MORE ROOM WANTED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7451, 27 May 1911, Page 5

MORE ROOM WANTED

FOR THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL SUGGESTED DEPUTATION TO THA GOVERNMENT. "The school is growing to such dimens sions that wo must have more room to carry on efficiently," said Hr D. Ecberi;sou, chairman ot‘ the Technical Education Board, at the monthly meeting last night. Some years bach, he said, a strong attempt had been made to get a new school. A site had been obtained—or all but obtained—but tho Government had never conio to the front to help the board financially. He thought the lime opportune to doputationiso the Minister of Education and ash for money for the school. Nodoubt tho City Council'would provideo suitable site. The only way to get tho school was by Government aid. There wore five millions of money lying idle, and if a grant were asked for tho most opportune, time was before a general election. A permanent and not a temporary structure was needed. Tho site formerly offered by the council would do, but if a better one could be obtained there -would be no objection. Ho suggested that the board should ask the City Council bo co-oporato in asking tho Government for aid. A grant had been giveil to Auckland ; why should not Wellington be similarly treated 'i He did'not know the reason for Auckland getting all fills plums. Ho understood that the was going around that the plums were ta go to those who gave the Govenimerct the most support. Personally ho was quite ; prepared to say, "Come on, boyac if you help us wo will help you, too. - (Laughter). Ur J. P. Luke, ALP., said tho City Council had done all in its power on a previous occasion to give a site to tiro school board, and had gone as far aa purchasing two sections of land for tba purpose. Shortly afterwards a .new council camo into office and on division a motion to grant the land was lost hgl one or two votes, it being hold by sev- . oral councillors that tho John street site was too fur- to tho south. He thoughts a"' representative gathering should go to ; the Minister of Education. He suggested that the cliairroan should wait upon tho Mayor and ask for tho co-operation of tho council. He believed thor court oil would need to find tho site, as tho Government would say_that no money would bo forthcoming unless the silo was provided by the citizens. Mr j. E. Fitzgerald said ho was ouo of tho councillors who had voted against! tho city giving tho site, because ha thought tlie city had contributed very, largely towards technical education.. .He hoped that when the deputation waited upon the Alinister the members would lay stress upon, tho point that tho general Government should do more for technical education. Mr G. Frost said that many of tho councillors had expressed tho opinion that the John street site was not tho proper ono for a school, and that wan the reason for rejecting tho motion, Mr D. McLaren, ALP., said if tho council wero asked to lease tho board some land for a school at a peppercorn rental for a term of 66 or 99 years gen--©ral support would be forthcoming. IL was absolutely necessary that tho school should have more-accommodation. The policy of tho board in preferring to pay for temporary buildings was tinkering with technical education. Tho board should meet tho finance committee of tho council and subsequently tho full • council, and discus tho question and endeavour to sefcuiro combined action to obtain a building which would ho a credit to the, city. ' Mr IV. Allah said as long as the council persisted in retaining tho fee simple of the land tho . Alinister would bo emphatic in refusing a grant for building on a leasehold section. Mr AlcLaren: Ho lias not said that. Air Allan: That is the position not, only with .this 'school, but with other institutions. They are not going to pay money to erect buildings on leasehold property. ■ Air AlcLaren. said the council gave tho school very largo contributions, apart from donating land. That would take away the difficulty., Air Robertson said they wore in a , very tight corner, and tho school was not getting fair play. Far better work would be done if the scholars were in a proper building where closer supervision, could bo maintained. It 1 was decided on the motion of the chairman that tho board should wait upon tho City Council and solicit its aid. A meeting will bo hold next Friday night to arrange details.