PROFESSOR PARKER'S SUCCESSOR.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9990, 21 March 1898, Page 5

PROFESSOR PARKER'S SUCCESSOR.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, February 12. In a recent letter I mentioned that applications which had been received for the post of Professor of Biology in the University of Otago, vacated by the lamented death of Professor Jeffery Parker, were under the consideration of a Board of English educational authorities. There were not so many applicants as is usually the case when a New Zealand educational vacancy is thrown open to British competition. In the present case only nine candidates applied for the appointment, but all were recognised as "good men," and some had such especial merit that, probably but for the fact of the successful man being personally known to one at any rate of the adjudicators—who was therefore in a position to speak as to his great capacity —considerable difficulty would have been experienced in making a choice. The applicants were Messrs Charles Chilton, A. V. Jennings, F. W. Keeble, M. F. Woodward, A. T. Masterton, O. L. J. Mortensen, Dr. W. B. Ben ham, Dr. W. G. Ridewood, and the Rev. J. S. Seed.

Apparently little time was needed to convince the adjudicators as to the one upon whom their choice should fall, for I understand they did not consider it necessary either to have testimonials sent in or to have personal interviews with the candidates. Their unanimous decision was promptly arrived at that Dr. William Blaxland Benham was the best man for the post, and they recommended his appointment accordingly. From all I. can learn New Zealand will secure in him a valuable accession to her educational corps.

Dr. Benbam, who is thirty-seven years of age, holds the degrees of Dr. of Science (London), and M.A. (Oxford). He took the degree of B.Sc. in 1883, and received that of M.A. from the University of Oxford honoris causa ten years later, while two years afterward that degree was conferred by a decree of convocation. He has been lecturer of biology at Bedford College for ten years, and since 1886 has been associated with Professor Ray Lankester as senior assistant in University College, London. By the University of Oxford he was appointed in 1891 Aldrichian Demonstrator. He is the author of a number of valuable papers on biological science. A perfect sheaf of testimonials cordially recognise his high merits. Perhaps the most interesting one in the circumstances is that from Professor Hickson, who says, "In supporting most heartily and sincerely the application of Dr. Benham for the chair vacated by the death of my friend, Dr. Jeffery Parker, I cannot help expressing my feeling that if Dr. Benham is appointed, a really worthy successor will be found to follow in the footsteps of the distinguished zoologist whose loss we mourn." Dr. Gunther, F.R.S., president of the Linnean Society, and recently Keeper of the Zoological Department in the British Museum, writes that Dr. Benham's qualifications are of a very high order, and that from personal experience he can speak in the highest terms of the universal esteem in which he has always been held alike by his brother professors and by students. Professor Weldon says :—" I believe that the University of Otago would have much difficulty iii finding a Professor of Biology more thoroughly competent and more popular than Dr. Benham."

I may add that Dr. Benham is a married man and has two young children. He will leave with his wife and family for New Zealand toward the end of March.