TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1193, 31 July 1911, Page 4

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

The 'Wellington Technical Education Board met on Friday, Mr. D. Roberta son presiding. Messrs. J. G. W. Aitken, .T. E. Fitzgerald, W. Allan, J. P. Luke, M.P., G. Frost, John Smith, and W. 11. Field, M.P., were also present. Tho chairman, referring to tho need of greater school accommodation, said tho Minister for Education had expressed the opinion that they ought to have tho school where they were at present, and another at the Newtown end of the city. But thev must look to the City Council to give them a free site before they could do anything. Mr. Luke referred to the necessity for increased accommodation, and suitable provision for the scholars to eat their meals in. He would be very sorry to see a building erected opposite where they were, as suggested; and he also- felt that the time had not yet arrived for two technical schools in the city.

Mr. Aitken moved that a committee bo set up to wait upon the City Council, to ask them for-a site in John Street that had been under consideration two years ago. If they could get an offer of that scction on anything like reasonable terms, the Minister could be approached in regard to the erection of a building. Mr. Frost was opposed to this proposal, considering that John Street was not a good locality. Mr. Aitken said that an average of the residences of the pupils showed that the larger percentage camo from beyond the Basin Reserve. Mr. Fitzgerald said that it was understood that St. Patrick's Collego sito was to be vacated, and the college moved further out of the city. This would be an ideal site for a technical school. Other speakers were opposed to John Street as being too far away from the centre of the city. Mr. Aitken agreed to amend his motion by adding tho words, "or any other site." The resolution was then carried. In regard to the situation that lias arisen over the Auditor-General objecting to the payment by the board to tho Industrial Association of rent for the room recently occupied by tho association, it was decided to set up a committco to confer with the Education Board as to what should be done.