VICTORIA COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2179, 18 June 1914, Page 6

VICTORIA COLLEGE

CHAIR OF MATHEMATICS,

A meeting ol the Victoria. College Council was heM last night. Mr. (J. Watson was in tile chair, and there were present: The Hon. A. L. ilc«toati, Messrs. J. G. \V. Aitkun, A. T. Maghtnity, W. Ferguson C, Wilson:, 0. B, Morison, T. A. Flensing, Dr. C. Fraidergast Knight, awl Dr. Hector. . .' Sir Robert Stout wrote' that he miderstood the council had appointed four mathematicians in England to s'efcet candidates for the- Chair q{ Ma theniatics. He did not know on whoso* recommendation the selection of Sir Joseph Lnrmor, iQr, Whitehead, Mr. Herman, and Professor WWtaker was made. The council shmiM, ho thought, appreciate the position of'matktvinatics in tho college, 'l/ho study was teung given up, and tho teaching' of what had been called metaphysical, or "abstract" mathematics, was not popular among tho students. If Professor WliitaW and Mr. Herman were both of tho school of which j?r. Whitehead was tho loader, and one of that school w; # selected, the college might as well ahum*" don tho teac'hijig' of matheiiiatiis. He suggested that Dr. G. H. Bryan or Mr, Baker, of Oxford, would have been suitable gentlemen to make- satiafaoU selections. He a-tso took except-kni to the fact that mly three testimonials were required of candidates, and stressed tho fact that a man with practical teaching kitowiod«e ttjas necessary. Mr. Watson sard that' the Finance Committee, with; the assistance of

Professorial Board, Had decided on tho matter. Professor Whitaker r,Engla.iiS) had been asked to a.ppMut the sflioction committee.

Sir. Wilson said that lio had intended raisiug the matter. lie had been informed by a gentleman interested in the matter that it- was important to the mathematical side- of the college that tlio man appointed should not be. of the metaphysical school, but of the mere practical school. They should lay stress on tho teaching capacity. The Finance Com-mitte© reported oft tho matter, enclosing lei-tots ivith reference to the appointment of the- selection committee. The vacancy was to be advertised in England, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

It was pointed out that the selection only was to be- mudo by the selection committee. The. appointment would be made by tho ccmndk

Mr. Aitken moved that the work of the Finance Committee should he aj» proved.

Mr.'. Watson thought that they were quite safe in leaving tlio matter in tlio hands of the selection committee.

Tho motion was carried. Mr. Maginnity thought that the letter from Sir RoberS Stout should be referred to "the Finance. Committee tor consideration. As the selection committee was not to meet till September, the Finance Csitttrftittee might consider tlio advisability or not of altering the personnel.

Mr. Wilson seconded the motion, and it was carried.

Professor T. B. Laby wrote with reference to -.he arrival of tho Btitistr Association members to He;v Zealand, and asking that the college■ should adjourn dmiug the .visit of the distto* finished visitors. They will be in Wellington on September 3, i } and S s then going to Christehurch.—lt was decided to 'accede to Professor Laby's request. Tho Finance and General Ptrrpeses Committee reported: (1) Biat a letter from Mr. F. P. Wilson should h© deferred for consideration when tho scheme submitted, to the Macarihy Trust was more fully, developed; p) That the council express its gratification: at the honour gabled by Mr, E. Q. H«* ens, who had been awarded an exhibition at Trinity Coilege, Cambridge, andat the very satisfactory report reeeived by Professor Laby on tho of Mr. ]'. W r . Burbidge at the same'college. (3) That accounts amouutiDg to £I.iSS should be passed tor paymesftt. The report was adopted.