OTAGO'S DENTAL SCHOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18662, 19 March 1924, Page 10

OTAGO'S DENTAL SCHOOL

STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR. A THREAT TO RESIGN. THE WEAPONS OF AUCKLAND "ALL FORGED" IN DUNEDIN." . -m . , . [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] - DUNEDrN", Tuesday. A long discussion took place at a meeting of the Otago University Council to-day in regard to the proposed new dental school, a very warm feeling being at times displayed. Contrary to the previous practice the discussion was taken in open council. In a strongly worded letter, Dr. Pickerill, director of the school, said that under present conditions it was obviously impossible to do justice to either students or patients. The position was no longer an honest one. He could no longer retain both his present appointment and his self-respect, and unless something could be done at once to keep faith with the students, he proposed to ask the council to relieve Him of his position as director. Tho vice-chancellor, Mr. T. K. Sidey, M.P., who presided, said that the £38,000 asked for was an absolute minimum, and the council could not avail itself of a grant of £25,000. Tho net, result of the committee of investigation was a delay of six months. Now they were thwarted by another postponement to await the decision of the University Senate after Easter. How was the Senate going to affect the position

Sir Henry Ferguson and Dr. Benham reported on what bad happened at the recent meeting of the Senate, the latter stating that there had not been a word mentioned in committee or the Senate as to any reduction in the provision for the dental school. The question of a new dental school never came under discussion at all.

Mr. L. D. Ritchie criticised the Ota go delegates for suggesting that part of the dental course might be taken elsewhere than in Dunedin end for not foreseeing that the resolution to bring the matter before the April meeting of the Senate would be used as a means of further delay. Dr. McDonald said every weapon placed in the hands of the Auckland people had been forged in Dunedin and the dental school had never had fair treatment from the council. He made a personal attack on Sir Henry Ferguson for his action in the matter. Mr. McDonald said that if the present position resumed fa Dr. Pickerill'B resignation it would be the greatest scandal that, had ever occurred in connection with the university. Sir Henry Ferguson said the charge that he had..worked against the dental school was absolutely unfounded. Several members spoke strongly of the necessity for putting an immediate end to the scandal, which, they said, existed. Eventually, it was decided that a deputation, comprising the "rice chancellor and Messrs. Rennie and L. D. Ritchie, proceed to Wellington to wait on the Prime Minister, with a view to having tenders called for a new dental school and the work proceeded with at once.

MANY NEW STUDENTS. [BY telegraph,—press ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Tuesday. At the welcome to new students of the Dental School, Mr. T. K. Sidey stated that the new enrolments this year numbered 29, and exceeded the enrolments to the Medical School.