New Assembly Hall

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 42, 16 April 1947, Page 7

New Assembly Hall

OFFICIAL OUEXIXO t'KKKMOXV

!«rrr tkchkicab college Anoiln-r i*■ |* in the progress of the rhiii \ alley Memorial Technical Colh'no nr Pet one was taken on Wednesday afternoon, when the new t ’scmbly hall-gymnasium was offijiaiiv opt*nod. There was a largo attendance of pupils and oflicial ;ucsUi. Tin- now building is light uni airy, and witli its roomy stage ■.vilt moot a long-felt need. After :lit* College orchestra, und*r rite direction of Mr. Mel .ay, dad rendered '.lie National Anthem and "Rosemary," the chairman of the Board <>r Governors. Mr. W. B. Nit i.olson. thanked the Gotormuenl ;or providin'-' the tiall anti the Ldu(inn Department tor giving faciliios. He also paid tribute to the Parents’ Association lor its splendid work on behalf of tin* school over a number of years. The hall was primarily for the use of the students of me school. hut when not in use by the school it would be available to the Parents’ Association. the pet one Borough Council for civic functions until tie* Community ( elite Hall was built. and for any general cultural use. They wanted o foster music, drama, and the arts generally. Progress of College Mr. H. Green. Mayor of Petone. said the district was proud of the progress made by the College. He •ongratulaied it upon attaining what It had wanted for years—an assembly hall. Mr. A. Mcl'adyen, principal of the College, expressed gratification nf tin* erection of the hall, and spoke appreciatively of the work done by 'be Parents’ Association. Mr. 11. Morgan, president of the Parents’ Association, said that the Association, which started eleven Vt-rrs ago. had raised Ell no lor (lie College. He considered that the .tew hall would he a great asset. The College Choir then sang "Praise My Soul the King of Heaven." Admiration for Britain

Dr. C. E. Beeby, Director of Education, who litis jusl returned from a tour abroad, stated that technical schools in Britain, which were formerly trade schools, were begin-

ning to proceed on the same cultural lines as the New Zealand technical schools.

"1 am lull of admiration for Hie work being done in Britain," said Dr. Beeby. 'There is a great re/ival in music, art. and drama. 1 have siood in a queue for hours to *ei into an art. gallery."

Britain was beginning to realise io\v much she must depend on lechlical education, continued Dr. Boeby, She nnd lost much, and realised that whal she had left was the skill of her people, which must be trained.

feature of industrial life was the release of workers during certain hours of the day. on full pay, so that they could attend technical classes. Britain was planning for the future, and emphasis was being placed as never before on technical education. He was sure the Hutt Valley Technical College would make the best use of the new assembly hall for the children of the present and the future.

OJtfci&l Opening

The new building was officially opened by Mr. M. Moohan, M.l'. for Petone, in the unavoidable absence of the Minister of Education. He said that the policy of the Government was to erect assembly halls in schools as an important part of the education system. The more that they could educate the children regarding the benefits of democracy the more they would assure peace and prosperity, and the sooner the standard of education was raised throughout the world the better it would be l'o>- everyone.

Afternoon tea in the nssembl; ball brought an interesting and en joyablf function to a close.