FAREWELL TO DR MARSHALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16873, 9 December 1916, Page 6

FAREWELL TO DR MARSHALL

BY UNIVERSITY GRADUATES.

_ There was- a fair attendance of tho public in the Allen Hall, Otago Univciaifcy, yesterday, the occasion being a farewell function tendered by the graduates of tho University to i)r P. Marshall, professor of geology, who hats accepted a position as head master of the Wanganui Collegiate School.

The Itev. A. Cameron (Chancellor of tho University Council) presided, and was supported on the platform by members of tho council and the members of the Professorial Board, Dr Marshall occupying the place of honour oil his right. The Chairman said they regretted the occasion of their meeting, which was to say farewell to Dr Marshall. Their guest joined the staff of tho University in 1901 ;is a lecturer, and in 1908 he was raised to tho status of a professor. He was suro that anyone who had any intimate! knowledge of the working of the University recognised tho influence Dr Marshall had brought to bear on the institution, and that to-day ho commanded the eonlidence of the students and the council and also of the whole community.—(Applause.) They felt that not only would the University be the poorer for his removal, but also that this part of tho dominion would be distinctly poorer. Dr Marshall not only threw himself into the life of the University, but also the life of the community, and "made his influence- felt everywhere. Dr Marshall had every reason to be proud of the result of his work in tho University, as he had proved himself to be an extremely successful teacher. lie (Mr Cameron) had been looking over tho list of honours, and he found, that, from 1904, 10 out of 15 students under' their professor had gained first-class honours, and some of these double firstclass honours; while six had been awarded senior scholarships, and four students had taken their degree of doctors of science for geological work. This spoke very loudly of the splendid work done by Dr Marshall, and went to show how extremely successful he had been in carrying on the work attached to his position. He had worked to the utmost, and when his annual vacation came he did not spend it on nothing, but went away exploring in various parts of New Zealand and the Islands. He had given himself ungrudgingly in doing his work, and hud spent his substance in doing it. He had inspired the students with a lovo for their subject, with the result, that many of the students who passed'through his hands with distinction to-day were holding important positions in New Zealand and Australia. He was an extremely successful geologist and an inspiring teacher, and that was the reason why they regretted his departure. At tho same time, they congratulated him on his appointment as the head of a largo secondary school, where his presence would undoubtedly bo felt, and where he. would be able to impress himself upon so many young lads. They congratulated tho school on the choice it had mad?;' and also congratulated Dr Marshall. —(Applause.) The Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), as representing tho citizens of Dunedin. said he regretted most deeply the fact that Dr Marshall was leaving. At the same time ho congratulated Dr Marshall on his appointment. Ho had taken his position as a citizen in a splendid degree, and had linked tho University and civic life very closely together.—(Applause.) In tho present stress Dr Marshall had been a tower of strength in any way he had been called upon to act. At very great personal inconvenience he had time and again come to their assistance, and they had heard him on the public platform, where his eloquence had inspired many people to try and do their duty in the present crisis. His departure would leave the city bare, and they doubted not that his. influence would help to raise others to take his place and carry on tho good work ho had been doing. On behalf of the citizens he wished Dr and Mrs Marshall every success, and expressed the hope that their pathway would bo surrounded . with joy and brightness, and that the day was not far distant when they would be back among them again.—(Applause.) Dr "inglis, who had been associated with Dr Marshall for many years, paid a tribute to him as a sportsman. Ho had been a crack tennis player, and a crack footballer. These sportsmanlike qualities and enthusiasm inspired students. Dr Marshall had foT five or eix years been a member of the: Professorial Board, and during his period as ohairman ho had had some difficult work to perform, but he did it well. In more recont times he had served tho University as a member of the Senate. His research work had teen most valuable, and it was.pleasing to know that it had been recognised, the New Zealand Institute having awarded him tho Hector Medal. His colleagues wished him as great a succcss in Wanganui as ho had had here.

Professor Thompson (vicf-president of the Otago Graduates' Association), in presenting Dr Marshall with a handsome revolving oak bookcase and a silver kettlo and spirit lamp, referred to the fame he had gained as a geologist in England, France, America, and even in Germany. He also had the, distinction .that when scholars and professors came to New Zealand, they mado their way to Dunedin to see Dr Marshall. Students had become experts in the line that Dr Marshall had marked out for them. He went from hero to join a ,ne-,v generation, and, of ooursc, a new world; to a very much wider sphere, where his power would bo greater, for the influence of a headmaster of a secondary school was 'very,, extensive. He had the" power to create traditions such as those which lingered round such schools as Eton, Rugby, and Harrow. He thanked Mrs Marshall for the service she had rendered the association. ' She had boeai uubparing in anytliiii..'' she had to do. He wished them tno very best success in their future life.

Dr Marshall wa.s warmly received as ho ros<) to respond He thanked the Graduates' Association for the function they had arranged in fcc.'jour of Mrs' Marshall and himself, whioh they appreciated very much. To the Mayor lie was greatly appreciative for the references made to ins won;. - Ho had the honour of being president of the Graduated Association, and he expressed tho opinion that the association could bo a big influence ior education. Ho was sorry to say that graduates aid /lot always realise that a certain amount of power restod in their hands. He separated from the graduates with very great regret. Referring to the University, ho said that wo wero inclined to regard it as a Duncdm institution. It was a dominion, institution, and,fthis was not realised here. People in other parts of the dominion ho had met realised that theOtago University was the most important of the whole of :ts kind in the dominion. Here was a matter that the people of the city should take in hand. The resources of tho University at prcsont were not quite adequate for tho performance of its great functions, and tho public should take up a definite stand and represent to tho Government that a larger measure of financial assistance should bo made in order that the schools might bo kept, in tho state of efficiency they were at present. He pointed out that r.hr. Government assistance received at present- was required for the Mcdical School if it was to oontinuo to bo a useful institution. Therefore tho other part of tho University suffered, and it was time that proper steps wero taken to get tho Government to realise that this waa a New Zealand institution and that it vas of importance that it should bo properly assisted so far as finance "was concerned. Referring to tho population ;n the South Island as against that of the North Island, Dr Mai-sha.ll said tho 'disparity was going to become greater arid gtoater, and If thev did not move they would find that tho Univeisity would bo neglectcd in favour of some similar institution which would be established in tho north Tho hcomo of the University was not nearly enough to permit, of expansion, and unless something wero done the result, would be that it would languish. Ho cone.luded by wishing the University all possible success. *

Dunns? ttio afternoon sclos wc.ro contributed by Miss Carter and Messrs Des--171 mi litis ai*d Loach. Tho last two also sang a duct. Tho' proceedings closed -with the National Anthem.