WORKING MENS COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9495, 26 April 1894, Page 6

WORKING MENS COLLEGE.

A meeting was held yesterday afternoon in the Grammar School office, in the Victoria Arcade, at) which representatives •of the three educational bodies of this city were present) to discuss the establishment of classes for technical education or the foundation of a Working Men's College. The Board of Education were represented by the Rev. Mr. Bates, Messrs. Wilding, Muir ; Mr. Theo. Cooper was absent. The Grammar School Board was represented by Colonel Haultain, Mr. Luke, and the Rev. Mr. Nelson ; Mr. Holland vAis absent. The University College was represented by Sir Maurice O'Rorke and Mr. Udy; Bishop Cowie and the Rev. Mr. Williams were absent. Apologies were received from Bishop Cowie, and Mr. Holland, the Mayor, and the Rev.-Mr.- Williams, who * has gone to attend the Wesley an Conference in Adelaide. . •' A full discussion on the advisability of encouraging the proposal submitted by the promoters of the Working Men's College, and every desire was expressed by the representatives of the Board of Education, the Grammar School Board, and the University College Council to co-operate in the movement. Sir Maurice O'Rorke submitted a draft report which he proposed circulating among the members before asking them to consider it. He thought it would be advisable to come to some decision on the subject at as early a day as would be convenient to members. On the suggestion of Mr. Luke it was decided to send the draft report to the newspapers, as it was understood they were in favour of the proposal, and would probably print it in their columns. On the motion of Mr. Wilding it was resolved that a deputation consisting of Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Messrs. Udy, Muir, Luke, the Rev. Mr. Bates, and the mover should wait on the Minister of Education to discuss the matter, : rOn the motion of Mr. Udy it was decided that the joint committee meet subsequently to deal with the whole subject. ; DRAFT REPORT. The Joint Committee, consisting of members of the Board of Education, members of the Grammar School Board, and members of the University College Council, have the honour to report :—l. That the Committee is of opinion that every assistance and encouragement should be given to the several educational bodies in this city, to the establishment of a Technical School as a stepping stone to the foundation of a Working Men? College for the city of Auckland and its suburbs. 2. That the promoters of the Working Men's College be informed that classes can be at once established at the Grammar School for instruction in: Practical, plane, and solid geometry, English and English literature, mechanical drawiug and machine construction, French, coach ; building, architectural drawing and building construction, electricity, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and that a copy of tho headmaster's letter on the subject be furnished* to the promoters ot the scheme as indicative of the desire of the headmaster and his staff to aid the movement for promoting technical education in Auckland. 3. That the promoters be informed that the University College Council is desirous of co-operating in every way in its power with the promoters of the Working Men's College, and the opinion ol the Professorial Board was taken on the subject which is to the effect that students should, in the first instance, pass through the technical school preparatory to attending laboratory work in the chemical, physioal, biological, and geological laboratories. That a copy of the report of tho Professorial Board on the subject be furnished to the promoters of the Working Men's College. That this committee is given to understand that the promoters of the Working Men's College would like to have a closer connection with the Board of Education at present than with the systems of secondary and higher education, because that Board is more familiar with the educational wants of the working classes than is the Grammar School or the University College. That this committee is of opinion that tho Wellesleystreet school would be the most convenient place for holding some of the classes for technical education, and believes that the School Committee would consent to that school being made use of for such classes, and also as a night school for young persons generally who may be engaged in earning their livelihood during the day, and that the establishment of such a night school by the Boatd of Education would fill the place of what is known in England as a " Continuation School." That the committee is satisfied that fcKoro iq nnHoairo nn tk« part of t/lie ainiiwities of the Grammar School or University College to abstain from taking their full share in this important work of promoting technical education, or of unduly imposing on the Board of Education in the one chief work of establishing technical classes and a continuation school in Auckland, but the committee makes the recommendation out of deference to tho wishes of the l.roinoters of the Working Men's College. That it appears to your committee that in addition to the tuition that might be given at the Wellesley-street School some classes might be held in the Grammar School, and some for advanced students at the College. That with a view to drawing, the three grades of education — primary, secondary, and university — into close and friendly connection, there be offered to every technical class of 10 or more students, free education to the head pupil of such class in the Grammar School if under 16 years of age, and in the University College if over that age. That this committee submits these several propositions to the promoters of the Working Men's College, and will very willingly reconsider every one of the proposals, if the promoters should be of opinion that they could be modified with advantage to the cause of technical education, the promition of which is the earnest desire held in common by all three educacational bodies. That the committee thinks that the promoters should at once proceed to put themselves in a position to participate in the Parliamentary grant of pound for pound to meet subscriptions. That Dunedin has for five or six years established technical classes, and is at present receiving £250 per annum from Government funds. They suppose Christchureh, Wellington, and Wanganui also participate in the grant, and that Auckland is the only large city in New Zealand that has established no technical classes, and has consequently derived no benefit from the Parliamentary grant. That it is very desirable that the classes should be opened with the least possible delay, as they will probably not extend beyond the winter months, and the session ougnt not to be of less than six months' duration. In Dunedin the classes opened in April, and are to continue till the end of October. The committee believe that this movement in favour of establishing a working men's college in this city will be an inestimable boon to the working classes, and that its benefits may be so extended as to embrace not only mechanics and artizans, but also in time all classes who may require special instruction in the avocations they may have to follow as a means of earning a livelihood.