THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20622, 22 July 1930, Page 8

THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

A very fruitful decade was reviewed by the president of the University College Council in the statement he delivered yesterday. Much has been accomplished in the period. Ten years ago there were raised the problem of accommodation and certain questions vitally related to the academic status of the college. What was done was not all that was necessary to establish its future indefinitely, but for the years immediately ahead it sufficed to create a more adequate opportunity and status. Since then much has happened to justify a policy of advance. The roll of students, which ten years ago had outgrown the pre-war numbers considerably, has since increased with steady momentum : new chairs and lectureships have been provided; the range of academic attainment has extended: and a beginning has been made with postgraduate study. Success in these important ways has brought some of the financial difficulties which have now to be faced. A\ hile income from students' fees has naturally increased with the growth of numbers, there has been a relative drop in statutory grants: and the cost of teaching has been insufficiently met by current resources. The annual deficit is not large, but in view of the impossibility of curtailing teaching facilities and the reasonable desire to add each year to these, there is need to examine those resources closely. There can be no thought of calling a final halt to development. Ere long, whatever may be done in the city, there will be need to go afield to establish a residential institution. Already there is necessity to provide student hostels, a provision to he maintained whatever the future may firing in the way of a residential centre outside the city. The requisite State aid and help from publicspirited citizens may not be readily forthcoming in a time of financial stringency, but from the progress now recorded and the prospect of growing activity it is well to look to the future need and ways of meeting it.