BELOW COSTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 273, 17 November 1936, Page 10

BELOW COSTS.

UNIVERSITY INCOME.

ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR

INCREASED GRANT NEEDED.

j. In a memorandum presented to yesterday's- meeting of the Auckland ( University College Council, the regis- ' trar, Mr. M. R. O'Shea, said the college j. was. still in a position where income did not meet, expenditure. £ "This year we hoped for some £800 additional fees on account of the larger number of Training College students," s lie said. "We received an additional e £700 in this regard, but the total student „ ' fees were only £400 up, as some of- the ° students who would otherwise have been included in cash fees went to Training e College. "For 1937 we have estimated arts and general fees at the same figure as this , year. There will, I understand, be an j increase of some, 100 students in Train- ; ing College next year, but the proport tion of Training College students t taking University classes is steadily _ decreasing, and the number of subjects t they are allowed to take is now defiB nitely limited to two. Therefore the 1 increase in total student fees from the j larger number of students in Training College may not be very great, especij ally as some of* the professors report . a greater casualty list in terms in the ? Training College students than the j- average for students generally." 3 Leaving College. ? Mr. O'Shea said there was, in addir tion, the question of the percentage of 5 boys leaving secondary schools for the 5 University. It appeared from a graph - that the percentage dropped in years of - good business, and was greatest during 5 the worst depression years, when boys found it difficult to obtain jobs and accordingly attended university. "While it is impossible," he said, "to make . absolutely accurate deductions, the general trend should be visible. If this | trend, possibly accentuated by recent legislation as shown in earlier departure ' from secondary schools, continues, our '■ fees must drop somewhat in sympathy. 1 The graph for student fees corresponds : generally, being flatter, but showing i more definite correlation during the 1 past few years, especially if we weigh it by allowing for the increased fees received on account of training college , students. There is, of course, every i reason to hope for an increase in the . amount of Government grant, but it is ; impossible at the present moment even ■ approximately to estimate what this ■ increase will be. An increase of £1000 s would cover our estimated deficit, and , anything over this would be available I for further expansion." Deficit £1443. In making reference to the estimates for 1937, Mr. O'Shea said that total ■ payments were assessed at £37,749, : and total-receipts at £36,752, the deficit ' being £997. A recommendation by the 5 finance committee, which was adopted, that an additional £440 be spent under > the heading of "Arts and general," i brought the deficit to £1443. > It was decided on the recommenda- • tion of the finance committee that "in - view of the present position of the 1 college finances, and the possibility of - receipt --in the near future of an s increased-grant, only those increases in 1 expenditure which are absolutely necesi he approved at the present time." 1 A p'roVisd was made"for reconsideration : of policy, if, or when, the increased - grant was received. [ ' '