UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 13

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago University Council was held yesterday afternoon, and was attended by the chance.lor (Mr W. J. Morrell), Bishop Fitchett, Sir James Allen, Sir Lindo Ferguson, Dr James Fitzgerald, Messrs L. D. Ritchie, S. Rice, W. R. Brugh, J. M. Butler, James Wallace, J. Robertson, C. M. Gilray, J. W, Dove, Dr R. J. T. Bell, and the Rev. D. C. Herron. The chancellor welcomed Mr W. R. Brugh to the council. He said tnat Mr Brugh had been appointed as the representative of the various secondary schools’ boards in the University district to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr J. C. Stephens. The chancellor also referred to the fact that Archdeacon Fitchett had been consecrated as Bishop of Dunedin. He congratulated him on having attained such a high office, and expressed the heartiest wishes for the welfare of his church under his direction. — (Applause.) On the motion of the chancellor, it was decided to express the thanks of the council to Professor T. A. Hunter for the very valuable address he had prepared for the graduation ceremony, and also to express regret that he had not been able to be present to deliver it personally. The chancellor said that copies of the address had been printed and circulated. GENERAL BUSINESS. The dean of the Medical Faculty wrote .asking that the ventilation of the lecture theatres be considered.—The Works Committee to submit a report. The dean applied for a grant of £5 from the Marjorie Macallum fund to aid a research by Dr Fogg.—Agreed to. The dean wrote asking for permission to obtain films at a total cost of £IOO or £lso.—Referred to the Finance Committee with power to act. Dr Andrew wrote accepting appointment on the Colonial Office Recruitment Committee.—Received.

Dr Benham wrote asking the council to continue his subscription to the Zoological Society of London and the Royal Entomological Society in order that the council might still obtain the proceedings of these societies.—The chancellor suggested that the_ application should go to the Professorial Board for a report, and this was agreed to. - Mr Downie Stewart wrote forwarding some reports from the Statistician’s office for use in the library.—Received with thanks.

The dean of the dental faculty wrote recommending that Mr D. T. Allan be appointed half-time demonstrator for the year ending May 31, 1935, in place of Mr W. Hamilton, at a salary of £166 5s. — Approved. He notified that there will be no award of the Leask silver medal; he recommended that the Burt medal be awarded to Miss Tattersfield; he recommended also the appointment of Miss Tattersfield for the year ending May 31, 1935, in place of Mr A. G. M. Clark, as assistant in orthodontics; salary £250, without cuts.—The chancellor said that Miss Tattersfield had headed the list in all four subjects in the final examination. This was the first time such a record had been achieved. —The recommendations were approved. Dr Hayes (Seacliff) wrote recommending the appointment of Dr Malcolm Brown as demonstrator in place of Dr Hunter, at £lO 10s.—Approved. The secretary of the Teachers’ Superannuation Board wrote pointing out that a teacher could not be on leave from the definite position in the education service. —Received.

Professor Adams wrote stating that the chanceellor had presented to his department two volumes of facsimiles of Latin MSS, He also forwarded a copy of a letter from Miss Alicia A. Leith, London, vice-president of the Bacon Society, who forwarded a set of fly-leaveg designed to show that Shakespeare’s plays were written by Bacon.-—The chancellor said that this letter referred to a curiosity. It involved the Bacon-Shakespeare controversy. The subject was of vital interest, and those who believed that. Bacon was the national poet bad increased tenfold, if not one hundredfold, according to the argument in the set of fly-leaves. It stated that, this was the only solution to the Bacon mystery,—The booklet was received, and it was decided to place it in the library.—A member: It is humorous. —The chancellor: Not wilfully.—(Laughter.) Dr Denham wrote asking that the cost of binding several volumes of the Journal of Natural History be paid from the Moritzson Fund.—The chancellor said that there was £l6O in the bequest.—The request was granted. The registrar wrote, by direction of the Professorial Board, notifying the co.uncij that Dr Carmalt-Jones bad been appointed chairman of the board in place of Dr R. J; T. Bell, who had resigned.— Received. The secretary of the Otago Hospital Board wrote asking the council to nominate a representative on the Hospital Committee as a co-opted member.—-Dr Fitzgerald was reappointed. Mr Butler wrote suggesting that the council consider paying portion of the cost of securing patent rights in connection with his improved tar process, in view of the fact that the council was entitled to portion of any royalties that might acme, suggesting that before slates were put on the Mining School roof they should be tested.—Referred to the Finance Committee to act.

Mr H. H. Ferguson wrote asking for an expenditure of about £53 for the provision of screens, etc. He pointed out that his special classes had earned at least £6O for the University.—Agreed to. The dean of the medical faculty enclosed a request from Dr Dawson for a new typewriter and also three reels of films at 40 dollars a reel .—Referred to the Finance Committee with power to act. "NEAT, BUT NOT GAUDY.” The town clerk forwarded a request from the Amenities Society that the fence enclosing the University ground at Logan Park should be painted green. The chancellor said he thought that the letter could be sent to the Works Committee. Mr Wallace: Is it suggested that the fence be painted? \ Mr Dove: There is no necessity for it. Mr Butler said lie did not think that the Students’ Association Was responsible for the painting. The secretary (Mr Chapman) said that the University was not responsible. Mr Wallace moved that the request be declined. Sir Lindo Ferguson moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to the Works Committee for a report. The chancellor: Neat, but not gaudy! He would not quote the remaining portion.—(Laughter.) The amendment was lost and Mr Wallace’s motion was carried. COMMITTEES.

Mr Brugh was appointed to the committees on which Mr Stephens had served, with the exception of the XHnance Committee.

Mr Rice was appointed to the committees on which Mr J. C. Thomson had served.

An election took place for two members to serve on the Finance Committee, and Bishop Fitchett and Mr Robertson were elected. \ LOGAN PARK LOAN.

Mr Butler moved, in accordance with notice —“ That the council rescind the resolutions previously adopted fixing the interest to be paid by the Students’ Association on its loan for Logan Park, and that the council now resolve in respect of (his loan (1) to charge no interest during the period when the University bank account is not in debit; (2) to charge interest at bank overdraft rates during any period when the University account is In debit.

Mr Butler said that the playing field at Logan Park had cost about £10.500 — approximately £6300 for the stand and £4OOO for one thing and another. There had been legal costs in addition to that, and also a certain amount of upkeep which the Students’ Association looked after. He said that his association would take it as a great favour if the council would rescind its previous motion in regard to the interest payment. The speaker explained that it meant a reduction of £206 18s 9d to £2O 14s lid if his

motion were carried. He said lie did not think it was proper for the council to make money out of money which would probably have been lying idle bo far as interest-bearing was concerned. Mr Dove seconded the motion.

A lengthy discussion ensued on the question whether the matter should De made retrospective. It was finally decided to take the motion in two parts, the first ending at the words “ Logan Park.” The motion was carried as thus amended. Mr Butler then moved that the matter be made retrospective. He said that his association realised that it might have been premature in building the stand, but at the same time no one could deny that it was an asset to the University. Mr Wallace: An expensive asset.

Mr Butler: But it is an asset of which the University should be proud, and he knew that the University was proud of it. The great difficultly in the past had been the drainage. Bishop Fitchctt asked if the money had not been lent would it have been earning interest.

Mr Wallace said that it would have been earning interest. They bad put out £IO,OOO a day or two ago because they did not require it immediately, for three months. Their current account was not allowed to grow' too large. The registrar said that the Students' Association had paid off a considerable amount on capital, and that the interest charges had only been added to capital last year. The council then decided to go into committee to hear a statement by Mr Ritchie ' On resuming in open board Mr Butler withdrew his motion. FINANCE AND MEDICAL. The Finance and Medical Committees reported having considered letters from the University of New Zealand regarding the limitation of medical students. It was resolved that a sub-committee, consisting of the chancellor, Professor Bell, Dr Fitzgerald, and Sir Lindo Ferguspn, be set up to report on the whole question to the Finance and Medical Committees. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee reported having received a report from Dr Bell and Dr Galway regarding the offer of the Carnegie Corporation in connection with gramophone records, etc. Dr Bell reported that Dr Galway was prepared to arrange for himself or senior students to supervise the use of the gramophone and rrecords.—lt was resolved to recommend the council to approve of the arrangements made for housing the records, etc., and the registrar was instructed to write to the Minister of Customs asking that the goods be admitted into New Zealand without payment of duty. Dr Benham wrote stating that in November, 1953, he had pointed out to the Budget Committee that expenditure on microscopes would be required at some future date.—The letter was received. An expenditure of £ls Is was approved for binding back numbers of chemical journals as requested by Mr Carter. The treasurer and registrar were authorised to act with regard to Dunedin Drainage Board debentures of £ISOO maturing on July 1 next. It was reported that the board was willing to renew at S| per cent. A requisition from Dr Dawson for the printing of a report regarding his department at an estimated cost of £lB was approved, the chairman and registrar being authorised to act as to how this amount should be charged. On the motion of Mr Wallace, the report was adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee reported as follows: —

The architects submitted a report under date May 24. They recommended renewing the flashings, gutters, and valleys of the roof of the School of Mines in copper at a cost of £34.—This was approved. Mew storm-water drains were being laid to the Leith. This was noted. Urgent repairs had been made in Dr Andrew’s house at a cost of £l9 2s, but further renovations were required. The expenditure incurred was approved and the chairman authorised to act regarding further repairs. Satisfactory ventilation to the biology lecture room could be effected at a cost of £3s.—This was noted and the work approved. Tenders for tanks ip the Biology Department were submitted. The lowest price for these tanks was from Dyer (£4l ;17s), to which an amount of npproxipiately £lO or £l2 would need to be 'added for carpentering work.—The work was referred to a sub-committee, consisting of the chairman (Mr F. W. Mitchell), Messrs Butler, Dove, and Wallace, with power to act. The lowest tender for the frog-box was £l2.—This amount was approved. Tenders had been called for electric lighting in two houses iu King street, the lowest being £2O, from Messrs Turnbull and Jones.—Acceptance of this tender was approved. Work at the houses and flats in the Beverly property at an estimated cost of £l7O had been authorised, but authority was required for the expenditure of approximately £l6O more to put the houses iu good order.—The committee approved of the present authorisation, and the chairman was given power to act regarding the balance of the work. The architects submitted a report and estimates for the insta lation of an automatic stoker at the Medical School.—lt was resolved that the council be recommended to install a double retort robot at £247,

Payment certificates amounting to £93 6s 6d were passed for payment. The City Corporation submitted a statement of alterations and repairs required to be made to the electric lighting in both medical schools. The chairman was given power to act regarding this matter. The committee considered a letter from the Otago University Students’ Association requesting the following improvements in the common room at the Medical School:—_ (a) Improvement of heating; (b) painting of walls; (c) replacing cork lino, by carpets; (d) laying lino, in corridors; (e) provision of automatic door stops; (f) additional seating accommodation.

V The committee reports:-—(a) No further action is required in this connection in view of the recommendation already made for installation of automatic stoker, (b) That the Medical Students’ Association be asked what amount they are prepared to pay. Tenders to be called in the meantime, (c) and (d) Instructions have been given to stain the cork lino, a darker colour, and arrangements have already been made for laying lino, m corridors. The committee does not’ approve of laying carpets, (e) Automatic door-stops w r ill be provided, (f) Tenders will be called for providing seats round walls. A letter was received from the Amenities Society suggesting consideration of the following matters: (a) The plantjng of two pohutukawas on the bank beside the administrative block, (b) The removal of a decayed willow tree, (e) The planting of Virginia creeper on the walls of the buildings, (d) Provision for carrying the Memorial Walk into Leith street at the back of the professors’ bouses, and the removal of garage and kitchen garden. Tim following recommendations arc made: —That (a) be not done; (b) that the willow tree be removed; (c) that Virginia creeper be planted on the south side of the geolojry block: (d) that the Amenities Society be informed that no action can be taken regarding the Memorial Walk until the City Corporation informs the council of the line of the bank. The dean of the medical faculty wrote requesting the installation of electricallycontrolled clocks in the Medical School. It was resolved that the dean be asked to submit a quotation for the installation of four clocks. On the motion of Mr Ritchie the report was adopted. , MUSEUM AFFAIRS.

The Committee of Management of the Museum reported as follows, under date May 30:—

A deputation from the Otago Institute waited on the committee to lay before it the views of the institute as to the relations of the institute to the Museum. The deputation consisted of Dr Hercus, Dr Andrew and Mr George Simpson. The deputation pointed out the desirability of a fusion of the two bodies under tbe control of the University Council.—-After some consultation it was resolved to refer this matter to a sub-committee to discuss with a committee of the institute, the subcommittee to be Mr Fels (convener), the chancellor, Dr Benham, and Mr Mitchell. The committee considered letters submitted to it by tbe council from Mr D’Arcy Mens offering his collection of works of art in New Zealand woods at £l2oo.—The council is recommended to decline this offer. The committee recommended that Miss Daff’s appointment be continued until January 31, 1935, and that she be granted a vacation on full pay during the month of January.

The committee recommended that the amount of £lOl 10s be voted to Dr Benham for the purchase of exhibits in the zoology section of the Museum.

The report was adopted. The Committee of Management of the Museum reported further under date June 14: — The committee had before it the report of a conference between representatives of the Committee of Management and representatives of the institute. The report was as follows: —The conference took place on June 8, when there were present Mr W. Eels (in the chair), Mr W. J. Morrell, Mr F. W. Mitchell, Dr Benham, Dr Kerens, Dr Andrew, Mr George Simpson, and the joint secretaries. The business of the conference, was consideration of the matters placed before the committee by a deputation from the Otago Institute on May 30. After full consideration the following resolutions were passed:— This conference affirms the desirability of fusion between the Otago Institute and the Otago University Museum under the authority of the University Council. it is understood that the proposed joint committee of the institute ami Museum will function in the same manner as the present Museum Management Committee, being simply advisory to the University Council. The reasons in support of tins proposal are that the proposed fusion would provide for a more corporate life for the Museum, extend educational facilities to the public, provide for increased financial support from the public, tend to fulfil the ideal indicated in the Markham report, where it states “ the .Museum, should he a meeting place for various clubs and societies, an encouragement to all seekers after knowledge, and an educational centre for the town and nrovince. ' Mr Fels moved the reception of the report, and Mr Sargood seconded, and this motion was carried. Mr Morrel moved that this committee heartily accepts the principle of closer cooperation between the institute and. the Museum * and requests the sub-committee previously appointed to confer again with the sub-committee of tile institute, and to prepare a tentative general scheme in regard especially to management, control, and finance—This motion was carried. On the motion of Mr Skinner it was resolved that the council be recommended to appoint Miss Dora de Beer as the delegate of the Museum at the International CotigTGPfcj of Ethnological and AntlHO" pologicnl Studies at London. ‘ Mr Skinner submitted a report slating that two carved wooden slabs, purchased in the,North Wand,, bad been placed in position, as also bad the panels at the back of the Maori house.—The report was received. • Mr Ritchie said he would like to matee it plain that the adoption of the clause relating to the principle of closer cooperation did not mean the adoption ot the first paragraph. They, lia “ not adopted the principle of fusion. The report was accepted, and it was made clear that the report meant only what it said. Mr Wallace said that at the meeting of the committee the motion that the proposals mentioned be adopted had been strenuously opposed, and that they weie then withdrawn. The report was adopted. LEAVE OP ABSENCE. The Special Committee set up to deal with leave of absence to members of the staff submitted a comprehensive statement, and it was adopted.