APPEAL FOR £25,000

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 14

APPEAL FOR £25,000

Student Union

Building

A public appeal will be launched by the University of Canterbury on June 1 to raise £25,000 towards the cost of erection of a student union building at Ham, which is expected to cost between £250,000 to £300,000. The chancellor of the univeristy (Mr C. H. Perkins) announced this at yesterday’s graduation ceremony in the Civic Theatre. The students had set out to raise £75,000 themselves by 1965. It was hoped the public would also contribute £25,000. To this would be added a Government subsidy, “which we are confident will be granted,” said Mr Perkins. “The student roll will continue to grow steadily for as long as predictions can now be made, and no further space can be expected until the new science block can be occupied, which it is confidently expected will be 1965. There will then be 2500 to 3000 students at Ham. and students union facilities will be essential,” said Mr Perkins. “The council has decided to ask the community of Christchurch and graduates of this university to assist financially. We are hopeful and confident of an excellent response to an appeal, which will be launched on June 1 this year with a target of £25,000.” he said. “I think support is always more willingly given to those who help themselves, and the students' body will by 1965 have contributed for thia purpose, from their own slender pockets and as a result of their own efforts, the sum of £75.000 or more—a substantial figure.” he said. 'Their record of financial support of many charitable objects is quite outstanding, and I therefore have no hesitation in asking the public of Christchurch for financial assistance to what is. as far as is known, the first public appeal ever made by this university,” said Mr Perkins.