FAREWELL TO DR MARSHALL

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 21

FAREWELL TO DR MARSHALL

There was a fair attendance of the publio in _ the Allen Hall, Otago University, on Friday, the occasion being a farewell function tendered by the graduates of the University to Dr P. Marshall, professor of geology, who has accepted a position as head master of the Wanganui Collegiate School..

The Rev. A. Cameron (Chancellor of the University Council) presided, and was supt ported on the platform by members of the council and the members of the Professorial Board, Dr Marshall occupying the place of honour on his right. The Chairman they regretted thS occasion of their meeting, which was to. say

farewell to Dr Marshall. Their guesfl joined the staff of the University in 1901 as a lecturer, and in 1908 ho was raised to the status of a professor. He was sure that anyone* who had any intimate know-' lodge of the working of the University recognised the influence Dr Marshall had brought to hear on the institution, and that to-day he commanded the confidenca of the students and the council and also of the whole community.—(Applause.) They felt that not only would the University bo the poorer for his removal, but also that this part, of the dominion would be distinctly poorer. Dr Marshal! not only threw* himself into the life of the University, bufc also the. life of the community, and made his influence felt everywhere. Dr Marshall' had every reason to be proud of the result of his work in the University, as he had proved himself to be an extremely successful teacher. He (Mr Cameron) had been looking over the list of honours, and ha found that, from 1904, 10 out of 15 students' under their professor had gained first-class honours, and some of these double firstclass honours; while six had been awarded senior scholarships, and four students had taken their degree of doctors of science foi? geological work. This spoke very loudly of the splendid work done by Dr Marshall, and went to show how extremely successful ho had been in carrying on the work at*tached to his position. The Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), as repre. sorting the citizens of Dunedin. said he ic*; grettcd most deeply the fact that Dr. Mar* shall was leaving. At the same time ho congratulated Dr Marshall on his appoint* ment. He had taken his position as a citiV zen in a splendid degree, and had linked the University and civic life very closely together. —(Applause.) Dr Inglis, who had been associated with Dr Marshall for many years, expressed regret on behalf of his colleagues at Drt Marshall's departure, and wished him aa great, success at Wanganui as he had had here.

Professor Thompson (vice-president o* the Otapo Graduates' Association', in presenting Dr Marshall with a handsome ro« volving oak bookcase and a silver kettle and spirit lamp, referred to the fame he had gained as#a geologist in England, France, America, and even in Germany. He thanked Mrs Marshall for the service she had rendered the association. She- had been unsparing- in anything she had to do.Ho wished them the very best success in their future life. Dr Marshall was warmly received as ho rose to respond He thanked the Graduates' Association tor the function tJieyi had arranged in hc.'iour of-Mrs Marshall and himself, which they appreciated very much. To the Mayor lie was greatly appreciative for the references made to nis woris. Ho had the honour of being president of the Graduates' Association, and he expressed tho opinion that the association could bo a big influence -for education. He was sorry to say that) graduates did not always realise that a certain amount of power rested in their hands. Ho separated from the graduates with very great regret. Referring to the University, he said that wo were inclined to regard it as a Duncdm institution. It was a dominion institution, and this was not realised . here. People in other parts of the dominion ho had met realised that the Otago University was the most important; of the whole of ; ts kind in the dominion. Here was a matter that the people of the city should take in hand. The resources of" the University at present were noli c|uito adequate for the performance of its great functions, and the public should take up a definite stand and represent to the Government that a larger measure of financial assistance should be made in order that the schools might be kept in the state of efficiency they were at present. He pointed out that the. Government assistance received at present was required for the Medical School if it war, to continue to be a useful institution. Therefore the other part of the University suffered, and. it was time that proper steps _ were taken to get the Government to realise that th:a was a New Zealand institution and that ifl vas of importance that it should be properly assisted so far as finance was concorned. Referring to .the population /n> the South Island as against that of the North Island, Dr Marshall said the disparity was going to become greater and greater, and if they did not move they would find that the University would be neglected in favour of some similar institution which would bo established in the north Thai income of the University was not nearly enough to permit of expansion, and unless something were done the result would be that it would languish. He concluded by wishing the University all possible success.