HUTT TECHNICAL CLASSES

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 11

HUTT TECHNICAL CLASSES

FUNDS NEEDED.

The- Lower Hutt technical classes were established in 1914 by the Petone Technical Board. At first only two classes were held, but in the following year it was decided to embark on, a more ambitious programme, and a Hutt Technical Committee was set up to assist the project. Right from the outset the support accorded the classes was far beyond expeotations. More than fifty pupils were enrolled in 1915, and the number has steadily increased. During last year the subjects taught were as follow .-—English, arithmetic, mathematics, Latin, commercial geography, precis-writing,' bookkeeping, shorthand, typewriting, and dressmaking. An attempt was made to include millinery, but sufficient support was not forthcoming. As the rooms of the. District High School have, very generously, been placed at the disposal of the Technical Committee, the expense of running the classes has been kept very low^ and as a t result the finances are in a sound condition. The Petone Technical "Board is deserving of great -praise for its assistance so freely given, and, its director (Mr. J. Lynskey) has rendered very valuable assistance.

Under the present conditions the classes "have reached their limit as far as number is concerned. Specially equipped rooms are necessary for any other subjects, and this is the reason for an effort that is now : being made to raise funds for the erection of a building. As a first step, it is the intention of the committee to provide accommodation for the teaching of cookery and woodwork. Rooms provided for these purposes will serve also for the pupils of the local primary schools, who cannot be expected to travel as far as Petone for instruction in these subjects. Provision will have to be made in the near future for the teaching of science, more particularly that relating to agriculture. Another subject which should receive strong support in the Hutt Valley is horticulture and fruit culture. The Education Board has been approached with a view to securing the services of one of its special instructors for this class; and it appears likely that arrangements will be complete by the time the Technical Comtnittee takes over the section in Woburn-road' donated by Mr. V. Riddiford.

The present position regarding the new building is that it is necessary to raise locally the sum of £300. The site given by Mr. Riddiford, consisting of about an acre and a-half, is valued at £850. To erect the necessary building will cost another £850. The authorities approached the Education Department, which has given a subsidy of £250 pn the value of tlie land, besides agreeing to give a subsidy of £1 for £1 up to another £300. That means that the locality is required to raise the sum of £300, a3 above mentioned, and the task is entrusted to Mr. E. p. Rishworth, chairman of the Hutt District School Committee, and Mr. H. Baldwin, chairman of the Eastern Hutt School Committee, who are being assisted by an energetic committee of citizens. They are meeting rwith some success, but to reach the amount required residents of Lower Hutt are asked to loyally sup T port the project. The large number- of pupils attending the classes is an indication that the institution has filled a much felt want, and the facilities thus offered to young people to continue their education will no doubt prove an active influence in* popularising the Hutt as a place of residence. > i