UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 22367, 17 June 1936, Page 8

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

COUNCIL'S MONTHLY MEETING Tlie Council of the University of Otago held its monthly meeting yesterday afternoon; present—-The Chancellor (Mr W. .T. Morrell), Sir .lames Allen, Sir Lindo Ferguson, Dr James Fitzgerald, Dr F. C. Batchelor, Professor J. R. T. Bell, Bishop Fitchett, Messrs L. D. Ritchie, .lames Wallace, S. Rice, J. Robertson. G. R. Ritchie. F. W. Mitchell, J. W. Howorth, W. R. Brough, and Rev. D. C. Herron. COURSE IN GEOGRAPHY. The president of the Association of Heads of Registered Secondary Schools forwarded a copy of a remit passed at the annual meeting of the association to the effect that provision should be made so that the university colleges may have funds to provide a full degree course in geography. “Undoubtedly the question of _ university teaching requires attention,” commented the Chancellor. There was much to bo said for the teaching of geography, and some years ago the council had taken certain steps, which were virtually ended when geography was included as a B.A. subject. The question was one of finance, and, in the case of Otago University, lack of accommodation,* both class and lecture rooms. In reply to Mr Wallace the Chancellor said that the public secondary schools were not represented on the association. The remit was referred to the Professorial Board for a report. ASSISTANCE FOR MUSEUM. Dr C. E. Hercus forwarded a copy of a report in regard to museums and art galleries by the New Zealand Advisory Committee to the Carnegie Corporation. The report had now been approved hv the corporation. The Chancellor said that the report was another instance of the generosity of the Carnegie Corporation, and the council, he was sure, appreciated the willingness of the corporation to provide funds to make the museums more useful, 'particularly with regard to the younger members of the community. One of the proposals was for the appointment. for terms of three years, of educational officers at the four metropolitan museums. He moved that the curator of the Museum he asked for a report and that the Museum Committee also report. It was decided to plaee on record the council’s appreciation of the generosity of the corporation. ART TEACHING EQUIPMENT. The Carnegie Corporation advised that the arts teaching equipment would bo shipped about the beginning of May, They suggested that certain cases should be used and blue prints of working drawings for those cases were forwarded. Mr Wallace suggested that the art lecturer at the Training College should be asked to give her services when the equipment arrived. Mr Morrell said the .equipment was not for teaching in the narrowest sense. Air Wallace said Unit appreciation of art should be taught—(hear, hear) —• and the equipment could well be used bv the University in conjunction with other societies interested in art. Professor Bell remarked that the librarian might be able to arrange a course of art lectures. It was decided that the librarian supply a report through the Professorial Board, and to thank the corporation for its gift, and to ask the Minister of Customs that the art reproductions should be allowed free entry. ASSISTANCE. FOR STUDENTS, The manager of the Dunedin Savings Bank wrote that the bank had agreed to make a grant of £2OO for the assistance of students undertaking postgraduate work, the amount to be disbursed after consultation with the president and his deputy. It was decided to express highest appreciation of the grant, Air Morrell stating that it would meet a very good purpose in giving pecuniary assistance to deserving students. The fund for that purpose available some years ago was now exhausted. The Chancellor and Alessrs L. D. Ritchie and Wallace were appointed a committee to deal with the grant. ELECTIONS TO COUNCIL. The council was notified of the following appointments: —Air W. .1. Morrell, re-elected by teachers in secondary schools; Air L. Deans Ritchie, re-elec-ted by school committees; Rev. D. C. Herron and Dr F. S. Batchelor, reelected by the Court of Convocation ; AJr.J, Robertson, re-olccted by teachers in primary schools; Air F. W. Alitchell, re-elected by the Dunedin City Corpora-

tiou; Sir Lindo Ferguson, re-elected by the Professorial Board. Notice was also received that the Otago High Schools’ Board had recorded its votes in favour of Air AV. R. Brugh. GIFT FROAI PROFESSOR PARK. Professor Park presented to the University approximately 300 volumes, including a number ,of reports of the U.S.A. geological survey and special monographs, a number of copies of the transactions of the New Zealand Institute. five handsome bookcases, the safe in the directors’ room, Crosby’s steam indicator, and a safety cage for deep winding. Professor Park is to be thanked for his valuable gift, and for his continued interest in the University and Mining School, which h© served for so long. GENERAL. The use of the Aluseum lecture room for the. meetings of the Classical Association was granted. On the recommendation of the Professorial Board it was decided that the University librarian be appointed a member of the arts and science faculty, and that the other faculties he asked to invite him to be present 'when matters concerning the library are under consideration. P KOPOSED LIBR ARY. The Finance and Works Committees reported having considered a report from the architects regarding the proposed University library. Drawings were also submitted, one showing an extension of the existing building and the other a separate layout on the site of the two professors’ houses nearest the Leith. It was resolved that the council be recommended to select the former of those two sites. The recommendation was adopted. DENTAL SCHOOL .STAFFING. The Finance and Medical Committees reported that they had considered a letter from Ibe director of the Dental School pointing out that there would be no suitable graduate this year to carry on the work of Mr Fuller, demonstrator in clinical dentistry, or of Miss Tattesfield, assistant in the orthodontic department. He recommended that Mr Fuller be retained until the end of the spring term, and that in future the position of assistant in orthodontics be made for a term of three years, commencing at £250 and increasing by £25 annually to a maximum of £300; also that Aliss Tattersficld be, appointed for a third year. It was resolved to recommend. the council (a) to extend Mr Fuller’s appointment to December 31; (b) to extend the appointment of Miss Tattersficld for a third year, as from June ] ; (c) that the other matters referred to bo held over for a further report from the chairman of the Aledical Committee and Dr Dodds. The report was adopted.