TECHNICAL COLLEGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11247, 27 June 1922, Page 11

TECHNICAL COLLEGE

REPORT BY DIRECTOR. WORK AT NEW BUILDINGS. Reporting to the Technical College Beard of Goiornors last night, the director {Mr J. H. Howell) said:—_ ‘‘AH day engineering classes, with tlio exception of the workshop- classes and a few classes. in English and mathematics, have -been taken' at tho new buildings since tho beginning of the term, together with a total of seventeen evening classes: It goes without saying that the work has been carried on under serious disabilities, owing to tho disturbance of classes by the building operations and owing to the fact that no part is really finished; but, in cipite of every thing, it is a great relief to bo freed from the. conditions of the Cuba street rooms. It is hoped that the basement floors will be finish* ■cil, and the basement generally available for use before the end of the mouth. A great deal has yet to be dono to the corridors, although part has to be used while the plasterers are at work in it.

“In mjr report, I referred with regret to the necessity for continuing to use some of the dilapidated furniture. When this came to be examined, it was found to be in, an even worse state than was anticipated. The hacks of some of the cupboards proved to be i;o infested with the borer that it was necessary to replace them, and extra expense and delay have been incurred on this account. In order that the rooms may b« used to their full capacity, it will be necessary to have made some extra single desks, and I would, ask authority to apply to the department for a grant in nid of this. I would recommend that the same pattern bo adapted as in the Christchurch Teohmeal College, which is a modification of the one used very largely in the Otago schools. The standards are of oaat iron: and the construction is such that tho cleaning of the desks and of tlie floors is facilitated as much as possible. If a sample is obtained from Christchurch, prices can be obtain, od locally for the castings.” THE FINANCIAL POSITION.

“I feel it my duty to direct the at. tention of thd board to the very serious position that* will arise if the Government does not make a substantial grant in tho near future. The total amount that we have received from the Government ia £23,833, with •a balance promised but not yet paid of £2119, making a total of grants made by the Government of about £20.000. We have received from the City Council £SOOO and from local contributions about £ISOO, making a total of cash in hand or promised of about £32,500. The board will Sea from the statement presented to-night that the total expenditure and commitments amount to over £40,000. Tho Auditor-General has laid down, that tho board" has ho authority to incur an overdraft at the bonk, and that board members are personally liable for any overdraft charges that tiro bank may make. Unless further grants are forthcoming from the Government it will clearly be necessary either to incur an overdraft or to delay meeting our liabilities or to approach- the bank to see if there is any way of avoiding tho difficulty of an overdraft. We have so far received no assistance whatever from the bank, and it would be only reasonable to expect the board of directors to be prepared to help in some way at this time. “It would seem impossible for the Government to refuse a grant, in view of what has been done tor other educational institutions, especially in Auck. land. Within the last few days wo have learnt that the Governmiemfc has authorised the Auckland .University College to enter into a contract committing the Government to an expenditure of £IOO,OOO, of ‘which £15,000 will be forthcoming in the present fin* ancial year. This, •it must be remetn* bered, is in addition to £66,000 that has been spent on the new Grammar School for 350 boys in Auckland which was opened at the beginning of tha year, and to £25,000 given to the Auckland Technical College for new workshops.”