University Bids Farewell To Vice-Chancellor

Press, Volume C, Issue 29497, 26 April 1961, Page 17

University Bids Farewell To Vice-Chancellor

The University af V~T iDr/F. ILeweUyx) and Mrs Llewellyn, a sggasHd Uwaa famrefl «a A* MBVMBfr. jjfSKSwrf- new naaaat mpoh to students. Where formerly a decree was often regarded as a qualification only for teaching or research, graduation now opened up very wide prospects. Students valued this new stature and the way Dr. Llewellyn had counselled them to use their new opportunities. Canterbury was the only New Zealand university to employ the title vice-chan-cellor and rector for its academic and administrative head, said Professor J. Packer, deputy-chairman of

the Professorial Board (Dr. Ueweßyn Is its chairman). The second title, ta -Ito old sense, meant one who guides aright. Dr. ■ Llewellyn was exceptional and Canterbury might well have adopted the more used |timerf was only one serious doubt about its wisdom. Dr. Ltewellyn was a young man and it was tawed, U he did not prove all that was hoped for, that the university might have to suffer him too foog, said Professor Packer. Now, after only five yean, (the staff wished he eouid a stay. AU faculty members trusted his objective and Impersonal judgment, his accessibility and his vision. Pro•IW Packer also paid tribute to Dr. Llewellyn's appreciation of the aspirations of all departments. This made the staff, in spite of its diversity of outlook and needs, as one. Chancellor's Tribute Five years in the life of a university was a short span, said the Chancellor (Mr C. H Perkins), but in this time under Dr. Llewellyn there had been great progress. The council still congratulated itself on selecting him for office. ■ Mr Perkins listed the physical changes and emphasised that no sooner was one building project under way

than Dr. Llewellyn had begun pfamung the next. The brief for the architects on the £2300,000 science buildings was probably the most comprehensive ever prepared in this country.

In administration Dr. Llewellyn had a rare ability to delegate so that be eouid tackle broader issues. Yet be had an uncanny *ip of every detail, said Mr Perkins. “Town and gown" bed come* to understand each other better through Dr. Llewellyn's efforts becarae each had a fuller appreciation of the inter-dependence of the community and the university. Mr Perkins and other speakers paid tribute to the grace, understanding, and dignity with which Mrs Llewellyn had performed her role as hostess of the university.- A man engaged in big things needed a happy home and Mrs Llewellyn had at all times given sympathetic assistance to her husband. “You both go with the knowledge that there remains an indelible mark on this university of your profound influence," said Mr Perkins. "Students The Stars” •"Tile students are the stars; 1 have been just the continuity man in this picture,” said Dr. Llewellyn. His associations with them had always given immense pleasure. In the past they had bad to leave New Zealand to exploit their talents. He still hoped they would travel but he hoped there would be opportunities now for them to return.

In the kaleidescope of personalities and people on such an occasion, Dr. Llewellyn said his over-riding impression was of a happy family. True there were temperaments and tantrums; but Canterbury and its university had the characteristic of having the common welfare at heart. In that environment it had been easy (when the Government recognised the needs at last), to secure co-operation of the whole university in the progress of the whole. The new University of Canterbury would be a reality in the lifetime of those present In time to come it would be regarded as a prerequisite to. not as a luxury in, an affluent society.

Dr. Llewellyn said nobody but he could fully appreciate his debt in all this to four men—the late Mr James Logie (former registrar): Mr D. W. Bain (chancellor when he was appointed), Mr C. H Perkins (present chancellor), and Mr G. G. Turbott (Dresent registrar). "Garth Turbott has been half my brain and my whole right hand. What more could I ask?” said Dr. Llewellyn. “To all of you and to the new Vice-Chancellor (Dr. L. L. Pownall). when he puts on this very uncomfortable hat I extend my good wishes.” In the academic procession of the evening the esquire bedell bearing the mace was Dr. C. J. Wilkins. Musical items were given by the university trio with harpsichord accompaniment.