UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20281, 14 December 1927, Page 5

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Council of the University of Otago was held yesterday afternoon; present—Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P. (chancellor), Dr J. Fitzgerald, Dr Benham, Dr Marshall Macdonald, Dr Inglis, Messrs J. Wallace, J. Rennie, C. M. Gilray, J. C. Stephens, L. Doans Ritchie, J. A. Moore, J. S. Douglas, W. J. Morrell, and J. W. Scurr. EXTENSION OF MEDICAL BURSARIES. The Director of Education wrote stating that ho was sympathetic towards the request for an extension of bursaries for medical students, but that the tenure was fixed by a regulation of the New Zealand University. Mr Morrell hoped the matter would bo referred to the Professorial Board for a report. Mr Rennie did not see any harm in the suggestion, and they ought to do all they could for many of the young men who wished to enter the profession. Mr Stephens thought that bursaries to medical students ought to be looked on in the light of advances which might be repaid when the recipients had entered on their golden fields. It was resolved to forward the letter to the Professorial Board for a report. CORRESPONDENCE. Sir Lindo Ferguson wrote stating that he had forwarded an important film for ’ inematograph teaching.—Received with thanks. The Director of Forestry wrote stating that the State Forest Service had not been able to proceed further with the proposal to acquire the Forest Hill Reserve.—Referred to Reserves Committee. The Dean of the Homo Science Faculty wrote: (a) Requesting that Dr Gowland Dr Fisher, and Miss Canty be added to the homo science faculty; (b) recommending an alteration of the regulations con earning physical education and voice training, and (c) recommending that the dip loma of distinction be discontinued. —The recommendations were agreed to. Dr Gowland wrote recommending that the Scott Memorial Medal be awarded to J. A. Stallworthy.—Agreed to. The Secretary, Otago Hospital Board, wrote stating that DV W. J. Portoous had been appointed acting-physician in place oi Dr Burns. —Received. Dr Stecnson wrote resigning the position of Research Fellow in rheumatoid arthritis as from December 31. —The resignation was accepted, and the Medical and Finance Committee was asked to report as to how the balance of the scholarship money might be applied. Dr Benham, professor of biology, wrote requesting that Miss Fyfe’s status be made that of lecturer.—The request was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act. FINANCE AND MEDICAL COMMITTEES. The Finance and Medical Committees reported: (1) The committees considered a letter from the acting-dean of the medical faculty concerning the teaching of midwifery and gynaecology.—lt was resolved that Dr Hercus be thanked for his report and that a sub-committee of the council be set up to report, the committee to consist of Dr Fitzgerald (convener). Dr Macdonald, Dr Inglis, Mr L. D. Ritchie, and the vice-chancellor (Mr W. J. MorrellV (2) The committees considered appointments in the department of anatomy asked for by Dr Gowland in his letter dated October 18, 1927.—1 t was resolved that these appointments bo held over pending the receipt of a report from all faculties similar to that recently obtained from the arts and science faculty. (3) The committees considered a report submitted by Drs Fitzgerald and Inglis concerning the clinical medicine laboratory.—lt was resolved that Dr Inglis and Dr Fitzgerald be thanked for the report and that the chairman of the Finance Committee, Dr Fitzgerald, and Dr Inglis bo asked to consult with the Hospital Board regarding this matter. (4) The committees considered a letter from the dean of the home science faculty regarding the teaching of anatomy and histology.—This matter was deterred pending receipt of report referred to in paragraph 2. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee reported that it had considered the report of the conference held in Wellington on November,!? of representatives of the four university colleges. It was resolved that Dr Inglis and the registrar be appointed a committee to prepare a statement showing the adjustment ol fees involved by the adoption of the report and also the corresponding adjustment in respect of all or any of the special schools in which they recommend such adjustment, and that the report and ---o statement bo referred to the council tor such action as it thinks fit. The committee considered letters from Drs Fisher and Dunlop concerning the appointment of as sistants in place of Mr Souter. It was resolved that advertisements be inserted as requested by Dr Fisher, and that £IOC be approved for an assistant in philosophy for the year 1928. The following matters were also dealt with: —(a) The chairman and registrar were authorised to make the best possible arrangement for the renewal of University debentures, £7OOO held by the Trustees, Executors and Agency Company; (b) the committee agreed to pay the expenses of the assistant to the professor of geology in the annual Oamani geological excursion; (c) it was agreed to take up a further issue of Napier Harbour Board debentures at 53 per cent, in place of debentures of tlie Napier Harbour Board ex piring on January 1, 1928; (d) the committee was informed that the University ot New Zealand had forwarded £SOB 15s 9d for the Workers’ Educational Association, of which £254 7s lOd was to be capitalised; (e) the registrar was authorised to write to the Director of Education stating that the council was prepared to allocate one half ot its endowment revenue to special schools, subject to a grant of £3OOO being made in respect of last year’s deficiency. The report was adopted. A report by Dr Inglis and the registrar in regard to students’ fees was discussed in committee, and adopted, subject to other colleges taking similar action. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee reported that the committee had considered tenders for ex tensions to chemistry and geology departments. It was resolved to recommend the council to accept the lowest lender, that of Messrs Ellis and Glue. £1570, for chemistry department and £855 for geology department. The committee considered the selection of a site for the home science practice house. It was resolved that the committee prefers the triangular piece of land on mu> south-west side of the Leith, immediately opposite Tanna Hill, being section No. 11, Castle street reserve, subject to the chair man reporting favourably after consultation with the architect. The report was adopted. LOGAN PARK COMMITTEE. The committee met at Logan Park and, in company with Messrs Tannock and Larnach, inspected the work which had been done. It was resolved to authorise No. 2 football ground being proceeded with on the understanding that the cost would he in proportion to the work already performed. Mr Scurr undertook to make inquiries in regard to obtaining filling for the construction of a ramp around the football ground. The report was adopted. HOSPITAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE. The Hospitals Relations Committee recommended that Dr J. Fitzsimons be appointed to the position of resident medical officer. The report was adopted. In conjunction with this report, the secretary of the Hospital Board wrote notifying the appointment of C. A, Taylor to the position of medical tutor and senior resident medical officer as from February 1, 1928, and Dr J. Fitzsimons as surgical ’tutor and resident surgical officer from the same date, the salary in each ease being £SOO per annum. HOME SCIENCE COMMITTEE. The committee, at its meeting, had before it a letter from Miss A. Pope applying for one year’s Ica%’o of absence from February 1, 1928, without pay, to allow of her undertaking research work in the department of physiology under the Department ol Scientific and Industrial Research. The committee also had before it a letter from Professor Stro dated November 28, dealing with t!; tailing of the department in 1928. The committee recommended 1 Miss Pope be granted leave of absei. as requested. Mr Rennie moved the adopth of the report. The report, he said_, involved the reorganisation of the stall' for 1928. It might be asked how they could run the department by cutting out a number of the assistants. The answer was that as the department was granted only a limited number of bursaries, the classes would not bo no large next year, hence certain economies were being effected. The council considered in committee the

committee’s recomcndations regarding staffing. . The recommendation as to Miss Pope was adopted. The remainder of the report, referring to staffing matters, was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act in any matters of urgency. APPOINTMENTS. Miss Ruth Jolly was appointed assistant, and Miss M. Aitohison student assistant, in the clothing branch of the home science department. Mr J. M. Bates was appointed assistant to the professor of philosophy. The appointment of an assistant in economic history and household and social economics was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act. Dr R. B. Dodds was apointed to the chair of dentistry.