AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26832, 10 September 1952, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS

BOARDING BURSARY PROBLEMS

DISCUSSION BY LINCOLN COLLEGE BOARD

Boarding bursaries for agricultural students of the University of New Zealand may come under review if the Board of Governors of Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, makes representations on the lines of a discussion yesterday morning. The debate was adjourned until the new Director (Dr. M. M. Burns) arrives on October 1. as he investigated the situation when formerly a member of the college staff. Tne main problem is that many agricultural students do not proceed at school to the university entrance examination, and so do not qualify for the boarding bursary provided. Yesterday the board considered again the rejection of its application for a subsidy to cover its hostel expenses. It had been advised that the University Grants Committee might consider increasing boarding bursaries.

The college hostel was running at a loss, chiefly because of the inefficient facilities in the existing kitchen and domestic set-up, said the acting-Direc-tor (Professor J. W. Calder). Replying to the chairman (Mr W. H. Gillespie, M.P.) he said this was no reflection on the staff, but resulted from outmoded amenities. “When the new refectory is in operation, we should be able to manage much better, but in the meantime it seems we will just have to carry the loss.” Professor Calder said.

During the meeting, the board was informed that authority had been given to accept a tender for the refectory block, and that tenders were under consideration for the boiler house and laundry also associated with the new dormitory building. Already students had to pay £3 a week for board, and they could not stand the increase. Professor Calder said. Agricultural college students did not enjoy a long summer vacation in which to supplement their funds, and they did not have prospects of high earnings immediately they took employment. A big group which took the two-year course did not qualify for the bursary awarded on the university entrance examination, Professor Calder said, in reply to a question by Mr T. J. D. Holderness. These students were obliged to board at the college, whereas others in the university were not. It seemed that their subsistence allowance was worthy of specif consideration. Mr C. E. Iversen said that Dr. Burns had prepared a report on the matter for a publicity and policy committee formerly consisting of representatives of the board and the staff.

The university entrance examination was based largely on a classical education, and was not always taken by students in agriculture, said Mr Holderness. In a country depending so extensively on agriculture, better provision should be made to assist agricultural students with boarding bursaries.