FINE RECORD OF SERVICE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20987, 16 October 1933, Page 16

FINE RECORD OF SERVICE

.—^. HIGH TRIBUTES PAID FAREWELL TO PROFESSOR T. G. R. BLUNT Professor T. G. R. Blunt, professor of modern languages at Canterbury College, who will retire at the end of the year, was given a farewell on Saturday night at the annual dinner for the staff of the college, held in the Students' Union building. Members of the board of governors and of the professorial and the tutorial staff were present. Before proceeding to the business of the evening, the chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr C. T. Aschman, introduced a visitor from abroad in the person of Dr. Carl C. Caldenius, of Stockholm University. Mr Aschman explained that Dr. Caldenius was engaged on geological research in the Rakaia valley, and his report would be a valuable contribution to New Zealand geology. He hoped that their visitor would find a warm welcome everywhere during his stay in New Zealand, and he therefore extended a welcome on behalf of the board of governors and staff of Canterbury College. Mr Aschman said that Professor Blunt had been on the teaching staff of Canterbury College for 32 years, a period of service of which he might justly be proud. There wre not, as a rule, many personal dealings between the Board of Governors and the professorial staff officially; but for his part Mr Aschman had always found in Professor Blunt an excellent member of ths staff. It was difficult to estimate the value of a professor's work, though artificial standards were sometimes set up to try to measure it. He could at any rate testify to a loyal and faithful record of service.

Wide Interests. Outside the lecture room, as well as inside, the professor's interests had spread widely, said Mr Aschman. Indeed, it was a very important feature that his interest in the student world was so great, and had gained him such popularity. In conclusion, he said, he hoped that Professor Blunt would find memories of the college pleasant to recall, and wished him on behalf of the board and staff of the college good health and happiness in the years to come. The imminent departure of such an old and respected member of the staff would cause feelings of regret, said Dr. J. Plight, rector of Canterbury College. However, it was no time to look to the past, but rather into the future of the professor's life from that point of view. „ „ Recalling some of Professor Blunt's early days in the college, Dr. Hight stated that in August, 1901, when the professor came into residence, only about 220 students attended the college, against nearly six times that number at present. The field of work then was covered by two cr three faculties. Professor Blunt's arrival aroused great interest here, since he had come from Christ Church, Oxford, after which Christchurch city was named. Two of the staff present with him were students of the college at that time, namely, Professor H. G. Denham and Professor S. Steele. That same period Mr J. G. Poison, principal of the Teachers' Training College, was a Canterbury College student. Referring to typical business brought up at meetings of the governors in those days Dr. Hight mentioned letters from students concerning gowns and books, torn or lost. Since those days the scope of the modern language course had increased immensely. Then tl>-re was only one section in the language course; to-day there were three for B.A. and another for honours. This had involved a big increase of work for the professor in charge. Professor Blunt had taken an active part in college politics, continued Dr. Hight, and had given great service on academic boards and as Dean of the Faculty of Arts. In addition to this his careful criticism and testing of new proposals had always been of great assistance to the professorial board.

Interest in Students. His interest outside the lecture room, previously referred to, had brought him widely into contact with student life, continued Dr. Hight. The sports of rowing, football, and boxing had undoubtedly been stimulated through his keen interest. The professor was also chairman of the blues committee. A further function in which he maintained contact with students had been through the Rhodes scholarship selection committee of the professorial board, of which he was a member. On this board his soundness of judgment and experience had been of great assistance. Students at present in the college had benefited greatly by Professor Blunt's keen interest in individual students of his and in his own special subjects. Dr. Hight then made a presentation to the Professor, on behalf of the Board of Governors and staff, of a cheaue to meet the cost of an easy chair which had been his own personal choice. Professor's Reply. Professor Blunt, in replying, humorously remarked that, having taken his official farewell last May, he now felt more of a disembowelled spirit than a professor. He recommended the Board of Governors to modify their ruling that a member of the professorial staff should be required to give a year's notice before resigning, as it might often be the cause of some inconvenience. He expressed his deep gratitude to members of the staff for their valedictory wishes, and commented on the friendly relations that had always existed between the professorial board and himself. "I feel that the chair should be taken on by someone who can carry on and manage it more efficiently than I can," said the professor. He felt that fresh blood was needed for his position. Pie was looking forward to the possibility of obtaining a position at Home on the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board, which would be a useful financial contribution to the reduced superannuation allowance at present in existence. On the other hand, it was regrettable that he had to leave behind great friends, a good climate, and •wonderful scenery such as he was unlikely to meet again. Professor Blunt concluded with an appreciation of the action of the Board of Governors and his own colleagues in giving him this farewell, and assured them of his deepest gratitude.