UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30066, 26 February 1963, Page 21

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Meeting Under New Act The University of Canterbury had taken steps to carry out aM the requiranente of the Public Bodies Meetings Act, to which it is a party, the Viee-CttonceUor (Dr. L. L. Pawnail) told the university council yesterday. It was the couacß’e first meeting under the Act and it differed only slightly from those in the past No members of the public exercised their right fe attend, though seating was provided, and proceed ings were watched only by the usual two newspaper reporters.

Dr. Pownall said it might be necessary, if large numbers of the public did attend, to adjourn a .meeting to one of the university’s lecture theatres.

Hie executive of the council reported that it had considered the effects of the Act. Its report mid: “It has been arranged that a public council meetings minutes book be kept in which will be recorded the minutes relating to matters taken in public council meetings. “Further, as in the past, a minutes book will be kept for council record, purposes containing a complete record of all matters taken in public and private council meetings. This minute book will not be available to the public.

“The records in both minute books will be signed by the chairman,” said the executive’s report. Coloared Paper

Sir Joseph Ward suggested that all business to be considered in private should be printed on coloured paper. The Chancellor (Mr C. H. Perkins) said this idea would be examfaed. When the ordinary part of the meeting ended, Mr Perkins asked whether there was any other business to be raised in “open meeting” and then moved that the council go into “private meeting.” Minutes of the academic committee (which used to be attended sometimes by all members of the council) showed that not all were present this month, so it could not be considered a meeting of the council in terms of the Act.