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class lists will show that at last a goodly number recognize the value of this particular line of thought. Journalism and Accountancy. —The University still further extended the scope of the work that may be undertaken by the affiliated Colleges, and the Senate has decided that a course in journalism may be entered upon, and also that the University will conduct examinations in accountancy. Instruction in the latter subject had already been largely provided for at Canterbury College in the course set out for the Degree of Bachelor of Commerce, and it has been found necessary to enlarge the scope of the work very slightly to meet the present requirements of those who may wish to pursue their studies in accountancy and the kindred subjects at the College. Yet, as more students avail themselves of these facilities, it will be necessary either to increase the number of lecturers or increase the number of hours that the present staff are giving to the students. A student entering on a course of accountancy may, if matriculated, so select his subjects that with a comparatively slight addition to, and careful arrangement of, his work, he may proceed to the degree of Bachelor of Commerce. Ihe course in journalism is also largely provided for, inasmuch as the subjects required for the complete course are nearly all already dealt with in one or other of the ordinary degree lectures. The Committee that reported on this proposed course said : "We think that there would be no difficulty in providing for the mere technical training that would be required, and that the expense of this training, not at present provided for by the College, would not be great." All that remains to be done, then, is to be ready to supply the additions to the staff when a sufficient number of students who wish to take the course come forward. University Reform. —A great deal has been heard in the past year about university reform, and while every one will be ready to admit that we have not reached a point when no reform is necessary, yet the two principles underlying the agitation seem to be (1) the desirability of the teaching staff being constrained to adhere to a special syllabus of work, and (2) the anxiety to do away with external examiners. With regard to the first of these, some object to the professor being levelled down to the position of a " coach "; but surely the fact of a professor having to work on a special syllabus does not of necessity make him a coach pure and simple. I can call to mind many teachers whose work, while covering the ground required for degree examinations, rose immeasurably higher than that of the best " crammer " in the world, and whose energy and enthusiasm inspired their students with something far greater than the mere desire of obtaining their degree. In my own opinion, if the professor degenerates into a " coach " the fault is not with the prescribed course of studies, but with the personality of the professor himself. With regard to the second underlying principle, I, for one, certainly do not think that the time is ripe for doing away with external examiners, for while there are undoubtedly disadvantages in the present system, yet the advantage of adhering to the methods at present adopted seems to be greater. Certainly, a student has to wait a long time between sitting for examination and learning the results of his work, and thus is uncertain whether he should commence a course of study on new subjects or should revise the old, and that seems the most weighty objection. We must remember, however, that the standard at the present time is such that the status of the student who has graduated under present conditions is recognized by the authorities in England. While I do not mean to suggest for a moment that internal examiners would not still keep the standard high, I am of opinion that there might, and possibly would, be a question of the status of the New Zealand graduate being so readily recognized by the older universities, and if such were not the case the advantage of such recognition would be lost. Trinity College Scholars. —lt is always a pleasing duty to be able to refer to successes of those students who are continuing their studies at the older universities, and I am glad to be able to do so this year. Last year Mr. Norman Bell, M.A., proceeded to Trinity College, Cambridge, as the selected scholar from this College, and by late reports we learn that his sizarship has been extended for a further period to enable him to continue his work. As yet I have received no official report from Trinity College, but, in view of the fact of an extension being granted him, you will have to consider whether the term of the scholarship granted by Canterbury College should not also be extended for a similar period. Mr. H. D. Broadhead, 8.A., also one of our graduates, went Home with the intention of competing for an open scholarship at the same College, for which scholarships the best of the public school men at Home compete, and his success in obtaining one of the classical scholarships is gratifying to all who are interested in the welfare of our College, as it is a further evidence that a high standard of excellence is insisted on and obtained by our professorial staff. Alpine Station. —During the past year tenders have been let for the building of a cottage near the present terminus of the Midland Railway. This cottage is to be fitted up so as to enable students who are taking up natural science to reside for short periods near the district where they may be able to prosecute their studies in connection with botany and geology. In addition to the building of the cottage, a suitable site close at hand will be fenced off, so that an alpine garden may be established in a locality that will not only be more adapted to the plant-life, but also will provide specimen plants and shrubs ready at hand for examination and study. While visiting the proposed site of this alpine station I could not help noticing that, with the exception of the small strip belonging to the Public Works Department, there was no land available for the houses that must of necessity be erected near the terminus of the railway in order to meet the requirements of those who perforce must live in the immediate neighbourhood. I think it would he wise if the Board could make arrangements to resume a portion of the pastoral run that extends on both sides of the railway-line, and thus provide sites for those who may wish to build homes for themselves in the vicinity of their employment.
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