THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4317, 28 March 1901, Page 3

THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

NEW SCHEME OF CONTROL. A conference between representatives of the Wellington Board of Education, City Council and Industrial Association was held yesterday to consider the control of the Technical School. Under the new legislation of last session, it islawful for certain other bodies outside the Education Board to share in the control of the associated classes if they contribute towards the funds, and the object of the conference was to arrive at some scheme towards that end. The representatives of the Board of Education were Alessrs J. It. Blair (who presided), James Robertson, John Young and’ A. W. Hogg, M.H.R. Alessrs W. A. Evans and J. P. Luke were present on behalf of the City Council, and Mr David Robertson represented the Industrial Association. Air A. D. Riley, Director of the Technical School, was also present. Considerable discussion took place at tho outsat as to the position of the City Council, the Chairman raising the question whether under the Act that Council could he represented on the governing body. Air Blair said that so far as he was able to sea the City Council had no standing at present. . Air James Robertson quoted from the Director’s report to show that the City Council were to grant a piece of land worth £3OOO, which would carry with it a grant from the Government. The Education Board had seffc up the .committee for the conference under the belief that the City Council had placed at their disposal this piece of land. As to the Industrial Association, it was Air Riley’s view, that if they ware hot admitted into the partnership the Board must refund them the sura of £1500; but ho (Mr Robertson) thought this was largely a matter of opinion. lie did not think they were under any obligation to refund that money at all. It was given under certain conditions with which the Board had complied 1 . Air Robertson further pointed out that if the Education Board joined the associated classes, the Board’s controlling authority would lapse, and their representation would be in proportion to their share of the cest of maintenance.

Mr Evans explained the position of the City Council, and said that in sending the matter to the Council’s Technical Schools Committee, they had stated that they could not see their way clear to hand over any part of this land) unless it received an equivalent representation. His position that day was simply to discuss the matter, and report to the Council. Mr Hogg contended that the rights of the City Council and the Industrial Association were conferred under the regulations.

The Chairman replied that the Act expreissly stated who the contributors should be. He would be very pleased indeed to seie the City Council come in. If it were to be harrowed down to the Education Board to deal with • teichnical schools, it would be far too narrow. Mr James Robertson observed that if the Government contributed £ISOO, as stated by Mr Riley, they would be far the largest contributors, and might appoint their own managers. Mr Young did not think it would be contrary to the spirit of the Act—whatever the letter might be—if the City Council should come in. It was of great importance! that the City Council should be represented. There was, he added, no doubt about the right of the Industrial Association in’the matter. Mr David Robertson thought it would ba a calamity to technical education if the City Council were crushed out. Mr Young said that nobody wanted to crush out the City Council. Finally, it was unanimously resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, “ That after duly considering the Act, this' committee is of opinion that the City Council is, by thei Act and by the Municipal Corporations Act, duly authorised to contribute to tnd become managers of the Technical School. The question of the amount to be contributed by eacli body represented on the Board of Managers, was discussed. Mr Young said this was a question which could not be decided without much consideration. Mr James Robertson inquired whether the fees new paid by the Board of Education could be regarded as maintenance for the purpose of representation on the Board of Managers. Mr Evans questioned whether it would be legitimate to regard the fees in this light. Mr David! Robertson did not think the revenue from the City Council or the Industrial Association would be large. The Chairman thought that the Education Board would be satisfied with a board, or council, of nine managers. The City Council ’ and Industrial Association might ho represented by two each. Mr Young obsetved that the Education Board were contributing to the support of the institution at every point of the compass, and it was very difficult to say, at a moment’s notice, what their contributions were. The whole education system was so interwoven that it was impossible to do this. After further discussion, the Education Board representatives present formally resolved, on the motion of Mr Blair, to, recommend the Board to welcome representatives from properly-con-stituted outside bodies as managers. A sub-committee was then appointed, at the suggestion of Mr Evans, to con-

sider the basis cf contributions by the various bodies represented, and to report to the committee at a later meeting. This sub-committee consists of Alessrs Blair and James Robertson, representing the Education Board; Alessrs Evans and Luke, City Council; and Mr David Robertson, Industrial Association.