UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 18741, 17 September 1924, Page 8

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Council of the University of Otago, held yesterday, was attended by the Chancellor (Dr Andrew Cameron), Professor Benham, Dr Fitzgerald, Dr W. Marshall Macdonald, Messrs W. J. Morrell, J. C. Stephens, J, Rennie. J. Wallace, and L. Deans Ritchie. Mr Scurr 'serif an apology. GENERAL. On the suggestion of the Chancellor a committee consisting of the Chancellor, Dr Macdonald, Messrs Morrell, Stephens, and Ritchie was appointed to confer in regard to the reforms of the New Zealand University. Mr T, K. Sidey, M.P., wrote accepting the position of Vice-Chancellor. On the recommendation of ProfessorStrong, Misses Henderson, Munro, and Leach° wore appointed student demonstrators for the winter and spring terms in the home science department. Tiro Secretary of the Otago Hospital Board notified that tho board had approved of the purchase of an electrocardiograph at an estimated cost of £250, and that it had approved of _ the recommendations concerning discipline adopted at a conference on August 28.—Received.

The Director of Education forwarded a circular concerning suggested dates of terms and vacations for 1925, tho idea being that universities, secondary schools, and primary schools should observe tho holidays at the same time.—Referred to the Professorial Board.

Messrs Ramsay, Barrowclough, and Haggitt reported that the leaseholds of D. G. Gray and Mary M'Kenzio had been bought by the present lessees at tho respective upsets of £l7 and £2O. —Received.

Professor Strong recommended the purchase of electrical equipment valued at £l99.—Referred to the chairman of the Homo Science Committee.

The recommendation from tho Special Corpmittce that the Macmillan Brown prize be offered every three years instead of every two years, with the view to increasing its value, was referred to the Scholarship Committee. It was left to the Chancellor to approach Dunedin people at present overseas- with a view to the University’s representation at the fiftieth anniversary of the Ecolo Polytechnique. University of Brussels, and at the jubilee of the Yorkshire College and coming-of-ago of tho University of Leeds. FINANCE.

The Finance Committee reported thus: Tho committee considered a letter from Dr B. J. T. Bell, asking for additional assistance for the teaching of mathematics. It was resolved that. the chair-man and tho Chancellor consult with Dr Bell and report, tho committee recommending that £IOO per annum be allocated for additional assistance to him.

The committee considered regulations drawn up by the Professorial Board and submitted by the board with regard to the scholarship awarded by an Auckland benefactor. The committee' recommends the following alterations: —That the value of the scholarship be £IOO per annum instead of £175; that the_ scholarship be open to students proceeding to research work in pure and applied science and medicine, but in the event of the student taking only one. subject that subject shall not be pure mathematics; that the scholarship holder be required to do four hours’ teaching work per week instead of six; that payment be made by the term instead of monthly; that any surplus income must be added to the capital of the scholarship fund. The chairman and registrar were authorised to art with regard to various requisitions —viz., Sir Skinner £5 for lantern slides, and monthly requisitions amounting to £369 13s Bd. Tiro committee considered a- letter from Dr (lowland, recommending (h fl t as Miss Earland had now been employed for six months, her salary ho to £2 10s per week, in accordance with the terms of her appointment. Also that Mr J. Jennings be given additional remuneration temporarily for work performed owing to the absence from illness of the second laboratory assistant. The council was, recommended to increase Miss Earland’s salary as recommended, and tho chairman and registrar were outhorised to act with regard to Mr Jennings. The committee considered further the complaint of the, audit inspector regarding tho large sum of money outstanding from the clinical laboratory fees. It was resolved that the registrar ho instructed (o write to the persons concerned, pointing out the necessity, in view of tho auditor's complaint, of accounts being closed ati an early date. ■Resolved that the council bo recommended to reply to the manager of the ‘ Australian Medical Journal ’ that it proposed to adhere to its present custom of advertising vacancies on the staff, whether in the Medical School or in other departments. Resolved that a special committee consisting of the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, treasurer, Mr G. R. Ritchie, and Dr Macdonald be set up to report on the matter of increasing the endowments of the University. Resolved that consideration of tho conditions of tenure of the John Edmond and other scholar-ships ho held over till next meeting. Mr Ritchie, in moving the adoption of this report, exoressed tho opinion thatif the University could provide a fulltime assistant to the professor of mathematics it would be a great stop forward in regard to a basic subject. Dr Bell would like a laboratory to be sot up so as to make the learning of mathematics less laborious. At present students, since they had tho option, often took other subjects. In regard to tho‘clause in the report about an Auckland scholarship, the committee would not object to its being referred back.

Dr Macdonald asked if many of the students in mathematics employed private coaches.

Mr Morrell replied that ho did not think so.

The Chancellor remarked that the work was greater than any ono professor could overtake.

The report was adopted with tlio exception of the clause as to the: Auckland scholarship, which was referred to a committee consisting of the Chancellor, Dr Macdonald, and Messrs Stephens, Morrell, Moore, and L. Deans Ritchie; this committee to also consider the tenure of all fellowships and look over the regulations as to scholarships.

WORKS. Tho Works Committee reported hawing accepted the tender of the National Electric Company (£54 12s 6d) for the installation of cookery appliances at the Homo Science School. It was resolved that tho chairman of the Home Science and Works Committee be asked to report as to improving the lighting of the library at the Homo Science School. < ' The architect recommended that various drains to tho sewer in Union street be concreted round, and that a man-hole be provided, at a total estimated cost of £BO. He farther recommended that £lO be devoted to banking up batter wall between the Mining School and tho Leith wall. It -was resolved that tho work connected with the drains be canned out as day labor by Mr E. 0. Holmes, but that the other work be left over, Tho committee, ns directed by the council, further considered the report of the committee concerning the roof of the Medical School, and it was finally resolved that the chairman of tho Works Committee and Mr L. D. Ritchie should interview Messrs Mason and Wales and report to next meeting. It was resolved that the question of the use to which the old Medical School buildings should be put be held over till next meeting. Tho City Engineer wrote, forwarding plans of tho Leith wall in front of the Dental School. He estimated that this portion of tho wall would cost £2,100. It was resolved that a sub-committee consisting of the Chancellor, the chairman of tho Finance Committee, tho chairman of the .Works Committee,-and Air (Wallace

be given power to act in ibis connection. The sub-committee above referred to, except Dr Cameron, who was unable to be present, waited upon the Works Committee of the City Council, and asked that tho City Council make a contribution to the University of half the cost of this wall. Tho report was adopted. MEDICAL. , The Medical Committee reported that Dr Fitzgerald was reappointed chairman of the committee for the ensuing year. The committee, as directed by the council, considered a letter from Dr Cairney, asking for leave of absence from August 1, 1925, for about twelve months, to allow of his visiting America. Dr GowJand wrote on July 22, recommending that during Dr Cairney’s absence Mr Axford bo paid at tho rate of £250 per annum, and that Dr Cairney be paid at tho rate of £175 per annum. It was resolved to recommend the council to approve of these arrangements. This report was adopted, it being understood that if tho sum paid to the locum tenons for Dr Cairney be in excess of £250 the excess bo a charge on Dr Cairney’s allowance. LOGAN PARK. The Logan Park Committee reported: Resolved that tho Exhibition Company be informed that the University would like the ground to be situated in accordance with the original plan drawn up by Mr Anscombe; but since, after the Exhibition is closed,, the University may bo forced through the requirements of the local authorities to shift tho ground further to the west, the Exhibition Company be asked to erect the art gallery at a suitable disUnco_ to the west to allow of such a change being made; and that in the event of the University contributing towards the cost of this ground they should not bo called upon to contribute for tho work on any portion of ground that has to bo relinquished owing to the requirements of tho said local authorities.

This arrangement does not commit tho University to the expenditure, of any definite amount, but the University will take steps to try to obtain Government subsidy on the amount of money which is at present at its disposal. Report adopted. Mr J. M. Paterson wo to setting out suggested procedure to be followed in the construction of playing fields, and the Director of Education submitted further questions concerning the application for subsidy on proposed donations. These letters were referred to the committee. A letter was received from the secretary of the Exhibition Company, stating that the 'directors had accepted the council’s resolution as indicated in the report; also that tenders have been accepted for laying clay, at a total cost of 3s 7d per cubic yard. This letter was referred to the Lake Logan Committee, TUTOR IN SURGERY. Dr Fergus wrote resigning his position as tutor in surgery as from September 3°. The resignation was accepted, and it was resolved to thank Dr Fergus for his services.

Applications having been invited, one was received from Dr Jenkins, and he was appointed up to the end of February.