Mr Eudey had until quite recently been a member of the council, but had not sought re-election.
No appetite for split
The proposal to abolish altogether the University of New Zealand and to substitute it for four separate universities, one in each of the four chief centres, came before the University Council at its meeting yesterday afternoon.
The proposal came from the Victoria University College Council. The council of the Auckland University College wrote direct to Mr Massey on the subject: "Objections to the present system are based on the inherent defects of the federal system, which has always led to its ultimate abandonment. The University of New Zealand being only an examining body, its influence is to lay emphasis on examinations, and not on sound learning. The union of the four university colleges under the University of New Zealand has become eminently unsatisfactory, and it is essential for the further progress of university education that the four colleges receive autonomous power in fixing the course of studies and granting of degrees . . . The time has arrived when the question of the creation of independent universities in the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin should be seriously considered."
The Chancellor, the Rev Dr Cameron, proposed that they should communicate with Mr Massey, telling him that they had the matter under consideration, and asking him to take no steps in the meantime. A committee of the council might confer with a committee of the Professorial Board to see how far the working of the New Zealand University might be improved and present defects met. He was sure it was a much more reasonable thing that they should try to remove defects that at present exist in the work of the New Zealand University which had done such splendid work, rather than to venture upon the unknown by seeking to create four separate universities for a small community like this. (Chorus of "Hear, hear.")
Tug for contribution fails
A deputation from the Dunedin Fire Board recently waited on the Otago Harbour Board requesting £250 per annum towards a centrifugal pumping plant for the protection of wharves and shipping. A letter was received from the Harbour Board stating that the matter had been fully gone into, and as there was no legal or moral liability on the part of the board to provide this fire protection, the request would be declined. The Chairman (Mr J. Wilson) said the letter showed a spirit that was beyond his comprehension. Every other harbour board in the Dominion recognised its liability, but the Otago Board was holding out, and it would take some serious fire to bring it to its senses. Mr W.A. Scott asked whether the Harbour Board would recognise its liability if there were a fire on the wharves, as it was outside the boundary? It had been pointed out by the deputation that the wharves and sheds were out of the area. Other boards in the dominion realised their liability and had made arrangements with the brigades.
Land secured for fire station
For some years past the imperative need of provision of more married quarters, and the increase of the permanent staff of the fire brigade had been apparent and had been under consideration by the board. The board, after due consideration, had purchased a site approximating in area one acre on which would be erected an up-to-date fire station that would serve Dunedin for many years to come, and which would be one the citizens of Dunedin would justifiably be proud. The site approved by the board was a most central one for the station headquarters, and included frontages to Castle, St Andrew and Leith streets. It was not likely that the erection of the station would be commenced until after the Exhibition of 1925-26.
— ODT, 16.7.1924 (Compiled by Peter Dowden)
