Page:Picturesque Dunedin.djvu/138

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122
PICTURESQUE DUNEDIN.

fashion; while the number of professional teachers attending continues to increase. Although the Classes are open to all, such as intend to graduate, must, before attending Classes have passed the Matriculation or Entrance Examination of the New Zealand University, which prescribes to all Candidates an Examination in English, Arithmetic, and one Language, ancient or modern, the remaining subjects being optional. If the Candidate have chosen Latin or Greek as his language, he must pass in three additional optional subjects; otherwise, he must pass in four. The voluntary subjects are such as History, Geography, Elementary Mechanics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, &c. Ordinarily, a student obtains his Degree of B.A. after keeping three years terms: and a year's term is kept by attending each session at least two Classes, and passing the Class Examination in each. The higher Degree of M.A. is obtained by passing a more severe Examination subsequently in one of the branches of study taken up for the B.A. Degree. The value of the Degrees has been enhanced by the fact that the examiners are appointed in England: and it is believed that as a test of scholarship they will bear comparison with any similar Degrees in the United Kingdom.

The cost of education at the University is not great. There is a fee of £3 3s. charged for each Class per session of six months. The student also pays £1 1s. college fee. The main cost is the student's maintenance while engaged in study. Fairly comfortable board and lodging are obtainable from 18/- per week upwards; as good as could be reasonably desired for 25/-.

The salary of each Professor is £600 per annum; and a house is provided also for each of the four senior Professors. The Professors also receive, each one, the fees of the students attending his Classes; and these vary from a few pounds to £200 or more, some subjects being compulsory and others optional, some also naturally attracting a larger number of minds than others. The largest classes are generally those of Classics, Mathematics, and Chemistry.

The University of Otago, alone in the Colony, has full provision for the instruction and training of students intending to graduate in Medicine. A student of Medicine may prosecute