TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19455, 11 October 1926, Page 12

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

PROGRESS IN AUCKLAND. WORK OF THE SEDDON COLLEGE. IMPORTANCE TO COMMUNITY. The progress and importance of technical education in New Zealand formed the subject of comment at the annual dinner of old boys of the Seddori Memorial Technical College oil Saturday overling. There was a large attendance, Mr.R. F. Galhraith, president of.the Old Boys' Association, presiding. Mr. Galbraith said that during the past few years the college had made won-dc-iful progress along the right lines, lie laid stress on what old boys could do in helping the school along and setting a standard for the boys when they left it. "1 have the greatest faith in a school such as ours," stated Mr. G. J. Park, principal of the college. "I have not the slightest doubt that it will continue to progress and that technical education will come to play' a very important part in the life of our country. I feel wo have not quite come into our own yet, but we will do so." (Applause.) He considered the most important function of old boys was to hand down to present bovs their experiences in life and their idea of a true school spirit as thev saw it. Increased Accommodation. Mr. H. S. W. King, chairman of the College Board, said it was gratifying to seo such a large number qf old boys in attendance. He hoped the college .was looked upon by them a.s an institution that had served them well. He referred to the accusations made against the board in regard to turning away pupils. However, if that state of affairs had not existed they would not be in their present position of reaping rewards in the way of increased accommodation. The collego was an institution to which a*i ever-increasing number of parents desired to send their children. The progress the collego had made during the past few years under Mr. Tark had been wonderful. The college was a community school. Not all parents wished their children to follow the law or medicine. In a country like New Zealand, which depended largely on it.s primary produce, there also had to be found a place for the industries. The aim of the college was to equip boys for their various vocations and to give them a training desired by their future employers. Over-crowded Professions. Mr. E. H. Northcroft, representing the Auckland University College Council, said the university took a real interest in the work of the Technical Collego. There was a danger of the professions being overcrowded to the detriment of other occupations. What they wanted was an evenly balanced state of affairs. The Technical College was doing its work well. Mr. T. U. Wells, representing the Auckland Education Board, emphasised the value of friendships made at school. He urged the old boys to stick together and take an interest in the boys who had ju:.l left school. A delightful programme was given by Messrs. Alan McElwain, H. Richards, E. Thomas and Arthur 11. Ripley.