The response which has been made to the appeal in its behalf has been distinctly generous and gratifying.
There is still some ground, however, to be covered before the University Council and the staff of the Medical School can rest assured that the success of the project in which they are so deeply interested is an accomplished fact, and no apology on our part should be needed for bringing the claims of the Medical School once more prominently, if briefly, before the community.
There is but one school of medicine in the dominion, and while it is some credit to this city that it is the location of that important institution, the citizens must recognise that it is highly necessary that in the measure of its efficiency the school should do Otago and the dominion credit.
In other words, the possession of a Medical School entails an honourable responsibility. It is for the public to recognise, moreover, how distinctly it stands to benefit itself through the increased efficiency of the Medical School.
The community cannot but be deeply interested in a movement which promises advantages so definite as the establishment of these much-needed new laboratories would secure.
It is an impressive consideration that the diagnosis of disease will be facilitated through the laboratory work that will be carried out, when this project has materialised, under advantageous conditions, and that the treatment of disease generally will be rendered more certain.
In a word, the extension of the Medical School in the direction that is projected is a matter which touches not only the credit but the health of the community.
We commend earnestly to the public an appeal which is designed to remedy a position that is open to criticism as involving somewhat of a reproach upon the Otago Medical School, and remind the citizens as a whole, whose generosity in the cause of education has never yet failed to respond to the claims of a worthy cause, of the fact that the Medical School Extension Fund is still calling for the support which they are able to give it.
• At Sunnyside Mental Hospital Farm (says the Press) a test of silverbeet is being undertaken in co-operation with the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, for the purpose of ascertaining the suitability of the beet as a forage for milch cows.
The crop is being eaten off, and it is understood that the results are eminently satisfactory, and that a good second crop is now coming away.
• Some very good crops of peas have been grown at the Waihao Downs (says the Press). Mr Michelson is looked upon as the leading grower, and has had crops of 62 bushels and under. Mr McLeay, of the Douglas Settlement, has been credited with one of 64 bushels.
Growers are putting young store pigs into their crops, and feeding them off for fattening. This has tended to inflate the price of young pigs.
- ODT, 17.3.1914.
