VICTORIA COLLEGE COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 226, 18 June 1920, Page 8

VICTORIA COLLEGE COUNCIL

Mr. P. Levi (chairman}, Sir Eobert Stout, Messrs. C. .Watson, T. Forsyth, H. M'Gdlum, M.P., W. H. Morton, F. Bal&vell, U. IC. Lomns, and Taylor, and Professors Hunter and SommervilleVero present at the meeting of the Victoria College Council held last evening.

The annual report of the Professorial Board, was presented to the council, which decided to include it in the annual report of the colleßO to, tho Government.

In reference to a report that Dr. Tillyard was to represent tho Government at the Pan-Pacific Science Conference at Honolulu, it was stated by Mr. Lomas that advice had. been reoeived that Dr. Tillyard would not attend the conference. Mr. Lomas said that the names of the Hon; G. M. Thomson and Dr. Allan Thomson had been mentioned as likely men to do the Dominion credit. Professor Sommerville mentioned that Dr. Cotton had been pressed to attend tho conference and would like to go, but that would necessitate him getting leave of- absence. He thought that if a representative were sent it should bo ono of their own staff.

On tho motion of Sir Robert Stout it was.resolved-that tho Government be informed that Dr. Tillyard was not going to attend the conference, < and asking that names of representatives of the Dominion at the conference be submitted to the council.

It was stated that the conference was being held in connection with scientifio nutations bearing on the Pacific. No further information was bofore the meeting.

Mr. M'Callum said that seeing New Zealand had taken over the control of Samoa it was necessary that they should keep in touch with what was going on in the Pacific.

A lettor was received from tho Education Department notifying the council that tho Government had granted' <020,000 for' a new physics wing, but could, not at the present time ontertain the proposal concerning the establishment of a bureau of standards.

The chairman explained that the original request for a grant of i2G,090 for tl)e proposed building was based upon tho estimate of the arohitect who had designed tho building. The Department proposed to rovise the plans an! part of that revision meant doing away with the basement. .

Professor Sommerville deemed that a mistake,- as it would' deprive them of the room where it was proposed to accommodate tho geological section (in the basement). Members pointed out that the cutting down of the grant would be.uneconomical., in tho long run,' Mr. Forsyth mentioning that' tho reduction of the grant by ,£GOOO might mean the loss of .£IO,OOO in (building) value. A committee, consisting of the ohairman, Messrs. W. H. Morton, T. Forsyth, and Professor Hunter, was set up to go into the matter, and confer further with tho Department. '

A lotter was received from Professor Sommerville resigning his sent on the council owing to his retirement from the chairmanship of tho ProfessorifJ Board.

The following recommendations of the Finance' a lid Business Committee were adopted"(l) That the council agree to the Students' Association's Bvrrostion for a permanent caretakor for the Rymnasiura, and that the chairman of the council, the chairman of the board, and thri registrar bo a committee to arrange the details. (2) That the council set up. a committee to deal with the nevv' physics wins as soon as official notice lias been received from tlie Department." ■ ■'