GRANT FOR VICTORIA COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 300, 15 September 1936, Page 8

GRANT FOR VICTORIA COLLEGE

Extending Biological Block ACUTE ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM A statement that it had been decided to make a grant for the extension of the biological block at Victoria University College, Wellington, in addition to extensions at the University of Otago and Auckland University College, was made by the Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, in an address at Auckland at the week-end. The need for a new biological block at Victoria College has been felt for some time by the college authorities, and a grant not exceeding £40,000. for the purpose was sought last October by a deputation from the college «ouncil, which waited on the then Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. It was stated that the money would not be wanted for this year, but that it was desired to have the work done before the college commenced its 1937 session. Mr Forbes promised to bring the representations before Cabinet These representations have since been renewed to the present Government. Speaking for the college council the chairman, Mr. s P. Levi, explained that the college required a new block, to be known as the biological block, to be erected behind the college. Accommodation in the present biological department had been cramped for some years, and the professor of biology, Professor H. B. Kirk, had had to carry on under great difficulty. The top floor of the science block was notreally intended to be used for biology, which was a very important branch of the college’s research work. Another factor contributing seriously to the congestion was the addition of books to the library under a grant of 15,000 dollars received for that purpose from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The books were coming in all the time, and as the grant was spread over a period of three years the college would have still to find room for the additions of two more years. It was essential that these volumes be stored properly and to do that they had had to encroach on adjacent rooms, former lecture rooms having to be used. A new block would relieve the pressure on the other portions of the building. The council also made representations for a new block to house the administration offices, so that still further accommodation that was badly, needed in the college would become available. This. would cost about £7OOO, and it was estimated, on the rough plans drawn up, that the whole work would cost about £38,000.