a cost of about Rs. 18,500. In 1902 proposals estimated to cost Rs. 12,000 were submitted for the extension of the building at its northern end and the carrying out of certain alterations in the existing structure. These were sanctioned, and the work is now proceeding. No hostel is attached to this college. The fees in the practising section range from Rs. 19-6 to Rs. 7-6 a term, and the rates of stipends to students under training from Rs. 5 to Rs. 15.
The arts college possesses certain endowments for the benefit of Muhammadan students; and when it contains no boys of that faith who are eligible for these, they are given to Muhammadan pupils in the practising section. They consist of two 'Yeomiah scholarships,' each of the annual value of Rs. 46, constituted from the funds of an ancient yeomiah which lapsed to Government. The interest on Rs. 7,200, being the amount of a boarding-house fund collected by the late Saiyid Ali Sahib Bahadur, a retired Deputy Collector, supplemented by a grant from Government, is also devoted to forming Muhammadan scholarships open to poor Muhammadan pupils, and ranging in value from Rs. 3 to Rs. 7 per mensem according to the class in which the pupil is reading.
The Pithápuram Rája's college at Cocanada was founded in 1852, as a general English and vernacular school, through the exertions of the then Collector, Mr. Prendergast, and his sheristadar, M.R.Ry. Tulasinga Chettiyar. It depended entirely on private subscriptions, gradually declined, and ultimately collapsed for a time in 1862. In the following year, however, through the efforts of the Collector, Mr. Purvis, whose bust is now placed in a prominent position in the northern block of buildings in memory of his interest in the institution, the school was resuscitated and was formally re-opened on the 28th October 1863. Government made a monthly contribution of Rs. 70 towards its expenses, and the late Ráaja of Pithápuram, who had been one of its earliest pupils, added a further sum of Rs. 100 a month.
It was located in a rented building till 1865, when the increasing attendance rendered it necessary to provide better quarters for it. The late Rája of Pithápuram again showed his interest in the promotion of education by presenting the institution with a munificent endowment of Rs. 28,000, the extensive and valuable site which it now owns, and a sum of Rs. 3,700 for the building and its furniture. Further contributions were collected and a building grant of Rs. 5,000 was obtained from Government, and with these and the Rája's donation the northern block of buildings was constructed.
