BURSARIES SOUGHT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 81, 17 January 1936, Page 3

BURSARIES SOUGHT

VETERINARY SCIENCE.

COMBATING STOCK DISEASES.

(Special to the " Guardian.") AUCKLAND, January 16.

A proposal that bursaries are provided to assist New Zealand students to take veterinary science courses overseas was endorsed by the New Zealand University Senate, which* resolved to approach the Government. The executive committee of the Senate submitted a letter which it had received last May from the then director of Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln (Professor R. E. Alexander)- urging action be taken. The letter stated that there was a constant demand for veterinary surgeons in New Zealand, and 30 of them were in the employ of the Government. These men were usually imported from England or Scotland, and six were then on their way to the Dominion. No course in veterinary was provided in New Zealand, although many students would take one if it were available, thus relieving the pressure of candidates for all professions. Three Lincoln College students had lately gone overseas to obtain degree in the subject. Higher leaving certificates and junior university scholarships were available for practically every university course except veterinary science, wrote Professor Alexander. -The Board o Governors of Canterbury Agricultural College had resolved to take steps to secure support for a request to tne proper authorities, to make available for students pursuing veterinary science courses at approved colleges overseas the same assistance in th#» shape of scholarships, bursaries, etc., as would, be available if they were pursuing courses in New Zealand. Professor H. G. Denham, formerly chakman of the board of Canterbury Agricultural College, .speaking in support of the proposal, said the adoption of the intensive grazing in New Zealand had led to an increase in stock diseases, and these required veterinary treatment to keep them in check, btatistics showed that 2,000,000 sheep had died in the Dominion in one year mostly from diseases. A veterinary science course had been instituted a number of years ago; but there had been no demand for it because intensive grazing had not then been brought into practice. In addition to the three students mentioned in the letter, he knew of one other who contemplated going to Australia for a veterinary course. Professor Denham moved that the Government be asked to make suitable provision for bursaries to enable students to pursue studies in veterinary science. The motion was carried.