SEDDON MEMORIAL TECHNICAL-COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13464, 17 April 1907, Page 8

SEDDON MEMORIAL TECHNI-CAL-COLLEGE.

SUM OF £2308 COLLECTED.

LISTS TO BE CLOSED.

A meeting of the Auckland Scddon Memorial Technical College Committee was held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr. Arthur M. Myers) presided, and there were also present: Messrs. R. Hobbr, G. Gregory, George George (director of technical education), and E. W. Page (canvasser). The Mayor stated that £1508 6s had been received up to date, while an additional £750 had been promised and £50 had been paid direct to the Education Board, making a total of £2308 6s. Four hundred and ninety-six lists had been issued, and of these 38 had been returned up to date. As the committee was aware a number of gentlemen contributed £100 each, which altogether made close on £2000, leaving only £308 6s subscribed by the general public. The Mayor then read a letter from Mr. T. Harle-Giles, secretary of the Auckland branch of the Liberal end Labour Federation, stating that tho branch had collected £65 towards the memorial fund.

The town clerk (Mr. H. W. Wilson) stated that the amounts collected by Mr. Page and Miss Macalister, who had been appointed to act as canvassers, were £36 ami £86 2s 6d respectively. Mr. Page informed the committee that ho had never had a more difficult job than in collecting for this fund. In going round he was subjected to a number of insults. The Mayor said it was extraordinary. He moved, "That an advertisement be inserted in the press, to the effect that all persons holding lists must send them in at once, as they will be closed definitely on April 30." A meeting of the committee could be held subsequently to see what was the final result.

The motion was put and carried. The Mayor said he regretted that they should have been disappointed at' the amount subscribed, not only to perpetuate the name of New Zealand's greatest statesman, but also because it _ gave the public an opportunity 'of subscribing to an institution which had done, and was doing, so much good work. It was certainly disappointing for these two reasons, but having regard to the fact that they had been no more successful in other cities they must accept the position with equanimity. The Auckland public had always been very good in supporting matters of a local nature, and he could not understand why this matter had not been taken up more seriously. Perhaps the public were waiting for the final call which would now be given, and he hoped that next time the committee met they would be able to congratulate themselves on a different position.

The following additional subscriptions have been received by the town clerk: — Awhitu Road Board, £2 3s; Mr. and Mrs. "C," ss; Auckland Workingmen's Club, £3 3s: Rushbrook and Bridgman, £1 Is McCullagh and Cower, £2 2s ; G. Gregory, £1; J. H. Gregory. 10s. Per Miss Macalister: H.E.S,. 2s" 6d ; H. S. Elliott, £1 Is; W. B. Peek, 2s 6d; 0. N., £1 Is; A. Buckland and Sons, £5 ss; International " Correspondence School (Scranton), £1 Is A. Rose, £1 Is R. Macalister, ss.