TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 February 1914, Page 5

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. SOME INTERESTING ADDRESSES. There was a crowded attendance last evening at the distribution of prizes won during the past year by pupils of the Cliristchurch Technical College. The ceremony was held in the College hall. Mr George Scott, chairman of the Board of Governors, presided. Before the prizes were handed out, reports by the chairman of the board and by the Director of the college. Mr Howell, and addresses by the Mayor (Mr H. Holland), by Mr Lawrence Birks, engineer in charge of the Lake Coleridge hydro-electric .supply scheme, and by Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., were delivered. PROGRESS OF THE COLLEGE. In his report on the session, the -Chairman of the Board of Governors. Mr George Scott, pointed out that the year had witnessed the completion and opening of the girls' training hostel, the addition of a second storey to two of the workshops, the extinction of the debt on the Board's property in Ensor>s Road, and the purchase of an additional section required to complete the block. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. The workshop extensions were rendered very necessary by the growth' of the classes and the additions'- to the equipment, especially in the enghv eering department. The Government granted £.1,000 for this purpose, and provision is now made for a much larger shop for mechanical engineering, for the removal of the woodworking machinery from the woodwork shop to a separate room, special shops for bookbinding and tinsmithing, a laboratory for electrical engineering (which will be started immediately the equipment comes to hand), and the provision of much needed lavatories and offices in connection with the workshops. In order to make the ground in Elisor's Road suitable for the purpose of agricultural plots and for playing fields, it was necessary to spend a considerable sum in draining, levelling, and grassing. This had been completed, and when, after a season or two, the ground had been rolled and top-dressed where necessary, the college would be in the possession of one of the best playing fields in the locality, "that would be in good order for sports throughout the winter. FUTURE NEEDS. The heavy expenditure that the board had to face in the session in connection with the extension of the work and activities of the college had necessarily been a great tax upon its resources, but the financial position of the board has never been sounder tlian it is, and the board could face the future with confidence, even though-

that future presented graver difficulties than it had overcome in the past. The greatest that it has to face is the altogether inadequate size of the present main site. "While the Education Board has always done its best to meet the needs of technical education and has assisted the board in every way possible, the district requires a primary school in this locality, and therefore the whole of the present site cannot be available for technical education unless other arrangements are made for the primary school. That there is a growing need for the extension of the present site is not open to question, when it is remembered rhat the board" has only the use of about li acres, the greater part of which is occupied by buildings, so that very little room is left as playing ground for our large, day school of nearly 400 looys and girls. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. "We must also extend the facilities • offered for agricultural education. In a district like North Canterbury, so dependent upon successful farming, it is, I think, very regrettable that we have not more than about 30 students in this department, and that we are not able to give - them a more complete training. "Among other trades for which instruction should be provided, I hold that of bread-making to be of grerit importance, for it is obvious that the trade which supplies this universal article to tlie community should, receive speeiaA- attention. "The precise direction and extent of our future developments it is impossible to' state, but the Director is leaving within the next few weeks for a visit to America and Europe, where he will make a special study of recent developments in those branches of education which most concern us. The board believes that the information that he will be able to gather will be of value in helping them to determine the most fruitful lines along which to proceed." THE DIRECTORS' REPORT. The Director of the College, Mr J. 11. Ilowell, pointed out in his report that the 1913 session marked another record in the history of the college, both as regards numbers and general development. The total roll number for 1912 was 1330, of which 343 were pupils in the day school, and 987 in the evening school and special classes. During the last session the roll number reached the surprising figure of 1475, of which 415 were pupils in the day school and 1060 students in the evening school and special classes. He recognised that numbers are no sure test of the value of the work. that is being done, but they show at any rate the felt need for the institution. But while the evening school had shown great progress, it was true that in comparison with the population, the numbers taking advantage of the instruction are altogether, too small, and that the progress of the pupils is for the most part slow. This

is, in general, through no fault of the instructors or of the pupils, but on account of the conditions of the work. The time given to it is too short, and* at the end of the day young. students who have been engaged for eight or | nine hours in their ordinary occupations are not able to give to their studies that concentrated energy which success demands. For young students under 17 or 18 years of age the conditions of employment should be sue li\ that they can either attend day classes or have such relief as will compensate for evening work. The Director reviewed at considerable length the work that had bee» done by the various classes. Reference was made to the class displays at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition, to irli£ apprentices' qualifying examination, to the activity of the Past and Senior Students' Association, and to the appointment of honorary visitors for each of the trade classes. The principal remarked on the growing recognition of the monetary value of employees with: minds. FORMATION OF CHARACTER. The Mayor (Mr H. Holland) expressed his pleasure at being present, and congratulated the director on the condition of affairs disclosed by the -- reports. Addressing more particularly the scholars, he pointed out that technical education had- come to stay, ant? if the Dominion, was to take its proper position in -fche world \s affairs, it would have to go on and encourage technical education in every possible way. Th« . person who was well qualified with technical training would find the path ' of life much smoother, much easier, and much more profitable than those whfl had not that training would find it. Enlarging on the advantages of technical training, the Mayor pointed oat the need of the development of character. Education was not the last word; it was only the means to an end, not the end itself. The young person with character who won the confidence and esteem of the community was almost sure to be successful. But there was no reason why they should ilbt have both character and education* His Worship congratulated the students who had gained prizes during the year. NEED OF IDEALS. Mr Lawrence Birks, engineer in charge of the Lake Coleridge hydro- / electric supply scheme, delivered a thoughtful address to the students on the need of living for ideals, and on the necessity of enthusiasm and earnestness as well-as skill. Mr G. W. Russed. M.P., congratulated the Board of Governors, and especially the Director, on the splendid* success of the College. The work being done in this institute was the natural extension of the primary education system of New Zealand. After the prizes had boon presented, . the college and if-- •- wei* . tliTOwn open for inspection..