TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2046, 4 September 1920, Page 6

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

LOCAL BOblES' GRANTS. Reference was made iu the repeat of i the chairman of tlic Christchureh 'i'ech-j nieal College Board of Governors (Mr j C, 11. Opie), which was presented at the j board's meeting last evening, to a eir-i cular letter from one of the towns in the South Island which has been addressed recently to borough and city | councils of New Zealand regarding the : necessity for the Government alioeat- j ing sufficient funds for the purposes of | technical education so that Technical; College Boards need not ask local, bodies for financial assistance. The report stated: —"At the present time one finds that throughout New Zea-' land the Technical Colleges are assisted' by a large number of contributing bodies even though the total amount contributed is only a small percentage of the ■ sum voted annually by the Government. This means that the interest iu technical education is widespread, aud probably accounts to a large extent for its rapid development in the past 10 or 15 years. One would therefore regret any alteration in the practice of local bodies that ■would probably result in diminishing the interest felt by the general public. "In the matter of contributions, the colleges in the four centres naturally benefit most, each being given annually, • for example, by the local City Council, Finns amounting to several hundred pounds. A noteworthy promise has been made recently by the Wellington Council, the. amount being £15,000 towards the cost of the new college. Christchurch holds pride of place in regard to its number of contributing bodies, •which is upwards of 30, and the Technical College may also claim the existence of wide interest from the fact that in a number of important respects ithas a leading place in technical education in the Dominion. The total donations in the past 20 years have amounted to approximately £IO,OOO, which, with the Government subsidy, have enabled the Board of Governors to promote a number of important developments and outstanding features which would not have been feasible if only Government allowances had been available. "Not only had it been possible to develop a large High School and evening classes providing instruction for a total of nearly 2000 students yearly, but the board has acquired land for extensive playing fields that have proved a boon to the town itself as well as to the school. The training hostel for girls and teachers is unique in the Dominion, and its establishment was part, of a farsighted policy, for it has rendered good service in the training of students not only in Christchureh, but also for the whole of Canterbury and beyond its borders. The college would not have acquired these important adjuncts with-

out the assistance of outside contributions, nor would it have been possible Ito provide bursaries and education at ■ reduced fees for the children of people fin necessitous circumstances as it has : done for many years past. The same generous assistance has made it possible | for the board to grant free books, stationery and tuition during the War to ithe children of men on active service, •and to provide many of the training I facilities for returned soldiers. In short, a review, of the activities of the College |Board of Governors for many years past j jwoubtgo to prove that, the confidence ishown in it by contributing bodies has j Ibeen well justified, and that the dona-1 i tions "made have been extended for the j |benefit of the people of Christchureh; land surrounding districts." A letter was read from the Christ-, , church City Council stating that it supported the'circular letter, and pointing out the principle involved. j itr 11. T. Armstrong said he could not see that it would make a great deal of I difference whether the local bodies or ithe Government, supplied the money. They were both the governing bodies, 'and'the result would come to the same ! thing. I It was decided to receive the letter.