BRANCH UNIVERSITY FOR HAMILTON

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28658, 7 August 1958, Page 12

BRANCH UNIVERSITY FOR HAMILTON

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, August 6. Hamilton would get a teaching branch of the University of Auckland, the New Zealand University Senate decided today against the wishes of most Auckland members and Hamilton people. The institution should be set up close to the proposed Teachers’ Training College in South Auckland. Main opposition to the move came from the Auckland University members of the Senate —Mr W. H. Cocker (Chancellor) Mr Douglas Rol?b (Pro-Chancel-lor), and Mr K. J. Maidment (Vice-Chancellor). But Mr Cocker said the Auckland University would do all it could to make a success of the venture. After the luncheon adjournn.cnt at today’s meeting of the Senate, the Chancellor (Sir David Smith) read out part. of a telegram he had received from the South Auckland University Society. It said that the society viewed with grave apprehensions the proposed compulsory association with Auckland University and requesting the Senate to allow it to conduct a university of its own. The recommendations of a Senate committee were carried on the voices after an amendment favouring y.uckland University Council proposals for South Auckland higher education had been lost by 14 votes to 11. Professor A. G. Davis (Auckland) said that, like the “Punch” cartoon, he appeared to be the only one at Auckland University who was in step, although it had been said that the Auckland Professorial Board was unanimous in its proposals. He had in fact voiced a feeble “no” which the chairman had probably not heard. A second amendment, moved by Mr M. M. Joel (Otago), that the Senate approve in principle the eventual establishment of a university institution, but that this decision be not placed before

the Grants Committee for consideration for the next quinquennium, was also lost on the voices Professor J. Packer (Christchurch) had given notice of an amendment that tne Senate recommend that the Education Department proceed forthwith with the purchase of 150 acres near Hamilton as a site for a future university, but he later witnu~ew his notice. “L personally, would like to see a university established in the Waikato. I believe the four constituent universities are now as big as'they should be,” said Professor Packer. “The time has come for the creation of another institution.” When the Senate had set up an imposing committee and had its report, it should support it unless there were a cogent reason for not doing so, he said. Dr. G. Archey (Auckland) said that he, too, would like io see a university in the Waikato, but it should not be intellectually handicapped, as suggested, by starting in a modest wa,. He wanted to see it fully equipped.