Weir House

When it was built, Weir House was expected to be an undisguised blessing for Victoria college. It would provide, it was confidently anticipated not merely good lodgings at a reasonable rate, but also an institution round which would grow energetic action and spirit in College affairs, and a personality of its own. The first of these hopes as yet remains unrealised, the second is in the process of being blighted.

Weir House has never had the chance of developing a personality—a chance which Mr. Weir's bequest should have indicated as its birthright. There is little that is stable in the composition of its inmates, How can there be when there seems as yet to be no clear indication given as to the method of selecting them or of terminating their period of residence?

Now comes the news that board is to be raised to 35/- weekly, in order to accumulate a reserve fund. This is no doubt sound House be regarded entirely as a business concern? The spirit of the Weir bequest seems to deny that it should.

If it is to be regarded as a business also and it is this. Weir House is by virtue of the bequest in receipt of a large sum annually. Such place as Rolleston House and Connon Hall at Canterbury receive no comparable sum. Yet Weir House seems unable to provide board at a figure which could be compared with the Canterbury hostels. The students of Weir House no doubt wonder why; and if the board is raised to 35/- will no doubt feel that they are not being given the value of their money.

Such considerations as these do not tend to promote a homogeneous Weir House spirit. Unless and until the students of that establishment are encouraged to take an active interest in the day to day running of the place, by such means as having all reasonable financial information placed at their disposal and a more lively spirit of co-operation between the House and Management committees developed by the latter. Weir House will not develop an individualism of its own. Until it has done that it will through no fault of its inmates be prevented from playing the part it should in the corporate affairs of V.U.C.

—A.H.S