TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 June 1925, Page 9

TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

HAWERA BOARD MEETS. SYSTEM OF ELECTION CRITICISED. The monthly meeting of the Hawera Technical High School Board was held last evening, when there were present.: Messrs, Rl. S. Sage (chair), J. W. Harding, T. C. Hobbs, A. Campbell, and W. Eintwhstle. Apologies for '-absence were received from Mrs. YV. Gilbert- and Mr. J. B. Murdoch. The present- isysteiii- of election of members' of High School Boards came in for scathing criticism, it being pointed out that it was far too cumbersome and few people- understood it. The system, provided for the election of representatives by various- groups; of organisations in • the district, and in the case of the county 'councils three such- local bodies h:ad to- each elect- a representative- whose duty was to come to Hawera- and record a- vote for whoever fie thought should act as the county councils’ representative. “It seems as though, .some man must have sat- down in bis office for -a week to, evolve the most complicated -system, he. could think of,” said the chairman. Other members present agreed that the system was ridiculous', and Mr. Harding moved “that this board of management .strongly resents the .present system of nomination and election of ■representatives on the board of management for technical high schools,, as it, has proved cumbersome and unsatisfactory. Mr. Campbell seconded, ar/l. the motion was| carried, it being agreed that it should be forwarded to the. Director of Education. Members -stated that after two yeans’ experience of the .system it had proved most unsatisfactory in this district, and tended to kill interest in technical school work. It might be all rightin the cities, but was no good in the country. They suggested that it should -also b© made the .subject- of a strongly worded' remit to the Technical High School Boards’ Con fere nee. The headmaster (Mr. A. Gray) reported -that -there were 1-76 pupils attending: the school, as compared with 177 last month. “With regard to the heating of the laboratories, the Electric Light Company has met us very fairly, and I think we can now carry o-n with what radiators we have. The hot water system- is n,ow operating very satiefaeto-rily. The appeal for contributions has met with a. ready re-' sppn.se, but I should- be glad to receive any donations from any friends of the >s.c-ho-01. A. dancing, elas.s, instructed iby Mi-ss McPhail, has, -started and iis, well attended.” The report wars adopted.