TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 15138, 20 March 1913, Page 3

TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of subscribers to the Dunedin Technical Classes Association, was held in the Technical School last evening, Ih'.G. M. Thomson, M.P., occupied the chair. The following are the chief features of the manager's report; According to the details submitted in the director’s report the figures for 1912 constitute ,a record, and the work of the school, viewed as a whole, has been very satisfactory. The following gives a summary of the enrolments sine© the opening of the classes’in 1889;—1889, 288; 1890, 170; 1891, 318; 1892, 364; 1893, 390 ; 1894, 385; 1895, 457 ; 1396 , 458; 1897, 701; 1898, 731; 1899, 767; 1900, 781; 1901, 753; 1902, 634-; 1905, 775; 1904, 1,036 ; 1905, 784; 1906, 828; 1907. 1.063; 1908, 1,087; 1909, 926; 1910, 1,053; .1911, 1,093; 1912, 1,233. During the year the energies of the board were concentrated upon advancing the erection of the building for the King Edward Technical College. A fair proportion of the amount required to defray the cost of the building being in sight, the detailed working plans and specifications were prepared, and tenders invited for the work. The tenders received showed that the cost, including architect's fees, would amount- to approximately £32,000, and in view of the exceptional circumstances that had arisen during the year, the manager's did not deem it v-ise to pledge the board for the full amount of the contract price. _ It was therefore decided to hold over in’the meantime that part of the contract -having reference to the plastering of the stairways, and corridors,'and the he'ating and lighting. The liability o! the board on the present contract was thus reduced to £26,421 17s 4d, and the contract being spread over two years gives an opportunity of raising ihe remainder of the money in time to continue the building to completion. >So far, every appeal made to the public lor funds in' aid of the school has met with a liberal_response, and the managers anticipate that as the erection or the building proceeds the people of Dunedin will recognise the magnitude and value of the work undertaken, and thus be induced to contribute to the funds for such a worthy object. In this connection we note that during the year £6OO was contributed to the building fund by afriend of the school. A few such donations and iho amount required for the completion of the King Edward Technical College would be assured. For many years now Professors Shand and Gilray (and previously Professor Black also) have done- much to e-n----ccurage our students by granting a free place each in their respective classes, and your managers here place on record their appreciation of this generous action of these gentlemen. In his annual report, however .the director suggests the desirability of securing a closer connection between _ the Otago University and the Technical School. The suggestion appears to us to be of considerable importance, and we are, strongly of opinion that action should be taken in the direction indicated. Probably a conference of an informal nature between members representing the two bodies concerned would lead to some solution of the matter. While dealing with this question, the board wish to add that the managers are oi opinion that they might well go further, and recommend that in the interests of education and of the community generally, the various bodies controlling the education of Dunedin should meet in conference periodically. The honorary examiners continue to render valuable service and advice, and to these the board tenders its best thanks. Members of the staff have been earnest and conscientious in the discharge- of their duties. They have been assisted by and worked in harmony with the staff of the School of Art. The certified statement of receipts and expediture shows that the credit balance of tire general account on 31st December was £658 7s sd, while there was a fixed deposit of £3,0C0 which has to be ciedited to the building fund. In moving the adoption of th© report the Chairman referred to the clause respecting the relationship between th© Technical School and the University. He thought it -would be advisable to hold a conference with the University Board, and also the High, School, so that a definite aiiangemgjjt could be arrived at. He also stated that-he would he glad to draft out various suggestions and place them before the conference.

Messrs A. Burt, T. W. Kenipthorne, G. C. Israel, arid Dr Colquhoun spoke in favor of conferring with the University on the subject. In seconding the motion, Mr J. H. Wilkinson paid a tribute to the good work performed by the secretary (Mr A. Marshal!) during the year. 'the motion was carried without furthe'.* discussion. The following gentlemen were elected to represent the association on the Board of (Management:—Messrs A. Burt, T. W. Kenipthorne, G. M. Thomson, C W. Chamberlain, J. H. Wilkinson, W, A. Scott, and Dr Colquhoun.