TECHNICAL EDUCATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10089, 1 October 1918, Page 8

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

! DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL. I A deputation consisting of Messri Mainland, BalTinger, Partridge, and Ward representing the executive of tha Industrial Association, waited upon the finance committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon for the purpose of urging the committee to Tecommend the council to allocate a substantial Kraut towards the new technical school. Ihe Government had secured a site at Mount Cook, and it was stated that it;was de. I sirable to make provision for the building without delay. Mr Mainland said the Industrial Association haif-taken a very keen interest in technical education. An exposition had been promoted by the> association, and a substantial sum. had been raised to help place the institution on the footing it deserved. The association had also continued its annual subscription, and these donations had been a factor in helning along the particular phase of education under review. Mr Ballinger drew attention, to tha fact that a previous recommendation ol the council was the contribution of JEIO,000 conditional upon tho site of the buildings in Mercer street, now occupied as a technical school, reverting to the council. -He.urged that the council might do somethino- more than . wa* . contemplated previously, and suggested that the contribution be .£22,000, being the original «CIO,OOO donation, plus .£15,000, which represented tb# value of the site and buildings in Mercer street. The payments, lie suggosted, could be spread over fcur years in order that the city's general finances would not be inconvenienced. Mr Ward drew comparisons as to what was accomplished in Great Britain and New. Zealand in respect to technical education. • He emphaeied the benefits to be gained by the young student, and pointed out the advancement thai ■ had been made in Bristol. Ho impressed upon the committee not to look at the question from a monetary basis, as it was completely overshadowed by tho immense benefits technical education was bo tho young in fitting them for the battle of life.

In reply the Mayor said that he could not interpret the minds of the committee and council, but he felt cure that technical education had their support The committee would go carefully, into the matter, and their recommendation would be reported to the council in due course. He said he was heartily in sjm.pathy. with the , objects of the , deputation, and Had always been interested in the advancement of' technical education, which was wrapped up in the interest of and should be incorporated with the, general school work. He was unable to say how far the council would be prepared to go, but it was desirable, and ho doubt, the council . would further the esr . tablishing of a very complete and wellendowed school at Mount Cook.