Search For 200 Homes

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31908, 8 February 1969, Page 14

Search For 200 Homes

Two hundred homes in the Ham area are urgently sought by the University of Canterbury to provide accommodation for students expected to come to Christchurch. At least 150 of these will be overseas students, mostly from Malaysia.

An appeal to householders living within a three-mile radius of the Ham university site to consider providing a home for students was made yesterday by the university’s assistant liaison officer (Mrs N. C. Jacobs). All homes would be visited, she said, and an effort would be made to insure a congenial student was sent in each case. The accepted rate of payment was $ll a week, with an additional charge for electricity. Mrs Jacobs said she was becoming concerned at the lack of suitable homes available. “Our addresses are being passed around among students and this makes it difficult for us to find suitable board for first-year and overseas students arriving in the city soon,” she added. Nearly Double

About 500 students would require private accommodation in Christchurch this year, it was estimated. The number of overseas students, most of whom were Asians from Malaysia plus some from Fiji and Vietnam, had doubled compared with the number last year.

“We want homes rather than board for most stud, ents,” Mrs Jacobs said “This

means places where the needs of students are appreciated.

“Asian students need board with families who will make them welcome. A wonderful job is being done by some people, and we need women who are not sentimental and patronising but who will give a friendly welcome and who are prepared to give their

families the experience of living with some-one from a different background.” Students from other countries were keen to live with a New Zealand family and learn as much as they could about this country while getting a degree. If they did not do this, they could be rather isolated. N.Z. Students

Most New Zealand students from other centres wanted homes in the city, apart from the 384 accommodated in halls of residence, and looked for flats later when they had found their feet The task of Mrs Jacobs and of the boarding bursar (Mrs C. Sloane) in finding suitable accommodation for students is complicated by both students and householders who call at her office and seek help, and then make their own arrangements without informing her. She makes two appeals the first to people living within cycling distance of Ham to consider taking a student, and secondly, if suitable arrangements are made by people she is trying to help, to inform her fully. Householders who can help are asked to telephone the university.