UNIVERSITY CHANCELLORSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18768, 23 January 1923, Page 4

UNIVERSITY CHANCELLORSHIP.

SIR ROBERT STOUT’S RESIGNATION. HIS EDUCATIONAL WORK EULOGISED. THE NEW CHANCELLOR. PROCESSOR J. .MACMILLAN BROWN ELECTED. One of the principal matters before tbo University Senate yesterday morning was the retirement of Sir Robert Strait from the position of Chancellor and the election of his successor. When this item on the order paper was reached Professor J. Macmillan Brown moved as follows; That the Senate desires to plaeo on record its great regret that Sir Robert Stout lias seen fit to resign- the Chancellorship, and its sense of the deep obligation it is under to him for his conduct of the affairs of the University during tile last 20 years. This University has been fortunate in the Chaneellors it has had at (he helm of its affairs. Rut (ho reconstituted Senate felt itself particularly fortunate in securing for- its first. Chancellor n man of such long and wide experience in the administration of pnhbo affairs and on the bench. More esperially docs it feel itself fortunate in having such an enthusiastic friend of education, and a man of such high ideals to shape its growth and development during its period of great expansion. And it congratulates itself that it is not bidding farewell to so fine a leader and guide, and that it. is not to lose the benefit of his wise counsels, his vigorous personality, and his manly character. In speaking to his motion, Professor Macmillan Brown paid a very high tribute to the personal worth of the Chancellor and to the splendid services \yhich ho had rendered to the cause of education. For a number of years the. speaker had tried to persuade the Chancellor to put off this act of resignation, for they all knew that ho still had tlie, fire of youth in his veins. Ho was a born fighter, but once engaged in a fight he fought fairly and was generous in victory. Ho was an exceptional map, a man of marvellous vigour and strength of character, who had always held his own in any struggle which he entered upon, and (hoy had teen exceedingly fortunate in having him at the head of affairs for the past. 20 years. His judicial training and experience had assisted them in many of their debates and conclusions, and he thought they were very fortunate in that he was not leaving them. Sir Robert. lie added. _ would he of great assistance in dealing -with the crisis which the Board of ■Studies had indicated would shortly he before them, and his finely balanced judgment world be of much service to them in dealing with that matter.—(Applause.) Hie Hon. Dr Collins (Wellington), in seconding (ho motion, expressed his regret at the resignation of Sir Robert Stout from a position which lie had filled with a degree of conspicuous ability, a charm of manner, and a. gentleness of disposition which could only emanate from a man cf tho highest culture. Ho had filled (ho position with the greatest dignity, and had instilled in (ho members of the Monate as well as in tho minds of all those interested in education ta respect and admiration which could not. he surpassed. They all regretted his decision to retire, hut they all knew him so well that once his considered diebun had forth nothing would niter it. '[hit decision had caused a feeling of depression in tho Senate. Sir Robert Stout's success in life had been due to his very fine qualities of mind and intellect and character, and they were all proud to think that the Chancellor of tho University of Now Zealand had attained to the highest, positions in the country of his adoption. Educational matters had at all times occupied a foremost position in his mind, and his name would go down to posterity as a leader in (he cause he had always had very .closely at, heart. It had been his ideal to bring education within reach of the people of this country and ho had attained that ideal in a very high degree. If, during the Inter years’" of his life, Sir Robert Stout could draw np some scheme whereby the boys and girls of this country could ho educated in such a way as to enable them to follow out the natural bent of Ineir desires and inclinations he would place .(ho whole cause of education still further in his debt. A very largo proportion of (ho failures in life were due, .to. a, wrong choice ot profession or occupation. In conclusion, Dr Collins said he shared with the mover and tho whole of the -member:) of the Senate in a feeling ot deep regret that Sir Robert Stout was resigning from tho Chancellorship cf tho University.— (Applause.) Professor Scott (Canterbury College) said that as one of the oldest members of tho Senate he desired to a-asooinlo himself witu tho sentiments., already expressed. In the words of this part of the country he had “sat under” Sir Robert Stout for some 20 years, and lie had been very much impressed by the manner in which ho had controlled tho deliberations of tho Senate. Sometimes they had hud their periods of trouble and crisis, but he had always admired the way in which they Senate had followed tho path desired by him even if it, did not know it. But- the most lasting impression which. Sir Robert had left, onhis mind was the uniform, courtesy and kindness which ho had at all times extended to tho members of the Senate—particularly the younger members—and tho nianner in which ho had glossed over their imperfections. It was from that point of view that ho wished to express his .sincere regret that Sir Robert was vacating the chair, and also his groat happiness in tho fact that ho was not retiring from the .Senate altogether. —(Applause.) Tho Hon. G. Foivlds (Auckland) said that as ono of tho younger members of the Senate he wished to endorse the remarks of the previous speakers. Even those who hurl at times disagreed with Sir, Robert, would he ready to acknowledge that, his views and opinions were always .arrived at after a close and careful sit tidy of the matters under discussion, and that his conclusions were invariably prompted by the highest possible motives in the interests of education as a whole. They had had a great personality in the Chancellor of. their University, and a man who, in all (lie positions which ho had occupied—political, educational, and judicial—hud ndded ; strength aiuh dignity to the office, rather than being himself magnified by the position which he hold. I)is retirement, marked an epoch in tho history of (heir institution, and those who read the history of the ' University in tho years to come would realise that the Chancellor who retired in 1923 hud been a num of light and leading in this community. He ■ hoped that Mir Robert Stout would see his way to set forth in permanent form his own reminiscences and recollections of various spheres of education, for i>y doing so ho would rentier a very great service to the future young men of this country. Mitch a work would he an inspiration to the coming generations, mid it would tilso he a worthy close to u .great career in educational matters. —(Applause.) , l>r G. E. 'I hnmpsoii (Otago) saul that'on behalf of the Outgo members of the Senate ho would like to say that, this .province had a certain proprietary interest, hi the Chancellor, and lie could not, let. the occasion go by without, some expression of their appreciation. There was a certain fitiicesi* iu the 'fact that when Mir. Ration decided to retire lie had elected to do so in the town where he had commenced his career. He (the speaker) was aware' that Dunedin could not claim to ho his native heath, but after all that did not. mean the actual place where a man w‘ns born, but where ho first 'found” .himself. Anyone reading the press of old Otago would find there many references 'to Mir Robert's battle* and struggles and victories, ami ho would also like to remind the Menalo that their Chancellor was one of tho best of tho many good things that, Otago, with great generosity, had Bestowed on the rest of (he dominion. Perhaps wo did not now enjoy onr former prestige in some respects, but in giving Mir Robert to the dominion wo felt that wo had done a good tiling. In conclusion, Dr Thompson saul ho knew that Mir Robert was happier in the smoko of conflict than in listening to speeches of laudation, and he reminded those who had been worsted by him in debate that tiiey now had an opportunity for a wormy revenge.—(Applause.) Professor Bight (Canterbury), in . paying his tribute to the Chancellor, referred to his courtesy and kindness to young members and liis tolerance towards those whoso opinions differed from tho ones which lie hunseif held. The University body in Christchurch sincerely regretted his retirement, and on behalf of the graduareß of Canterbury College ho desired to convey to Sir Robert their appreciation and admiration of tho services which he had rendered in tho cause of University education. The Rev, Dr Cameron, speaking on bo-

half of the Otago University Council, said that; his memory of Sir Robert. went back to the time when he was lightiiig ns a member of the Otago Provincial Counc:l, and at that long distant dale he reinembored admiring verv much the fearlessness with which ho hold to any position which ho took up. For n long time he. was a member of the University Council here, anil the speaker was sure that no one in the dominion had done more for education than ho had. He had been very nmcii struck by the fact that although they,had had many bitter debates in the Somite, uo bitterness had remained in the minds or hearts of those, taking the respective sides, and that state of aflair? was very largely due to Ihe spirit shown by the Chancellor. They all had very pleasant memories of their association with Sir Robert.and -hopedthat ho and Lady Stout would be long, spared, to enjoy the rest they so well dc". sorved. - (Applause.) ■ .. . . Professor J. Raukir.o Brown (Wei mgfon) remarked that although the Chancellor had begun his career in Otago, ho had inf)''" nately boon transferred to Wellington, which had been the chief centre of most of his activities. Sir Robert Stout iiad_, been, associated with University affairs for so long a period (hat it would bo dithemt to think of tho Somite "without iiim. ‘ Mr J. Caughley (Director of Education) said that on, behalf of the Education l)c. ; partmont and , tho Government ho wished to endorse very heartily what the other speakers had said with regard to the manner in which the Chancellor had fullillon tho duties of his high and responsible position. In respect to whr.t tho Chancellor had none in tho cause of cuncation g^euoniM;., ho would like to add this one point: That. Sir Robert Stout's ■ lofty ideals and aspirations and his advocacy of them, as well as tho Wonderful manner in which he had occupied tho position of Chief Justice, had given him a remarkable hold upon the affections of the people :o£- this country, whoso regard was made manifest in many unexpected quarters. His efforts had done a great deal towards directing attention to all grades of education and had given it a place in tho minds of the people occupied bv few other subjects.—(Applause. l Mr do la" Mare (Wellington) voiced tho regret of-tho student body at the retirement of tho Chancellor. The students, for whom perhaps he; -was best qualified to speak, had unfortunately been in opposition at times to Sir Robert, who was a great fighter and who asked for no concessions; but, despite these occurrences, there was a groat bond of affection between them, and as soon us he stepped from the chair they felt that he was a kindly, generous, man whom they would all delight to call father. The student body throughout the dominion would experience feelings of the deepest regret at his retirement. —(Applause.) The Hon. J. A. ILuian said ho desired to say a word on behalf of those who had passed through the public schools of this country. Our Stale system of education was an everlasting credit to the work of Sir Robert Stout in years gene by, and his efforts in tho dernocratisation of education had been marked by conspicuous success. His life and great services should be an iupiration to tho people of this country, and by his industry, high character, and outstanding attainments, he had gained the title of the ‘‘grand old man of New Zea-land.”-—(Applause. ) 'The motion was carried by hcarty r acclainatiou. Tho Chancellor, in a brief reply, said': “I do not like this sort of thing. I prefer a light. —(Laughter.) That trait in my character no doubt comes from my ancestry, which was for so long engaged in lighting upon sea .and land. I thank you very much for the kindness which you have bestowed upon me, but I honestly think that you have praised me too much. 1 have been interested in education all my life. At the ago of 13 I passed my school teacher's examination, and since then I have been interested in tho subject in some way' or other all my life. I only hope that health will he given mo to serve it still further in tho future.”—(Loud applause.) PROFESSOR MACMILLAN BROWN ELECTED CHANCELLOR. Professor R. J. Scott then moved the following resolutions: —(1) That the Semite proceed with tho election of Chancellor. (3) That Professor J. Macmillan Brown bo elected Chancellor. Ju bringing lorward his proposal, Professor Scoit said that Professor Macmillan BrOwn hud been vice-chancollur for a h'fdu-' ber of years. He bad been a member of tho >3eniito since 1377 —in tact, tho .speaker, believed that ho was the oldest, member of tho .Senate. lie was a distinguished scholar, student, and author, and he was a traveller of world-wide reputation. In view of the forthcoming jubilee celebrations at •Canter-’ bury College it was peculiarly fitting that ho should he elected Chancellor, more especially as ho was at the same lima one of tho oldest members of the college staff.— (Applause.) , The Rev. Dr Cameron seconded the ■ motion, adding that Professor MacmillanBrown had shown' tho some devotion to education as hud been shown by tho previous Ohaucelliii'.' ; j The lion. Dr Collins and Professor Deltmaurv supported .the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Professor Macmillan Brown, in replying, expressed thanks to the Senate for the honour which it conferred upon him. It was an honour to which he had looked forward for many years, and while ho confessed - that- he-, had. systematically shirked .public, duties ho did not regard 'the*-office, of. Chancellor, in that light. In fact; ho felt that his. 46. .years as a member of the Senate had practically laid upon him the duty of acceptance. lie hoped that he .would, bo. able to fulfil- tho duties of' the office to their satisfaction, but ho warned them not to expect so much as, perhaps, the careers of previous Chancellors, had led them to expect Ho hoped' that some solution'• would lie found for Mr do la Mare’s-motion in the direction of appointing a vice-chancellor or prb-vice-chaiicellor who would bo able to keep his eye on tho workings of the. University as a whole, especially as some of (he present indications pointed to more or loss critical times ahead. Sir Robert .Stout then vacated tho chair in favour of Professor Macmillan Brown. The qncslioii of appointing a vice-chan-cellor was held over ponding a report from tho -commiffoo which is considering Mr do la Mare's motion.