TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 12661, 15 September 1904, Page 3

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

PLANS FOR NEW SCHOOL BUILDING

AUTHORISED. The director of technical education ixtd manual training (Mr. George George) cony ferred with the Auckland Education Boarf yesterday afternoon on matters relating to the department under his control. Me, George said that as the City Council had given the necessary site fos a technical school, it was quite time that steps ehoulidi be taken to have plans prepared for a suitable building. He did not expect that tJio total amount required would be immediately forthcoming, but might be ; obtained in .instalments, thus enabling the work to b* proceeded with as the money cam* to hand. Mr. R. Hobbs : What do you estimate too cost of a suitable building at? Mr. George: About £30,000 would be required for the building and equipment. Mr. H. J. Greenslade supported the proposal, and it was unanimously agreed that .the architects be instructed to prepare plans and specifications. ".■' The Chairman thought the one building would meet the requirements of both the teachers' training college and the technical school. , - • -'•-■ W tn i. In view of the Government! graat of. £690 towards the apparatus for mechanical engineering, the director suggested that at temporary iron building should be erected on the site given by the City Council to accommodate the apparatus, which would arrive before January next. The suggestion was agreed to. ;, ' • _ -:■■ Mr. George reported that he had again visited the Whaogarei district in coimectioa with the establishing there of a manual training school. The residents were verjr anxious that the. proposal should be givent effect to, and had raised 5130 towards the provision of the necessary building. Mr. .1. D. McKenzie remarked that practically every person in the district had contributed, and all were most enthusiastic. He urged that the Government should be appealed to for a grant. Mr. George estimated the cost at about £1000, and it was decided to appeal to the Minister for Education for the amount mentioned. •;' .;,■- '•

With regard to agricultural education in country districts, the director reported further replies to his letter to branches of the .Farmers' Union suggesting that they should give monetary assistance. The only favourable reply to his numerous communications was that from the Ohaupo branch., which had expressed willingness to assist, while among those not prepared to help the- scheme themost interesting document was that from the Kaipara Flats branch, which concluded with the expression of opinion that agricultural education, as indicated in the scheme, was unnecessary and unsuitable. Consideration of the director's scheme for agricultural education, together with the Auckland Agricultural arid Pastoral Association's report and suggestions thereon, was deferred for a fortnight, pending a report by Mr.'Stallworthy on the question. On the question of introducing cookery and woodwork as junior scholarship subjects, Mr. George said that there seomed no likelihood of the inspectors fawunsg- toe pro- . posal, which emanated : from ,A im ,??"" view of this he thought the diffioiuty might be overcome by introducing a provision thai no children should fc* eligible for junior; scholarships who did nob attend toe classes-* too girls the cookery and the boys toe wood* wort class. ■ . .... "_,. -,■;. It, was decided to refei the suggestion to . the chief inspector for his report, . :" a. ';':A:^A'::aaMM