UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19042, 12 December 1923, Page 10

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Otago University Council, held yesterday afternoon, was attended by the vice-chancellor (Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., in the chair). Drs H. JLindo Ferguson, J. Fitzgerald, \V. Marshall Macdonald, Messrs t». D. Ritchie, J. Wallace. J. S. Douglas, J. W. Scurr, and W. J. Morrell. CORRESPONDENCE. The honorary organiser of the Overseas Education League wrote asking the council s views on the proposal that undergraduates from this University should take advantage of the visit to Britain arranged for undergraduates in Canada. —On the motion of Mr Morrell, it was decided to reply that the scheme was not applicable to New Zealand students as it would mean too much interruption in their work. It' would bo more suitable for graduates. The Director of Education wrote stating that a subsidy could not be paid on the donation of £2OO from tho City Corporation for tho Museum nor on the books donated by the French Government, The department, ho said, was unable to regard these as corning within the scope of - the legislature’s intention or. within the regulations.—The Chairman said the registrar had already replied slating that a similar subsidy had previously been granted, and asking for a reconsideration by the department. Steps should he taken to have donations for the University Museum put on the same footing as donations to the rest of tho University.—Mr Sourr: There is just that point by which the Government can get out, and they take every opportunity they can of getting out. —The registrar’s action was approved. The secretary of the Commission ot Inquiry on the violation of law by tho Germans in Belgium forwarded one volume of the committee’s report.—lt was received with thanks for handing over to the librarian. Ur pickerill wrote suggesting that the council should object to a request Irom tho Education Department that a list of equipment required for the Dental School bo forwarded to enable tho deportment to .obtain quotations.—Referred to the Finance •Committee to report. Professor Rawson’s offer to. continue her duties till June was accepted with thanks, NEW DENTAL AND MEDICAL SCHOOLS. The Director of Education wrote slating that a further grant of £7OOO or £BOOO will .'be made for the new Medical. School above the £75,000 already approved; 1 ■ Dr Ferguson moved that they call for lenders forthwith Mr Scurr seconded the motion. Dr Fitzgerald asked if they had not come to some agreement tqeall for tenders for, both the Medical and the,Dental Schools at the same time. The Chairman said they bad endeavoured to do so. He had sought by telegram to got authority froth the Minister of Education to call for tenders for tho Dental School, but had received a reply that the ■Minister would not return to New Zealand till December 26, and regretting that ;no authority could be given until the Minister had seen the Dental School documents. “I am bound to say,” said Mr ■Sidey. “that it is extremely irritating that' a Minister of the Crown should go out of the country for something like two months without leaving anyone in authority in his department. —('Hear, hear.’) That’ is ■the position at the present time.” He; understood the architect was in a position to call for tenders for both buildings, blit the architect also said he thought nothing would be gained hy calling for tenders until tho holidays were over. Mr Scurr and Mr Douglas expressed the opinion that the longer the work was left Die more it was likely to cost. It was decided to call for tenders for the erection of the Medical School, details to be left with the registrar and the chairman of the Works Committee v; '*h Instructions to call the Finance and Works Committees together if necessary. FINANCE AND WORKS, j The Finance and Works Committee reported that it considered requests from Professors Bonham. Waters, and Benson that when the Dental and Medical Schools were vacated part of the accommodation 'therein should ■ be allocated to them. They also considered a request from tho W.E.A. -for quarters in the Dental School.—lt was resolved that consideration of these matters bo held over. Tho committees also considered the matter of Mr Skinner’s appointment, and resolved that this matter be referred to- the Finance Committee on the understanding that a special meeting bo called if the vice-chancellor and chairman thought fit,--The report was adopted.' FINANCE AND MEDICAL. The committees reported having considered a request from Dr Gowland that the council pay his expenses to permit of his visiting Christchurch, Wellington, ' and Napier to arrange for a supply pf material. , —lt was resolved to recommend the council to grant Dr Gowland expenses in respect of one visit.—The committee considered..a statement drawn up by Drs Dretinan. and Hercus in regard to their reporting .work for the period June, 1922-23. In this report the council was also asked to provide additional assistance at a cost, of £l5O per annum.—lt was■ resolved that the vicechancellor, the two professors, and; the chairman of the Fjhance Committee interview the Hospital Board and ask if thpy would increase their contribution towards lire bacteriology and pathology departments. It was further resolved • to recommend the council to agree to appoint Dr • Lynch and to offer no objection to his taking up the duties of public analyst, ■ The council is further recommended to hold Over in the meantime the question of tjie appointment of a further, assistant. *■ -Tire committees considered Dr Malcolm’s 'recommendation that Mr R. G.' Stokes be appointed his second assistant for 1924 at £250, and recommended the council to agree to this request. . ’ . FINANCE COMMITTEE. ; The committee considered “a request from Dr Malcolm that the council consider the desirability of his being remunc-raiod by a lixed salary.—lt was resolved that; the committee will be pleased to meet Or Malcolm and discuss (he matter -with him h. time to enable the question ‘ to he dealt with before the next annual , review ol salaries. The committee considered a request from Or Benson that Mr R. S. Allan, be retained as part time; assistant, during 1934 and that his salary be increased.— ft was resolved to recommend 'the council to agree to the reappointment of Mr Allan for one year at, a salary of £IOO. Further consideration, of salary will ho given at the lima when other salaries are being reviewed. The chairman and registrar reported witli regard to telephones that they had made an inspection of the telephones in the University, and propose suggesting certain alterations. They desired, however. to discuss these proposals with the professors concerned, and therefore asked for an extension of time. In any ease no alteration need be effected before tho end of January next. —The report, was adopted. Consideration of Dr Pickerill's request for the obtaining of dental material from Germany was held over pending the receipt of a further report-from Dr Pickorill. • The council is recommended to adhere to its previous resolution with regard to Dr Marshall’s request to ho reimbursed the amount ho paid for installing the electric light. A request from Dr Pickerill for the purchase of certain material from the defence medical stores was agreed to.— Adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE. Tho Works Committee reported that it had been resolved that the chairman be authorised to act with reference to repairing Leith' wall below ■ Union street. The cost of this work is estimated at between £35 and £4O. It was decided lo held over the matter of the roof, of the Homo Science School, concerning which the architect had written lo the officers of the Education Department- The architect reported, November 23. with regard lo renovations required at Studholme House. After conferring with the chairman of the Works and Homo Science Committees lie hurl revised his estimates, and the cost was now anticipated to bo about £lO2 Is. -It was resolved that the work be entrusted to Mr Orr Campbell to carry out. —-Reports from Dr Jack and Mr Anscombe with reguro to the iicating system in the physics department were placed before the committee for consideration, hut consideration was. held over to allow the report of Messrs Scurr and Douglas to bo circulated. Mr Airscombe submitted a Quotation from Messrs Turnbull and Jones of £62? for installation of fire alarm system in the museum.—lt was resolved, however, that Mr Anscombe and Mr Napier be asked to ennfe” with Dr Bonham in connection, with this matter and submit n report. .Mr Rennie and tlrchairman were asked to lake steps for the removal of elder trees throughout (he grounds.—The report was adopted. Mr Scurr remarked that the committee made an effort to keep the account for repairs to Studholme House as low as possible because jt was satisfied tint it was not a satisfaclcyv place. for a hostel. MEDICAL AND HOME SCIENCE COMMITTEES. The committee also considered a ruble from Professor Strong dated November 28 and which road as follows: —“Canadian not available. . Difficult secure . suitable arts

teacher on terms. Becommcnd Gladys M'Gill teaching Ohio University. Will come five hundred pounds maintenance and first-class passage. Must wait until dune or remit 830 dollars salary if released February. Will council reimburse or wait?" It was resolved that the council be recommended to approve of Professor Strong’s recommendation for the appointment of Miss Gladys M’Gill on the terms stated, but that the engagement should commence from Juno 1. 1924.—Adopted. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The. Library Committee reported that it had considered a letter from the Professorial Board recommending that the following suggestion should be forwarded to the Senate, that after the word "Otago” should be added "and Now Zealand" to the Otago matriculation card so that the Otago declaration would servo for both Otago and New Zealand. It was resolved to recommend the council to suggest to the Senate that the difficulty at present experienced , could, best be met by allowing the matriculation declaration to be accepted up to September 1 of any yoaw on the payment of an increased fee. The committee considered representations from the registrar as to the difficulty of keeping a correct toll of convocation in respect of the elections to the University Council. It w-as resolved that the committee is of opinion that the duties of the registrar are sufficiently fulfilled in this respect by his entering in the register the addresses of graduates last brought to his knowledge. —Adopted. MEDICAL COMMITTEE. The Medical Committee reported having considered the conditions upon which Dr White’s application for leave of absence should be granted, and in this connection hud before it a letter from the sub-dean of the Medical Faculty, dated November 24. It was resolved to recommend the council that Dr Jenkins be appointed in Dr White’s place as from January 1, 1924, to September 30, 1924, and ihat during this period he be paid at the rate of £75 per annum, and also that Dr White’s salaryshould cease during this period.—Adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee reported having met - The business of the committee was consideration of Mr Skinner’s position. Air Skinner was present, and stated that ho was not asking for an increase in salary but for security- of tenure. - He was also anxious to know what ho iriiglit look forward to in the future. He further stated ho thought h should be possible To arrange some policy whereby the Museum might he put in a hotter financial position. Mr Skinner further stated that whatever action the committee took ho would be obliged to resign the position of librarian of theTlockeii Library, and understood that this would mean a loss in salary to him of £so.r It! was resolved to recommend the council as follows :f-That as rcgijrds (he question. .o,f prrniancncc-.'Tho' council regard Mr Skinner as being on a' similar fooling to other professors and lecturers on the permanent staff all of whom after the expiration -of Their agreements are subject 'to, six ' months notice on either side. That’Mr Skinner’s salary be increased to £625 per annum from January 1, 1924, for the next four years. That in the event of Ihe position of curator of the Museum., becoming vacant. Mr Skinner bo expected.To .carry on ..the duties, of curator without any-increase in. salary. The committee asks the council -to-note Mr Skinner’s statement with regard to the lihrariamJiip of .tfie'Hpcken Library.; j. ' v ; GENERAL. ■l* was resolved To ; roqust Sir James Alien to represent the council at the-Conference the League of Empire in 'London • r An application from Miss G. M. Cameron, of the bacteriological department, forstudy- - leave during (he 1924 session was referred to the Finance-Medical Committee. An invitation from the W.E.A. to attend the annual meeting was "received,” it being stated by the vice-chancellor that all able to do so would attend. Dr Pickerill recommended the award of r Leask silver medal to C. M. Holdaway.— Approved. The Sub-d-an of the Medical Faculty recommended the award of a iunior clinical surgery medal to J. Fitzsimmons.—Approved. With reference to the Gilray memorial prize, the registrar reported that, Professor Thompson had a sum of £4l 5s in hand. The suggested value of tho, prize was £2 2s. —The report was received and approved. Proposed alterations in Medical School fees consequent upon the six years’ curriculum now affecting students of the third vear, were referred to tho Medical and - Finance Committees to act. ' Consideration of the steps to bo taken to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the janitor was referred to a special committee.