TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12688, 9 July 1919, Page 4

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

A PLEASANT FUNCTION. The Christchurch Technical College was invaded by a goodly number of visitors last night. They came at the invitation of the Board of Governors, and consisted of representatives of many of the thirty-four contributing local bodies and others interested in education. There were a number of ladies present. The visitors were met by' Mr C. H, Opie, chairman of the board, and conducted through the classrooms, laboratories and workshops by Dr D. B. Hansen, the newly appointed director of the college. Later the visitors assembled in the College Hall, and a musical programme, interspersed with speeches, was given. The object of the function, said Mr Opie, was twofold. It was in order that representatives of the x>ublic might see something ’of the work of the college, and that they might meet Dr Hansen, the new director of the college. Dr Hansen had come with the highest recommendations. He was considered the most suitable man in the Dominion for tho position to which he had been appointed, and the speaker had every confidence that he would ably carry on the excellent work done by the late director', Mr Howell. Great progress had been made by the college, and there were now over 1200 evening students and over 600 in the day school. Referring to the establishment of the college hostel, he said that it had done very fine work, and great praise was due to the ladies of the Committee of Advice. Very soon the board hoped to establish a day nursing school, so that girls might he trained in the management of young children. What the board had very much at heart at the present time was the establishment of a farm in connection with the school, but, as with its other intended activities, strong financial backing was necessary. He conveyed apologies for absence from the Hon G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon D. Buddo, and the Mayor (Dr Thacker). Councillor J. W. Beanland, DeputyMayor, in the course of his speech, Said 116.128 u 2 \Ma Ml with the College- It wag too rambling altogether, having spread so rapidly. The staff and the attendance at the college warranted something better than the present buildings. He extended to Dr Hansen a hearty welcome on behalf of the city. Continuing, he said that the college had made rapid strides, and he had bright hopes for its future.

Dr Hansen was received with loud applause. He said that he was not quite a stranger to the college. About ten years ago he had been science master at it. It was with great pleasure that he came back to Christchurch. Tlie school, when he was formerly there, was a very small thing compared with what it was nowChnstchurch had the biggest technical high school in New Zealand. (Applause.) The development in the past few years had been decidedly striking. There was no doubt about it that the school could not advance as it should withorit the active aid of local bodies and citizens. Christchurch had been exceedingly fortunate in having such a clever and resourceful director as Mr Howell. (Applause.) He did nob think that he had ever seen a director so able to command the personal esteem of the staff and students as Mr Howell. He had always regarded him as the foremost figure in New Zealand technical education. He was sorry to hear Councillor Beanland’s remarks regarding the rambling nature of the school. He personally thought it a rather wellplanned school, although if the Government had been able to foresee its rapid progress it certainly might have been bettor. He earnestly hoped that the workshops would be extended. The present state of affairs was a very unhappy one, for it had been necessary even to turn away returned soldiers who wished for training because of the lack of sufficient workshop accommodation-

Dr Hight also spoke, eulogising the work of Mr Howell, and commenting with pleasure on the progress made by the college. He felt, he said, particularly glad that Dr Hansen had been appointed to the directorship. The following was the musical programme :—Pianoforte solo, “ Hungarian Dance » (Brahms), M. Johns; Scottish dance, “ Seaunn Tmibhais,” J. Seymour; song, “A Perfect Dav,” M. £®P n f, J recitation, “ Molly Takes a Trip, E. Pedder; Irish jig. G. M’Callum; song, “The Bells of Peace.” I Hale. '

The visitors were subsequently entertained at supper.

At 9.50 p.m. last night the Fire brigade was called out to a fire in an old house which was heiu'g pulled down in Springfield Road, near Bealev Avenue The back portion of the' house Was badly damaged. .