OTAGO 'VARSITY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 8

OTAGO 'VARSITY.

NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL.

STONE-LAYING CEREMONY.

(PEZSS ASSOCIATION nUHHUUC.)

DUNEDIN, Juno 18.

' The' ceremony of laying the foundation stones of tho now Otago Medical School tppk place to-day in the ence of a large, gathoring, in which all professions were strongly, represented. The members of tho University Council and teaching staff marched in procession to the site in King street. Tho Chancellor of the Otago Uriiversity, Mr T. K. Sidey,M J?[., in introducing the Minister, outlined tho history of the Medical School, ' showing how from a small beginning it had grown into a great national institution. Tho attendances had increased from 15 students in 1885 to'.-265: in 1925, :

Sir James Parr, in rising to lay the first foundation stone of the now school, was accorded a very cordial reception by the Chancellor and students. Sir James said he believed the success.of the school was mainly duo to the .professors and teachers in its early days, who pioneered tho institution. He agreed with the Charicellor that the Medical School was not merely a Dunedin institution, but a national one. When one considered the figures of Expenditure, £16,000 on the site, and the building, when finished, would cost not less thaiij £IOO,OOO, the impossibility of any Government financing two Medical Schools in New Zealand was obvious. No, doubt, Auckland's day would come, but not yet. As Minister of Education he was opposed to two of these schools at the present time' Sir James extended his felicitations to Sir Lindo Ferguson, who that day saw the fructification of all his hopes and the accomplishment of his desires. He, as Minister of Education, and as representing the Government, knew that once he had put his hand to laying the foundation stone that the building had to be finished whatever it might cost. They knew how persistent and successful Sir Lindo Ferguson had been in respect to tho Medical School. Sir Lindo began his campaign for the Medical School six years ago, and.they owed a great deal to him for his patient persistence. Sir James said the Government desired in every possible way to encourage the Medical School, and stressed the importance of getting the very best brains of the community into the' medical profession. Sir James then performed the ceremony of laying tho stone, composed of Balmoral granite, and was presented with a suitably inscribed greenstone and gold trowel, as a memento from tho contractor, Mr MeLollan.

Sir Lindo Fergwon, Dean of tho Medical Faculty, thanked Sir James for coming to Dunedin to lay the foundation stone, and then laid tho other foundation stone.