LINCOLN COLLEGE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18897, 12 January 1927, Page 8

LINCOLN COLLEGE.

«<A GRANT IS NEEDED.''

PRIME MINISTER TO BE APPROACHED.

Yesterday, at the meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury Agricultural College, it was decided to make strong representations to the Prims .Minister as soon as he returns from abroad, regarding the needs of Lincoln College, and a Government " The subject was introduced by the Hon' Mr Buddo. M.P.. pursuant to a notice of motion that the Board take into'consideration ways and means or providing and equipping up-to-date, laboratories, to meet Ae . reqmrementa of the Canterbury, Agricultural Col6Mr Buddo said that it was about 11 vears since the Board nrst suggested that the laboratories were getting out of'date. Tour years ago a very strong representation had been made to the Government, and they had been continued ever since, but without success. Income from endowments and reserves amounted to £3544, and on that and the net profits of the farm, the college had been educating over oO students for some vears. The assistance the State had given the college was so meagre as not to '. ; worth mention. Wherever education facilities were provided, it was understood that the State must keep them up-to-date, lie "ou!d not seo where any good coma be done by starving an institution I'.ke the college, which had turned out so many good students. There was a little difficulty in getting the opinion ot Cabinet, and he did not think it could be obtained until the Prime Minister returned. He moved that on the arrival of th* Prime Minister he be advised that* the. Board was of the opinion that longer delay in the erection of laboratories and supply of equipment would not be- in the best interests of students; that the Board had for years past asked annually for a grant, and requested that a grant be now made. Mr R. W. Lochhead seconded the motion. , , Mr J. Studholme said the Board was beating tho air because the position of the college waß in abeyance'. He thought the motion should be held over until the position had been settled. A sum of £IO,OOO was mentioned, but it would take £50,000 to.put the college in satisfactory order. Mr Buddo said the position bad been allowed to stand as it was too long. It was not a fair thing to the students to delav action,-and Tie hoped that the Board would present a unanimous front on this occasion, and, if the motion did not secure the, grant, would take other steps to secure it. II was suggested by Mr John Deans that an addition be made to the motion making it clear that the grant bo made a3 a first instalment of tho necessary improvements required by the college. Mr Buddo accordingly altered his resolution to read as follows: — "That the Prime Minister be advised that as a first instalment of the urgent requirements of the college, the Board is of opinion that the erection of a new laboratory and equipment is essential in the best interests of the college and its students, and respectfully request a grant to enable the Board to proceed with th© work at the earliest possible date. As this request haa been renewed for the past 11 years, it is now a pressing necessity." The motion was carried, and it tffts decided to discuss the question further when a reply was received. A suggestion was made that plans and specifications bo secured, but nomotion was passed. Mr R. E. Alexander, director, stated that a new place was being; built in England and he was endeavouring to secure a copy of the plans of the laboratories.

"Can anything be done before Parliament meets?" asked a member.

Mr Buddo: We are not going to wnste lire minutes. It was decided that an indication of the reouliremerits of the- college be sent forward with the resolution.