THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12904, 9 September 1907, Page 9

THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION.

The Minister for Education (Hon. G. Fowlde) arrived in Christchurch on Saturday morniixg from Wellington. The *rrini»ry objeot of hie visit wae to open the new Technical College, but he also trausected other business. At the request of the chairman of the Board ot Governors the Minister visited Canterbury College in the mornIng and inspeoted the building now in use in connection with the chemistry classes. The Minister also discussed the proposals being made by the Governors in reference to a new building for chemistry work. Speaking to a representative of "The Pr«e," Mr Fowlds Raid that he thought it was a very good idea to get the chemistry department properly housed and equipped. In higher technical education, chemistry was the only ground that was not effectively covered in New Zealand, and with c proper building and equipment he thought it oould be done at Can. terbnry College. As to the financial provision for euch a building, there, was a land endowment in the Canterbury district for educational purposes, the rents of which had been accumulating for many years, and were being held by tho Government. It would require legislation to make tho funds from the* source available for the purpose indicated, aa tie revenue from the endowment h«d never been definitely allocated to any particular institution. The matter waa being enquired into by the Government, and it was possible that something would be done in regard to it this session. A deputation constating of the committee of the School of Domestic Instruction waited on the Minister in reference to the proposal to hand th«t institution over to the control of the Education Board. It waa explained that a difficulty had arisen during the negotiations in regard to the payment of the rent of the rooms occupied by tho school. The Minister stated that he understood that the Education Board would pay half tho rent, and the Department was quite prepared to pay the other half.