T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F M E L B O U R N E A N N U A L R E P O R T
R e p o r t of the P r o c e e d i n g s of t h e University for t h e y e a r ended 31st December, 1950
To His Excellency,
Sir Dallas Brooks, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O, Governor of Victoria.
May it Please Your Excellency,
I have the honour, in accordance with Section 43 of the University Act 1928, to submit to Your Excellency the following report of the Proceedings of the University during 1950.
1. Finance:
The University in 1950 was gravely concerned with rising costs and diminishing revenue from the Commonwealth Government in view of the fact that the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme for ex-servicemen and women was nearing its end. The Commonwealth Government had, since the end of the war, paid not only students' fees under this scheme but also subsidies which covered the actual costs of training. It was obvious that revenue in 1950, and still more in 1951 and later years, would diminish because total numbers of students would fall and subsidies would cease.
All six state universities to a greater or less degree were affected and had made representations to the Commonwealth Government for subsidies based simply on the undoubted needs of all. The then Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. B. Chifley, appointed a Select Committee of Enquiry consisting of Professor Mills (Chairman), Professor Sir Douglas Copland and Mr. Goodes (Commonwealth Treasury). Upon the recent change of government, the incoming Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, confirmed these appointments and, during 1950, the Committee visited all the Universities and later conferred with the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee and, in Melbourne with the Victorian Director of Finance; Mr. A. T. Smithers. Their report was sent to the Prime Minister before the end of the year and the final stages of agreement are now being reached.
The advent of the Commonwealth Government into the university field marks a new era in Australian educational work and policy. In brief the new scheme will
(a) furnish Commonwealth Grants to the state universities on a population basis without conditions, save the restriction that no capital expenditure may be so financed,
(b) provide a valuable liaison between the Commonwealth and the State Governments as all grants will be paid through State Treasuries and the Commonwealth grants will be fixed with
; reference to State grants and other revenue,
(c) incorporate all present Commonwealth grants (e.g., those under the Reconstruction Training Scheme and for research), (d) in the case of Melbourne provide an estimated annual sum of about £250,000 per annum from January, 1951, and a further sum related to the University's outgoings in July- Dccember, 1950.
This creates a promising situation. There will be minor incon- veniences, and even some disappointment, inevitable in the application of a scheme of such magnitude, but the broad basis is in line with our own proposals and is a happy augury for future development.
2. Salary Ranges:
Melbourne (and indeed all the Australian universities) for some years past has found much difficulty in attracting suitable applicants for chairs and lectureships from overseas. This has been largely due to the higher University salaries paid in Great Britain from 1949 as a result of action by the University Grants Committee in providing increased Treasury grants for this purpose. In turn, this policy had been caused by the adoption in 1948 of the Spehs Report on the
"Remuneration of Consultants and Specialists".
The University Council felt that the time had come to take decisive action and, after consultation with the State Treasury, it approved of immediate increments from 1st January, 1951, which, with cost-of-
living adjustments, increased salaries in the lecturing categories up to that of the professors by annual amounts of £150-£250. In addition, normal increments of £40 will be paid annually. General increases were also approved for all other staff categories.
3. Students' Fees:
In view of the University's financial difficulties the Council, on advice from its Finance Committee, has increased all students lecture fees by approximately 50%, to come into effect in 1951. This was the first increase since 1928 and had the approval of the Premier of Victoria.
4. Student Numbers:
Total numbers of students continued to fall from their peak of 9,497 in 1948 to 9,254 in 1949 and 9,003 in 1950.
This recession is likely to be halted by 1952 and indications (not least the very generous new Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme whereby up to 800 students per annum may be granted fees and living allowances) are that numbers will steadily increase again.
5. Mildura Branch:
The branch, which functioned so happily and effectively for the three years 1947-49, was closed in February, 1950. Fortunately, Dr.
Rogers, the Warden, returned with other members of the senior and administrative staff to Melbourne, where their valuable services were availed of and are greatly appreciated.
6. Buildings:
No major building activity took place during the year. The State Government, however, granted £75,000 for new buildings, alterations
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and repairs in 1950-51, and this will enable some further necessary building expansion to take place.
7. Council:
The Council re-elected me Chancellor for the tenth successive year, and the Hon. T. D. Oldham was re-elected Deputy Chancellor.
Dr. Lucy Bryce received the honour of C.B.E. for her work in organising the Red Cross blood transfusion service.
Mr. Russell Grimwade was granted leave of absence from 1st April to 31st December during his visit to England. While abroad, he received the honour of knighthood in the King's Birthday Plonours.
He was elected to honorary membership of the B.M.A. (Victorian Branch) for his work on extraction of drugs from Australian plants and for his generous benefactions in the cause of medical science.
Dr. L. S. Latham died on 21st January. He had been a member of Council since 1944, and was Deputy Chancellor in 1947 and 1948.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Dean was elected by Convocation to fill the vacancy on Council.
Professor Chisholm resigned from the Council and Professor Gibson became an ex-officio member as Chairman of the Professorial Board. Their places were taken on the Council by Professor Paton and Professor Turner.
Mr. I. A. H. Turner, a representative of the undergraduates, resigned and was replaced by Mr. J. G. Mackinolty.
8. Vice-Chancellorship:
Sir John Medley tendered his resignation of his office as Vice- Chancellor during the year and this was accepted as at 30th June, 1951.
The Council granted him retiring leave, which would become effective as from March, 1951, and adopted the following resolution as a fitting tribute to his splendid services:
"The Council wishes to place on record its appreciation of the wise guidance and imaginative leadership of the Vice- Chancellor over thirteen difficult years.
"Within a year of his assumption of office, the War created University problems of great magnitude, and in the post-war period the University quickly outgrew its material and capital resources. It is almost true to say that since Sir John assumed office there has hardly been one normal year, for when the post- war numbers began to fall, inflation created problems of equal difficulty. AU these were faced with outward equanimity, what- ever the cost in mental worry.
^"Mildura Branch was a dramatic instance of skilful and speedy improvisation which succeeded in a remarkable way. But in those troubled years the same combination of imagination and realism solved many other problems.
"During Sir John's regime, the expansion of the University has been tremendous: many new Chairs were created, student numbers doubled and the expenditure grew from £237,158 in 1936 to £1,119,231 in 1950. To secure the necessary funds, it was essential to put the University case with great persuasiveness both
to governments and to the community at large: it is Sir John's achievement that his persuasion was effective. And withal the relations of the University with the world outside improved and have never been so harmonious as at present. Nor was recog- nition of his qualities limited to this University. He was immedia- tely chosen as Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors' Committee;
Oxford conferred a Doctorate of Civil Law upon him, and the King created him a Knight. These are but outward symbols of his wide and pervasive influence within the community.
"Sir Raymond Priestley, as the first salaried Vice-Chancellor, had laid solid foundations, but no one could in a relatively short period of office remove all the difficulties that existed. Relations between the Council and the Professorial Board were not always harmonious, and even among the staff personal relations were not entirely happy. It is one of the triumphs of Sir John's rule that the University machine has not only been made to run efficiently, but also to function with understanding. From the top a wise humanity and gentle tolerance have influenced all. Contentment is not necessarily the mark of a progressive university, but happi- ness and enthusiasm should be. These are qualities which Sir John's administration stamped upon this institution.
"Liberalism of mind has ever been a distinguishing charac- teristic of his regime. There will always be individualists in a university, and unless some freedom of expression is allowed there is likely not only to be loss of staff but, what is more important, a disappearance of very necessary qualities from the University itself.
' "Sir John's public addresses have always been marked by breadth of vision, realism and humour, and attention has been
; caught and held by his gift of epigrammatic expression.
"It is small wonder that these achievements have taken a tremendous physical toll and that he should now wish to lay down his burden, but his going is the University's loss, and the staff in particular feels it has lost a real friend.
"No record would be complete without a recognition of the co-operation and assistance given by Lady Medley in all that pertained to her office, whether within the University or outside.
Lady Medley supported the Vice-Chancellor in all his activities and she also helped in extending the influence of the University beyond its walls.
"The University wishes happiness to Sir John and Lady Medley in the release from office' which they have so well earned, but cannot believe that their service to the University and community is finally ended."
The Council, after receiving advice from its selection committee and having made extensive enquiries throughout Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain, offered the Vice-Chancellorship unani- mously to Professor G. W. Paton, vvho accepted the position from 1st July, 1951, and agreed to act for Sir John Medley from Sth March.
A short outline of his career follows:
"Professor G. W. Paton, who is 48 years of age, is the son of the late Rev. F. H. L. Paton. Pie was educated at Scotch College and later at Ormond College in the University of Mel- bourne, where he successfully completed Arts and Law courses.
As Rhodes Scholar for 1926, he went on to Oxford, graduating as Bachelor of Civil Law. He was admitted as Barrister-at-Law of Gray's Inn and was appointed as a lecturer in the London School of Economics. In 1931, at the age of 28, he was appointed Professor of Jurisprudence in the University of Melbourne, the work of the original Chair of Law being then divided into Chairs of Public Law and Jurisprudence through the generosity of the Judges of the Supreme Court in making available funds for a . second chair of law. Professor Paton succeeded Professor Bailey as Dean of the Faculty of Law in 1943. In 1938 he was Third Australian Delegate to the League of Nations Assembly. Pro- fessor Paton's "Textbook of Jurisprudence," published in 1946, was accepted both in England and Australia as a standard work.
Several other of his legal works are almost ready for publication.
During the absence of Sir John Medley in 1947 and 1948, Pro- fessor Paton was Acting Vice-Chancellor. He was Chairman of the Professorial Board for the three years 1947-49.
9. The Professors:
Professor Burnet received the honour of knighthood.
Dr. A. J. Francis, Lecturer at the University of Birmingham, was appointed to the Chair of Civil Engineering in succession to Professor Matheson, who had accepted a similar position at the University of Manchester.
Professor Friedmann was appointed to the Chair of Law at the University of Toronto, and made a lecturing visit to Canada and the United States, at the beginning of the year. Mr. Zelman Cowen, a Rhodes Scholar and graduate of this University, and Lecturer at the University of Oxford, succeeds him as Professor of Public Law.
Professor MacCallum retired from the Chair of Pathology and Dr. E. S. J. King was appointed to succeed him. The degree of Doctor of Medicine honoris causa was conferred on Professor MacCallum at the Medical Conferring of Degrees. He had occupied the Chair of Pathology since 1925 and had been a member of Council since 1935.
Dr. S. L. Townsend was appointed to the Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Dr. R. H. Samuel was advanced to a newly created Chair of Germanic Languages.
10. Associate Professors:
Dr. D. F. Gray, Senior Lecturer in Bacteriology, was promoted to an Associate Professorship.
11. Honours:
Professor D. B. Copland, Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University and formerly Professor of Commerce at this
University, and Mr. Victor Hurley, a former Stewart Lecturer in Surgery, received the honour of K.B.E.
Dr. W. S. Newton, a former Stewart Lecturer in Medicine, and Mr. Russell Grimwade, a member of Council, also received the honour of knighthood.
Dr. Lucy Bryce was advanced to C.B.E., and Mr. Gilray was- admitted as O.B.E.
12. Resignations and Retirements:
Professor Friedmann was appointed to the Chair of Law at the University of Toronto.
Mr. J. Gani resigned his Lectureship in Mathematics.
Mr. A. D. Hope, Senior Lecturer in English, was appointed to- the Chair of English at Canberra University College.
Dr. J. W. Johnstone, Acting Professor of Obstetrics, resigned on the appointment of Dr. S. L. Townsend to the Chair.
Dr. R. L. Kamm resigned his Senior Lectureship in Metallurgy.
Dr. P. H. Karmel, Senior Lecturer in Economics, was appointed to the Chair of Economics at the University of Adelaide.
Professor MacCallum retired from the Chair of Pathology after 26 years' of devoted and distinguished service.
Professor Matheson was appointed to the Chair of Civil Engineer- ing at the University of Manchester.
Mr. A. J. Mclntyre, Research Officer in Agriculture, was appointed to the Commonwealth Bank.
Miss J. Millis, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry, was appointed to a similar position in the University of Malaya.
Mr. N. M. Richmond resigned from the position of Senior Lec- turer in Political Science.
Mr. R. J. Storer, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics, was appointed to a similar position in the University of Western Australia.
13. Appointments:
(p) Dr. L. Adam, Lecturer in History.
Dr. F. Albrecht, Research Officer in Meteorology, (p) Miss M. Blackwood, Lecturer in Botany.
Mr. T. M. Brett, Lecturer in Civil Engineering.
Dr. A. Brown, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics, (p) Mrs. H. Burger, Lecturer in French,
(p) Dr. G. S. Christie, Assistant-Curator of the Pathology Museum.
Mr. Z. Cowen, Professor of Public Law.
(p) Miss M. Crabtree, Lecturer in Biochemistry.
(p) Mr. J. F. G. Darby, Lecturer in Physics,
(p) Mr. A. F. Davies, Senior Lecturer in Political Science.
Dr. E. den Tex, Lecturer in Geology,
(p) Dr. E. Dunsdorfs, Senior Lecturer in Economics and Economic History,
(p) Mr. R. E. Featherstone, Senior Lecturer in Architecture.
Dr! A. J. Francis, Professor of Civil Engineering, (p) Dr. D. F. Gray, Associate Professor of Bacteriology.
(p) Mr. R. B. Grounds, Senior Lecturer in Architecture.
Miss A. E. Hartshorn, Lecturer in Medical Social Work.
Mr. F. J. R. Hird, Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Biochemistry, (p) Mr. K. H. Hunt, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering.
Rev. Dr. P. Jones, Vice-Director of the Conservatorium of Music.
Mr. C. F. Kcttleborough, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering.
Dr. E. S. J. King, Professor of Pathology.
Mr. J. H. Legge, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry, ( p ) Miss M. J. Mathieson, Lecturer in Botany.
Dr. N. R. Morris, Senior Lecturer in Law.
(p) Mr. H. N. Paine, Lecturer in Bacteriology, (p) Professor G. W. Paton, Vice-Chancellor.
(p) Mr. F. A. Philipp, Lecturer in Fine Arts, (p) Dr. A. F. Roche, Lecturer in Anatomy.
Dr, T. J. Robinson, Senior Lecturer in Physiology of Domestic Animals.
Dr. J. S. Rogers, Dean of Graduate Studies and Warden of Overseas Students.
Dr. A. H. Rosenberg, Lecturer in French and German for Science Students,
( p ) Dr. R. H. Samuel, Professor of Germanic Languages, (p) Dr. J. Smit, Senior Lecturer in Dutch.
Dr. S. L. Townsend, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Mr. D. H. Trollope, Lecturer in Civil Engineering, (p) Mr. H. L. Waugh, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, (p) Mr. A. A. Wilcock, Senior Lecturer in Geography.
Mr. A. W. Willee, Lecturer in Physical Education, (p) = Promotion.
14. Members of Staff on Leave Overseas:
Professor Amies was on leave in England and represented the University at the Jubilee celebrations of the University of Birmingham.
Dr. W. V. Aughterson, Senior Lecturer in Method of Education and Secretary of the Schools Board, visited England and the United States of America to study developments in educational practice.
Dr. A. S. Buchanan, Lecturer in Chemistry, went to Oxford, where he worked on chemical kinetics.
Professor Burnet visited England and America.
Mr. P. Canart, Lecturer in French, went to Paris to do a special course of study.
Professor Cherry was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science for his work on the mathematics of the compressible flow of gases at the University of Cambridge. He also spent several months at the
University of Manchester, and later attended an International Congress of Mathematicians at Harvard.
Mrs. N. Christesen, Lecturer in Charge of the Department of Russian, left in December to visit universities in England.
Mr. A. E. Coates, Stewart Lecturer in Surgery, visited medical centres and investigated surgical teaching in Britain, Europe and the United States of America.
Mr. A. F. Davies, Senior Lecturer in Political Science, was awarded a National University Travelling Scholarship for study in the United Kingdom.
Mr. T. P. Dobson, Lecturer in English, was awarded the Giblin Studentship tenable at King's College, Cambridge.
Associate Professor Hercus left for England via Italy, and was a representative of the University at the Universities' Conference at Nice.
Mr. F. A. Janeba, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, went to Europe to visit architectural schools and to lecture in Vienna.
Dr. F. Laszlo, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering, visited England and Switzerland, working at Cambridge for most of the time.
Professor Martin led the Australian delegation to the Common- wealth Advisory Committee, on Defence Science in London.
Associate Professor Sexton left for India in December to attend international conferences of civil engineers and to visit schools of engineering in India, Pakistan and Ceylon.
Associate Professor Tattam visited Nigeria.
Associate Professor Thornton-Smith attended a special course in photogrammctry at Zurich, and later went to England.
Mr. G. A. Weller, Senior Lecturer in Economics, went to England.
Mr.- G. M. Willis took up a Nuffield Travelling Scholarship in extraction metallurgy to visit the United Kingdom and Europe.
Professor Wood investigated post-graduate schools of business administration in Britain, Europe and the United States of America.
15.' Distinguished Visitors:
Professor R. V. Bradlaw, Dean of Faculty of Dental Science in the University of Durham, delivered an address at the second Com- mencement Conferring of Degrees, and was admitted to the honorary degree of Doctor of Dental Science.
Professor J. Fletcher, Professor of Theology and Social Ethics in the Episcopalian College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, spoke to the Staff Association on "Academic Freedom in the U.S.A."
Sir tloward Florey, Professor of Pathology in the University of Oxford, gave a public lecture;
Mr. J. S. Furnivall, adviser on planning to Burma, gave a public lecture on capitalism and communism in Burma and the Tropical Far East.
Sir Ivor Jennings, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ceylon, attended a second Commencement Conferring of Degrees, and later gave a public lecture on "Commonwealth Relations in Asia."
Professor Robert Peers, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Adult Education at the University of Nottingham, gave a lecture on
"Adult Education in England".
Lord Russell gave two public lectures and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
Professor C. G. S. Simkin,- Professor of Economics at Auckland University College, gave a public lecture on Economic Policy in New Zealand and held a number of seminars.
A number of delegates to the Commonwealth Universities Con- ference held in New Zealand in August visited the University either
before or after the Conference. They were Mr. D, Emrys Evans (Principal, University College of North Wales), Dr. J. F. Foster (Secretary, Association of Universities of the British Commonwealth), Dr. Cyril James (Principal, McGill), Dr. D. W. Logan (Principal, London), Sir Philip Morris (Vice-Chancellor, Bristol), Dr. A. L.
Mudaliar (Vice-Chancellor, Madras), Sir Raymond Priestley (Vice- Chancellor, Birmingham), Rev. Dr. C. E. Raven (Master, Christ's College, Cambridge), and Professor S. Sinha (Vice-Chancellor, Patna). Mr. Emrys Evans, Dr. Cyril James, Sir Raymond Priestley and Rev. Dr. C. E. Raven all gave public lectures.
16. Obituary:
Dr. H. D. Brasch, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering since 1941, was killed in an accident on 3rd November.
Dr. Alfred Hart, a member of the Standing Committee of Con- vocation since 1924, died early in October.
Mr. W. Kerry, Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Classics from 1907 to 1944, died on Sth August.
Dr. L. S. Latham died on 21st January. Dr. Latham had been a member of Council since 1944, Warden of Convocation from 1935 to
1944, and was Stewart Lecturer in Medicine for 16 years.
17. University Air Unit:
A University Air Unit has been formed under the command of Flight-Lieutenant C. J. Melchert; medical and engineering flights have been recruited and additional flights are to be formed soon.
18. Benefactions:
The following gifts and bequests were received or promised during 1950:
£2,607 from the estate of J. J. I. Winter for research.
£2,050 from the estate of Dr. Francis Haley for medical research.
£2,000 from an anonymous donor for the Departments of Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering.
£2,000 from an anonymous donor for the Department of Psychology.
£2,000 from the National Fitness Fund for the Department of Physical Education.
£1,000 from Mr. S. Kosky for a prize in Political Science and for the Political Science Library.
£1,000 from estate of F. M. Meade for a scholarship in Surgery.
£2,000 from the South Australian Government for fuel research.
£1,000 from Mr. T. A. McKay for the "T. Allan McKay Scholar- ship for Pianoforte".
£2,900 from the estate of W. H. Dawson for a bursary in biological sciences.
£1,000 from the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures.
• I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's Most Obedient Servant, ,'•
i CHARLES J. LOWE, ;; \ I Chancellor. j j
