UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 20483, 14 May 1930, Page 6

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the University Council was held yesterday afternoon, and was attended by the Chancellor (Sir Thomas Sidey), Sir James Allen. Sir Lindo Ferguson, and Messrs L. D. Hitchio, G. R. Ritchie, J. C. Thomson, J. A. Moore, J S. Douglas, J. W. Dove, J. C. Stephens, Dr Marshall Macdonald, Dr J, Fitzgerald, and Dr Benham. A letter was received from Mr Otto Rothtield, Barcelona, asking for an engagement to deliver lectures on Indian and European affairs, etc., between March and August, 1931. —Referred to the Professorial Board to report. Mr K. S Birrell wrote resigning ins position of demonstrator in chemistry as from April 30. Dr Inglis recommended that Mr J. A. Chisman bo appointed in his place, Mr Chisman to resign if Mr Birrell is able to take up his duties again.—The recommendation was approved. The Hon. Secretary of the Otago institute wrote stating that the institute had appointed Mr S. Angel as its representative on the Board of Management of the Museum till June 30, 1931. Mr H. D. Skinner wrote asking for eight weeks’ leave of absence during the long vacation in order to enable him to visit Tahiti.—The curator of the Museum to report on the application The President of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine wrote asking for the council’s help in establishing a memorial to Sir Patrick Manson, father of tropical medicine.—The request was received. The sub-dean of the Medical Faculty requested the appointment of Mr Sligo as a demonstrator in the department, and that Mr M'llroy and Mr Shield be appointed as demonstrators in clinical medicine for the current term.— Agreed to. The Dean of tho Medical Faculty

(Sir Lindo Ferguson) wrote stating that Dr Young, of Invercargill, had sent a valuable contribution of books to the library. Sir Lindo Ferguson added that the donation was an exceedingly valuable one, and, moreover, Dr Young had since sent another six cases of books. Ho had always shown great interest in the progress of their University.—lt was decided that the Chancellor "and the dean should frame a suitable resolution, and that it be engrossed and sent to Dr Young. SUPERANNUATION OF PROFESSORS. The Minister of Education wrote acknowledging the council’s letter with clegard to the, superannuation of university professors, and drawing attention to the fact that Professor Dell, whose letter was forwarded to him, had apparently overlooked an amendment made in 1927, whereby any contributor, irrespective of length of service, might apply for an allowance on the ground of permanent medical unfitness. Mr L. D. Ritchie said he had spoken to a Minister ot the Crown on the subject, and he had referred to the tact that a parliamentary committee was considering the whole matter- el superannuation. 11 the actuarial fund was not sound, that was not the iault of their professors. They were compelled to pay into the fund on a proportionate basis, based on their salaries of, say, £9oo'to £I,OOO per year, and they could not receive more than ihe maximum sum of £3OO per annum in superannuation. It thought a great injustice was being inflicted on their professors; and he thought the other college councils should bo consulted on the matter. Mr Ritchie said lie would move that they fonvard to the Minute, which was at present sitting, a amplest that it immediately take steps to approach the proper authorities and endeavour to have the present inj nances righted. .... Dr Macdonald seconded the motion. He thought there was one thing Uiey should not do, and that was to go to tho Special Parliamentary Committee. The committee was going to consider every point of view to improve the Government’s position in regard to the funds, and if it could tack the council s request on to the other matters they would not get the position settled for years to come. , , Sir James Allen said he understood that the committee was to deal chiefly with tho contributions to enable the fund to be made sound. The motion was carried. “MUSIC WEEK.” A letter was received from tho New Zealand Society of Musicians stating that to foster interest in legitimate music it was proposed to hold a ‘ music week ” throughout New Zealand. The mayor would hold a civic meeting m connection with the proposal. Sympathy was expressed with the movement, and the Chancellor was authorised to nominate a representstive to attend the civic meeting. FINANCE AND MEDICAL COMMITTEES. Tho Finance and Medical Committees reported that they had considered the action to be taken with regard to the grant from the Health Department towards goitre research, tho department ha vino- stated that it could not make a grant sufficient to increase Dr Ait-

ken’s, salary above £350.—1t had been resolved that a letter be written to the department requesting that the grant be increased to £4OO as from April 1. The committee had considered a letter from the Health Department stating that application tor a subsidy for cancer research should be made through the New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign.—lt had been resolved to recommend that tho Central Committee be asked if it would be prepared to collect the subsidy on behalf of the University. The committee had considered further the letter from Mr John Clegg regarding a proposed benefaction for medical research. —It had been resolved, m view of the fact that the benefaction was for research and that, the subsidy on the benefaction was not* certain, that the council be recommended to rescind its previous resolution in this connection, and that no further action be taken. The Hon, Secretary of the Dental Association had written stating that the association would endeavour to arrange a conference with the University authorities, Mr D. B. Donaldson to represent the association.—The letter had been received, rand it had been resolved that a special meeting should be called if necessary for the purposes of the conference. Mr Duncan Cook had written resigning his position of clinical pathologist and asking to be relieved as soon as possible.—Jt had been resolved to recommend the council to accept the resignation, and the registrar had been instructed to advertise in New Zealand and also in Australia if the dean of the medical faculty so desired, tho salary to be £6OO, rising to £7OO by two annual increments of £SO each. It had further been resolved that the usual travelling expenses should be paid. Tho report was adopted, with the exception that it was decided to promote Drs Fowler and Watt, and advertise for an assistant to the professor of pathology instead of a clinical pathologist. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee reported that it had considered again the question of Dr Lawson’s salary, and had resolved to recommended that this salary be increased to £950 as from Ap'-ii 1. 1930 Tho chairman, the registrar, and Mr Reume had been asked to report on a rejuest from the home science students for the purchase of a piano at £lO5, the students having raised £45 5s Tho report was adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee reported, inter aha, that it had haci before it a letter from the arts and science faculty submitting a report of a committee with regard to the planning of the grounds.--It- had been resolved that a sub-committee to consist of Messrs Douglas, Ritchie, Rennie, and Wallace, should bo appointed to report on this matter. Tho committee had. been asked formally to accept tho tender of Messrs J. S' Douglas and Co., Ltd., £425, for the heating of Upper Studholrae. This had been the lowest tender, but it had not been formally accepted.—lt was resolved to accipt this tender. The report vas adopted.