UNIVERSITY FINANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21962, 20 November 1934, Page 10

UNIVERSITY FINANCE

THE AUCKLAND COLLEGE RESERVES NOW EXHAUSTED DEFICIT NEXT YEAR "The position regarding the college finances generally lias now definitely altered from that of past years," said the registrar, Mr. M. 11. O'Shea, in a report presented to the Auckland University College Council yesterday, when the estimates for next year were under consideration. The estimates as adopted forecast a deficit next year of £Bl9, irrespective of the finances ol the School of Engineering, which were considered separately in committee.

The registrar's memorandum stated that up to 1930 the income of the collego had gradually been increasing, allowing for the expansion of departments almost annually. Since 1930, reserves had been drawn on so that the same policy of expansion, although limited, had still been possible. "We are now in the position that our reserves arc exhausted," Mr. O'Shea said, "and the Government grant as fixed for this year and next is definitely on the basis of our present position, allowing for no expansion. It postulates also no decrease in student fees, concerning which it is difficult to forecast. In the past we have always estimated on a conservative basis and estimated student fees at a figure slightly less than that for the year just closing." Fewer Concessions When the estimates were being considered the president, Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie, said it would not bo possible to give quite the same concessions in fees as had been given in the past. Cases of hardship would always receive consideration, but it was not desired that general concessions should become customary and be looked on as a right. A report by the finance committee set out recommendations dealing with the finances of every college department. These were adopted after discussion. It was stated that the estimates generally followed the lines of the current year's expenditure. There is an estimated surplus in the arts and general department this year of £553, but next year the estimates provide for a deficit of £1194. Government Grants A letter from the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Masters, stated that the Government grants for arts and general had been fixed at £BSOO for each of the years ending March, 1935, and March, 1936. The grant for the School of Architecture for the year 1934-35 was £ISOO. The council decided that payment to student demonstrators and correctors should be made at the rate of £2O a year, with no participation in any restorations and with no remission of fees. The president expressed the opinion that payment in the past had been too high, considering the valuable teaching training provided for the occupants of'the posts. It was pointed out that the number of full-time students at the college had increased from 150 in 1924 to over 400 this year.