Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 15, No. 1. March 5, 1952
The Principal
The Principal
DR. James ("Jimmy") Williams, LL.M (N.Z), Ph.D. (Camb.), formerly Challis Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law University of Sydney and formerly Professor of English and New Zealand Law, Victoria University College of the University of New Zealand now Principal of the College.
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— Evening Post Photo.
No teetotaller . . . But dry
Dr. Williams is remembered by his students for two things. First that his lectures on the Law of Property rarely finished on schedule, and secondly for his dry wit, practical view and approach ability. Now relieved of cumbersome Real and Personal Property, Dr. Williams will probably still be remembered for two things: first, his dry wit, practical view and approachability, and secondly for lifting the ban on alcoholic liquor at some College functions.
If his decisions are made administratively in the same manner as they were in law lectures nobody will consider himself taken lightly or dismissed without reason. Characteristically he stood slightly to one side for one view, slightly to the other for the opposing view. His own he declared from the middle.
Nevertheless, outside of the law his views are comparatively unknown. There is no Rationalist background as there was in the case of Sir Thomas Hunter, no open support of causes. No one knows whether he follows or has read Newman, Truscot or Moberly. Victoria unfortunately needs someone to give it direction, but perhaps more important is a man who has often been among his students. With Dr. Williams as Principal the movement towards greater staff student co-operation may be accelerated. A united University will be better able to present its case for learning and safeguard its traditional freedoms.
The Principal speaks to new students March 10: C3.