PRINCIPAL FOR VICTORIA COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 227, 19 June 1919, Page 5

PRINCIPAL FOR VICTORIA COLLEGE

. b— ' PMI'OSAL DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL. Tho Victoria College Council met last night, Mr. Clement Watson (chairman) presided, and there were also present Sir Robert Stout, Professors Hunter and Sominervi'.le, Rev. W. A. Evans, Messrs. R. A. Wright, M.F., and F. H. Bakewell. Sir Robert Stout moved, in accordance with notice:

"That,, in the opinion of the council, it is desirable- that a principal should be appointed for the college." He said that since he gave notice of his motion a similar proposal had been adopted in Canterbury. All the Scottish and Welsh colleges had principals, and all the American colleges had presidents. ■ The system had proved most successful It relieved professors of administrative work, and did not interfere at all with the liberty of teaching. The present system in- New Zealand was not satisfactory. The chairman of the council and the chairman of the Professorial Board performed work that could better be handed over to a principal. The Canadian colleges had presidents, who were able , to help the institutions very greatly. Tho college syllabus at present seemed. to give too little time for pass subjects. The total time for a professor and his assistants in English, for example, was ten hours per week.

Professor Hunter explained that the 1 time-tablo did not present all the hours given to instruction. \

Sir Robert Stout said a principal would be able to attend to administrative matters, and probably would be able to conduct some classes as wefl. An active principal would be able to enlist aid from outsiiio in support of highor education.

Mr. F. H. Bakewell seconded tho motion. He said the proposal seemed desirable. He said he would like some information about status and salary.

Profe3soy Sommorville suggested that the question should be referred to the Professorial Board, lie said that an flllicd question wns the desirability of constituting the four New Zealand colleges as four separate universities. The chairman said ho felt the proposal required consideration. It would require increased expenditure, and the selection of exactly tin; right man. The Wellington public had always been slow to interest itself in the work of the college, whVlo the Dunedin public had shown great willingness to support ite college. Professor Hunter eaid ho was strongly of opinion that the colleges needed execu-. tivo heads. The proposal would help to satisfy the community that the university was an institution of enormous importance. Professor Hiintor added that he believed members of tho Victoria College staff woro often greatly overworked. The college was attempting to give a university education to people who had only the ovening hours lo spare, and the work could not bo done properly when the evening students had to bo grouped with wliolc-timo students. The professors, under these conditions, found themselves undor a very severo handicap. The work could not bo arranged to suit both groups of students. Ho would welcoiuo tho appointment of a principal, since such an offi(■w, if ho followed Hie American precedent, would say that.iio teiiclicr should take move tlin'n thirty students at a time. New Zealand professors took morn than a hundred students. After furl her discussion the council decided to hold over tho motion, and ask for the opinions of Iho- Professorial Board. The council accepted the resignation of Professor Clark as.from July 1 next, and' decided to grant Professor Clark three mouths' salary.