PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19508, 11 December 1926, Page 14

PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE. YEAR'S RECORD ATTENDANCES. PROBLEM OF ACCOMMODATION. Tho annual prize-giving of the Seddon Memorial Technical College was held in the Town Hall concert chamber last evening, the hall being well-filled with parents and students. Tho Hon. E. A. Wright, Minister of Education, was present, andffwas accompanied by Mrs. Wright, who presented the prizes and trophies. Mr. H. S. W. King, chairman of the board of managers, presided.

The Minister reviewed the progress of the college since the inception of manual technical training in Auckland in 1903, and paid a tribute to the way the public of Auckland had assisted financially in placing tjie institution on a sound basis. Tho board also deserved congratulation upon the satisfactory state of affairs in the college. In his annual report the director, Mr. C. J. Park, said attendances at the; college during the year had again constituted a record. On March 1 the pupils taking various courses numbered 792, of whom 455 were boys and 337 girls. On December 1 tho attendance was 617, of whom 353 were boys and 264 girls. It would be noted that a large number of pupils had not completed the school year for various reasons, and this year the number leaving had been much larger than usual. This was ona of the problems which the schools had to face and it would be advisable that free places should bo given only to those pupils who undertook to finish the year's instruction. Students in attendance at evening classes numbered 1580. The feature of enrolment had been the number desiring to attend,'and it seemed likely that the ono technical college in Auckland would always find difficulty in accommodating pupils. At the same time it had to be remembered that in most countries technical education was taken by pupils after a course of secondary education had been completed. The Education Department regulations definitely provided that preference was to be given to scholarship and senior tree place holders. The regulations therefore tended to raise the entrance qualifications and so remove the problem of insufficient accommodation.

Apprenticeship Training,

Referring to pre-vocational work, Mr. Park said the school courses were largely devoted to preparing boys for apprenticeships, and there were strong indications that technical schools were proving of increasing value to employers. In 1926 the number of apprentices attending evening classes from four trades alone was 610. Of these a very large proportion commenced their studies in the day classes,

In the past year the following passes by students N in public examinations were recorded:—lntermediate examination, 35; public sorvice entrance, 40; matriculation, 20; institute of mechanical engineers, 7; City and Guilds engineering, plumbing, carpentry and cabinetmaking, 101; senior public service shorthand-typistos, 6; junior, 30. Seven •of last year's Btudants had. also taken sections in the university examinations for science, engineering and architecture degrees. Reference was also made by the director to the physical training timetable carried out at the college, and the efficiency attained by the college cadets, who had represented the Northern Command in the Riddiford cup competition. It was a matter for regret that the assembly hall had not yet been provided. The college was among the few in New Zealand wherein no meeting place was provided for the scholars and the present function Was one of the few occasions on, which he had spoken to the sichool as a whole. It was urgently hoped that a commencement would soon be made upon, tho erection of a suitable hall. The Recent Commission. "I feel sat one last word is due to the public in respect to thi recent commission of inquiry at the technical college," Mir. Park said in conclusion. "The opinion may have been formed that we aro an unhappy family. '.Phiis is, however, fair from .the true facts and it is surprising that a commission could be held and serious charges made against the administration of the school with so little effect upon the internal working oi: the college. The commissioner's finding; that the whole of tho allegations were actuated, by and founded upon a personal animus directed against the principal, shows that his investigation reached the cause of the trouble.

"The inquiry showed that statements made by au irresponsible member of the staff were entirely without .foundation.. The board of managers is now fully acquainted. with the state of the college and the public may rest assured that the management of our affairs may safely be left in the hands of the hoard, and that it is so constituted that it will serve the public faithfully." (Applause.) t Details of the Prize-List. Following is a list of prize-winners:— Domestic.—lA: Audrey Hardio, 1; Joyce Gooding. 2. IB: Batty Patterson, 1; Vera, Town, 2.2 A: Amy Evans, 1; .Una Gardner, 2. 2B: Sylvia Paris, Is Eva Heave,, 2. 8: Alfreda Patterson, 1; Joyce Wilkisson, 2. Commercial.—lA: Christina McKay. 1;; Winifred Whiteside, 2; Thelma Heald. 3. IB: Marjorie Boyle, 1; ,-Daisy Angus. 2; Winnie Ivereon and Dorothy Owens (equal), 3, 10: Mary Patterson. 1; Iris Carter. 2-, Olive Hart, 3. 2A: Doris Morgan, 1: Gladys Masnam, 2; Jean Sloane, 3. 2B: Patricia Forrest, 1; Marjorie I: ranks, 2. 3: Ethel Greenhalgh. 1; Harriet Jackson. 2. Industrial.—l: Donald Bradley, 1; Ronald Pidgeon, 2; Norman Newbold, 3. 2 and 3: Bishop* 1; Allen, 2. Agriculture.—!: Birtwell Hamilton. 1; ' Philip Law son, 2. 2: Chas, L. Gold.atone, 1. 3: Frank S. Roper, 1.

Science.—l: Richard Proctor, 1; George Ross, 2; Leonard Graham, 3. 2: Alfred Cullinaton, 1; Phyllis Gee, 2; William Hatchings, 3. 3: Cyril Maloy, 1; Fred S'chlup, 2. 4: Chas. W, Heyward, 1,

Building Construction.—lA: Erig GrigiJ. 1; Ray Folias. 2. iR: Henr? Johns. 1: John Wells, 2.2 A: R. Meiklejohn, 1; 0. Probert, 2. 2B: H. Green, I: A. Sharp, 2. 3: Frank Biggie, 1. 1C: Arthur Daviß, 1; Carl Aehwin, 2. ID: Ronaid 3tanners, I; Gordon Rich, 2. '

,Bnjsia»?wg.~lA: Gordon Biidfon. 1; George Cadman, :2. IB; John Mcßeaih. I; Ernest Murfitt, 2. XC: Gordon Rowe, Ij Horace Wilson. 2, 2A: G, Grococjt, it; Paige. 2. SB: Cyril Whitehead. I; Arthur Brooker, 2; 3: Robert Stables. I; George Olsson, 2.

Boys Senior Athletic Championship (Chairman's Cup),. E. Young; bey a' cmscountry running (Binns Cup), Alan Blow; girls' athletic championship (Hindley Cup). M. Patrick; championship, senior boy? (Burt Cup). A, Forrest; eim' swimming championiinip (Dearsley Cup). J. McDonald; Agriculture Cup, Frank S. Roper: Daughters of the Empire Cup, Technical College Cadets; Lady Godley Ciy>s, A CoinEany, C. Palmer; B Company, Bow; House hield and cups. Binns House (head bey, Palmer; hsad girl, P. Rukutai).

Special Prizes.—Portable typewriter, presented by Remington and Roneo Agency, for bes.t qualified typiste, as selected by examination, Phyllis Brown; second prize (Ever&harp pencil). Eileen. Laking; third prize, Ethel Greerihalgh. Special prize ior engineering workshop practice, presented iby Messrs, Brown arid Sharp, Ro6e<ri Staples.