LEEDS UNIVERSITY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 116, 19 May 1927, Page 18

LEEDS UNIVERSITY

CAMPAIGN TO REBUILD

A BOLD VENTURE

About fifteen months ago I had the privilege of witnessing in Yorkshire the launching of a great campaign to raise £500,000 for the reconstruction of Leeds University (writes Ethel E. Osborne in the "Melbourne Argus"). It was a bold venture, undertaken, as it was, in a time of industrial depression and unemployment. It was more than ably led by the then recentlyappointed vice-chancellor (Dr. Baillie), successor to Sir Michael Sadler. Dr. Baillie became a publicity officer of the energetic type. The intention was that this should be not a city appeal, but that it should constitute an effort not only to collect money but also to rouse enthusiasm for this Yorkshire university in the i-emotest corners of England's largest county. Everyone associated with the university, members of the governingl body, professors, leer turers, students, were all interested in the plan.

In the initial appeal' emphasis ivas laid on the fact' that it was impossible to proceed piecemeal and to. meet the building requirements of one or two departments, leaving the remainder inadequately housed. "The work of the university forms a single whole, and the efficiency or deficiency of one part reacts on the success of every other part," said the appeal. (<The provision of adequate accommodation must, therefore, ■be looked at in the broadest way. We must see to it not only that the buildings are sufficient to carry on the work at present being done, but also that they will meet the requirements, of the university as it still further develops for an indefinite time to come.". A striking _poster of enormous size by Prank Brangwyn, representing the scaffolding and early stages of a huge building in dark shadow against a tawny yellow background, gleamed out at one through the fog and gloom in almost every useful advertising site, its clear ' large letters delivering its incisive message—"Leeds University Building - Fund; £ 500,000 Urgently Required." Meetings of citizens were held in every' town and village, and addresses were delivered by campaigners. An- organisation which amounted almost to a house-to-house canvass was inaugurated. I. remember well one of my lecturers of olden days bewailing the fact that he and his wife had been allotted practically a slum area in which there were a number of factories. I also recall his expression of pleasure when he told me later of the manner in which response,had been made to his appeal in this unpromising neighbourhood. One of the most ardent supporters of the campaign in addressing meetings and giving that personal service which is of the highest value was the Duke of York.

Leeds University is the outcome of the old Yorkshire College ,of Science established in 1874, which later became affiliated with the colleges of Manchester and Liverpool to form the Victoria University. In 1904 a separation of these three todk place, each college being granted its university charter, and His Majesty the King became a visitor. The modern universities of the industrial North of England' are characterised, of course, by their strong technological departments, but they maintain always the true university ideals of culture. An interesting and balanced paper was recently read to the Rotary Club of Gcelong by Canon Wheeler, dealing with the University of Leeds and its ideals, and containing a short description of some of its activities. In the campaign a careful "combing out", of the whole country was undertaken, and within a few weeks of its inception, about the time I loft England, more than. £250,000 had been collected. Just at this time, too, the British .Cancer Fund Campaign was instituted, and in' charge of this for the North of England was placed one of the university 'a most brilliant graduates and professors, Sir Berkley Moynihan, ' who had already taken a large part in the university' appeal. It might have been thought that these two campaigns would hamper each other, but that has not been the case. Surely this serves to demonstrate that if there' is a genuine need and unswerving enthusiasm and determination, the goal *ill be reached. The culmination of the year's effort is that a prize had been awarded for tho plans for reconstruction.

PROBLEM OF SITE,

The , university, iii undertaking the great project when it becamo evident that the funds would be subscribed, was faced with the question whether the university should remain in its old cramped site, near the centre of the city, situated just about the same distance from the heart of the city as is Melbourne University, or whether extensive property should be acquired and tho university removed to a site giving plenty of space for buildings, residential hostels, and playing fields. Such extensive property, picturesque and suitable, could readily be procured, for the high land values of the city properties would furnish the necessary money. Moreover, the university had quietly purchased as it came into the market every house in several large, old-fash-ioned terraces in thq vicinity. In the meantime these houses were being used for urgent university purposes, such as clubrooins, offices, classrooms, and hostels. Tho question was momentous, and the decision difficult to make, but it was resolved that the university should remain in the city, to be. part and parcel of thelifc of the community, and intimately in touch with the people. The old'buildings will be incorporated in the new. They are well worthy of preservation fpr their history and association's sake. There is the textile department, built up in the main from generous donations by the Clothworkers' Company of London, thus linking up medieval industrial life with modern scientific thought. This department should be of more than passing interest to Australia, for its graduates are the men who largely control the purchasing of Australian wool. Professor Barker, the head of this department, was asked to visit Australia three years ago to advise on the development of textile education here, and his investigations have made him an enthusiast regarding the possibilities of the textile industry in Australia. When I -was visiting him in his department there was hanging in his room a large photograph of the Pan-Pacific Conference, held in Sydney during his visit. Over his fireplace was a photograph of a group of Australian soldiers who had taken a course under him after tho Armistice, before returning to Australia. This photograph was presented to him by the men, anfl is one of his treasured possessions.

HELPING THE TANNERIES.

Then there is a block of buildings devoted to teaching and research in tanning; well I remember the opening of the first leather department of an English university. ■ This school was erected through the generosity of the Worshipful Company, of Skinners—another link with the past. Some years later when I""■■was visiting one. of the large tanneries here in Melbourne, in pride of place, I found a photograph of the first occupant of the chair of leather industries, Professor Proctor. The scientist in charge of this Melbourne industry was an old student of his. Then there is the department of dyeing or tinctorial chemistry, with which the name of Perkin will be always associated. These 4 old buildings will be retained, but they will be encircled by beautiful new structures which will rejalftce oM terr.acejj. In, the great de-

sign two public roads are to be enclosed, with the goodwill of the City Corporation. The library is the central note of the scheme, and here one should quote the words of the assessor (Dr. Worthington): "The library forms in plan the centre of the whole conception, and ia a finely domed structure, admirably suited to its purpose, and symbolic of the idea for which the university stands." The medical school is not shown. It is situated about half a mile away, in conjunction with the large general hospital.

The population of Leeds is considerably less than that of Melbourne. Therel is much in common between these two great centres, and we may well watch with interest the progress of Leeds. As a graduate of the old Victoria University of England, and a graduate also of Melbourne University, I have written this in the hope that the example of the Yorkshire people in rallying, even in bad times, round their university may act as a stimulating example to Victorians should their university be in need.