OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

Evening Star, Issue 12366, 2 December 1904, Page 4

OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

A special meeting of the General Committee of the Otago University endowment fund was held this afternoon ; present—Air Justice Williams (in the chair), Rev. W. Saunders, Air V/. Fels, Air G. Fenwick, Air John Mill, Air W. Downie Stewart, ’Professor Sale, Mr AL Cohen, Dr F. G. Batchelor, Mr John Roberta, and Air J. AL E. Garrow (secretary).

Tlie business was to consider a request from the University Council that sufficient funds should l>e placed at their disposal from the Committed’s funds to enable them with the Government grant of £2,000 to erect the buildings necessary for the chair of physiologyMr Roberts said the Executive had been empowered by tho Committee of the fund to make a definite statement to the Premier on the subject; that statement was published, and as no objection had been made either publicly or privately he would move—“ That the request of the University Council for a grant not exceeding £3,000 from the Committee’s funds to enable the Council, with the grant of £2,000 from the Government, to complete the buildings necessary for the establishment of” a chair of physiology be granted.” Mr W. Downie Stewurt seconded the motion. It had been suggested that the real object for which tic money was collected was to dear the University of debt. But it was made clear in the original printed appeal to the public that a chair of physiology was*one of the objects for which fund's were to be collected. Mr G. Fenwick said he felt that some protest should be made against the proposed appropriation. It was perfectly true that the two things were mentioned in connection with the movemeit for raising funds, but it was equally true that tho principal feature in the appeal was that the University should be relieved of debt, and if the Committee abandoned what was put forward as the principal object they would be called upon to explain to every subscriber. He made- these remarks most unwillingly, being" desirous of doing all he could to help the University. Mr John Moll asked whether it was to be understood that if the £3,(XX) were not given they would run the risk of losing the £2,000 voted by the Government. The Chairman replied that that would be so. Mr Mill said that in that case he would snp)X)rt tlie motion. The Rev. W. Saunders questioned whether sufficient publicity had been given to the proposal, and suggested an adjournment to give donors an opportunity of expressing their views. He wished to support the motion, but felt in a difficulty. Mr M. Cohen said he had told (he persons whom he canvassed that the money would»be used exclusively for tho reduction of the University debt. After further discussion Mr Fenwick moved as an amendment that a decision be deferred until after a meeting of subscribers bad been held. Mr Roberts suggested that Mr Fenwick’s amendment be made part of the motion—that the motion he passed, but not acted oh until the subscribers had been consulted. Mr Fenwick gladly agreed. He was quite willing to hand over the money the moment the subscribers said “yes.” The motion was carried, to bo submitted to a meeting to be held on the 15th inst.