AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 17 December 1913, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

HAWERA DAY TECHNICAL SCHOOL QUESTION,

LAID BEFORE THE MINISTER

[By Telegraph— Special to Stab.] „ FEILDING, Dec. 17. Messrs Pirani and Pucnell inters viewed the Minister of Education Mr Allen, yesterday on a number of the )Y an£anui Education Board's matters. Mr Pirani reviewed the decision-of the Department against the proposed day technical school at Hawera, pointing out that the main objection of the Department on the grounds of expense of equipment was .mistaken, as almost the whole of the equipment required was in the present technical school.

The Minister interjected that there would be other expenses outside that, to which Mr Pirani replied that he was not' aware of any of great moment.. '<■■• ;'••"'■■■ A£r Hogben pointed out that capitation of £12 10s to £15 would have to be paid. . Mr Pirani said, the Minister must take into consideration the amount r saved by disestablishing; the district high school and recoveries from reserves revenues. The whole position was that the present conditions were intolerable if the development already made was to be extended. The settlers of the district had done wonders for the agricultural course by allowing their farms to be utilised for instruction purposes and by monetary con- - tributions; and the use of the State Farm had been generously granted, but there was need for an independent central institution, at which the whole of the work could be focussed. The Minister asked what provision there would be for pupils at the district high school now who were not taking the agricultural course. Mr Pirani replied that they would have every provision—indeed, the - Department would not sanction a technical day school if that were not so. The "district had just as much right to the statutory benefits of the extension of educational facilities as any. other part of the Dominion. Settlers had been markedly generous in the past, and would be even more so in the future, and in the event of the establishment of an agricultural college it would be a great mistake not to have feeders for it like >the one proposed. The Education Board and its experts had proved equal to the occasion, and it was only right that the Government should do their part.. He read the opinions of Mr Braik on the question, and concluded by urging the Minister to encourage a movement in which the Board had led the Dominion. In reply Mr Allen said he would go into the matter again, and especially the question of income from reserves. He was greatly handicapped by the enormous demands on the education vote, but if he could see his way to carry out the wishes of the deputation without placing a burden on that he would be only too glad to do s».