VICTORIA COLLEGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5009, 6 July 1903, Page 2

VICTORIA COLLEGE.

THE PLANS FOR. THE NEW BUILDING, APPLICATION FOR AN INCREASED GRANT. Tlio Premier was interviewed on Saturday by a deputation of tbo Victoria College authorities, comprising the Rev W. A. Evans (chairman of the College Council), Hr Knight, and Messrs R. Leo and A. R. Meek (members of the council), Professor Easterfield and Mr O. P. Pbwles (the college registrar). Mr Guinness (Speaker of the House) was also present. The deputation asked for an increase in the Parliamentary appropriation for the proposed new building. The Rev W. A. Evans explained that the building would have to be commenced within two years from the passing of the Act, and that that period would expire in November nest; but that they did not feel justified in asking the architects to prepare specifications for the completed building until they had some idea as to whether it would be possible to construct the whole of the building. Parliament had voted £15,000 for the work, this vote to be spread over a period of three years; but the completed buijding would cost £30,000'. The plan for’ the £15,000 building would not provide any rooms whereby the students might carry on the social side of the college life, nor would it provide for ah examination hall; moreover, part of the rooms for chemistry and physics would have to be given up to biology. It had been predicted when the college was first established that some years would elapse before it attained the proportions of a modern university college, but, on the contrary, its growth had been continuous, and there were now a larger number of students than over. There wore ISO students at present, and the numbers were increasing. In answer to the Premier, Professor Easterfield said that the £15,000 building would just accommodate the present number of students conveniently. Mr Evans and Professor Easterfield explained the plans which the members of the deputation had brought wi(h them. Mr R. Lee urged that for several reasons it would he very desirable to erect the whole building. It was always more costly to enlarge a building than to construct it to its full size at the beginning. Again the restricted building would have a very cropped appearance, and as it would accommodate only the present number of students, it was clear that the time was very near when the enlargement would have to be made.

Dr Knight pointed out that if there wore no examination hall in tho building, it would bo necessary to continue to hire rooms for that purpose. Again, there would be no accommodation for two or three new Professorships which it was hoped to establish. Replying to other questions by the Premier, Mr Evans said that the completed building would accommodate probably 500 or 600 students; and’ Professor Eastorfiold quoted figures to show the number* of student's in each year since tho establishment of the college. In the first year, there were 115; in tho second year 136,. an increase of 21; in the third year eight more, or 144; in the fourth year IG7, an increase of 23, and at present 180, or 13 more than in the previous year. Mr Seddon—lf you put up the whole building it will he ten years ahead of the requirements. Mr Evans remarked that probably if tho complete building wore constructed, tho increase in the number of students would be more rapid. He emphasised tho importance of developing the social side of university life. Professor Easterfield drew attention to the fact that the increase in the number of students had been much larger than had been expected. The institution, ho also pointed out, had justified its existence in other ways. It had drawn students from every class of the community, these including a large number of schoolmasters; and although a young institution it compared favourably with older colleges in regard to its examination results This year Victoria College had had a larger number of students who had taken honours than Canterbury College, a larger and. older institution, had had. Then in research work, there had been a larger number of papers on original subjects from the Victoria College laboratories, incomplete and ill-equipped as they were, during the time the college had been in existence, than had been the ease from any other of the university colleges of Kew Zealand. Professor Easterfield pointed out the inconvenience now caused to students who had to run from one part of the town to another to attend the lectures, saying that many students had beon obliged to give up some of their studies in consequence of this difficulty. Tho Premier, in replying, said that he fully appreciated all that had been said by Professor Easterfield; and* like

him, took an optimistic view as to what would ultimately result from the construction of tho building, and the advantage which would bo derived from giving adequate accommodation to , the students. Soia*) provision should bo mado ahead, but tho question was how far they should look ahead, and how far Parliament was prepared to go. Assuming that there were now 200 students to provide, for, if they doubled that at an average increase of twenty a year-—ho allowed even an increase of forty—then it would appear to him —and ho was sure it would strike membens of Parliament in the same way—that they wore looking too far ahead, and that there would bo dead money which probably would bo better employed elsewhere; and with the designs so planned that the building could be added to from time to time, this would be a more reasonable way to adopt than to build a brick building, and not have sufficient students to fill it' within tho next ten years. On tho other hand, ho himself thought—and oe was speaking only his own personal riew—that if what they proposed now us a tentative measure—gaveaccommodation for only tho present number of students, and they looked forward to an immediate increase, this provision was too little. They should _go something beyond that in their building, but bow that could best bo done would be a matter for experts to determine. The part he had to do with was the £ s. d. Parliament had given the college authorities an appropriation over a given period, and they wanted that increased. At the same time, they had let him see the design, and ho might tell them at once that ho did not approVe of it. It was ‘ too squat. Considering the value of tho grounds and the limited area., ho'would have gone in for another story. ' It was a mistake in these cities, where ground was so precious, to build in two stories, and he questioned whether they should find another building of that kind tor the same purpose. He did not wish- to pint his opinion against that of the architect or tho council, but his own view was that the building was too squat. Considering the value of the ground, he thought they had not utilised it to the best advantage. If lie had been giving directions for the building, he would have ordered alternative plans, for a building of two and another of three stories, at tho same time fixing the limit as to the cost. This was a matter upon which, however, there would bo diversity of opinion; hut as to the plans, as the Government and the colohy were largely interested, he would submit them to the Government Architect, Mr Campbell. He would probably, whilst doing that, also ask his advice upon the question. p,f extending the building, so as to give accommodation for at least another 100 students beyond the number they could accommodate. at tho present time. This would mean, at tho present rate of progress, looking five years ahead. Ho was glad they had got so far; and though quite agreeing with Professor Easterfield as to what : had been suffered through the want of the. building during the last three years,, ho .accepted no responsibility for that; '. That responsibility, and the reflection,., which Professor Easterfleld in what he load said had cast upon those responsible, did not fall upon his shoulders. There was no doubt the building ought, to have been erected ore this; every year, every week, the college was suffering through not having a building, and the sooner it was done the better. .As, far as ; bo was concerned, ho was, quite . prepared to expedite tho matter, and;.help them. The matter was one which must'necessarily go before Cabinet. If. as Minister of Education, ho could help them during the time he held that very important position, they might rest assured that that assistance would bo cheerful!-, accorded. In reply to Mr Evans, the Premier said legislation would be introduced to enable tho exchange of land to take place between tbe College Council and the Hospital Trustees. The members of the deputation, before leaving the room, thanked Mr Seddon for the manner in which ho had received them.