WORK OF OTAGO UNIVERSITY

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 5

WORK OF OTAGO UNIVERSITY

CHANCELLOR’S REPORT The following is the report oi the chancellor (Sir Thomas Sidey) for 1930, addressed, as required by law, to his Excellency the Governor-General:— In accordance with . the provisions ot the University of Otago Ordinance, 1869, I have the honour herewith to submit a report on the proceedings of the University of Otago for the year ended December 31, 1930. • The Council. —There is one change only to record in the personnel of the council. When the time arrived for the Professorial Board to appoint its representatives, Dr Benham notified that he did not desire reappointment. The council regrets losing the services of Dr Benham, who for 16 years not only acted as a faithful representative of the board, but also took an active part in the general activities of the University. To replace Dr Benham, the board appointed Dr Inglis as its representative. Dr Inglis's previous experience on the together with his natural aptitude for administration, will ensure to the board a good representative, and to the council a valuable member. Teaching Staff.—There have been no changes during the year in the professoriate. I have to record, however, that the council was glad to welcome back Dr Gowland, professor of anatomy, from an extended tour as the holder of a Rockefeller Fellowship. Whilst abroad Dr Gowland visited a large number of medical teaching institutions, and his tour cannot but have a good effect on the work of our Medical School. During the year 12 months’ leave of absence was also granted to Dr Thompson, professor of modern languages, and to Dr Fisher, professor of economics. Dr Thompson is first to visit America, and later Europe

whilst Dr lusher, after visiting Russia, proposes to spend a considerable time in Geneva. Each of these professors was awarded a travelling fellowship, the latter by the Rockefeller, and the former by the Carnegie Corporation. ■ , P. ro P° 6e to deal with changes in the lecturing staff, since these changes are referred to in the deans’ reports, there is, however, a new lectureship which the council established during the 5 ear to which I think attention should be drawn. This is the lectureship in experimental psychology to which some reference was made in my last report. The vacancy was widely advertised, and finally H. H. rerguson, of Aberdeen, was appointed to the post. Chair of Midwifery and Gynaecology.— t'or many years past the teaching of the important subject of obstetrics has been in the hands of a part-time staff, and Ur Kiley, the professor, together with his assistants, have done very valuable work with the means and time at, their disposal. It was the view of the council, hovev er, that the time had arrived for the appointment of a professor who would devote the whole of his time to hie teaching duties. To secure a suitable man for such a post as this, it was evident that a substantial salary should be offered, and the amount of this salary £2OOO per annum. It is difficult for the council to find words to express its indebtedness to the New Zealand Obstetrical Society for the stepis taken to make possible the payment of this large amount, but I must record the magnificent effort as a result of which the society handed to the council the sum of £31,854. Of this sum, £25.000 is to be need as an endowment for the chair, and the balance as a scholarship endowment. Io supplement this effort the Government promised a subsidy of £1 for £1 up to £25.000, and £lO,OOO has been paid on account.

Benefactions. Besides the endowment for the chair of obstetrics, other important benefactions have been received in the course of the year. Of these, I may mention a bequest from the late Mrs Urie, for cancer research, £2813 9s Ipda bequest from the late Mr W. E. Tait for general purposes, £1039 9s; and a bequest from the late Miss C. A. Fulton, for the Taieri Scholarship, £3OO. New Buildings.—During the past year two new buildings have been brought into commission, viz., the Ethnographic Win" of the Museum and Upper Studholme House. The former was provided by public subscription assisted by Government subsidy. To Mr Willi Fels the council owes a heavy debt of gratitude, tor it was largely through his generosity and untiring efforts that the funds for the erection and endowment of the Museum • were, raised. It is with much pleasure that I am able to report that, alter the building was paid for an endowment of over £27,000 was left in the hands of the council. The Museum was formally opened by Sir Frederick Chapman on October 15. 1930. I referred to Upper Studholme House in my last report. this building was renovated and furnished during the year, and has been oi the utmost value a§ an additional hostel tor home science students. * I append hereto statistics of the atjggQ? nce StUdents during the year

The report was approved by the University Council at its meeting yesterday.

Graduates. MEN. Total. WOMEN. Grand Total. UnderGradu ates. Matriculated. Graduates. Graduates. NonMatricu lated. Total. Arts and music 23 121 20 164 25 184 10 221 385 Science 9 54 1 64 — — 12 — - 12 76 Law .. .. 1 .71 — 1 72 — — — — 72 Commerce .. 3 80 53 136 — 5 3 8 144 Mines .. .. — 10 3 13 — — ——• — 13 Dental .. .. — 90 — 96 — 6 • 4 10 106 Massage .. — — 1 1 — *5 15 20 21 Medical 12 185 1 198 1 23 — 24 222 Home science — — — —. 4 86 16 106 106 — - - — — — ■■ - — — — 48 617 79 744 30 • 323 48 401 1145