VICTORIA COLLEGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 465, 3 August 1909, Page 3

VICTORIA COLLEGE.

We have received the following circular appeal from Mr C. P. Powles, Registrar ot the Victoria College:— Victoria College, the University College for the Provincial Districts of Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Taranaki, Wellington, and Westland, urgently needs increased accommodation. Ten years ago there were Ixs Students, to-day there are 461 attending lectures. The staff during the same period has increased from 4 professors and 2 lecturers to 10 professors, 3 lecturers, and 6 assistants.

The plan for the College buildings, as approved by the Government, provided for a Main Arts building, a Science annexe, a College Hall, a Museum, and a wing with large class rooms. The College Hall, the Museum and the large class rooms are not yet built. The rapid increase in the number of the students and of the staff has rendered the existing building quite inadequate to the present needs of the College. It is therefore certain that, with the development of the important districts which the College serves, provision must be made for large increases of accommodation and equipment, otherwise the students of our college will be at a serious disadvantage in comparison with those of the older and wealthier Colleges.

Despite the enthusiasm and harmony of the staff, and their willingness to adapt themselves to their cramped environment, the work of the College is carried on at great inconvenience. The number of class rooms is inadequate, the classes are congested, there is no office accommodation. The library, which is justly appreciated and greatly used by the students, and which is being continually increased by generous private donations and by an annual appropriation out of the College funds, will shortly have sufficient room neither for the books nor for the readers. The teaching of the Sciences, whether biological or physical, necessitates the provision of an efficient museum, the lack of which has for some time been keenly felt. The most urgent immediate necessity is the erection of the large class rooms. For this purpose the Government has promised a subsidy of £2 for every ,£1 of voluntary contributions, on condition that the work is begun without delay, and that the limit of the Government’s liability is The Council feels that the present opportunity of increasing the efficiency of the College should not be allowed to slip, and appeals to all interested in education throughout the districts for funds to enable it not merely to construct the new wing, but to complete the buildings and their equipment as planned. The Universities of other countries have benefited largely by donations from private contributors, and the Council believes that the public spirit of New Zealand is as keen as that elsewhere. In no way can the memory of prominent citizens be more effectively perpetuated than by the erection and equipment of University buildings, which not only constitute a lasting memorial of the donor, but also increase the national efficiency. A subscription list has been forwarded to this office.

Cheques should be made payable to the Treasurer, Victoria College Council, or order, crossed and sent to the Registrar, Victoria College, No. 219 Rambton Quay.