TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1931, Page 15

TECHNICAL COLLEGE

MAKING TRADITION

DIRECTOR'S RETROSPECT

"While there is every reason to be satisfied with what has been so far accomplished as regards staffing aud site, and buildings. I bejieve we have much greater cause for satisfaction, in the spirit that is developing iv the sebotrl and in the traditions that it is building up," said Mr. J. H. Howell, Director of the : Wellington Technical College, on the occasion of his last oifieial attendance at the College Board of Governrs yostercluy::' 'If I sense it aright, it isa spirit of fellowship and a tiaditionf of working together for common ends. Our cafeteria is a daily demonstration of this, while our school entertainment, our workshop demonstration room, our old students' contributions to the Assembly Hall Fund, are other manifestations. The ready willingness of staff and students to do things'for the good of the college is a marked feature of the. school, and -there can be no better augury for its future* I am very thankful that I have been alloived to take part in the work that has been done here in these last twelve years, and am confident that this college will/play its part in building up a worthy national life." ..'..-.'

Mr. Howell said he could not conclude without expressing to the.- board his deep gratitude for the kindness and consideration it had shown froni the time he had joined the college. It Was true' to say that during all those years nothing had occurred to disturb the harmonious relationship^that had esist-r ed between them in spitb 6t the niauy grave difficulties that they had had to face; " ■ - •

Tho chairman of the board, Mr. W. H. Bennett, expressed the appreciation of the older members of the board the very great services Mr. Howell had rendered to the college during his term of office as director. He believed that although the'coUege. was a comparatively new ono its traditions would grow and build it into "a fine institu-: tion. Mr. Bennett extended tho best wishes of the board to Mr. Howell, and. said they hoped he would be spared many years to enjoy his ' well-earnecT: rest. •-■■■• ■■■■■>- MONUMENT TO HIS WORK., Mr. T. Foisyth said the college would stand as a monument to the work of Mi. Howell, who was recognised as"one ot the Jeadcrss of- technical education, lie heartily congratulated Mr. HowclL on the results that had been attained In his efforts, <md ioined with Mr. Bennett m ui&hwg him a happy life in io tuement.

In leply, Mr. Howell said that the work had been co operative, and what had been accomplished had been done by a great many—the boaid, the advisoi y committee, and the staff. A PINE EXAMPLE. To give members of tho board an idea of tho spirit in which tho work was being undertaken by the students, the cha.il man asked them to inspect the st.iff room, tvhich had been completely; panelled m oak by the ddy sfcujlenjs. The finishing of the staff room, said Mi. Bennett, ha.d not been included in the general contract for tho building, and had been placed in the hands of tho woikshop instructor. The panelling would bo highly creditable to skilled aitisans. Tli^ handsome brick fireplace with the^ special inlaid*panelb,rfg''3bQve it had'been photographed and copies had been presented to the I>o>s as'ai nienicnto. j

ME. LUCKIE RETIRES. Consequent on his retiroinent trom tho City Council, Mr. M< F. Luckie rehpq.uiahe4Ji}s.4tatjon the Boaitf of Gov^ i ernors. Mr. Llckie said he had the | honour to have represented the council on the board for the past sixteen or seventeen years. He had had tho pleasuie of seeing the college grow until it was second to none in Ncw<Zealand, and a great deal .better than many Others abroad. Hi» only regret was. that tho value,1 ot technical education had liof. been'as much ap'preiiiafed niany years ago :asrit was to-d«y, ' LFit'haiT Ijeeh, the Dominion '» secondary, industries would have-been much further advanced. Since the board had secured the' services-of Mr. Howell the college had; never looked ~back, and ho would assure" vhis successor, Mr. Ridley,'that a very high standard had been set, .Mr. tV. H. Bennett, on behalf of tho board, expressed his appreciation of the services rendered.:.by Mr. Luckie during the many'yeavs he had been associated with the work\ of tho college.