N.Z. COAL MINING PROFESSORSHIP

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1949, Page 5

N.Z. COAL MINING PROFESSORSHIP

WELLINGTON, Aug. 24. Approval of the establishment of a chair of coal mining at the University of Otago was given at today’s meeting ,of the Senate ot the University of New Zealand on the casting vote of the Chancellor, Sir Davici Smith. Dr R. S. Aitken (Otago) said the Department of Mines was very interested in the "reject and had forced a statement from the lips of the Minister of Mines in the House •of Representatives that the chair was about to be established. A man of very great distinction was available at the time and quick moves had to be made to gain his. services. That was why, said Dr Aitken, steps had been taken which were not quite in correct order. He suggested that the Senate should regularise the Government s iction in establishing the chair before the consent of the Senate. On the casting vote of Sir David who however, pointed out that the law spicified that a chair could not be set up without the consent of the Senate, the Senate approved of the lew chair.