UNIVERSITY GRANTS Capital Development $105m Over 5 Years

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32053, 30 July 1969, Page 30

UNIVERSITY GRANTS Capital Development $105m Over 5 Years

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 29.

The Government has approved in principle a programme of capital development for universities estimated to cost slosm over the five years to March 31, 1974.

The Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) said today that the University Grants Committee had reviewed its assessment of capital needs for the university system and had submitted a revised rolling programme for the fiveyear period. This had been accepted by the Government, the Minister said.

Mr Kinsella said that student rolls had increased from 16,000 in 1962 to 29,350 in 1969; and estimates of future rolls indicated that a similar pattern of growth would be maintained. It was in the light of this " expected increase in numbers as well as to provide for new developments within the university system, that the capital works programme had been drawn up.

At April 1, work to the value of s23m was under way at universities. Many of the works were major buildings which would take up to three years to complete. “For the financial year ending March 31, 1970, the Government has tentatively set aside $12.15m to meet expected expenditures on these works and allow a start to be made on new projects now in the planning stages.” • Carry Forward

Approval for the programme did not mean that all the works included would

be completed within the fiveyear period, Mr Kinsella said; there would therefore be a substantial commitment carried forward beyond March, 1974.

In addition to land purchases the five-year programme included provision for the payment of subsidies on residential projects. In addition to the six halls of residence started last year, the Government has approved the payment of subsidies totalling more than Sltn to enable a start to be made on the construction of four halls this financial year, Mr Kinsella said. Projects Approved The projects to proceed are Bryant Hall, at the University of Waikato; Victoria House, at Victoria University; Rolleston Hall and the women's hall at the University of Canterbury; and extensions to Fergusson Hall at Massey University. These projects, when completed, would add 460 more residential places for students.

In addition, a further-hall of 100 beds was being financed for Colombo Plan funds in association with the Rolleston Hall project