American studies at Canty

Nzspa Reporter

ChristChurch: The University of Canterbury will establish a chair of American Studies. The University Council has accepted an offer of 55,000 dollars from the American Council of Learned Societies to assist in the cost.

The Council also accepted the offer of a further 25,000 dollars to expand the university's library holdings on American Studies on the condition that the university contributed a like sum between now and January 1, 1971.

"This will put us right in the forefront of American Studies in Australia and New Zealand." said the vice-chancellor (Dr. L. L. Pownall). explaining that the chair would be established within an existing department.

Dr. Pownall spoke of the part the United States Ambassador (Mr. Herbert B. Powell) had played in obtaining the grant, and of the help given by history Professor N. C. Phillips, who had had talks with the authorities during a recent visit to New York.

Dr. Pownall said he was sure the university could raise the money for the library; £1000 had already been given and a special committee had been set up in Wellington to approach American business interests there.