OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL

Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 51

OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION NECESSARY. [Fhom Oub Own Cohbesi’Ondent.J WELLINGTON, January 21. This morning a deputation regarding th© Otago Medical School, consisting of th© Hon, J. A. Hanan, the Hon. M. Cohen, the Rev. Dr Cameron, Dr H. Lindo Ferguson, and others waited upon the Prime Minister. The Hon. Dr Collins, who introduced the deputation, stated that the Medical School was progressing by leaps and bounds, so that it was absolutely necessary for it to have further accommodation. The Rev. Dr Cameron said they knew very well that the question of finance was a pressing one at the present moment with the Government, as with individuals, and that, therefore, there might be difficulties in meeting the requirements, but it whs absolutely necessary that the Otago University should have new buildings. The Medical School especially was an institution that needed suitable accommodation. By 1922 they would have such large classes that it would be quite impossible to accommodate them in the present buildings. Dr Ferguson, who had previously discussed the matter with Mr Massey, said that in so far as the anatomical and physiological departments were concerned the position was acute. A dissecting room built "or some 80 students now had to accommodate 220, so that it was absolutely impossible for the students to do their work advantageously. The result was that the class had to be split in two, but the staff was insufficient to deal with two divisions. As a matter of fact there was not enough room for the half classes. The same state of affairs prevailed in regard to the physiological class. Mr Massey said ho appreciated the difficulty in which they all were placed. Ho need not tell them that the whole country was up against a scarcity of money, material, ar,d labour. He could not correctly say that he was short of money in the Treasury, but next year there would be a drop in their revenue, especially from Customs, and he had to look ahead and think of that. As to loans he did not think it would be possible to float another loan for a considerable time to come. Possibly after the end of the present financial year if they came along with a more moderate demand for from £20,000 to £25,000, he might be able to do something for them. He would have to consult Cabinet as to whether tenders could b© called for immediately. As things were ho preferred to consult Cabinet in any matter involving tho expenditure of more than a few thousand pounds. lie would be in Dunedin in a few weeks, and then he would be glad to have a look at the school. Dr Cameron stated that their architect had said that building materials were not likely to come down in price for some time, especially bricks and cement, but bethought that if t)ie sub-contracts were held over for six months it would not delay the finishing of the building, and would effect a considerable saving.