OTAGO UNIVERSITY

Evening Star, Issue 22475, 21 October 1936, Page 15

OTAGO UNIVERSITY

MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the council of the University of Otago was held yesterday afternoon, there being present the Chancellor (Mr W. J. Morrell), Bishop W. A- R- Fitchctt, Mr J. W. Howarth, Mr F. W. Mitchell, Dr R. J. T. Bell, Mr A. Steel, Dr F. S. Batchelor, Sir H. Lindo Ferguson, Dr J. Fitzgerald, Mr J. Robertson, Mr S. Rice, Mr J. Wallace, and Mr W. R. Brough, and the Rev. D. C. Herron. CORRESPONDENCE. The secretary of the Otago University Students’ Association wrote thanking tile council for assistance received during the year. The Chancellor remarked that it was pleasant to receive such a letter, and it was decided in return to express appreciation of the cordial relationship existing between the association and the council. A list of 11 candidates for the chair of Biology was received from the High Comissioner, and it was reported that three other applications for the position had been received by the registrar. It was also reported that it was unlikely that the appointment would be made before the end of December. Dr D’Ath forwarded a report on the preparation of catgut for the Dunedin Hospital during the last year. The amount duo by the Hospital Board was £6O 13s 9d and the amount saved by the board was £l2l 19s.—Received. ADDRESSES. On the recommendation of the Professorial Board, it was decided to ask the Hon. W. Downie Stewart to deliver the graduation address in 1937. It was reported that the board had appointed Dr Soper to deliver the inaugural address in 1937. APPOINTMENTS. From 11 applications received, Mr M. V. B King was appointed assistant lecturer in the Chemistry Department. Twenty-two applications were received for the position of librarian of the Medical School, and they; were referred to the Finance Committee with power to make the appointment. AWARDS. It was reported that approximately £4O would later be handed to the council to provide for the annual award of the Inglia Prize, and in its report the Professorial Board asked for the council’s approval of recommendations regarding the award of the prize. Appreciation of the prize was expressed, and it was decided to approve the recommendations. On the recommendation of the Professorial Board it was decided that the Fowler Scholarships be awarded to Mr L. S. Antonoff-Lewis and Mr P. Service. WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of the Works Committee stated that the architects had submitted a report to the effect that sundry urgent repairs had been carried out to Professor Thompson’s house to pi’event dampness. During the past month tho painters had been working on the windows and exterior metal work at the Dental School. They forwarded an estimate of the cost of lighting the quadrangle with single control and with double control. This was approved, double control to be installed. The tender of £63 13s 9d had been accepted for covering the staircase in the arts building with lino. Tho installing of central heating in the chemistry and geology block was referred to the Budget Committee. Certificates amounting to £llO 10s 8d were passed for payment. The committee conferred with Mr J. G. Alexander, city engineer, with reference to the erection of the_ Leith wall. Mr Alexander' explained his proposals, which provided for the erection of a Vertical. concrete wall from St. David street to the existing wall, the height of the wall being 10ft at its lowest point. Certain weirs are also provided for. On the motion of Mr Brugh, it was resolved that the council be recommended to proceed with the work in accordance with the plans of the city engineer. On the motion of Mr L. Deans Ritchie it was resolved that the council be recommended to ask the city engineer to carry out the work and to commence the undertaking at once. The committee considered a request from Dr Dodds that repairs be made to the fence between his property and that of Dr Lawson, and a further request that a new grate be provided in his living room. It was resolved that a new grate ho provided, and that the fence be removed, subject to a previous consultation between the architects and Dr Dodds Dr Andrew wrSte reporting that the roof of the Mining School required attention. The Architect slated that since the repairs were urgently required he had already given instructions. Consideration of the library site was held over till the next meeting. In moving the adoption of the Works Committee’s report Mr Mitchell said that, in connection _ with the erection of the Leith wall, it was hoped that its appearance would not be unattractive. There was no fear as to its efficiency. The original estimated cost of filling in was £8,600, but that was before the 40-hour week was introduced. The cost now would be greater. Due to erosion, there was quite a large gap near the front gate, and the question of having this filled would have to bo considered as an extra cost. The report was adopted. FINANCE. In its report the Finance Committee stated that Dr Mullin, librarian, Medical School, requested the purchase of the ‘ British Encycloptedia of Medical Practice,’ 10 or 12 volumes at £2 10s a volume. It was suggested that the work be charged to the Barnett fund-. The Dean of the Medical Faculty reported regarding Mr Rodney Kennedy and recommended that he should be appointed in place of Miss Alexander as artist in the Public Health Department at the same salary as was paid to Miss Alexander, the appointment to commence as from September 1. This recommendation was approved. The committee considered the appointment of a junior dental nurse in the Dental School, and on the recommendation of tho dean of the faculty it was resolved that Miss .lean Johnston be appointed to this position. The Finance and Home Science Committees considered a request from the dean of the home science faculty that a cooker be installed in Stmlholrae House. The request was declined. A letter was received from

the High Commissioner asking fox payment of £238 Ss od in connection with the expenses of the appointment of a professor of chemistry, including £2OO passage money, to .Dr Sopor. The amount in question, plus exchange, was passed for payment. The committee considered a report from Drs Lawson and Findlay in respect of requirements for experimental education, and it was resolved that the chairman and registrar should make further inquiries and report. The committee considered a request from the Rowing Club for a loan of £3OO. It was resolved to grant this request subject to tbo receipt of an undertaking to make repayments at the rate of £SO per annum, and also to pay interest at overdraft rates during such periods as the University account might bo in debit, the undertaking to bo signed by the president or secretary. The committee considered what action should be taken regarding the public risk policy, the insurance company desiring the exclusion of risk in respect of dental treatment. It was resolved that Mr Mitchell _ and the registrar mako further inquiries and report. The committee considered a recommendation from the Hocken Library Committee that, pending a permanent decision regarding the. appointment of a librarian, the work be supervisee! by the University librarian. This temporary arrangement was approved. The amount of £IOO was authorised for painting work. The report was adopted. HOCKEN LIBRARY. The Hocken Library Committee reported having considered the making of temporary arrangements for filling the position rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr M'Cormick, and it was resolved to adopt the suggestions made by Mr Harris that he should arrange for the necessary supervision. The committee then considered _ the permanent filling of the position. _ Mr Harris reported that, in his opinion, there was much to bo gained by bringing the Hocken Library into still closer contact with the University Library and having it permanently looked after by a member of the University staff. On the understanding that the number of hours be, if possible, extended without any further expense to the Hocken Library, the council was recommended to adopt Mr Harris’s recommendation. It was decided to adopt the first danse and to receive the second.