OTAGO UNIVERSITY

Evening Star, Issue 22209, 11 December 1935, Page 3

OTAGO UNIVERSITY

COUNCIL’S MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the council of the University of Otago was held yesterday afternoon; present the Chancellor (Mr W. J. Morrell), Sir Janies Allen, Sir Lindo Ferguson, Professor R. J. T. Bell, Messrs L. D. Ritchie, James Wallace, J. Robertson, J. W. Dove, F. W. Mitchell, J. W. Howorth, W. R. Brugh, Dr James Fitzgerald, Bishop Fitchett, Dr F. C. Batchelor, and the Rev. D. C. Herron. GENERAL. The Registrar of the New Zealand University advised that classes in Japanese had been instituted in Melbourne by Mr Inagaki. An application by the British Drama League lor the use of the Allen Hall and two lecture rooms from April 9 to April 14 for the school of drama was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act. ■ The President of the Carnegie Corporation forwarded a general statement as to grants, and asked for an annual report,regarding library progress. The sum of 15,000 dollars had been appropriated for the purchase of books.—lt was decided that the Chancellor, the registrar, and the librarian should prepare a reply to Dr Keppell, and to"express thanks for tho corporation’s generosity. It was decided to reply to the Commissioner of Crown Lands that the University desired a further period of control for five years over Mapoutahi Pa. The Finance Committee reported that it had considered the possibility of arranging that the hall adjoining the Training College should not be used on Tuesday evenings throughout the year. This matter was referred to the chairman and Mr Morrell to arrange. SECOND TERM OPENING. Tho Chairman of the Professorial Board advised that a committee of deans had considered a request from the residential colleges for a change in the date of the opening of the second term in 1.936. It was considered that it was now too late to make an, alteration, and that the term should open on June 4. The matter would, however, he further considered by the Professorial Board next year. HOSPITAL EXTENSION. The Secretary of the Otago Hospital Board reported that Dr R. Kirk had been appointed to the position of senior medical officer, and that the board had approved of the erection of a new theatre at an estimated cost of £3,500. half the cost to be borne by the council, and that consideration of the erection of a further theatre had been held over. Mr Dove said the architect had conferred with’ the dean of the medical faculty as to the plan, and it was expected that the theatre would be completed in about six months’ time. RESIGNATIONS. Messrs I. M. Chirnsido and C. Brander wrote resigning their positions at the Dental School as from March 1 next. The resignations were accepted, the council expressing appreciation of their services. Both are to take the dental course. , The resignation of Mr H. D. Skinner as a member of the Colonial Office Recruitment Committee was forwarded. The council decided to grant him leave of absence during his absence abroad, and to appoint Dr C. M. Focken in his stead. HOME SCIENCE ECONOMICS. 'On the recommendation of Dr A. G. B. Fisher Mr W. T. Doig was appointed to take the course in household and social economics for the Home Science School. LIBRARY EXTENSION. The _ Finance, Works, and Library Committees reported having considered a letter from the Arts and Science Faculty regarding rooms to be made available for library extension. It was resolved to approve of room A, room B. and Dr Bell’s private room being made available for library purposes; ami it was also resolved to recommend the council to take preliminary steps immediately in the direction of providing a new library, and this matter was referred for report to the council to the committee which is to report regarding the possibility'of biology extension. A.C.E. WORK. The Finance and Home Science Committees reported that they had considered the digest prepared by Mr Robertson of Miss Macmillan’s report on the activities of the A.C.E. for the months of August and September. It was resolved to thank Mr Robertson for the report, and to congratulate Miss Macmillan on the year’s work, and to ask her to convey the council’s thanks to members of her staff. Miss Macmillan asked the council to approve of a scheme whereby A.C.E.-classes would qualify for Government capitation. It was resolved . that the council agree to becoming controlling authority of the scheme, and that Miss Macmillan be asked to submit her scheme. The committees approved of the appointment of' Miss E. Wilson and Miss D. Davies as assistants in the chemistry department for next year in place of Misses Thomson, Chambers, Davies, and Duckworth. MEDICAL FACULTY. The report of the Finance and Medical Committees, which was adopted, stated that the dean of the Medical Faculty had reported regarding the Sir John Roberts fund, and authority was given to invest the accumulated balance. The committee considered a letter from the dean of the Dental Faculty recommending the appointment of a full-time qualified dental surgeon and a mechanic for the prosthetic department in place of Messrs Chirnside and Brander, who were leaving. It was resolved to approve of these appointments, the first at £SOO nominal and the second at £l6O nominal, the first being subject to a married allowance. The committees received the resignation of Mr G. J. E. Hunter from the department of bacteriology, the resignation to take effect as from November 30. On the recommendation of the dean of the faculty it was resolved that Dr E. N. Chapman undertake Mr Hunter’s work in addition to her other part-time duties until February 29, 1936. MUSEUM MANAGEMENT. The following clauses appeared in the report of the Committee of Management of the museum :—The registrar submitted a statement showing the estimated financial position of the museum at the end of the current year. -This was received, and it was resolved that the registrar write to the City Corporation asking that the total - arant be reinstated in 1936, Mr 1

Skinner reported that certain repairs had been effected to the roof of the main block. He desired that fencing should be erected on tho frontage _of the new wing, but in view of the high cost he withdrew his application. Mr Skinner stated that he had been engaged for some time in collecting facts with a view to compiling a history of the museum. In this connection Mr Alatheson had offered to assist him in recording the financial position. This was noted, the registrar, intimating that he would be glad to make available any of his records that Air Matheson might desire to inspect. Reference was made to the grant from the Carnegie Corporation for cases for New Zealand birds, it being finally resolved that nothing further could he done in the meantime pending further information from the agricultural section of the Otago Institute. TENDER FOR STEEL LOCKERS. The tender of Messrs Farra Bros. Ltd. at £l7B 10s for the installation of 100 steel lockers in the new lecture theatre at the hospital was accepted. It was reported that the honorary staff would make a donation of £IOO towards the cost. ■