C—3a

76. The entrance qualifications for the E.T.H. is the Federal certificate of second education (which is defined as equivalent to the Oxford and Cambridge entrance examination) and a minimum age of eighteen years. The annual quota of approximately twenty students for the forestry course is selected after perusal of academic records. 77. The forestry course occupies four years, divided into eight terms. There are three main examinations : the First, at the end of the second term, covering preliminary basic science subjects (Mathematics, Botany, Chemistry, Zoology, Climatology). The Second Examination, at the end of the fourth term (including advanced basic sciences, soils, and elementary forestry). The Third and Final Examination, at the end of the eighth term—advanced forestry subjects, including the two special subjects, {i.e., working plan and a study of silviculture or forest economics) —leading to the diploma " Ingenieur Forestier." 78. Thereafter, one-year apprenticeship in forestry administration and six months in mountain forest work is a prerequisite to the State examination for those graduates who wish to qualify for appointment in the Civil Service. 79. The chief characteristics of this forestry course are : (a) A close contact with, and the use of, the general educational atmosphere and facilities of the E.T.H. as a whole. The teaching staff of other science faculties are available for basic science subjects in the forestry syllabus. (b) A forestry bias is introduced into first-year subjects whenever possible. (c) The forestry professors rarely spend more than six hours a week each on teaching, and consequently have ample time for research work, which is free of prescriptions in nature or extent. (d) Forest and soil conservation in mountains, and mountain engineering, are emphasized, and authoritatively taught. 80. (Ref. 91.) The syllabus of the forestry course is shown in Table (4) and the emphasis on mountain forestry and engineering will be noticed therein. With this aspect in view, the writer made special inquiries regarding the conditions under which New Zealand science graduates (B.Sc. and 8.E.) could take the E.T.H. forestry course, should such action be contemplated. After discussions with Professor Leibundgut (Professor of Silviculture) and Professor Stussi (Rector of E.T.H.), the tentative conclusion was reached that a New Zealand B.Sc. would be exempted from the First Examination (end of first year), but would be required to take the Second Examination (end of second year) because it included forestry subjects, the testing of which could not reasonably be delayed until the Third Examination (at end of fourth year). 81. Thus, three years would be required to graduate, except for an outstandingly brilliant student, who, with a fluent command of German (the official language), might be able to qualify in two years. The New Zealand Bachelor of Engineering would present no difficulties if it was not intended that he should graduate in forestry; he could take a two-year course of study in forestry engineering and related subjects (including field practice) to advantage, and the E.T.H. would willingly co-operate. 82. The specialized laboratories, museums, and lecture-rooms of the Agriculture and Forestry Schools, although less impressive than those of the Engineering Schools, which leave nothing to be desired, compare favourably with the more modern Helsinki Forestry School; a new building is planned to meet necessary expansion, but in the meantime the immense teaching resources of the E.T.H. are available as required.

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