THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1902 OTAGO UNIVERSITY FINANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12425, 7 August 1902, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1902 OTAGO UNIVERSITY FINANCE

We publish in another column a list of subscriptions that have been pvomised to us in furtherance of a movement for strengthening the finances of the University of Otago. A few liberal-minded members of the community have; as the list shows, expressed their readiness to contribute most generously to a fund that has for its object the assisting of the University to a permanently-im-proved financial position. It is with a great deal of confidence that we now appeal to the public of Otago and Southland to join in the efforts to increase the University's capital to a sum that will supply the governing body with a revenue out of which

it will be enabled more liberally than is at present possible to provide for the requirements of the institution. It is, no doubt, true that the maintenance of the University Colleges throughout the colony is the concern of the Government. But there are various reasons why the burden of providing for the'needs of the Otago University at the present time should not be thrown entirely upon the Slate. The needs of the institution are very greatgreater by far than, we venture to think, most people iu Otago and Southland imagine. They are so great that it is to ba feared that if the public took the view that the entire responsibility of supplying them should be left to the Government the effect would be to postpone indefinitely the date at whicli the desired relief would ba provided. I 1 or if the Government were favourably to consider a demand for a large grant of public money for the purpose of a university college in ' one part of the colony it would not improbably bo at once approached with demands for substantial grants for similar institutions in other centres; and under those circumstances it might conceivably hesitate to accedn to any of the requests made to it for assistance,, even though the applications were based upon grounds so exceptionally strong as those upon whicli the Council of the University of Otago could rely in asking the colony to place the institution on a stable footing. But the circumstances of the local University College are such that any delay that may occur in building up "its finances to the requisite point ' of stability is fraught with peril to the institution. As a matter of expediency, therefore, an application to the residents of Otago and Southland for financial support at the present juncture could be justified. But we - would appeal to them on a higher ground. The University, while it is a colonial institution, has special claims upon the public of this portion of New Zealand. It was established by the far-sighted pioneers of Otago, who recognised the importance to a community of furnishing it with a complete educational system. The history of the University is closely; interwoven with the history of Otago and Southland. The chairs with which it is endowed have been and are, occupied by professors Oi the highest attainments, whose influence has left its distinct impress upon the community. Its School of Medicine' is renowned throughout and beyond the colonies. Its* School of Mines has also established a reputation in Australasia that is inferior to that of no other school ol the kind south of the line. The people of Otago are justly proud of the existence in their midst of an institution which, wisely founded, has been so ably conducted. It is a heritage from their fathers which they value very highly, and they are prepared, we believe, to submit to some sacrifice to maintain the University in its integrity and to defend it against any perils that'may beset it Its integrity is menaced now. There is a distinct danger that unless the revenues of the Council are largely increased some curtailment of the functions of the University may be rendered compulsory. The Council must, in homely language, cut its coat according to the' measure of its cloth. What is required is that its resources shall be supplemented to such an extent as to obviate the necessity for the abandonment of any of the University's features. More, indeed, than that is wanted. A certain development and .extension of the University's work niust be provided for. This is imperative if tile efficiency of the institution is not to suffer. Now, wo appeal to the people of Otago and Southland, who are proud of their University and jealous of its reputation, to help it with their financial aid. We make this appeal with the entire concurrence of a preliminary meeting of tlje Council and some of its friends by whom the situation was discussed yesterday. The institution is verv heavily handicapped at the present time. 7.';s overdraft will bo extinguished when the promised Government subsidy upon local contributions is rqeeived. But that merely rids the Council of a temporary embarrassment, Its permanent difficulty remains. It has a debt of £ 16,000 upon the University buildings. If it were free from that and the interest charge upon the debt no longer had to be met, its needs would still be insufficiently supplied. The Medical School requires an additional annual expenditure upon it. The one professor who stand.? at the head of it is seriously overtaxed. Another professor, to whom the chair of physiology should be allotted, is required. A physiological laboratory is also a necessity. All this requires money. An additional expenditure can very advantageously be made also upon the School of Mines. There is no department of the University, indeed, in which there is not room for the judi-" cious outlay of money if it were available. Hie library, for instance, lias been starved for some time past. But there is no branch of the institution upon which, an additional expenditure such'as the Council has no means at present to incur is more urgently required than the Medical School; and it is this branch of the institution, by which the public lays most store. It is the only school of medicine im the colony. Putting it on the lowest ground of all, its existence here is an excellent asset for this provincial district, The sum that is required to make such an addition to the capital funds of the University as will enable the Council to meet all the needs with which it is confronted is, we fear, beyond the ability of the community to provide. But we believe we may rely on the people of Otago and Southland to do what they can. We know enough of their spirit of patriotism and of independence and-of their pride in the institutions which the founders of the settlement established to satisfy us that thev will respond heartily to our appeal. And if they do that, and show that they are thoroughly in earnest in seeking to place the University on a sound financial basis, then we can, with a good grace, go to the Government and legitimately demand that as we have helped ourselves to a large extent for a colonial purpose the State shall subsidise our cflorts to such a degree as will enablo

the governing body to supply the most pressing needs of the institution, and thus to preserve its efficiency.