The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit TUESDAY DECEMBER, 1, 1885. A Vacant Chair.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1340, 1 December 1885, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit TUESDAY DECEMBER, 1, 1885. A Vacant Chair.

The appointment of Dr McGregor, Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy in the Otago University, to the Inspectorship of Lunatic Asylums in the colony is one very much canvassed and one on which strongly unfavorable opinions are here and there freely expressed. We are given to understand that it will even be made the subject of discussion in the House of Representatives. To us it seems one of the least objectionable appointments of the Government. It has put a stop, temporarily at least, to that importation of new men for public offices, which has hitherto been so conspicuous a failure. Professor McGregor may not be the fittest man for inspectorial duties, but we know what he is and wfcat he can do. That he is related to Mr Stout should not be held as any disqualification, although relationship is always suggestive of nepotism more or less. And Professor McGregor is an able man; if he is not a genius, he is far from being a sham. A professor’s chair in this colony does not give a man sufficient work; and there is none of that stimulus to literary enterprise during vacation which prevails at older and larger seats of learning; consequently our professors are apt to fall into an indolent groove. Professor McGregor has not altogether escaped this misfortune. For years he has barely done himself justice, but this opportunity may be new life to him ; and we_ venture to think that our asylums will be fairly well cared for under his inspection. Already there are several candidates for the Professor’s vacant chair, which is the gift of the Syno4 of th£ Oftfgo ft&fcyftitt CM**, So ft

as we can gather there is no intention of going beyond the colony for a choice. Dr Copeland, of Dunedin, and Dr McGregor, of Oamaru, have already brought their claims before the public. Both are men of learning ; the first was a pupil of Sir William Hamilion, and afterwards studied at more than one German university ; the second was a professor in Scotland, and is a scholar of immense erudition. Both of them are what Bacon described as “ full ” men; neither of them is “ ready,” in the sense of ability to communicate. The Synod meets in January, so that it is yet much too soon to hazard a guess as to the number or the chances of the candidates. From what we can learn, however, Dr Salmond, the Professor of Theology, while declining to seek the appointment, will accept it if it should be offered to him, and his ability, learning, and freedom from narrowness of view are likely to enlist a majority in his favor.

Fire Brigade Station.

For some reason, which is not very apparent, the relations existing between the Ashburton Borough Council and the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade are not of a very cordial nature. It was hoped that the disbanding of the old Brigade, which had assumed a very objectionable attitude towards the Council, would terminate the dissensions between the two bodies. But no sooner was the new Brigade enrolled toan fresh difficulties arose, and at the present moment the very existence of the force is threatened. It appears, from all we can learn on the subject, that the main difference between the Council and Brigade has arisen from a question of sites. At present the Fire Brigade station is situated on a reserve near the centre of the town, and there, for reasons that are set out at some length in another part of this issue, the members think the station should remain. But a majority of the Council wish the station removed to the old Council Chambers in Burnett street, and they cling to this wish with a pertinacity which does their firmness ' infinite credit, but exposes them to a charge of obstinacy. Some busy-bodies have gone to the trouble to imply that certain Councillors are induced by improper considerations to seek the removal of the station. Such imputations are “ gross as a mountain, open, palpable,” and a contradiction would only relieve their insignificance. But, while we believe every Councillor has approached the question with an earnest desire to select the better site, we think the conclusions arrived at by the Brigade will at once commend themselves to. a large majority of the ratepayers. The present site, as those unfamiliar with the facts may learn from the report submitted by the Brigade to the Council last evening, is admirably adapted for the purposes it now serves; the members of the Brigade, to whom a certain amount of deference is certainly due, are strongly opposed to the change, and, purely as a station site, the Council’s premises in Burnett street possess no particular advantage. But, still, if a majority of the Council think the change necessary, by all means, let •them, at once, have it made. We repeat that the Brigade is entitled to much consideration, but it will be unfortunate for the members, and certainly very unfortunate for the ratepayers and the Council itseli, if this dispute be indefinitely prolonged. The matter has already been in abeyance too long, and we hope that at its next meeting the Council, exercising the authority it has, will finally dispose of this question of sites.