THE TRAINING COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13905, 12 November 1908, Page 6

THE TRAINING COLLEGE.

FORMAL OPENING. A USEFUL INSTITUTION. Tire formal opening of the new Auckland Training College, in Wcllcsloy-street East, took place yesterday afternoon in the lcc-uro-rooui of the institution, tho ceremony being performed by the Minister for Education (the. Hon. Geo. Fowlds). The chairman of tho Education Board (Mr. C. J. Parr) presided, and amongst those present were the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. A. M. Myers), Professor A. P. W. Thomas (a member of the board of .advice of the college), Mr. If. Milno (principal of the college), members and officials of the Education Board, University College Council, and Grammar 'School Board, members of the teaching profession of Auckland and district, . tho Hone.' T. Thompson, B. Harris, and W. Beehau, M.L.C.'s, Messrs. A Kidd and E. E. Baume, and many others, including the staff and students of tho college. • On the arrival of tho Minister, who was accompanied by Mrs. aud Miss Fowlds, a detachment, from the Normal School cadots, under the command of Captain Pater&on, formed a guard of honour at the entrance to tho building. The lady students at tho college presented Mrs. Fowlds with a handsome bouquet on arrival. Mr. Parr, in opening the proceedings, eaid that they were all pleased to have the Minister for Education with them oil this occasion, as Mr. Fowlds had taken a keen and kindly interest in the college. (Applause.) He also acknowledged tho services of Mr. Baume, who had also been one of their best friends. (Applause.) The building had been erected by a vote from tho Department amounting in all to £8338, 'and in addition tho Department had aided 5 the Board to the extent of nearly £700 in connection with the equipment and furnishing of the college. Th9y had thus no reason to ..complain of the action of the Department in regard to the college. (Applause.) There was, no need for argument to justify the existence of tho school. It was apparent that to get the best result from our primary system of education wo should see to the training of our teachers. He praised the foresight of the late Minister for Education (Mr. Sodden) in regard to provision for the training of teachers. Tho Board had also boon fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Milne as prin- | cipal—(applause)—who had already done good work in the temporary building, and who . could . now bo expected to do eveni better > with the increased facilities at his .disposal. On behalf of the staff and students, he presented Mr. Fowld3 with a gold-mounted key with which to open the building for use. (Applause.) Mr., Fowlds, after expressing his thanks to the staff and students, spoke of the importance of the training of teachers as exemplified in those countries where tho greatest attention was. given to the .subject. He referred to the Normal School which previously existed in tho four principal" cities' of New Zealand, and in which thoro was a Government grant of £8000 a year as far back as 1882. In 1887, however, owing to tho policy of retrenchment then initiated, the grant was discontinued. It was subsequently renewed by the hue Mr. Seddon." It was arranged ,to again establish the colleges at the four principal centres where tho advantage of free attendance at University lectures and other benefits were obtainable. The Auckland Board had taken the wise course of obtaining a principal from the fountain of learning in the Old Country. (Applause.) The indents, in addition to free tuition, received 1 a maintenance allowance of £30 if living at home, and of £60 if living away from home. In no other part of the world were the training colleges so liberally treated as in New Zealand. At the end of 1907, there were 253 students attending these institutions, of whom 61 were males and 192 females. Tho numbers at the respective colleges were: Wellington, 78 Dunediu, 73; Christchurch, 66; Auckland, 36. The number at Auckland was thus small, but with tho increased facilities provided by the now building he had no doubt that the number would be increased. .Since 1904, the Government had spent in buildings on account of training college*-:, nearly £25,000, whilst tho total cost' last year, exclusive of tho building vote, was £25,797. A high standard of efficiency in the work of tho college was aimed at, and it was only by maintaining this standard that the large expenditure could be justified. In referring to the Education Amendment Act just passed, ho said that it, would give a great impetus to teachers •generally, and it would also create the necessity for 700 to 750 more teachers in the Dominion. They would not bo able to get all those the first year, but it was hoped that the attendance at each of the colleges in future would bo kept up to 80 if not 100, and thus in three or foui years ! sufficient trained teachers would be providI ed by tho college to supply the increased staffing provided for in the Act. (Applause.) In declaring the college open, lie hoped that tho students would follow out tho. motto of the institution, "Totis Viribus," by working with all their might ' for it and their own success. (Applause.) Mi. Miluo moved a vote of thanks *o tha' Minister foi attending, and in doing 6p referred to the liberal manner' in which the Minister had treated them in regard to the college. He referred to the advantages of < such institutions, and eaid that the money expended on them was well spent. The new Education Act, he saia, would also assist in encouraging teachers to become much more efficient than they would otherwise be. (Applause.) After the singing of tho National Anthem, the company inspected 'the swimming bath, museum and other apartments of the college. On tho whole the equipment excited the most favourable comment from all present.. A description of the building has already appeared in the Herald.