TUNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 63

TUNIVERSITY COUNCIL

A special meeting of tho council of the University of Otago was held on Wednesday, 10th inst. The following were present:—Dr Hocken (in tho chair), Dr Shand, Br Burns, Dr Church, Professor Sale, and the Rev. Mr Howitson. Apologies for absence were received from Meesra Allen and Harris and the Rev. Mr Cameron.

Professor F. B. de M. Gibbons wrote (under dato October 6) tendering his resignation, as follows: — "I beg to give you six months' notice of the termination of the agreement entered into in .1886 between the Otago University and myself. It is with great regret that I sever the connection that has existed between us for the last 21 years, but I do not feel any certainty that even after the leave "the council so liberally gave me I should be able to fulfil the duties of tho chair without great risk of ajrain breaking down." Under the circumstances Professor Gibbons thought it better to send in his resignation.

Tli3 council, with regret, accepted the resignation, notice- of same to be given Iho professoi-.

Dr John Shand wrote stating that as the council was about to consider tho arrangements to be made for appointing a. professor of mathematics ho desired to intimatn his willingness to give up tho class of Mechanics, if tho council wished to assign the subject to the Mathematical Chair. When tho duties of the Chair of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, which he originally held, were divided between Professor Gibbons and himself the subject of Physics was a subordinate one, and tho arrangement then made wai the fairest possible in respect both of work and of few. Since that time the courses in. Physics had increased from two to> five, while the attendance had more than trebled. Ho had felt it would be better to attach the subject of Mechanics to tho Mathematical Chair. Tho present -time appeared to be most opportune for effecting the change, which had now become almost imperative. The council agreed to follow this course. It also , decided that the salary of thn now professor of Pure and Applied Mechanics should be £600 a year with half fees, the appointment to bo for five years. The successful applicant will be required to devote the whole of -<his time to the duties of his chair. This was all the business, and th» council adjourned.