CHAIR OF MATHEMATICS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2311, 19 November 1914, Page 9

CHAIR OF MATHEMATICS

PR©i f ESOR PICKEN & HIS

SUCCESSOR.

That the members of the Victoria College Counoil do not 6ce eye to eye on all matters affecting the affairs of the college was evidenced at the monthly mooting held last evening, " when Sir Robert Stout moved in necordance with notice given:— ' "That thia council regrets that the convenw of the Mathematical Professors' Committee should have been appointed by a telegram forwarded by Professor Picken." Before doing so, ho was informed by tho chairman (Mr. H. H. Ostler) that the telegram ia question had been' sent at the request of the Finance Commit-, ted of the counoil, whioh bad the matter of the new appointments in hand. . Sir Robert Stout said that he thought that the committee had done wrong in allowing the telegram to be sent forward by Professor Picken. Why it was not done through the proper authority, the registrar, he could not understand. It seoined to him that Professor-Pioken had been allowed to communicate with people interested as to tho appointment of his own.successor. It was an utterly wrong procedure, and the result may be that others may be led to do something of the sort. Hβ did not wish to say much about it. He only wished it placed on record that b.6 protested against it. The chairman maintained that in submitting the names, the committee had considered it proper to consult the Professor of Mathematics of their own college, and were glad to have his help. The telegram had really been seht by tue committee, but had been sent in the name of Professor Picken, who was personally known to Professor Avniuaker of Edinburgh. That was all. Mr. C. Wilson said that that "all" was a good deal. It was lamentable, he thought, that Professor Picken should havo been allowed to send the cable. Now v it went out to the world that the Professor was being allowed to seleot- his successor. He thought that it was most improper, and that the committee had committed a grave error. There was tho committee in London to consult. Mr. W. A. EVans said that he could see no impropriety in the action of the committee. The responsibility lay with the committee, not with Professor Picl ken. "' Because the cablegram sent had something to do with appointments, he could not Fee how any wrong had been, done. . Mr. Wilson: "Very ingenious, bnt it dresn't satisfy me." Mr. Evans: The committee had done nothing eke but confer with him (Professor Picken). The action of the committee instead of, being condemned should be Mr. Wilson: Whitewashed. Mr. Evans: No,, not whitewashed— commended. Mr. C. M. Mori-son emphatically agreed with tho course the committee had taken. They desired to communicate with Professor Whittaker. Mr. Norris (the registrar) was not known to him, and P-rofcfisor Picken was. The voice was the voice of the committee, t:ot of Professor Picken. It was not oven the hand of Professor Picken, but the namo was merely used to let Professor Whittaker know it was an authentic message. ' Mr. Ferguson: Mr. Wilson has mentioned a committee of experts in London. There is-no such committee. The cablegram asked Professor Whittaker to be the convener of such a committee; .■ •■■'■ ■■•■•-■' •■■•-• - - ■.••-■

Dr. P. Knight said that it eeemed that the committee had adopted the best course to save time. Sir Robert Stout wished to know who had communicated with the other three mentioned in the cablegram. The Registrar said that as soon as he had received an answer from Professor Whittaker he had written to him. Sir Robert Stout: But who communicated with tho other three? The Registrar: That is explained in the cablegram to Professor Whittaker. Sir Robert Stout: But why Professor Whittaker—why could not the communication have been made through the High Commissioner as has been done beforeP Tho position seems to be more complex as one goes into it. Professor Picken has then really nominated the whole four. Why couldn't it have gone through the High Commissioner? Professor Pickcn'e "views on mathematics are well known, and yet he is allowed to nominate his own successor. On the motion being put it was lost by eight votes to threo. The ayes were the mover, Dr. Hector, and Mr. C. Wilson, and the noes Messrs. Ostler, Morieon, Morton, Ferguson, Fleming, Evans, Atkinson, and Dr. Knight. In explanation of the above discussion it should be stated that the advisory committee in England set up by the Finance Committee of the council through the cablegram 6igned by Professor Picken consists of Professor Whittaker, Sir Joseph Larmor, Dr. A.. N. Whitehead, and Mr. R. A. Herman.