Polytech Bursaries

While in total support of your correspondent, Miss Barbara Dalzell and the other members of the Polytechnic journalism course over the inadequacy of bursaries available to them, we would like to correct certain inaccuracies in her article about conditions at Canterbury.

As editor of a student newspaper, you at least should be aware that twelve hours lecture time in a post-graduate university course means more than twelve hours work. The time spent each week in preparing the assignments required obviously far outweighs that spent in formal instruction.

Much of our work is of an "in-depth" nature, requiring considerable research. It extends beyond straight reporting, to weekly editorials, features and to the gathering of material for out major assignment of the year—a thesis to be completed by each student.

This week for example, we are doing a survey of the seven electorates, in the Christchurch area, and considerable time is involved in the interviewing of the candidates and other persons involved.

On the question of bursaries—we are not eligible for an Education Department post-graduate bursary, but if a student comes within the narrow prerequisites of a fourth year fees and allowance bursary, five of us don't, then that is available. It consists of $200, plus a boarding allowance where applicable, not "up to $450 a year, as well as fourth year boarding allowances" as stated in your article. There are also two non-government awards of $400 each for which we are all eligible.

Part-time work is undertaken by only one member of the class, and them irregularly, because as mentioned above, time is just not available. At any newspaperman knows, a good story cannot be regularised, so part-time work cannot be fitted in at all effectively.

We hope that this has cleared up the inaccuracies, and again pledge out support for the Polytechnic students in their fight for satisfactory bursaries.

On behalf of Canterbury

University journalism class 1969.