TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Southland Times, Issue 21430, 26 June 1931, Page 5

TECHNICAL COLLEGE

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING THE PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. The monthly meeting of the Southland Technical College Board was held last night when Mr J. H. Reed presided over Miss C. McLeod and Messrs W. G. Tait, A. le H. Hoyles, J. Ball, W. Grieve, A. W. Jones, W.- C. Denham, A. J. Service, and D. Galbraith. The report of the principal (Mr C. A. Stewart) for the month of June was as follows:— On Friday, June 12, Mr T. B. Strong (Director of Education) and Mr N. T. Lamboume (chief inspector of primary schools for the Dominion) spent some two hours in and about the school. After attending morning assembly, at which Mi Strong addressed the pupils, they made a general round of the buildings, and also conferred with the chairman and the building committee. The director showed himself firmly opposed to any building suggestions that would lessen our present small playing area. He expressed satisfaction with the style, finish, and equipment of the domestic science wing. For some years past our boys have acquitted themselves particularly well in rifle shooting. Last year the company average was the highest for the secondary schools of the South Island, this year the shooting team of four boys has headed the list for the Southern Command for the Earl Roberts Imperial Cadet trophy competition. We have hopes that in the shoot-off we may be chosen as the New Zealand champion team. For the high standard reached in shooting, the boys’ own enthusiasm is of course primarily responsible; but credit is due to certain of our officers and to members of the Defence staff. In our physical training work also we are under obligation for much voluntary help given by Defence Department instructors. At the end of this term we are due to have our teams competing here in our annual tournament games against Christchurch and Dunedin Technical Colleges. It seems probable that the financial depression will mean greater difficulty than usual both in getting teams to travel and in securing billets for them. From performances up to the present time our teams are justified in feeling reasonably confident as to the prospects. The delay of the department in giving a definite decision in regard to the payment-of travelling atlowonce is inflicting a hardship on a num ber of country pupils. The Minister has admitted that the board was within its rights in undertaking to pay such allowance from its funds; and parents have a right to resent the cancellation at the end of one school term of the clause in the regulations which gave this authority. Four weeks ago a full statement was forwarded (as required) showing that in no, cases were pupils being drawn from district high schools by our payment of the allowance;, since such “poaching” was the reason al leged by the Minister for the deletion of the regulation, it is logical for us to consider that by now we shotvd have received the necessary permission- to continue the payment. In the meantime, several pupils are unable to pay the necessary bus fare, and some others from the Tokanui district are able to attend school only on the days when the train runs. Evening students are adjusting themselves to the changed late shopping night. Some six classes have been changed from Friday evening to Tuesday or Wednesday. Practically no students have had to drop out of classes on account of the changes.

Tlie report was adopted. With reference to the travelling allowance question, the chairman said a hardship was undoubtedly inflicted upon the Tokanui children who had no other high school in the vicinity to attend, and on the motion of Mr Jones it was decided to telegraph the Director of Education protesting against the. delay in the matter. Messrs Tait and Service were appointed a visiting committee for July.