A NEW SCHOOL?

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18942, 5 March 1927, Page 14

A NEW SCHOOL?

request to be made. TECHNICAL COLLEGE BOARD'S DECISION. That the Christehurch Technical College, with a present roll number of 965 pupils, lia9 become as large an institution as can be efficiently controlled, and that the only means of giving technical education to all who desire it in this City is by the opening of another Technical School, is the conclusion long ago arrived at by tho Technical College Board of Governors. This conclusion they are now going to put into the form of a specific request to the Government for a new school. Both the chairman and tho Principal made it clear at last night's meeting of the Board that the present building was inadequate, being hopelessly overcrowded, and that the Government was failing in its duty to students of the provinco unless it made some immediate provision whereby they could receive technical tuition. Mr McGregor Wright, chairman of tho Board, in his report, said that tho school had reached "the point where moro than ordinary measures must be taken to ensure adequate accommodation for all who desire to enrol." In the Technical High School the engineering and woodwotking classes were filled by January 31st, and further entries wero refused. The girls'.com-' mercial classes wero in the same condition. Since 1919 there had been an increase of 1129 in roll ' number, and this had been met in accommodation by only five classrooms and two workshops. Definite plans for the next ten years should be made, and this would necessitate tho erection of another school. A start with this school should bo made almost immediately. Meanwhile in fairness to the present students the old houses in Fife street should be cleared away and the school playground enlarged. Temporary classroom accommodation should also be provided, as there was insufficient at the present school for the present students. Mr W. J. Jenkin was speaking of temporary accommodation when Mr E. H. Andrews interposed: "Can't we go into committeef Mr Jenkin doesn't seem to be expressing himself as freely as he might f" This course was agreed on, and the Board finally decided to make a definite application to the Government for a new school, and for additions to the present one. It was also decided to forward a copy of the chairman's report with the request.