NEW DENTAL SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 67, 19 March 1924, Page 10

NEW DENTAL SCHOOL

STRONG FEELING AT DUNEDIN

MEETING OF UNIVERSITY

COUNCIL.

(BX TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

DUNEDIN, 18th March. At a meeting of the University Council to-day, a lengthy discussion took place on the proposed new dental school. Very warm feeling was at times displayed. Contrary to previous practice the whole discussion was taken in open council.

In a strongly-worded letter, Dr. Piekerill said that under present conditions it was obviously impossible to do justice to either students or patients. The position was no longer an honest one. He could no longer retain both his present appointment and his self-respect, and unless something could be done at once so aa _to keep faith with the students he proposed to ask the council to relieve him of his position as director. The Vice-Chancellor (Mr. T. K. Sidey) presided, and said that the £38.000 askod for was the absolute minimum, and the council could not avail itself of a grant of £25,000. The net result of the commission of investigation was a delay of six months. Now they were thwarted by another postponement in order to await the decision of the Senate after Easter. How was the Senate to affect Hie position? Sir Henry Ferguson and Dr. Benham had reported on what happened at a meeting of the-Senate in Christcliurch. the latter stating that there had not been a word mentioned in committee or Senate a s to any kind of reduction in the provision for the dental school. The new dental school never came under discussion at all. Mr. IJ. D. Ritchie criticised the Otago delegates for suggesting that part of the dental course might be taken elsewhere than at Dunedin, and for not foreseeing that the resolution to bring the matter before the April meeting of the Senate would be used as a means of further delay.

Dr. Mac Donald said that every weapon placed in the hands of the Auckland people had been forged in Dunedin, and the dental school had never had fair treatment from the council. He made a personal attack on Sir.Henry Ferguson for his action in the matter. Dr. Mac Donald said^ that if this resulted in Dr. Pic.kerill's resignation it would be the greatest scandal that bad ever arisen in connection with the university. Sir Henry Ferguson said the charge that he had worked against the dental school was absolutely unfonnded. Several members spoke strongly of the necessity for putting an immediate end to the scandal which they said existed, and eventually it was decided that a deputation, consisting of the ViceCbancellor and Messrs. R-ennie and L. D. Ritchie, proceed to Wellington to wait on the Prime Minister with a view to having tenders called for the iiew dental school.