A HOME FOR GIRL STUDENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2924, 30 March 1910, Page 18

A HOME FOR GIRL STUDENTS.

APPROVED BY PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD. Young ladies coming to Dunedin to attend one of tbe colleges or schools have frequently found much difficulty in securing suitable lodgings. Many parents who wish their girls to take advantage of the educational facilities offered by this city, and who have no friends in Dunedin to whom they can trust their young and impressionable children, have found themselves placed at a considerable disadvantage. To the Presbyterian Synod on the 23rd was explained a scheme of establishing, close to the University and Training College, a suitable hostel or residential college, in which young lady students might lodge together in the care of a suitable matron and staff.

The following extract from the minutes of the Theological Committee, concerning a meeting held to consider the matter, was read:—"The Theological College Committee met with th-j House Committee of the Women's Training Institute and Hostel Committee. There were present—Revs.- D. Borrie (convener), A. Cameron, J. Chisholm, W. Scorgie, A. W. Kinmont, and Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P. Dr Watt, bei.v present by invitation, was associated. There were present of the House Committee —Rev. W. Hewitson, Messrs W. S. Fitzgerald, D. Barron, and W. H. Adams. The Chairman stated the« reason for calling the committee together, and asked Mr W. S. Fitzgerald to explain its purport. Mr Fitzgerald explained on behalf of the House Committee that the members had failed to get a suitable building or site for the Women's Training Institute and Young Ladies' Hostel, and had had their attention called to the Knox College Manse and site, Leith street. The house was nor very suitable, but it was old, and might do for part of the building for a time, and the site was excellent for the institute and hostel, being elevated, close to the University and Normal Training School. He and his confreres wished to' consult the Theological College Committee as to whether they would consent to sell the manse and site, and at what price. After consideration, the Rev. A. Cameron moved : '' That the Theological College Committee agree to ask the Dunedin Presbytery to recommend the Otago Synod to give the Theological College Committee power to sell the college manse and site in Leith street, Dunedin, for the purpose of a Women's Training Institute and Women Students' Hostel (residential college), at a price to be determined by valuators appointed by both parties." This was seconded by Rev. J. Chisholm, and agreed to. Mr Cameron further moved:—"That the Theological College Committee ask' power irom ihn Otago Synod •to make arrangements for Professor Dickie for the coming year, and to erect a new manse on the college grounds, North-East Valley." This was seconded by the Rev. W. Scorgie, and agreed to."

The Rev. D Borrie moved the necessary motion, and detailed the steps taken

for the establishment of a hostel, and arguments in favour of the proposed arrangement. "

The Rev James Cumming seconded the motion.

• The Rev. Mr Soorgie, in order to show the necessity for thiy institution, said that he knew of a case where a farmer, v/hosa young daughter was about to take a threeyears' course at the University, had sold his farm and brought his family to live in Dunedin in order that she might be provided with a suitable home. This man had said that if 'there had been any such institution in Dunedin as this proposed hostel, he would not have been reduced to the nece>sity of selling his farm. The Rev P B. Fraser said that the want of this instituton was one of thei most clamant, needs of the province. , Mr W. S Fitzgerald said that when ne ;vas principal of the Teachers' Training College he found that young lady students had great difficulty in securing euitab:e lodgings. He believed that*' Professor White could make a statement to the same effect

The motion was unanimously carried, and the Theological College Committee was given the desired authority in the direction of arranging to provide Professor Dickie with a house.