I.- -13a.

38

PROFESSOR LABY

Students (1912). —Proposed Staff.

The report states :" I have no intention of discussing the question of day or evening work. 1 merely assume that, as at present, the regulations of the University will permit the work to be done either in day or in evening classes. It is only fair to admit that the standard of work should be set by the day students; and. if this be so, those who are occupied during the day and are thereby prevented from attending any other than evening classes should be allowed to take a smaller group of subjects at one time, and so consequently to spread their degree work over a greater number of years. This would not, however, do away with the whole or partial duplication of the staff that would be entailed by the carrying-on of both day and evening classes in the one college. 1 could hardly, therefore, make any other assumption for the purpose of the present inquiry than that the present arrangements as to day and evening classes are to be continued." The present arrangement in regard to day and evening classes is that teaching at the Otago University is finished before 7 o'clock, and also the same at Christchurch. The teaching in Auckland and Victoria College can be described as practically wholly night teaching. There is comparatively only a small number of students who attend before 5 o'clock, so that the teaching in the North Island colleges is wholly in the evening, and the teaching in (he South Island colleges is wholly in the daytime. The point I wish to make here is that the most important matter that can be improved in the teaching of arts and science at present in the North Island colleges is undertaken at night; in fact, it is a recognized principle amongst university authorities that university teaching which is conducted only in the evening does not reach the university standard. That opinion was expressed by the Royal Commission on the Melbourne University. I can speak very definitely on that point in regard to science, being a science teacher. It is not to be supposed that it is not equally true in the case of the arts subjects, and my only reason for stating the case that exists for day teaching in science is because I am more intimately acquainted with that. The effect of evening teaching of science in the North Island colleges has been practically to prevent any one taking the B.Se" degree. It must he evident to the members of the Committee that there is a real need for science graduates in New Zealand, and the University colleges should supply those graduates.

Professor Picken further examined. (No. 10.) 1. The Chairman.] Do you represent Victoria College?— Yes. I regret very much. Mi Chairman, that the fact that I happen to occupy the official position of Chairman of the Professorial Boat d makes it necessary for me to appear before you a good 'leal oftener than I should personally like to. With regard to this particular matter of the evidence on the InspectorGeneral's report, the Board lias had to divide the evidence among the members of the Board, and I think it would probably save your time were you to hear practically all the evidence before you examined us on it, because you would otherwise probably find that the questions raised in examining one of us would be taken up by another in his evidence. I offer that as a suggestion of a possible way in which your time may be saved, because I feel that we are occupying a good deal of your time. Professor Laby was the convener of the Board's committee in getting up this evidence, and he and I have shared between tis the different parts of the main question The chairmen of the faculties of arts, science, and law will speak with regard to Jhe details which specially affect their departments. We want to take up this matter of the Inspector-General's report in its relation to our petition for a Royal Commission on university education. It seems to us that four courses are open to this Committee in reporting to Parliament: (1) It may

[Auckland University College. Victoria College. Canterbury College. Otago University. Subject. Stud. Stud. Pmf. Teach. Stud. Stud. Stud. Prof. Teach. Prof. Stud, i Teie.h. Stud. Prof. Stud. Teach. I Latin, GreekFrench, German English History, economics Mental science, education .. Pure mathematics, applied mathematics Physics Chemistry Biology Geology Commerce Law Arts, science Law (degree) Arts, science, law 129 65 45 23 197 98 29 63 32 56 33 11 36 12 j 95 32 15 68 38 j 17-5 5-6 140/8 140/25 /8 /25 J 171 86 125 73 37 37 173 87 146 22 93 115 58 47 59 .. 66 63 . 18 73 47 23 119 46 118 78 81 60 23 59 22 39 33 11 37 34 11 26 30 10 51 12 32 55 40 16 15-5 402/10 402/25 140/9 /10 /25 /9 13 J 9 17 17 9 13 5-8 i 140/24 /24 74 59 31 29 32 287/9 /9 25 20 10 29 21 13 12 287/24 /24