DOMINION HEWS OTAGO UNIVERSITY: ALL NEW STUDENTS ACCEPTED

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1947, Page 4

DOMINION HEWS OTAGO UNIVERSITY: ALL NEW STUDENTS ACCEPTED

A slackening in the demand by new students for admission to the University of Otago has made it possible for all applicants for admission to first-vear classes this year to be accepted. In certain advanced classes in science subjects the pressure on accommodation has been too great and it has been necessary to suggest to applicants that they take alternative subjects. Professor R. Jack, chairman of a special committee of the Professorial Board which considered the applications, said there had been approximately 500 applications for admission to first-year classes this year, compared with about 600 last year, when the demand for entrance to the university showed a phenomenal increase. It had been found possible to admit all first-year applicants, Professor Jack continued, but because of the heavy pressure on certain advanced science classes it had been necessary to make some special arrangements. The number of applications for the classes affected was about 200, which was more than could be accommodated at present. The classes principally affected were Chemistry, Stage II; Zoology, Stages II and 111, and Botany, Stages II and HI. — (P.A.)

Ownership of River Bed. Claims for ownership of the bed of the Wanganui river came before the Native Land Court at Wanganui yesterday, nine years after the filing of the original application. Mr. N. R. Bain, for the Solicitor-General, said that claims involving the Wanganui river began some years ago with a petition asking for £300,000 for the use of the river for navigation, the destruction or damage to native fishing weirs, and the taking of land tor scenic purposes. In that year, the Solicitor-General, representing the King as a party, asked for the. claim to be struck out. The court adjourned the hearing until May.— (P.A.) Cement Restrictions

As from yesterday full restrictions on the use of cement have again been imposed. The Minister of Works, Mr Semple, said that, during the pasttwo months, the supply position had deteriorated, notwithstanding the fact that substantial shipments have been received from overseas. Now that the holidays are over, the demand from the building industry was renewed. The annual demand from the primary industry consumers was also commencing and, in addition, large quantities would be required for new hydro-electric works at Maraeti. It was, therefore, necessary to conserve the available supplies of cement for the most essential purposes, and was necessary to revert to the full restrictions provided for in the Building Control Notice No. 21. This notice requires that, without the consent of the Building Controller, cement shall not be used for concrete paving, the manufacture of concrete paving slabs, concrete kerbing and channelling, the construction of paths, terraces, fences (not including fence posts), garden walls, retaining walls, swimming baths, swimming pools, fish ponds and other ponds, the manufacture of pre-cast ornaments and garden furniture. — (P.A.) _____