UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21055, 18 June 1930, Page 3

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING, The, monthly meeting of the'University Connell was held yesterday afternoon, the chancellor (Sir Thomas Sidey) in the chair. There were also present Sir James Allen, .Sir Lin do Ferguson, and Messrs J. Rennie, L, D. Ritchie, 6, R. Ritchie, J. Wallace, j. C. Thomson, j. S. Douglas, J. C. Stephens, J. W, Dove, C, M. Gilray, Dr J. Fitzgerald, Dr Marshall Macdonald, and Dr Benham, An apology tor non-attendance was received from Mr W. J. Morrell -(vice-chancellor) owing to illness. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr G. C. Thomson wrote stating that he had attended a conference in Christ-, church with regard to the deer menace, and that the unanimous opinion expressed had been that the State Forest Service was the proper department to handle the question.—lt was decided to thank Mr Thomson for his services. The secretary of the Otago Rugby Football Union wrote drawing attention to tbe lack of facilities at Logan Park for selling tickets, and suggesting that arrangements shoilld be made for operating the gate to handle a crowd. —It was decided .that the matter be left in the hands of the Works Committee with power to act. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee reported, inter alia, that the committee had inspected the Leith wall, and had resolved to agree to a request from the corporation to increase the height of the wall by three feet from the Union street bridge to Leith street on- the south-west side of the stream, it being understood that there would be no cost to the University, The committee had received, a complaint from Professor Strong regarding the work at Upper Studholme House, and also a copy of the architect’s reply. : —lt was resolved to refer these to the chairmen of works and home science to report to nest meeting. Messrs Littlejohn and Sons had written stating that they were providing for the striking gear of the clock to operate direct from the - A.C. main instead of from accumulators.—This was.noted. Messrs • Miller and White had written drawing the attention of the council to the fact that the Leith wall was still' in a very unsatisfactory condition.—lt. was resolved that a letter be written to tne corporation stating that the Mining School was in jeopardy and asking what steps the corporation proposed to take. It was further resolved that a deputationbe sent to the Works Committee of the City Corporation, the deputation to consist of the chairman of works, the chairman of finance, and Messrs Douglas abd Dove.—The report was adopted. FINANCE AND MEDICALCOMMITTEES.

The Finance and Medical Committees reported that the committees had considered a letter from the dean of the dental faculty recommending certain reorganisation in the Dental School—namely, that Mr Rout be appointed for •a further year at an increased salary of £250, and that he become a permanentmember of the staff with a yearly increase up to £7oo.—lt was resolved to recommend that Mr Rout’s salary he increased to-£350 for the year ending June 30, 1031, and that the further questions raised be referred to the Budgeting Committee.

The committee had considered a letter from the commissioner of State forests stating that the Government proposed to take , the Forest Hill Reserve under the Public Works Act for afforestation purposes.—lt was resolved to ask the department how it proposed' to assess the value. On receipt of this information the University would be enabled to take the necessary steps. • The committee had consulted with Prolessors Dunlop and Lawson regarding a lecturer in experimental psychology.— After the matter had been fully discussed it was resolved that the- professors be -requested to prepare a list of suggested duties, the list to be submitted to the next meeting of the council, together with names of suggested referees to assist in the appointment. A letter had been received froni Dr Benham stating that it would be necessary to employ labour to rearrange the cases in the main Museum. He asked authority for this work, and requested that the amount should not, be charged Mo the extension fund. - This request was agreed to. ' ■ •

The committee had considered a request from Mr Skinner for leave of absence during December and January. Dr Benham had recommended that the request be granted on the understanding either that Mr Skinner's leave of absence did not involve the council in any additional expenditure or that such additional expendi. ture be made good by Mr Skinner. The report was adopted. MUSEUM EXTENSION COMMITTEE. The Museum Committee reported that a letter from the registrar regarding the moving of the moa case had been read which stated' that the Works Committee was recommending the' council to have this work done provided the Museum Extension Committee approved. In the discussion it was stated that this meant that the Extension Committee was expected to pay. It was moved bv Mr Pels, and seconded by Mr Gow—“That this committee protests against being asked to pay for moving cases in the old building out of funds collected for the specific purpose of ereqting. furnishing, and endowing the new wing.” The motion was carried. In the discussion it was suggested | that payment of this and similar charges might be made out of tbe City Council s annual grant. The report was adopted. ■ PROPOSED BIOLOGY BLOCK.

, -At the meeting of the special committee in regard to the erection 1 of the proposed biology block Dr Benhatn submitted a sketch plan of the layout on the lowerj level of tennis courts on the Tanna Hill site. After full consideration, it was resolved to report as follows:—“That the committee has considered the sketch layout proposed by Dr Benbam on the site of the south tennis courts and has approved provisionally of the site, and provisional scheme of layout; .the committee recommends that a survey be obtained of the whole Tanna Hill site and that the architects be instructed to draw up sketch plans and supply estimates in conjunction with Dr Benham.” , The report was adopted. MUSEUM JANITOR.

The registrar reported that 130 applications had been received for the position of janitor at the Otago University Museum, —The question of an appointment was referred to a special committee with power .to act. PROFESSOR BENHAM’S RETIREMENT. The Professorial Board reported that it had decided to appoint Dr Inglis as its representative on the council for the period July 1, 1930, to June 30, 1934. i Benham, who had represented the board for the last 16 years, had advised the board that he did not desire reappointment. The chancellor said -it would bo a matter of regret to members that Professor Benham should sever his connection with the council. He would, therefore, move the following motion:—“The council of the University of Otago wishes to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered -to the University of Otago bv 1 rofessor W. B, Benham in his capacity as a member of the University Council. .Ur Benham was appointed to the council as a representative of the Professorial Board in the year 1914, and has continuously represented the board since that date. During this period of 16 years Dr Benham has worthily carried on the traditions founded by Professors Shand and bcott; he has faithfully but fairlv represented the views of his board, and, moreover, has taken a keen interest in the general affairs of the council. For his unselfish devotion to the affairs of the University the council lenders to Dr Benham its sincercst thanks.” The motion was carried by acelamation. Dr Benham thanked the council for the way, in which it had expressed its appi'eciatiou of his humble services. It had been a great honour to him to serve on the governing body of the University. He had ’always found , his fellow members svm-nnthetic to the needs, grievances and difficulties of the professorial staff’ and always they had met the board with aa great sympathy n s possible. In the last year or two he had felt it was time that a younger man should take his place and that was why he refused to be again nominated by bis colleagues, who wished him to offer himself.