OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 33

OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

THE CHANCELLOR'S RESIGNATION. At the meeting of the University Council on Monday afternoon the following letter, dated August 12, from his Honor Mr Jusrice Williams, Chancellor of the University of Otago, was read: — "I regret vary much that I find it rrecessary to resign my seat on the University Council. I resign because I feel that in justice to lhe University and to myself I ought not longer to remain a member of the council. For a long time past, owing either to my ] absence from Dunedin or to my being ! here in public business, I have | Iv^on unable, except very occasionally, to attend the meetings of the council. In coucequence it has not been possible for me to keep in touch with University matters arid to give due consideration to the im- ' portant Questions relating to the Univer- , 6;ty which the council has constantly to consider. In my opinion every member | of the council should bs prepared to take t an active part in its deliberations. The duties v, hit-'h the council undortakes to perform are of so seriom a nature, and the interests invohed are so impoilant, that j it is quite wrong that any member should be, as it were, a sleeping partner, and should leave the work to be done by other memb r-i?.r -i?. Some years ajro the business of | the Unneisii} Mas fauiull coinjMicd with .

' what it is now, and with the time then ■&& my disposal I was able to give proper attention to ftr Now, however, .the business is much greater, and the time_ at my, disposal is much less. Everyone who occupies a seat on the council undertakes a duty for the performance of which he is responsible to the eoTintry. If a member of the council feels that he can no longer perform that duty his own self-respecfi would compel him to resign his seat. That is exactly my position. I should • indeed? have retired some time ago. I have been so many years a menrbef of the council thai: j I feel it is a wrench to sever my connection with the University. From the members of the council, from the very beginning, 1 have always received the utmost kindness and consideration, and I am sorry t to leave them. I shall be glad, however, to mako way for a younger man who will bring to his work more energy and zeal than I can. That the University my flourish * per saecula saeculorum ' is the earnest wish of, eto , etc." Under date of August 17, his Honor "further wrote : " I have already written to the Vice-chancellor stating my intention to J resign my seat on the council and explainj ing my reason for so doing. I now- write formally to resign my seat in order that . my resignation may be recorded." j The Vice-chancellor said- he had - personally written to the Chancellor asking him to reconsider his decision, but -his Honor had replied regretting he could not do so. Professor Hewitson deprecated any attempt to bring pressure to bear on the Chancellor, and asked if his duties could be lightened in any way. The Vice-chancellor said he would be glad to. assist the Chancellor in every possible way. It would be a great loss. to the council if the Chancellor resigned. It was finally resolved thai, the Chancellor's letter be received with regret, and that the University Council hopes he will see bis way to reconsider the matter.