PROBLEM OF BOARD

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25301, 29 September 1947, Page 2

PROBLEM OF BOARD

POSITION ACUTE To obtain board and lodging for University and Training College students in Christchurch promises to become a major problem next year. The position has been difficult for many years, but it has been aggravated by the fact that boarding establishments in the city have become fewer and the number of students anxious to take university courses or to train as teachers has increased.

At present there are three hostels in Christchurch that cater for women students—Connon Hall, which accommodates students attending Canterbury University College and the School of Art, the Methodist Deaconess Hostel, which caters chiefly for Training College students, and Bishop Julius Hostel, which takes students attending the college, the university, and the School of Art. Men students have the choice of two hostels—Rolleston House and College House. Until recently some unofficial hostels flourished in Christchurch and provided homes for students. But because of such difficulties as staff shortages, food rationing, shortages of blankets, and household linen, these have closed. Two, situated close to the city and the colleges, had accommodated about 40 students between them. The number of students to enter the Training College next year has increased from 160 to 201. Many will not know for some time if they will be accepted for training, but in the meantime they are applying for board. First year students come to the Christchurch Training College from different parts of the North Island, and for the specialist courses in the teaching of the deaf, speech therapy, and agriculture. third-year students from any part of the Dominion are eligible. Only about one-third of Training College students live in or near Christchurch. Another factor tends to ihake the finding of accommodation even more difficult. Next year, 16 women students who have taken a year’s course in homecraft at the Dunedin Training College are coming to Christchurch to continue their studies at the Christchurch Technical College, and for eight of them the director of the college (Dr. D. E. Hansen) is seeking suitable homes.

Seeking a Solution To try to find some satisfactory solution to this pressing problem, which deeply concerns them. Miss C. E. Robinson (senior woman vocational guidance officer), Miss James (warden of the Christchurch Training College), and Mrs T. Stringer (warden of Canterbury University College) held an informal conference last week. Recalling that on previous occasions an appeal made through “The Press” had resulted in finding suitsble homes for a few girls, they felt that if the public realised the seriousness of the position heln might be forthcoming. “To have more teachers trained will benefit the mothers and the children, indeed, the whole community,” said Miss Robinson, “but when many persons have difficulty in finding a home for themselves, it is rather hard to ask them to take in a boarder.” On the other h?nd, she said, some householders enjoy having young girls in their homes and others, at some sacrifice to themselves, are willing to give a home to a student, considering that by so doing they are rendering a service to the community. She added that careers advisers in secondary schools were being asked to explain the position to senior pupils end. their parents, and that she would be pleased to hear from any person willing to board a student.

“And, so far, we are dealing only with training college and university students.” said Miss Robinson. “I don’t like to think of the time, now not far distant, when we shall be asked to find accommodatioh for ary school girls.”