HIE OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12419, 31 July 1902, Page 2

HIE OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

THE FINANCES DISCUSSED BY THE

COUNCIL AND STAFF,

A PUBLIC Mi'.F/nXO TO BE .CALLED.

The Registrar of the University convened a meeting yesterday morning of the Universily Council and of the members of the' staff to consider means of raising £1500, the amount which the! Acting-Premier has promised to nibsidise lo meet the present needs of the ITnivevijity. Mr E. B, Cargill (viccchaiictllor) presided, and there were present .--The Rev. A. Cameron, Professors Salmond, Shaud, Black, Sale, (iilray, Uenlmm Gibbons, Scott, Park, Drs Colquhoun! L.H'liett, Ggston, ],mdo Ferguson, Batclielor, Blomficld, Marfhall, Messrs D. B. Waters, G. Thomson, D. 11. AVliitc, D. Stewart, ami \V. Jlawson. Tho Chairman explained the' object of (he meeting, and 111 doing so said that tho gentlemen present would all bo aware that, for a long time past tho council had been struggling against money difiiculties, and things had como to a point when something mupt be done at once. The revenue was insufficient for carrying on the business of the University, and to make it an efficient institution a great deal more money was wanted. Further expenditure would be necessary for the Medical School lo bring it Up to a point of efficiency, and he thought they would all agree that it ought to be lit) to the mark. Unless they could bring it up to. the standard of medical schools in other colonies it would Foon come to bo regarded •as occupying an inferior position, fn tho meantime, however, it was for.them.to raise a sufficient sum of money to clear off the (lofieiency in tlm University funds. Then, after that, ,it was for them to coneidor the larger question and deal with as best they could. To raise a sum in the way of an endowment which would produeo a vevenub of £1500 or £2000 was a vovy large undertaking. Whether they could do it locally, as somo people were sufficiently sanguino to think, remained to be seen. Of course if they had to go to the Government tho matter altered from a, local question to a colonial question, and tho Government would have to consider its bearings on the colony at, large, and how it might bo looked on by other institutions which lmd struggled into existence in Wellington and Auckland in past yoars. These other colleges would ail look jealously at any increase given to Otago if they were not participators to a like degree. Our representatives had been making a stir to get substantial aid from the Government to meet the present emergency, and in the first instance Sir Joseph Ward'had nromised to subsidise at the rato of £2 for £1 tho sum of £500. Since then Mr James Allen had telegraphed that the Government had extended their offer to £1500 if DunMin r&isotl £#50, He thought £750 could without doubt bo raised here, and that would bring the sum up to £2250, He did no'fc know if those present wished to discuss the larger question of tho finances of the University, but it was a good opportunity to -have their united wisdom brought to bear on a, question which was of so much interest to tho University. The chairman then read ft 'fitter from Sir- Robert Stout appealing lo graduates to support tho University, and suggesting that tho prcrent position should be brought under the notice of the wealthy people of tho province. Dr Colquhoun asked if the council had any suggestion to make.

Tho Chairman replied that the meeting had been called to consider the mattor, and to ascertain the general opinion. Dr Colquhoun: Then the council lias no policy, or any suggestion to make? Die Chairman: No.

Dr Colquhoun sa id that as one who felt strongly on the matter, lie would J ike to mako certain suggestions. It seemed to him tiat to allow the University to- get into the hands of the Government, either by a commission or by futuro appeals to the Government. help, would merely he to add another department to Wellington and to centre another of our institutions in Wellington, taking away its control from this part of tho colony. This, lie thought, would lie nothing short of a disaster to the University, and to tile whole colony. The tendency was to centralise everything thsre and to , lessen the amount of individual interest takon in our institutions throughout the colony. He had, hoped they would get from tlie council some."declaration of policy such "' f Cameron had outlined in "the Times. H the council were to accept that poliev, he Km DVe F° ve support it most heartily, and that it would commend itself <> a arge proportion of the community throughout Otago and Southland. It was a policy for extension.instead of it policy of q f tcr .'/° pay • P'Wl-rol,bint: the « i i • • the Mining School and starving otner facullies. The council should adopt a bold policy, increase tho eSS- - of tho Medical School, establish a chair of Modern Languages instead of cutting down the already existing teaching of trench and German. If they would come foiuaid boldly with a policy of this nature, and rA for support, he could see- no .reason II , , ey , sh l °," kl not obtain it quickly. Ho thought, further, that they- might fairly ask tlw Government that if we were prepared to put our hands m our pockets, they should He prepared to supplement what was raised and he would suggest that the council shouhl try and get a definite promise of £2 or il on all the -money rami. Already there was a movement on foot, and a. groat deal of support had been promised. It would be exceedingly unfortunate if the M° U ?i' 7' cl , Gssnfiss or impotence, did not two tho load m this matter, and •they might he quite sure of this: that if he council allowed the citizens to take the cad m the matter it would not be left to the present council to deal with it. The public would insist that as the council did not provide the money they should not be allowed to aped it, liemer.lbering the good work of the council in the oast, and tho amount of time they had devoted to the University, Such a state of things would be very much regretted. He did not know that lie would be in order in proposing any motion: it was more a meeting for sugHe would- reiterate that 'he I looked with the greatest amount of sorrow on tho spectaole of the University curtailing its functions. Instead of weakening the University they should rather seek to strengthen it by widening and extending its scope, and lie was' quite sure that if they were bold enough they would got tho K, TO° rt " f tlio people.—(Applause.) he Kev. A. Cameron suggested that Dr Colquhoun should put something definite before the meeting, 110 would like to hear linn more on the lines he had indicated, A Do.cl policy was tho only one that would succeed, and one that would anpeal to the people more than a wavering policy. IJr Colquhoun then moved-" That this meeting recommends the council to call a meeting of citizens and lay before them tho rtwL financial position of tho University, ami ask fofc help." . ' * The Rev. Mr Cameron said he had verv much pleasure in seconding the motion and thought, they should not only lay before, he public their present need, but should show exactly • what they believed ho.University ougnt, l 0 bn doing and what it \\ as capable of doing. Thero were plenty I f° ( y o,lld 'onerously support the L n ! y !,', e P o «t ,o n wr « fai'-'r put beforo them. The council had always been timid m making an appeal to the Govern, input or to anyone el*?. Professor Sliand said he was qnito i„ favour of the proposal, |, u ( t | M , rD wa3 prebmiuary matter they ought to go - into J st, if Dr Colquhoun would allow it to take precedence to his motion. J:I C (p ro . fessor Shand) thdnght tliov ought to make dor'e "Iwndy been fW, ? d , a, i a l'P efll 'o tho Government, and the Government had « - vor £ '«?». Tho Government had ifipliv.d m effort (hat. before givin" a'sistniicH liny would require, to make full invest Ration into the workinpr 0 f the Univert £-1. rn,?r ntimo thc >' wo »W give a ['-V £1500 on condition that n sum hTI'L IT ° f n tllnt ~,moUnt wem raissd locally. I-lo would move-" That this meetng of the council anil staff a f t ] lo 0t ,mvrrs,ty thank the Government for their liberty in offering a subsidy to fho'Uni\ei,Miy pending the consideration of the neojssity _ for a more, permanent, measure oi Imancial assistance, and also thank the proprietors of the Evening Star for the promptitude with which I hey have initiated movement for raising a. sum requisite to sreuring (ho promised subsidy" Dr Colquhoun said that before Professor ' •i'i" i w(!n ' : ? n » and while ho quite agreed with the sentiment of the motion, he would like, to fay that it seemed to him a motion tor the council. It was not in tho slightest degree germane to tho meeting. The meeting was called to see what was best to 1)0 done,

The Chairman did not see any distinction. .Uio conned had asked members to brill" this matter tyidor the notice of the Government. 1 he first step was to mako good the iteiioiency in tho funds oiuisod by overspending fop a number of-yeara. 1> Lindo Fcrgusoit contended that Dr tolqiihoun s resolution could not be reSaidotl as the business of the mooting. Tho notice calling tho mcctinj* had that it was for the purpose of raising £500. Dr t.o quhotm was raising the whole question ot the endowment of the University for the luturc, and this was the matter lor which

| a Royal Commission was io inquire into *Iwrt y. lor (hem to appeal to the citizens i fP V" U bo 10 the nSTair. and ho thought they were taking a fal«o « cp in doing so. At all events, the question before Ihoni was, How aro wo going to raise .jM, In (] lo meantime the Evening Star had nearly done it. It was now only a matter of raising the difference between the aml U £™ l ' C r , i' r <l ha<l ,, £0 «»«• and l 00, which the (lovemment had promised to Mihsidife. The whole question of he University finance .of tlm future, did iot roncsrn them m the meantime, nntl it !,V , I'li.'iness of tho meeting, .the Chairman: That is very much mv , e ' l , were palled here to s"'e Uv to n, sfi £500, and to discuss the most effective manner of getting coniribulions. •i c'° n th!lt will require>v great deal of consideration, and I am not sure that everyone will agree will, the f a?" 8 ," 1 " 6 Relations of Dr Colquho.m ami Mr Cameron. A very large sum will be required as a permanent fund to yield a. annua amount of £1500 nr £2000. I hmk that question wdl have to stand ovof lor consideration, t K' White thought the 'graduates o ihi a L t0 i'° W their aPl'rraiation of. the work done by tho University by doing something to heln it, out of its finan. cial difficulties. He did not anticipate that they would be able to raise a great deal, foi many of them were young moil, not \hm- P nf m" t0 ? nl ' tribute ' 3I " G amounts, Man) of the graduates he had spiken to agrecd t 0 do what they eonld, and he was sure they would give a prompt mid ready ST f 0 ap P. 0!l1 ; He w<m,d sngtjosfc that Mr Cameron, Air Mawson, and himself should bo deputed to meet tho graduates and pet out subscription lists. Mr Bell, of the bvening Star, had informed him that heir movement was practically ended when Key raised the £500 They would look to the graduates awl others to raise anything further that might lie required. Air Bell had also told him that the Star would bo \ cry glad to do any printing that might he required. Ho would second Dr Shar.d's motion:

Df Shaud repeated that he thought bin motion should bo put to the meeting first, and that Dr Golquhoun's should be discussed afterwards. i : I am quite agreeablo to let Dr Shawl a motion be put first, but I thoug.it it was a motion which should come a'om tho council. I'rofcssov Salo: Does Dr Slmnd's motion make any reference to Mr Solomon? ~ ~ , ,' I have said nothing about individual subscriptions. Professor Kale said ho thought it would be desirable if something wore said about it, Mr Bc.oir.on, he was quite suro, was actuated by a strong affection for the institution. He was a representative of past graduates and he (Professor Sale) thought it would be found that every past graduate had the samo affection for tho University as Mr Solomon. Dr Shaud remarked that he thought the mention made of tho fact would be suflicient. Dr Liiido Ferguson ajaiu questioned the authority of the meeting to pass the resolutions brought forward. They had, as it wore, all dropped in casually, and did not know the business before them. They had not atlherod to tho business set out in the circular calling the meeting. ' Dr_ Shand's motion was then put to the moecing and carried. Dr Colquhoun thou moved his motion in this form:—"That this meeting is cf opinion that the council of tho Olago University should summon a moating of citizens of Otago and Southland to lay before them the condition of the finances of the University, and ask for assistance to carry on.' the work of tho University in a satisfactory manner. •

. The Chairman oaid that instead of the Mayor calling the meeting, it had been Buggosteu that the mooting of citizcns should 00 called by tho chancellor. A letter had been received from Mr Fenwick, editor of tho Times, with whom ho had had some conversations on tho position of the University, and perhaps it would bo well for the meeting to hear it. ji ('Mi' Hamilton) fchon. read the following letter,-which was addressed to the vice-ohanccllor: —

July 20, _ Dear Mr Cargill,—l desire to say for your information that, following on the several conversations I had with you on the subject of finances of the University, I have discussed the position with a number of its wellwishers, and have found that there exists a very general disposition to -do something towards helping tho'institution out of its difficulties.

There is unanimity on onb point' aru-on<-those to whom I have spoken—vis., that ft a « y result. ia to bo attained a strong ellort should be made to put the University's finances on, a permanently sf<i.b:o footing Since I spoke to you to-day the Government lias ouereu to prov.de a further sum of £300 if £250 additional be subscribed by the public; out it is .palpable to all who have given Wis position intelligent and serious considernt : on that this increased grant will in no sense meet the gravo position in which the University is placed, and enable it to do justice to its t°achmg.lhc council should certainly be relieved of the incubus of debt with which it is burdened, and if the Government would agree to give a £2 to £1 subsidy on all public subscriptions I am persuaded that a vigorous and well-dirccteil effort would result in the whole debt being wiped ottt. I cannot think that lue Government has givon the matter that careful consideration which the critical position of the • University demands, or it would have mused tbat the measure of relief it has offered only means postponing the evil daythat a time must come when the nresent hand-to-moutU pystcm of currying on the University work must be changed, and an assured revenue of air&mple clinracte'* provided. It may he that the Government wilt nos agree (o such an extension of its subsitlv as would be sufficient to do all that is required and if,'after exhaustive discussion of the whole position with the Government, that were , provetl to bo no, sl-i'l an inr.rep.se 0" the amount "-L"? 50 " 1 ' "remised might bs obtained of a .'Umcietitly libeval character to materially relieve the inevitable pres«ure of the en»uin» years Tlie prospects of obtaining tangible relief by n vigorous effort to rtvise a sum aro, I rOTisidcr, no etiroutaging thni X smccroly trust the council v/ill co-onewte with those v/ho wish io roirn* forward ami help it I tfohlcl for tho consideration of ihe council the expedience of the clin^celloT and the other member# of the council who nre at present in WMJinglon to i\mi the f-jovernment. nnd rp«w»fjtfwl]y urge the claims of vnfi UuiVPTs?ii.y—whieh, ro far ns part of its feaohinj nt anyiate is conrernnr], jg n. colonial J^.sn'ution —to more liberal recognition. FuHber, -fho mcmbfr.s o? tho couneil nt in Dunrdin will prolnblv naree to meet their well-wi-hers amoucr Hie public, and assist ,l n an ovffanised effort to raise a. fund of snificientlv larae proportions to uive the council material relirf.

Tt was 10-day fv.agasted io nlo by.n uiiVicspirited citizen who is desirous of helpn-.f; the movement tliat a meeting to confev wi'h the council should b p . cabled b" il>e- cliancellov of the_Uiiivcrsity. There Wouid. I fee! sure, be .i corit'al rcsnonse to stjch p,n iuvi'ation, and J 't-''Ust, sir, that the .-chancellor will onprove 'if the su?ee.'ti"i and give effect- to it.—T am. sir, yours faithfully, fIEOROF. FPKWICF. Kditor Otago Daily Times, The Chairman: Well, of course that goes into tho further question of providing funds for the University. Problbly it will bo well to ascertain what are the Goveriimoiit-'-j views oil the matter—whether it will lie prepared to continue lid £2 for £1 subsidy on any further subscriptions that might be given for a permanent fund.

Dr Batoholor asked if a royal commission had b?en deeided on.

The Chairman: Tt has been suggested. Tho Registrar: I understand that it has been decided upon. Professor Black thought it would be desirable'to get the views of the Government as to whether it was prepared to subsidiso at the raio of £2 for £1 up to £16,000 £20,000. They would then have somethilij definite to lay before the public before making any appeal to them. Dr Oolqtihouti, in reply to Professor Sale, said his motion aimed at obviating the necessity for a royal commission. A eommiission of inquiry might mean removing the control of the University to Wellington, The meaning of his motion was that, if possible, tho oounoil should lie asked to adopt some definite policy, and lay the position beforo tho citizcns. The council, after all. worn only representative# of tho citizcns. If there was anything mandatory about his motion, to which exception roiglit bo taken, lie could assure the council it was not intended. '

Professor Sale agreed that it was desirable to avoid a commission, unless they were propared lo hand tho whale institution over to the Government, He did not think the commission eouldfret anything that could not be equally well supplied by the vieoe'laneellor, who could put down a plain statement in an hour or so. If they could obtain from tho Government an assurance of tho subsidy mentioned, then let the meotint.' be tailed. Mr 'D. R. White said he did not see what harm could bo done by the council meeting the citizens, and it should bo done at ones. The Government would always have to do with the finance? of the universities. It had lo support Victoria College, and he thought it would be a, very good thing if a commission were appointed. 'Tn the past tho Otajo University had been trying to do a great deal moro than any.other eollego had done. He did not agree with tho adverso opinion on (he commission. It wa.3 quite absurd to ns!c t!io Premie.' ov Parliament to l>ind future Parliaments to a subsidy cf £2 for £1. ft seemed to him that

the present meeting was called to consider ways and means of raising £750 to cfirry oil the piewnt classes; but for future extension 0 the work they would require to get rid ■ i » e J r This incubus might be removed liy private benefactions, anil it. in:slit lie done, but lie verv much (HicstioEicil it. Ho folt that the lcca.l College wou Id have to depend very much on the central (lovcrament for some share of its revenue as long as it was a college. Thpy had been (,omg very much more than any other college, snd he thought bolli tho l(o\cinmcnt mul tli6 Dubhc were bcinuine to we it. There was" still a great deal of onc ',°, u ; worl: "?, He di <l »ot think there would be any diflieinly in raising £750. So far as graduates were concerned, ho would be inclined to move that those present form; themselves itUo a committee to meet ho graduates and bc.o \vnr.t thoy could do towdrdp supplementing tho fund. Dr Balchelor: Is tlie meeting called to ra.se £VSO or £16,000 to pay o!f tho debt or the University? It seems to me that tho matterof £750 is very small, bJif we ,ro going in for a lug tiling to try and clear off the debt on the University one mav clash with the other.

The Chairman said that Dr Colquhoun's motion clcarly clcult with the larger qucs* Dr Colquhoim paid that the suggestion was that- the council should call a meeting of citizens and lay frankly before them the whole condition of their finances, and ask for the neecesafy assistance to enable them to "any on all the functions of the University. Willi regard to the (mention of getting information, he was quite certain that they put their hands into their own pockets and asked the fiovernir.yit to help them with a subsidy they were bound to help them. If £30,000 was wanted, and they, raised £10,000 it should carry with it "a subsidy of £20,000 from the Government. Di Colquhoim s inolion was thvn ci\Tricil unanimously,.. Sir White moved—"That the graduates present form themselves into a- committee to approach the other graduates with a view to raising subscriptions." Mr Stewart seconded the motion, which was carried. The Rev. Mr Cameron thought the meeting should show what it was prepared to do. ihey should appoint r. coinmittoo to we that the. movement was successful He would move—" That this meeting appoint a committee to sec that tho whole sum of ij/ou is raised. Mr White said lie thought the proposal vould clash with.that to ask the graduatesto contnbuto'to the funds. The Rev. Mr Cameron: Then I nvoposo IviU give. . me " S lUelf im,ieal ° " ila " it Professor Scott: I flflnk a. list should be opened and left on tlie table. .The Chairman: I think a list of the connbution? should not be published. It might be a. much grcator difficulty for one man to Five a guinea than for another ™ To give tv guineas. ' 6 Somo further discussion ensued, in the enures of which Mr Cameron remarked that it would be a pity for >ho meeting to break up-without it being shown what members were prepared to give. Dr Shand- Pass it [the list] round. tinn r °iv VI e ? stnrte ' l the subscrip. tion 1, With £5; and as a result about £88 Tvas eolieotcd in the room.

THE GRADUATES' COMMITTEE The Gradiifttcs' Committee, consisting of Ti ur ' V '| 4; Cameron ' Messrs I>, R, W, it P. Marshal!, G. E. Thomson, and W Mawson waa not long in getting to work a ™, on Hi 1? ? n ftU graduates ?\ i j >® , Luivorsity to con--1 ? Tlie opinion was oxpiessed timt they would make a ready ™. sponsn, and they were asked to do so for two reasonE-firat, to show their turn of the University work; and, second to support the efforts of the citizens who liad so generously eomo forward to aid the University m its present difficulties. • J hoie arc 300 names of graduates on the University boob, ana about 50 of there aro beyond the colony. It j 5 proposed to approach these by letter, and ask them to render any assistance in their tiowor. -■ Mr W. Man-son was appointed treasurer to the fund, and ivas authorised to receive auDseripticns, which, we have- been asked to acknowledge.

harbour excursion FOR the UNIVERSITY FUND. Mr F. J. Sullivan has offered to run an excursion down the harbour witii tlie s.s' Mpior, which hns just undergone a comleavi" B i he Rntt «y street hart at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday first, the proceeds of the trip to be handed over to the university Fund. Return tickets will be issued at 2s each, and tho North-Bast \ alley Band will, also give their smioes Affl °fi !F' v h< !" ld n, °re excursionists oner than the Napier nas accommodation or the fi.3. Express will 'be alongside to take these. Wo further Jearn that the •'\\estporfc Coal Company ha 3 offered to supply the coal for both steamers free of cost.