5

1.—13 a

(ii. University Senate In 1906-7 composed of fifty-nine members —namely Principals of the colleges, such professors and lecturers as are heads of departments in colleges recognized by the Court as departments. The Senate (1) proposes all statutes relating to studies or examinations for degrees, &c, for approval by the Court, (2) approves or rejects schemes of each constituent college regarding the studies and examination of its own students, but the Senate cannot initiate such schemes, and any constituent college can appeal to the Court against the decision of the Senate thereon, (iii Guild of Graduates Consists of all graduates of two years' standing and over, and all members of teaching staffs in colleges. It elects some members of the University Court, and may make recommendations to the Senate. Beyond this it appears to have no other function. (c University of Birmingham. —This University has three bodies conducting its affairs, — ■(i The Court of Governors, consisting of 225 members, ex officio, and nominated, appointed, or elected by various persons and bodies, professional and non-profes-sional (the ex officio members include, inter alia, all the deans of the faculties and all the professors). The Court is the supreme controlling authority, its principal functions being those of legislation and appeal. It controls the Senate only through the Council. (ii ) The Council of the University 'This is also a mixed body, consisting of twentyeight members. Its functions are the management of the finance and similar business of the University; drafting of statutes, which it submits to the Court, making of regulations, supervising of instruction and teaching as explained under the heading of ' The Senate." (iii ) The Senate, consisting of about thirty members—namely, the Principal, the VicePrincipal, the deans of all the faculties, and all the professors. Its powers are that, subject to review by the Council, it controls the curriculum and the examinations, makes recommendations for degrees, scholarships, <fee, carries out the discipline, and, in addition, deals with other matters committed to it by the Council. • Hours op Study It is stated that too much of the instruction at Victoria College and at Auckland University College is given in the evening. The following is a comparative statement of the number of lectures per week given at each of the University colleges before and after 5 p.m. respectively : . , . Before 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. Auckland , 35 30, Victoria ... ... .. 4.4 ] 02 Canterbury (exclusive of Engineering) 81 52 Otago University 153 57 r Fotal ... .. ..313 250 Practical Work. Auckland ... ig g Victoria 1 6 27 Canterbury * 2 Otago University 83 5 * All the remainder; number not stated. Some of the universities in the Empire differentiate between day students and evening students by requiring the latter to keep terms for a longer time than the day students. For instance, in the University of Sydney an evening student cannot sit for his final B.A. examination until'the end of his fourth whereas an ordinary day student can take the same examination at the end of his third year Some universities require five years instead of three. Students Abroad. The Department has no information as to the number of New-Zealanders that proceed to Homo universities, whether before or after taking a degree in New Zealand. Examinations. The system of external examination in vogue in New Zealand is now employed by few if any other universities in the Empire; but the discussion, of this question involves controversial matters which I understand it is not the desire of the Committee that I should discuss at this stage. _ The cost of the examinations conducted by the University of New Zealand is, as stated in the petition, about £5,000 per annum, but this, it should be remembered, includes not only the cost of external examinations, but also the cost of the Matriculation, University Junior Scholarship, and other entrance examinations, and of the examinations in law, medicine, engineering and mining which in any case have to be held in New Zealand. The total cost of all these amounts to a very considerable proportion of the sum of £5,000 named.