TECHNICAL EDUCATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5603, 1 June 1905, Page 6

TECHNICAL EDUCATION BOARD.

Tho monthly mooting of the Tecbnicnl Education Board was held last evening. Present:- —Messrs W. -Mian, C. H "izard, T. Ballinger, D. Robertson, J. Robertson, G. Wiltshire, and D, McLaren. Tho first business before the meeting was the election of a chairman for the ensuing year, and on a ballot having been taken, it was announced that Mr William Allan had been elected. Mr Allan took the chair, and briefly returned thanks for the compliment paid him. Ho also welcomed the new members of tho Board. It was unanimously icsolvcd that Mr Allan should hoTd the position of treasurer of the Board, and that all the members of the Board should send their signatures to tho bank to enable them to sign cheques on behalf of tho Board. Tho name of Mr McLaren was added to the Finance Committee.

The .statement of tho Board's finances showed a debit balance of £-J33 3s 3d. The balance-sheet was adopted, and the accounts were passed for payment. In a discussion which informally followed, Mr Izard said ho understood that an overdraft had been arranged for, and in his opinion no public body should work on an overdraft. The chairman said if they did not do so they would have to shut up shop. Their assets wore such that there was no necessity for anxiety in this regard. Air Izard remarked that such a proposition was all very r well; but- it would bo different if members of tho Board wore made individually responsible for moneys expended. The chairman said they had between £OOO and £7OO owing to them which would come to hand in due course.

Air Izard held that the school which the Board represented was an educational necessity, and moneys should be provided by tho Government, as was done in other educational systems. Unless a stand were taken these things would drift along in tho future as they had in the past. Air D. Robertson could not understand why the Technical School should be handicapped more than were the ordinary schools. Ho thought the accounts should bo paid, as bad been decided, and that the Board should get tho capitation allowance. As ho understood, tho head of the Education Department proposed to assist them. Tho chairman said that Air Hogben was quite prepared to fulfil the pledge ho had made: but bo could not do so until ho received tho returns, which should ho at hand in July. Air Izard thought it would be absolutely necessary for the Government to find tho sums requisite in advance. Tho chairman: W© shall have to discuss that matter with the department. Air Ballinger: Until tho act is altered wo can do nothing. Mr J. Robertson moved; —That in tho opinion of this Board tho income of Associated Classes should bo paid by the Education Department in advance, as don© under tho Teachers’ Salaries Act. The motion was not seconded. Tho chairman remarked that the members of tho Board would only stultify themselves if they approached the -Minister at this juncture. They had already some £252 to their credit, and also a promise that when certain returns had been mad© (with regard to class attendances) this money would be paid. In another month’s time they would he in funds, and so they wore really crying out before they were hurt. For tho overdraft they paid 6 per cent. The matter was then allowed to drop. It was agreed that tho Board should apply to tho Government for an auditor to check the accounts. O'n the question of tho appointment of an instructor in mechanical engineering for day and evening classes, it was agreed, after considerable discussion, that advertisements should bo published in New Zealand inviting applications for the position, the salary being stated at £3OO per annum. Certain suggestions with regard to tho form of certificate to bo issued to plumbers were agreed with.