TECHNICAL EDUCATION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1679, 4 May 1904, Page 14

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Messrs W. A. Evans (chairman), W. Allan, R. Lee, John P. Luke, John Sin*tn and D. Robertson Avere present at the monthly meeting of the Technical Board last Wednesday evening. The Finance Committee recommended payment of accounts to the amount of £2U9 2s Id, Avhieh left a balance to credit of £7B odd. The chairman said the past quarter had been the most successful yet experienced by the Board. No fewer than 780 individual students had attended classes, and the total attendances at all classes Avero over 1100. In reply to a question from Mr J. P. Luke, the, chairman stated that the lease for the site (in Mercer street, adjo ning the Working Men’s Club) for the new Technical School buildings ivas now in the hands of the department. Mr Robertson: Can we got a lease of DDL) years? The chairman: We can got a lease that Avill be- quite satisfactory. Mr Allan remarked on the highly satisfactory state of the school, and said that it would be pleasant to hand it over in so flourishing a condition to the new director. It Avould put him on liis mettle. The chairman announced that the Government grant of £2500 for the neAv building Avas now aAuvilable. Of course, the money Avouid not bo received in a lump sum, but Avould be paid out as the building proceeded. As to the matter of the consideration of the plans, ’tho chairman said that the old plans Avould be submitted to Mr La- 'Probe, the new director, on his arrivel in Wellington from England, so that he ecuid make any suggestions as to the improvement of Avorkshop; or in any other direction. Mr La Trobe had had a large experience in the greatest Avotrksliips that had been built, including the one at Cambridge, Avhioli was reputed to be the best in the Avorld. With this in view, it was thought advisable not to proceed Avitli the building until tire new director’s arrival two or khreei Avceks hence. The building should be completed before the end of the year. Mr Robertson asked IF an architect Avas to he called in? Tie did not believe in some school-boy or schoolteacher superintending the thing. It was always dearest in the end. He believed in gi\ r ing the work to a man Avho earned his living at the game. The chairman mentioned that au architect had been engaged, but he did not think it advisable to* mention his name.