RETIRING PROFESSORS HONOURED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3113, 12 November 1913, Page 8

RETIRING PROFESSORS HONOURED.

A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. EULOGISTIC REFERENCES. A large and representative meeting of the citizens of Dunedin, presided over by the Mayor (Mr W. Dowme Stewart) was held in the Town Hall on the 4th mst ofikially to recognise the worth of past services of Dr Shand and Dr Salmond, who after lengthy terms of arduous wo?k m the service of the Otago University Council have now retired from their respective professorships. The Mayor said that they had met to express to Dr Shand and Dr Salmond their high appreciation of their work in this city, of which they had so long been prominent and useful citizens. Dp Shand and Dr Salmond occupied very prominent positions in th e respect, and in the name of the citizens lie congratulated them on the splendid services they had performed lor the University, for the community, and for the dominion as a whole. The citizens hoped that they might be long t apared to enjoy the ease they had so justly earned. —(Loud applause.) , The Mayor then read the citizens addresses £o' the retiring professors. They Were couched in the following terms: To John Shand, Esq., M.A., LL.D., Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Otago. On behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, we wish to say that we have heard with great regret that failing eyesight, has compelled you to resign the ciiair of natural philosophy in tbe University of Otago, -.which you have occupied with marked distinction ever since the University was opened in 1871. In addition to the efficient discharge of the duties of your chair, and, for many years the ciiair of mathematics as well, you have cheerfully rendered many other educational services to Dunedin and to the dominion as a whole. You are the revered father of the Professorial Board; and you have represented your colleagues in the board on the University Council since the year 1895 As chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee, and in many other ways, you have rendered invaluable services to the University of Otago. As a member of the Senate of New Zealand University since 1877 —a body of which you are now the honoured father —you have wielded immense influence in shaping the education policy of the dominion, not only in university matters, but, by laying down programmes for the matriculation examination and for the junior University scholarship examination, you have, to a large extent, determined the studies pursued in our high schools. You have also taken a deep interest in our other educational institutions. You served as a member of the Otago Education Board from December, 1876, till February, 18S6, and you filled the office of chairman of the board from April, 1882, till April, 1885. You acted as a member of the Otago High Schools’ Board from January 11, 1878 (the first meeting of the board) till January, 1890; and also from May, 1898, till January, 1904. In 1889 your Alma Mater, the University of Aberdeen, conferred on you the well-merited honorary degree of LL.D., in recognition of your eminent services to education. When we remember the extent of the ground you have covered during a long Ufo of strenuous educational activity and the priceless value of your sagacious counsels in promoting primary, secondary, and university education, we feel it is no exaggeration to say that your services to education are unrivalled in the history of the dominion, and the perfect good humour and unfailing courtesy with which you have discharged all your onerous duties nave greatly endeared you to your fellowoitizens. Now that you are retiring into private life, we assure you of the esteem, admiration, and affection of the whole community ; and, as a token of the regard in which you are held in Dunedin, we now ask you to accept a gift from the citizens. We trust that many happy years are yet in store for you; and that, fai the evening of your days, you will be cheered by beautiful memories of a life rich in service rendered to God and to your fellow men. —We arc, dear Dr Shand, youre faithfully, (Signed) Joshua Strange Williams, J. R. Sinclair, Wm. Hewitson, R. A. Woodthorpe, Graham H. Balfour, John Dickie, A. B. Fitchett, James Mills, J. Ross, G. R. Ritchie, D. E. Theomin, James A. Roberts, J. A. Jonnstone. Geo. Fenwick, Thos. Fergus, T. W, Kempthorne, Geo. C. Israel, A. Lee Smith, J. Loudon, O. S. Speight, J. C. Stephens, Wil. liam Dowme Stewart, Mayor.

To the Rev. William Salmond, M.A., Edin., H.on. D.D., Edin. and Gins. Dear Sir, —Un tiie occasion of .your resignation of the Chair of Mental and Moral Philosophy in the University of Otago after 27 years' service, a number of your fellow-citizens have taken the opportunity of subscribing a purse of sovereigns, which they wish you to accept, as an expression of their personal goodwill, and of their appreciation of your character and work. You are known to us as an inspiring and luminous teacher of an important intellectual and moral discipline Your classroom has helped to supply our land with men and women taught to pursue truth as a supreme end and to think for themselves rather than to be disciples of a master. Your character has shown that the quest of truth can be combined with a gracious spirit, and in the advocacy of your convictions you have always manifested true courage. The simultaneous retirement of yourself and vour venerable colleague, Dr Shand, withdraws from the service of the public two educationists to whom generations of students have looked up with affection and respect, and in whom, as able and disinterested servants of a groat cause, the community has implicitly trusted. You will carry with you into your retirement the sincere goodwill of the city in which

for 38 years you have lived an honourable and useful life.—On behalf of the subscribers, we have the honour to be. Dear Sir, .” (Here follow the same signatures as those at the foot of the address to Dr Shand.) The Mayor then presented the respective addresses, each of which was beautifully illuminated, to Dr Shand and Dr Salmond. Each of the retiring professors was also made the recipient ol a purse of sovereigns. The Right Hon. Sir Joshua Williams, exChancelior of the University, in the course of a brief culbg.stic speech, said that he was privileged to have been connected with the Otago University for over 50 years. During that time lie was happy to say that he had been able to come into close contact with Dr Shand. It was part of Dr Shand’s business to look after the finances of the University, and it was difficult to say how very useful lie was in that capacity. He brought to the debates at the council table a clear and keen intellect, and what he said was always to the point. It was a pleasure indeed to have him for a colleague. Dr Shand also had a splendid educational record. It was difficult to imagine the Otago University without him. He was the last of the four who came out from the Old Country to start the University. From small beginnings it had become a groat institution, and it had become great very largely owing to the work of Dr Shand.—(Applause. 1 So far as Dr Salmond was concerned, he could not speak with such a personal knowledge, but he knew this, however, that Dr Salmond was possessed of those rare qualities of mind and heart which enabled an old man to secure the respect and affection of the young. (Applause.) His students loved him. What more could ho say ? Ho trusted, and they all hoped, that Dr Shand and Dr Salmond might have a very happy period of leisure, and be spared for many years to enjoy it.—(Applause.) The Hon. Thomas Fergus made seme appreciative references to the value of the work of the retiring professors, in the course of which he stated that his experience of Dr Shand went back to h;s boyhood. Dr Shand was chairman of the Education Board when ho joined it in the early ’seventies, and in whatever capacity he was found ho was always the same warmhearted -and generous man. —(Applause) The Rev. Professor llevvitson said that in the Otago University no two men hud done better work than Dr Shand and Dr Salmond. Each had taken a great interest in his work, and each iiad a great gift of luminous exposition. All their relatione with their students had been marked with the greatest courtesy and kindness, and their careers had been marked with the desire to promote the best interests of the University on all occasions.—(Applause.) Dr Shand said that ho felt quite overwhelmed by the expressions of esteem and regard which had been lavished upon h-irn during the past few da vs from the students, the graduates of the University, from his colleagues, and now from the citizens of Dunedin. He could not find words to thank them sufficiently for the very kind sentiments expressed by them through the Mayor and by the other speakers. He also thanked them for the very eloquent testimony of his work in the address. Ho regretted relinquishing his chair in the Otago University, where the greater part of his life’s work was done. It was somewhat painful to realise that one had reached the limit of his usefulness. It tended to alleviate this feeling, however, that he had received so many proofs of the way in which his past work had been appreciated. Ho thanked them very warmly for the generous gifts, not only because of their value, but because they furnished proofs of their friendship and esteem. During hia long residence in Dunedin ho and his family hod experienced nothing but courtesy and kind-

ness from citizens. His work had not been confined solely to the educational work connected with the University. He had also taken some part in the extension of primary and secondary education in the dominion. Dr Stand then proceeded to enter more fully into the details of the history of education in the dominion, and he also instituted comparisons between the English and New Zealand universities, mentioning in this connection many of the reforms which had been introduced into the latter during his association with- it. Hr Salmond made a brief but happy speech. He said there were two aspects—the personal and the educational—in connection with his retirement. In regard to the personal aspect, he might say that he had learned a great deal about himself that ho never knew before. They were things his wife had never told him about.—(Laughter.) It was very pleasant to find that one stood well in the good esteem of one’s friends. It would act as a stimulus and cause him to strive to continue to deserve it. In regard to the educational aspect, it was exceedingly pleasant to him to find that the work at the University in connection with mental and moral science was taken notice of and appreciated It was not properly appreciated yet, but it was coming into its own. The one thought of his heart and life had been to try to frame the moral and intellectual life of the students. He could only thank them for their expressions of goodwill and their appreciation of the subject he represented, the teaching cf which ho hop'd would fall to capable hands.— Applause.) During the meeting the following telegram was received from the .Hon. James Allen. Minister of Education, and was read out by the Mayor:—“Please convey to Dr Shand and Professor Salmond my sincere regret at not being present to-day, os it would have given me great pleasure to assist in the appreciation of their very valuable services to university education in Otago, and to education generally in New Zealand. 1 hope both may be blessed with good health, and that they may enjoy wellearned rest. Otago cannot forget its first appointed professors, and the splendid structure they have done so much to build up from its very foundation.’’

The following tribute to Dr Salmond was passed at the last monthly meeting of the University Professorial Board : —“The members of the Professorial Board have learned with profound regret that their colleague, Dr Salmond, owing to failing health, resigned the Chair of Mental Science in Otago University, which he has occupied with marked efficiency and distinction s:nco the year I£B6.

‘‘During his tenure of the chair Dr Salrnond has proved himself a great and inspiring teacher, and has won the esteem and warm affection of all h;s students. In view of the large number of students that have passed through his classes, and who are now occupying positions of influence in the various professions, it is impossible to overestimate the debt of gratitude that not only the University, but tho community as a whole, owes to Dr Salmond. His influence for good has not been confined to his classroom . His admirable public addresses, which have always been characterised by clear exposition, a fine vein of humour, appropriate and beautiful literary expression, and spiritual insight and elevation, have done much to keep the University in sympathetic touch with the community.

“Dr Salmond has also rendered very valuable service to University education as a member of tho New Zealand University Senate from 1888 till 1912; and in this connection it is very gratifying to the board that Dr Salmond’s services to education, and his eminent abilities as a, theologian and a philosophical thinker,’ were suitably recognised, u good many years ago. when tho Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh conferred on him tho well-merited degree of D.D. “As a colleague. Dr Salmond, by his kindly disposition and uniform courtesy, has greatly endeared himself to every member of the Professorial Board. He will carry with him into his retirement, which we hope will be long and happy, tho affection and best wishes of his colleagues. hLs students past and present, and hie numerous other friends, who include all men and women that know him as he really is, and are able to appreciate his sterling worth and his charming personality. “The Board requests the chairman to enter this resolution in the minutes of this meeting, and to forward a copy of it to Dr Salmond.”