TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13394, 21 September 1905, Page 7

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

- -, ;_ THE AUCKLAND BOARD'S POSITION. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND,' September 20. . Mr Georgo George (director of technical education) made- a statement to Iho Kilncation Board this morrfing concerning tho discouragement ho was receiving in liis efforts to mnko tho Technical School at Auckland successful. Ho pointed out that when. Jie came, to Auckland three years ago ho found a wretched o.'<l ramshackle building in Rutland street with about 30 students. This ho developed till there were now 700 students, and" 100 whom he had to rcluso for want of room. Tho board itself had, lie realised, done overythiug in its power to 'kelp him, but the Government would; do nothing. Hβ had recently waited on tho Premier to nsk for a grant' of £15,000 for plans which had already been and all that- tho Premier would offor was to give £2 for every £1 raised locally up to £2500. The Premier gave him (Mr George) a gratuitous insult when ho turned aside to the In.-pector-general and s.iid: "I suppose ho is asking for this ;615,0Q0 to- bo spread ovor 15 years*V "With all duo rcsjxat to the board," continued Mr George, "I want to tell you, sir, that unless tho Government docs something to provide proper buildings I shall at HlO end of the present year givo tho board ,six months' notice. I want the board to understand that I do this deliberately, without reflecting in any way oh the members of tho board." Mr Edgecumbo said they could not to surprised that Mr George felt hurt at seeing «U his efforts thwarted for want of proper premiste bv the action of the head of the Education Department. Mr Bagnall said he' was himself very muoli disappointed at tho attitude which' the Premier tool: up- at tho interview last week. That attitude was quit* unworthy of tho Premier.

Mi , Greenslade, while admitting tho doplorablo obstacles whioh Mr George had to oncounter, regretted that Auckland pcoplo had not yet contributed a single pound ( towards 'technical instruction in their city. Mr I'arr described tiro premises "in which Mr Georgo had to carry on his work ns a "shanty," and said it was imperative that something should bo done to provide ;t creditable building. Tho whole of iho New Zealand education system was in the htind3 of ten Government, and the Government should not .do its work by halves or shelter itself behind, a demand for private subscriptions. He Tvouldmove—"That the members for-Auck-land City and suburbs bo urgently requested to pre-ss for a grant of £15,000 for building a technical college at Auckland, that they bo informed that the director (Mr Geerge) had decided to give tho board notice, of the termination of his engagement unless a real effort, bo made to at ones establish a proper school, and that tho board feols that matters Jinve reached a crisis as regards technical instruction which it is" the duty of tho Government to relieve." The motion was carried unanimously.