TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 134, 29 February 1908, Page 6

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

MORE ACCOMMODATION NEEDED. THE MOUNT COOK SITE. . The Technical Education Board met last night. Present:—Messrs. J. P. "Luke (Chairman), T. Carmichael, T. Ballingcr, and W. H. Field, M.P. Leave of ' absehco was granted to Messrs. J. G. W. Aitken,. M.P., and M'Laren. The Chairman welcomed Mr. Field on taking his seat for the first time. " Mr. Field said that the Education Board had appointed him in his absence. Had hi been consulted, lie would have felt obliged to decline, owing to pressure of business. Having been appointed, however, his best efforts would be at the service of the Board. Accounts amounting to £670 9s. 6d. were passed for.payment. The resignation of Miss Cushla Coupland, assistant instructor in shorthand and typing, was accepted, with regret. Miss M. E. Ahem was appointed to teach shorthand and typewriting on the staff of the school. Mr. Williams, of the Wellington College, was, appointed assistant teacher of .English and arithmetic, 'I'lie Director (Mr. La Trobe) reported that the classes were being attended by 460 pupils, who had paid fees, 265 freo day students, 53. free evening students, haying certificates of proficiency, 112 free evening students who had passed the Junior Civil Service Examination for senior free places, and 10 others, making a total of 900. ' Ho anticipated, that in a short time tho' attendance would exceed ' that of tho corresponding period of last year by 150. A notable fact was that the students now took more classes. This was partly necessitated by tho conditions of tho senior and junior . free places. - The classes were much fuller than last year. The building construction class had become too large for the rooni, and in some of the classes it had been necessary to refuse pupils on account of lack of accommodation. Every room available was fully occupied every evening.

Ihe question of obtaining, further accommodation, temporarily was raised, and the Director replying to a question said that to hire rooms in another, building would entail much inconvenience . in conducting the classes.'. "

The chairman said it was .most unsatisfactory, to refuse pupils.' yHo moved that Mr. Carmichael, Mr. .' Ballinger, and himsfclf bo appointed to go into the matter with power to act. „ This was carried.

The Director read a letter which had been sent to the Minister;.for Education,/asking that a portion of the Mount Cook site bo set apart for the erection of technical school buildings., The 'Chairman said lie had 'asked the Mayor if he would support tho Board'in approaching the Minister in this matter, and also whether lie- would support a proposal that the City Council should treat as an endowment for tho Technical School tho land which the Council had set apart on tho reclamation for tho purpose of a ■ site* for • a technical school', building, but which was found to be ■ The-Mayor had replied that he ■ would' willingly, 'support "the Board in both , these matters. Tho Minister had said on a former occasion that the citizens should find a sito, but ho (the Chairman) thought the city would bo -fulfilling its duty if it vgave the land as an endowment. In regard to .tho-Mount Cook site,' the-prox-imity of the Dominion Museum would be a advantage to tho school., A reasonable amount of land-would be required, so as'to provide space for recreation purposes as well as for the school buildings. Ho moved in the direction of again doputationising tho Hon. Mr. Fowlds on the subject. " Mr! Field seconded tho motion; Ho con-' sidered that sinco tho Government had made up its mind what to do with the Mount Cook sito, the Board would have' ; a i better chance of obtaining its desiro. He .thought'! no time should bo lost in waiting upon tho Minister. ' * ■;

It was resolved to approach the City. Council with-a view to tho setting-up .of a Board to control electrical examinations on similar lines to the Board which controls the examinations in plumbing.