CHRISTCHURCH TECHNICAL CLASSES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11945, 14 July 1904, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH TECHNICAL CLASSES.

DErUTATIOS: TO THE PREMIER. (special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, July. 13. A deputation of Canterbury menvbera waited upon the Premier to-day regarding the position of the Technical Classes in Christchurch. Mr T. E. Taylor, who introduced the deputation, explained that it had been agreed that tlu 'Sou:h belt school »to i'hould be fold for about £3000, and that tho Government should give a subsidy of a like amount, making in all £6003 available for tho •pureha.se of a tile for a technical school in a more central position. Something liad, however, cropped up to stop tho snlo of the land, and at jiresent the attendance at tho technical classes was dwindling away, because of the unsatisfactory nature of the buildings in which they wero held. Unless something was done poon, it might be advisable for tho school to doso down altogether. Mr D. Buddo ejeplained that the reason tha hind was not sold was because tlie Education Board could not get „ie reserve they had put on it. Therefore the whole matter -had been hung up. Mr C. A. C. Hardy urged that the present South belt sito should be ceded to the committee of the Technical School, and that provision should bo made for a Government subsidy to enable the classes to be carried on there, tho sito being just about tho centre of Greater Christchurch. In regard to tlio buildings, ho hinted that the 'Education. Board might require some portion of tlvem for primary education, as the Waltham school waa overcrowded. Mr Taylor asked whether, if the South belt rite could be utilised, the Government would give a subsidy, cs. promised last year, to make the buildings suitable. Mr Hardy said they were all earnestly desirous of helping on these classes, and to do what they could in the interests of education. Mr T. H. Davey said he would like to see a more central site, but if they could! not get a better one he would be satisfied to see the classes oytablrs'hed on the South Belt site. Thpy should, however, place flomo reliance upon the wishes of the Committed of Management. Ho understood the long and the short of it was that they wished to buy a piece of ground at tlie Kick cf the Canterbury Hall. Mr Seddon said the position was very pimple. An agreement lmd been come to last year regarding the sale of the South Belt site, and ho had promised m subsidy of £3000. The Board had hesitated to carry out its part of the agreement and the Government, was not retf>pon«iblo for the chance that -had taken place. At present Mid until some other scheme agreed to as between the parties was submitted, there was nothing before him. If they came with another pc-heme he would submit it to Cabinet, and Cabinet would come to a decision as to what should bo d->ne. Mr Taylor asked if tho Government, would -give the Mthsidy m the event of the Boord agreeing to cede the Scuth Belt site. Mr Buddo said the Board of Education would agree to that. Mr Seddon sad th«re was more than tint to be fettled. The Committee of the Technical School would have to bo consulted. When a complete scheme was submitted by both rides, he would bo prepared to consider it. Mr Ell: "Would the Board cede the «iM" Mr Hardy: 'Most decidedly. Ther* vrould not be the slightest- difficulty about that. There are no politicians in cur Board. We are business men." Mr Seddon said it would be unreasonable for him to commit the Government until he received tlie proposals in concrete form. Mr Taylor said he would arrange a con-