NEED FOR MORE ROOM

Southland Times, Issue 24419, 26 April 1941, Page 4

NEED FOR MORE ROOM

TECHNICAL COLLEGE Strong disapproval of the apparent apathy shown by both the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, and the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, to the proposals of building extensions at the Southland Technical College was voiced by members of the College Board at the meeting on Thursday night. It was stated that plans for the new buildings had been prepared nearly 15 years ago and since that date little or no help had been received in spite of repeated applications. It was stated that details had been submitted to the Prime Minister at the time of the opening of the new Surrey Park school and he had promised to attend to the matter immediately on his return to Wellington. So far nothing had been done. The secretary of the board, Mr C. A. Stewart, in reminding the Minister _ of the previous interview, in a letter said: “May I remind you that the occasion for our requesting an interview was your public address on March 4 at the opening of the new Surrey Park school, in which you enumerated major school works cf urgency in Invercargill which had been undertaken or were due. to be undertaken. In that enumeration no mention was made of our institution. When my chairman drew your attention to this omission you assured us that you fully realized the urgency of our needs, that you had been for some time out of touch with the details of departmental work, but had been under the impression that our work had been authorized and was actually proceeding and that you would certainly attend to the matter at once on your return to Wellington. My board is keenly disappointed that from that date we have received no reply to our representations either from yourself or from the present Minister of Education. My board would welcome an assurance from you that the work is to proceed on our extensions.” The following reply was received from Mr Fraser:—“l shall be pleased to consult with the Minister of Education about the matter with a view to ascertaining what can be done to exj pedite the provision of adequate accommodation.” | Members considered that the reply | was inadequate, in view of the urgency of the matter, and it was resolved that the chairman, Mr J. H. Reed, interview the Minister of Education in Wellington and that if a favourable reply was not received in a reasonable time, local i

bodies should be asked to make representations. Mr W. G. Tait: We’ve been shamefull" treated. It looks as though we will still be fighting for the new buildings at our golden jubilee meeting. Provision has been made in the building proposals for a basement for physical training, new class rooms, administration rooms and a complete art department. It is proposed that the building should be continued on the Forth street side of the school. READJUSTMENT OF STAFFING “The fall in roll numbers in the Technical High School, which I reported earlier in the year, necessitated some readjustment of staffing. Within the last few days the department has indicated that further adjustment is desirable,” said the report of the principal, Mr C. A. Stewart, which was presented to the board. “I have put forward proposals that I hope may prove acceptable. In the meantime, with the periodic calling-up of young men for military service, the call of employers for juniors is very insistent. We consistently advise pupils, especially those of promise and ambition, to use discrimination and to accept only positions that offer good prospects. “We have only recently received official notice of the results of the technological examinations held by the department at the end of last year. Our candidates did very well, and a good many have so qualified for wage increases. This tangible inducement has an effect in stimulating good boys in trades courses to qualify themselves for more responsible positions. We feel great satisfaction, however, in the knowledge that to a good many of our candidates the prospect of an immediate rise in wages is not the main stimulus to their efforts.” An application from the Southland Young Women’s Baptist Bible Class Union for the use of school buildings for its Easter camp in 1942 was granted. The chairman and Mr W. Grieve were appointed the visiting committee for the month.