VARSITY HOSTELS

Evening Star, Issue 25730, 1 March 1946, Page 7

VARSITY HOSTELS

AMBITIOUS BUILDING PROGRAMME

Although Otago's University year begins properly next week, many of the 1,800 students now registering with the various faculties have been in Dunedin for several weeks in a desperate search for accommodation. Landladies, who once looked to student boarders as their annual source of income, are now apparently few and far between, while the increased student population of recent years has been further swollen by returned servicemen with war bursaries. The University of Otago has itself tried to meet the challenge, and generous benefactions from citizens who recognise the value of the institution to Dunedin, both from a cultural and financial viewpoint, have assisted in providing residential halls for students of both sexes. Some conception of how the University authorities. are trying to increase the accommodation facilities is afforded by these pictures and this article.

Even in pre-war days, the annual trudge round various boarding establishments was a weary trial for students, most of whom left the quest until the last week before the spring term opened in order to enjoy to T the full the recreational or financial benefits accruing from the long vacation. During the war years the position steadily deteriorated, however, and those students fortunate in possessing a flat have adopted the practice of renting it throughout the various annual vacations. Since last Christmas many students have been searching Dunedin for accommodation, and the plight of married men has been described as "desperate" by responsible officials. More than one returned serviceman is reported to have been

unable to accept the benefits of a rehabilitation educational bursary because he could not obtain adequate accommodation in Dunedin for his family. Early in the war years the University Council foresaw the difficulties ahead and placed the provision of student* hostels, or residential halls, as they have come to be known, as a matter of urgent priority. Since 1941 approximately £IOO,OOO has been spent on extending University residential accommodation, while the control of the whole accommodation problem has been assumed by the Eev. H. W. Turner. Under his direction the task of providing new halls and extending the existing buildings has been vigorously prosecuted, with the aid of departmental grants and private benefactions.

ST. MARGARET'S EXTENDED. One of the best-known residential halls is St. Margaret's College, which overlooks the University buildings from the harbour side of Leith street. An additional wing now being completed at a cost of approximately £40,000 will enable the college to house 124 women students. The extension has been built to a design conforming with the handsome exterior of'St. Margaret's, and the whole building, set well back from

the street, makes an attractive picture. The extension was made possible by a bequest from Lady Ross, but a public appeal is being made to raise £IO,OOO. Dominican Hall is the name given to the Park street property formerly known/as " Transit House.'' Twentyfour women students of the Roman Catholic faith will be accommodated in this building, which has been tastefully furnished. 100 STUDENTS IN ONE HALL Carrington Hall will house approximately 100 students when a new block

for 40 women students is finished towards the end of the winter term. The late Mr E. Halsted's property has .been extensively remodelled inside to provide for communal dining facilities and sleeping accommodation, while excavations for the proposed women's block are now proceeding on a lower level immediately in front of the building. Mellor House is the name given to the property of the late Mr J. A. Cook, situated on the corner olf Leith and Union streets. A large geography lecture room has been constructed on the ground floor, the balance of which

has been converted into a flat for a married student. accommodation upstairs will house 12 students. Only recently acquired and not yet handed over-to the University authorities, is a one and a-half-6toried house facing Leith street and immediately behind the Castle street tramline loop. Possession of the. house is expected to be taken on March 31, when the best method of utilising its-accommodation will be decided. A vacant area between the house and the Leith will be used to accommodate the eight-man Army hutments provided by the Government as a temporary method of relieving the position. Residential halls will provide suitable accommodation for only a handful of the 1,300 students estimated to come from outside Dunedin. Most of them are compelled to attend Otago University because of the special schools associated with it. UNSUCCESSFUL APPEAL. An appeal launched recently by Mr Turner for accommodation in private homes, which is favoured by many students, was not Very successful, less than 36 replies being received. Difficulties encountered in this connection, however, were caused partly by servicemen sons returning from overseas and desiring again the room that had been or might have been - let to a boarder. USE OF ARMY HUTS.

The eight-man huts provided by the Government, through the -Army Department, will meet the position for a while at_ least. Each hut ' will he dividedi into eight rooms and wired, for electric light, while those it _ is proposed to use for accommodation purposes will be situated near one of the existing residential halls, where the " outsiders " will dine. To provide room for seven two-man huts at Araria Hall, which is situated on the corner of St. David- and Clyde streets, the tall trees lining the driveway have had to be removed, but the sacrifice is felt worthwhile in view of the relief thereby effected.

Despite the steps so. far taken to ease the accommodation problems of students, it is expected that the' demand will remain acute for a week or two. An appeal for help to citizens with a spare room which they would be willing to provide ■ (for the use of a student of either sex has again been made by Mr Turner, who emphasises that it need not necessarily be near the University, as students- can obtain tramway concession tickets. The midday and evening meals can be obtained at the canteen operated by the Students' Association, so that breakfast and week-end meals only ones desired in private lodgings. The continual extension of existing hostels will help to ease the whole accommodation problem, as well as provide students with an ideal "home away from home." But there are some students who prefer private lodgings, just as there are. others who prefer to share a flat with their, colleagues. Until the hostelries can take a greater percentage of student hoarders, many of the University of Otago'fi prospective graduates will look to citizens for accommodation during their years of study.