W. C. W. MCDOWELL."!

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1.—13 a.

73. The Chairman.'] In comparing the position of the examinations of the Medical School with the examinations in other subjects like the arts and sciences, is not the position made much simpler from the fact that there is only one Medical School in the Dominion? —Yes. 74. And in order to make this the same you would have to have a Medical School in all the other centres? —Yes. 75. Mr. G. M. Thomson.'] It is sometimes stated that much of the marking of the papers by the external examiners is really done by "hacks." Have you any knowledge of that? —If it has occurred at all I know nothing of it. I have had nothing to do with the marking committee of the Senate. 76. It has frequently been said? —Yes, I understand so. 77. Did I understand you to say that you would approve of joint examination by the four teaching professors and outside examiners? —I would disapprove of the four teachers examining alone, and the only thing I would approve of would be external examiners associated with those here. But Ido not think the time has come for that. 78. Are you aware that the associates of the Otago School of Mines, which has a very high standard outside of New Zealand, pass an internal examination? —Yes. 79. Mr. Hard?/.} I do not know whether you say that a Royal Commission should be set up or not? —I do not approve of it altogether. 80. Is it not your opinion that an outside Commission would be able to take evidence and make suggestions if they thought fit?— Yes. 81. Is there anything in the present management on which you are afraid light might be let in by such a Commission? —Not at all. The only thing I should like is that the Commission should be thoroughly seized of all the facts. If I could be sure that the Commission would be thoroughly conversant with nil matters connected with the University I do not think there would be any objection. But there is no clamant need for a Commission, and I think, with regard to libraries and finance, what is necessary could be done through the Government. 82. You are thoroughly in earnest and believe in the present system? —I do. 83. You think it is nearly perfect?—As nearly perfect as it is possible here. 84. Do 3'ou not think your opinion might be strengthened by having these matters investigated by a Commission ?—-Yes. 85. Then why object to it?—l do not object to it, but do not think it really necessary. 86. These people ask that this Commission should be set up?— Yes, I see that. 87. You would not object to the Commission and believe it would strengthen what you say with regard to its being perfect?— Yes. I think if we had one University the difficulties regarding examinations would be got over, but, as I said before, I do not approve of there being only one University for New Zealand. 88. Mr. Allen.] With regard to the constitution of the Senate : Do you think the Senate, as constituted, is capable of dealing with the work now coming before it by itself—take the question of the syllabus?— Not without consultation in some of the matters with the Professorial Boards. 89. Is it not a fact that the Senate has consulted the Professorial Boards without very good results —separately?—Yes, it lias been difficult to get on with a syllabus at times. 90. Did not the Senate get representatives of these Professorial Boards together for consultation?— Yes, I thought it was a good arrangement. I agree with that. It is not, however, a bad thing when there is delay sometimes through referring matters back to the professors. Several revolutionary proposals were made that have quietened down. 91. With regard to the question of the syllabus, is not that practically what the Reform Association is asking for —that the Professorial Boards should meet together and arrange the syllabus? —Yes, I agree with that. 92. With regard to external examiners : What influence do you think the external examination has' had upon the professor or lecturer? Has it been for good or evil, or has it had anything to do with the examination? —I claim it lias had a great deal to do with what leads up to the examination in the way of study. From what I have heard I think it has had a good influence upon the professors. It has'kept some of them up to date. We have heard of some, bad professors here. 93. You are referring to the college examiners? —Yes. 94. Have these college examiners insisted on the keeping of terms in subjects afterwards taken for the degree in all the University Colleges?—l believe in Victoria College and Otago University they do not insist upon students passing in the subjects which Ihev are taking for their degree examination, but in Auckland and Canterbury Colleges they do. They have to pass in "terms" in Victoria College and in Otago University, but not necessarily in subjects required for their degree work. 95. That is not entirely satisfactory? —No. 96. You made a remark in your address which was very significant to me : you said that the certificate of Professor haby, Professor Chilton, Professor Brown, or Professor Thomas would be recognized outside New Zealand?—l said, in the laboratory of Sir William Ramsay or any other distinguished scientist. 97. If the certificate of Dr. Chilton for biology would be recognized, would the man having the degree be recognized) —It would be by this professor, because of his knowledge of the teacher of the particular subject in which he was interested, but it would not stand higher in reputation with men of education, because they would judge of the value of the standard of the degree as a whole. The men who go from New Zealand to Edinburgh stand high on this account. 98. You draw a distinction between the opinions of eminent professors in England and the educated people of England?—l think that is natural. I know in my own profession how strong the feeling of comradeship is to one another. I think if some of these professors knew that the Reform Association had been initiated by thirteen or fourteen professors and teachers they might be inclined to give replies in favour of what the Reform Association advocate.