disapprove of the objects of these questions in their present form. 4.] If scholarships arc instituted, though 1 do not recommend them, I am of opinion that the principal seats of learning in each of the three kingdoms represented in the Imperial Parliament should have the preference, namely, Oxford or Cambridge, Dublin, and Edinburgh. I certainly do not recommend the establishing of scholarships in connection with any University in the Australian Colonies. If the thing must be done, let it be done well. 5.] I have no opinion to offer on this point further than to say, that if any one enjoying any of the proposed scholarships should require money to cover the cost of a private tutor during the vacation, he had much better remain in New Zealand. 6.] I have no opinion to offer on this point at present. 7.] My opinion not only as to the propriety but as to the necessity of establishing a New Zealand University, is very decided. Such an institution ought to have, in the interests of public education, been established before this time. The non-existence of such an institution has hitherto prevented the action upon the youthful mind of one of the most powerful inducements to prosecute those higher studies previously referred to—namely, the public recognition of praiseworthy effort, or the public reward of acknowledged talent. In a Colony such as this, with its geographical peculiarities and its numerous local or provincial interests, any attempt to establish a University upon the model of the seats of learning in Great Britain and Ireland, or even those of Sydney and Melbourne, would at present only be attended with failure. The Legislature cannot do better than fashion the New Zealand institution upon the principle of the London University, which is but an extension of the system obtaining in the University of Paris. 17

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ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.