TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 188, 4 May 1908, Page 6

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

NEW REGULATIONS., < SOME ADVERSE CRITICISM. . {nr TBI.BGEAPIi.—SPKCUL CORRESPONDENT.) ' phristoliuroh,; May 3. The now regulations', affecting technical schools: came bcforp -the Board , of ..the Christchurch Technical College on ■-{Friday ■ night.- Tho Chairman pointed out that oneclause limited the size -of classes, 'for theoretical instruction to an average attend- : ance of'forty, and fori practical instruction, to,' twenty-five; if ithe numbers increase beyond . those" limits, ' additional instructors must bo obtained. .' In that ease, considerable additional; expense might', bo entailed without greatly improving the quality of the instruction.' The second' regulation reduced the capitation for commercial instruction to ■ £5 instead of £10 per annum, as, before. The Chairman thought that-, ample -notice . , , shoulcj have been given by. the . before such far-reaching ;cliang& : - were., brought into forco. 'With the. present> attondanco at the day school they would have a diminution in tho. Board's income or about £400. per . annum. ■ Other, technical nistitu- ■ tions were .protesting against the action of the Department. .The . latter clause, was keenly criticised as being unfair towards tlioso authorities who, relying on the provision" 'for annual payments, . had , entered-. into engagements involving expenditure . which they might now find it impossible to, , meet. -, The Finance. Co:umitte<; ' recom- ■ mended that a member of t:\e Board should be appointed to bring. the matter it tho municipal conference atWellington,, that other educational bodies concerned should be approached with a view to taking some concerted action, and that a letter , should bo 'sent to North CanUrbury members of Parliament drawing attention, to the importance ,of the question. • The recommendations were adopted,- and'it. was also Iccided that tho Government be asked to jontinuo this year the payment'at the rate nitherto ruling, so that the _ Board may be mabled to discharge'liabilities, already :'unlortaken, on the tacit understanding that 10 change would take place; this, year. ~ ~ Mr. Mulgan thought the Government, at jome future time, might intend to make 1 xlueation and technical education,' to some jxtent. a charge on tho rates." Education ivas of vital importance "to.■■ the' State, and: ic could not help thinking, that _ anything ' ending to increase the interest, in educa;ion niight lie for tho benefit of all. Coniiderntioris of that .kind : might _ have veighed with the Department in making its irobosi'.ls. . Mr. Cooper said that he entirely disigreed with Mr. Mulgan. Tho ratepayers vere paying' a certain ; ammmt already on •ho college, , and . to,' put the "expenses; of sducation'mi the ratepayers was 'absurd, - can a just charge on tho consolidated ro•qnue. ■