FOR FUTURE DOCTORS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12169, 20 June 1925, Page 2

FOR FUTURE DOCTORS

NE\tr MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION STONE LAID. ~ Pei Press Association. DUNEDIN. June 19. The ceremany of laying the founda-tion-stones of the new Otago Medical School took place yesterday in the presence of a large gathering, in which ail professions were strongly represented. Members of the University Council and teaching staff marched in procession to the site in King street. The Chancellor of Otago University (Mr T. K. Sidey), in introducing the Minister for Education (Sir James Parr), , outlined the historv of the medical school, showing how from a small beginning it had grown into a great national institution. Its attendances had increased from 15 students in 1885 to 265 ,'n 1925. Sir James Parr, on rising to lay the first foundation-stone, was given a very cordial reception by the Chancellor and students. Sir James said that he believed the success of the school was mainly due to tho professor and teachers in its early days who had pioneered the institution. He agreed with the Chancellor that the medical school iva* not merely a Dunedin institution, it was national. When one considered the expenditure of £16.000 on the site and that the building, when finished, would cost not lebs than £IOO,OOO, the impossibility of any Government financing two medical schools in New Zealand was obvious. No doubt Auckland’s day would come, but it was not yet. As Minister for Education he was opposed tu two of these schools at the present time. TO FRUITION. Sir James extended his felicitations to tilr Liiido Ferguson, who, on that day, saw the fniitificntion of all bis hopes and the accomplishment of his desires. He, as Minister for Education, and as representing the Government, knew that once he had put his hand to laying tho foundation-stone, that building had to bo finished whatever it might cost. Thev knew how persistent and successful Sir Lindo Ferguson had been in respect to tho mediicul school. His campaign for the medical school' began six years ago, and they owed a great deal to him for his patient persistence. Sir James said that the Government desired in every possible way to encourage the medical school, and stressed the importance of getting the very best brains of the community into the medical profession. Sir James then performed the ceremony of laying the stone, which -s composed ol Balmoral granite, and was presented with a suitably inscribed greenstone and gold trowel ae a memento from the contractor, Mr McLellan.

Sir Lindo Ferguson, Dean of the Medical Fficultv, thanked Sir James for coming to Dunedin to lay the founda-tion-stone. He then proceeded to lay the other foundation-stone.