PALMERSTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 403, 30 May 1905, Page 3

PALMERSTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Yesterday's Conference.

The Rev. 0. 0. Harper presided at ilia conference held at the Borough Council CnambcH yesterday between representatives of tho High School Board of Governors and tho Wanganui Education Board. Tho matter for discussion was the arrangements for tho taking.over of tho Technical School by tne High School Board. Messrs Bridge, Gray and Pirani represented the Eduoatbn Board and the High School Governors present were : The Rev. Harper, W. T. Wood, M.H.H., Park, Collingwood and the Rev. I. Jolly. The Rector was also pres9nt.

Mr Brid go said that some timo ago arrangements had been made for the High School Governors to (aKo over the Teobnioal School on July Ist, 1904. When the time hai arrived, however, they deferred doing bo till the end of the year. They bad then still further postponed taking control. He now desired to arrango about the taking over of the classe?, and also to come to some definite understanding in regard to the proportion of Mr AVatkiu'a salary to,bs paid by the Education Board. Ho then read a letter which he had received from Mr Hirscb, tho secretary of the High School Board, who had enclosed with tho communication a cheque for £6i as the Education Board's share of the Governmeni capitation which amounted to dEBL 103. Ho failed to understand why they had not received the full amount of the capitation. The Rector pointed out that the balance had been devoted to the upkeep of the technical classes held at the High School.— It was decided that the Becfcor should furnish the Education Board with a Btatoment showing how tho monay had been spent. The subject of the taking over of the Technical School was then discussed.

Mr Pirani said that though the Board of Governors had somo time ago announced their willingness to take over the school, it had been found that if they did so tho section of land which had been granted the Education Board for a certain purpose, would revert to the Borongb Council directly the Board of High School took over tho trust from tho Education Board. An attempt was now being made, to get a Bill through the House, changing the trust from tho Education Board to tho High School Governors.

A Conversational discussion regarding Mr Watkin's salary and tho desire of the Educaion Board thai thoy might hold teaobera' clisscs iv the building then ensued.

Mr Bridgo then framed a proposition for the consideration of tho Iligh School Board. Would they, he aeked, bo willing to allow them the services cf Mr Watkin on each Saturday and on tho eveniDgs of two week days, if the Education Board contributed *£15 to his salßr.v?

The discussion which followed disclosed that the chief points in the matter were that tLo High School would then have to pay Mr Waikin £100 per annum as their share of his salary, and that an assistant would bo required to take charge of tho classes iv Mr Watkin's absence.

Some further discussion brought a suggestion from Mr Pirahi that the better method of apportioning off each Boards share of Mr Watkin's salary would be for the Education Board to pay bo much per head for instruction. He was of opinion that £1 per head would be a fair arrangement. Mr Bridge reminded Mr Pirani that there were other incidental expenses. Mr W. T. Wood stated that he had the Bill with him and the only thing that required to be dene was to have it duly advertised.

The conference terminated when the following recommendations to their respective Boards had been drafted:— " That this conference recommend tbe Board of Education and the High School Board of Governors to agree to the following: 'That the Board of Education will transfer tho PaloierBion Technical School to the Palmerston North High School Board of Governors, on condition that the latter accept a payment of the capitation paid by the Board and also that received f 10m the Government for teachers' instruction less 10 per cent and grant the use of the school for teachers' instruc tion one night a week and on Satut* day' 6 free ot charge. Tho transfer to take place on January Ist, 1906.' "