UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 14638, 7 August 1911, Page 4

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

The Oiago ordinaxy meafcing-this afternoon; present—. Mr J. Allen, M.P. (Chancellor), DrSliand, Rev. A. Cameron, Dr Scott, Professor He-witson, Dr Church, Messrs D. Stewart, J. H. Walker, J. Roberts, Harris,. amiT. K. Sidey, MP. THE HOCKEN MEMORIAL, A deputation from -the Hocken Memorial Committee (consisting of Messrs A. J. Bathgate, G. Fcrrwdck, and J. Dowxrie Stewart) waited upon the council to ask what their views were in respect to the Hocfcen Library. Mr Bathgate explained- the-position, and stated that their efforts to raise money had not been satisfactory. The movement had been practically strangled by the Government's refusal to grant a subsidy. Other movements, such as the students building fund and Dental Hospital, had interfered with the committee's efforts. Something like £l,lOO had been obtained. The money in hand was not srficient to maintain the library and to pay for the services of "a librarian. He recounted several of the suggestions that had been put forward. It had been suggested that the Hocken collection might be taken over by the City Council and taken care of, but, owing to the terms of the dead executed between the, late Dr Hocken and the council such a proposal was impossible, although it would be one way out of the difficulty. It had also been suggested to hand the money over to the University, thus making the University their own trustees, as it were, with the stipulation that the money should be devoted to the maintenance of the library. Some of the members of the committee had thought that as the University had accepted the trust they were morally, if not legally, bound to provide for the maintenance of the library. They would like to know what the council were prepared to do. Mr Fenwick urged the University to do something reasonable in the matter. He had never conceived it possible for the council not to rise to their obligation. Mr Stewart threw out the suggestion that tho Hocken collection might be housed in the Carnegie Library, and that the City Council be asked to appoint an assistant.. Mr Fenwick pointed out that the late Dr Hocken had stipulated that his collection should be kept in a building to be erected at the Museum. He did not think they could remove the collection. The Chancellor said thai the council could hardly give an answer just then. The matter required careful consideration. In the course of an informal discussion it was stated that tho books and manuscripts had been bound and catalogued, and that the cost had been met with money out of the committee's fund. The Chancellor said that the council would consider the matter.