SCHOOL HOSTEL TO CLOSE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 9

SCHOOL HOSTEL TO CLOSE

TECHNICAL COLLEGE BOARD DECISION FEW GIRLS SEEK BOARD The Christchurch Technical College’s girls’ hostel in Ensors road will be dosed as a boarding establishment at the end of the present year, it was decided by the college board of managers last evening. This decision endorsed a recommendation made by the board in committee at its last meeting, when the matter was closely considered. The recommendation was included in a report to the board last evening, in which the relevant section of a letter from the Department of Education was quoted as follows: "Girls' Hostel: It Is observed that accumulated losses of this hostel now amount to £1621: that the number of boarders has fallen to nine; and that although boarding fees have increased this year to £34 per term, a preliminary estimate indicates that the loss on the year’s operations is likely to be in excess of £BOO. As there appears to be no indication that the number of boarders is likely to increase, it seems that the hostel ean be carried on only at the expense of heavy subsidies from college funds.

"It is recommended that the board give serious consideration to the prudent step indicated by the present situation —the closure of this hostel at the end of the current year.” The report said the recommendation had been made with considerable reluctance, but was the ohly “prudent "Had there been any indication of an increase in the future intake of boarders it is probable that the board would desire to maintain the establishment and accept the present losses,” the report continued. “For next year, however, only one new boarding application has .been received, and only four of the present boarders (possibly five) will be re-

turning to school in 1955. A continued and increasing drain on the college funds is therefore to be expected if the hostel is maintained.” The chairman of the meeting (Mr J. E. Jones) said the hostel had been provided for country scholars, but their needs had now been met. The time had come when action must be taken.

tr A. E. G. Lyttle said there was not so much incentive as formerly for girls to come in from the country for home science courses, as they could get work- on a pay-as-you-learn basis as long as over-employment continued.

The procedure to be followed in disposing of the boys’ hostel near the Opawa road bridge was then considered by the board. It was decided to take legal advice as to whether it would be proper for the board itself to sell the property. i