Papanui Extension.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 744, 24 April 1933, Page 6

Papanui Extension.

Technical College

Protest Against Prolonged Delay. OJCING a protest against the delay in the erection of the No. 2 Technical College at Langdon’s Road, Papanui, members of Parliament and members of interested bodies, who met at Papanui on Sat- . urday evening, decided to write to the Minister of Education, asking that money for the construction of the building should be placed on the Estimates as soon as possible. It was pointed out that the site for the school had been purchased seven years ago. At the meeting, Messrs R. W. Hawke, M.P., and H. Holland, M.P., met representatives of the Technical College Board of Governors, members of the Papanui, Waimairi, Belfast and Ouruhia School Committees and members of the North Canterbury Educational Institute. Mr W. J. Boyce presided. The chairman said that it was not right for the intermediate school at Shirley to be gone on with when there was the prior claim of the Papanui Technical College. The extension of technical training had been held in abeyance owing to the Minister's statement that there was no money; and yet it appeared that there was money available for Shirley. The speaker said he had interviewed Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., who was of the opinion that the Government was pushing on with work of which there was no immediate need and the requirements for farming and industrial training were being jeopardised. Messrs A. Uren and J. Sturrock, for the Papanui Progress League, spoke on the need of a school for the district. Mr Sturrock said the Unemployment Board had failed to make any provision for the young people who had left school. The need to fill the gap was never greater than now. Primary System Weakened. Mr D. M. Shirlay, M.A., said the North Canterbury Education Institute could not but view with concern the fact that intermediate schools would tend to weaken primary education. With “decapitated” schools there would be few Grade 2 teachers, while the average size of classes would be fifty-two pupils. Mr M’Gregor Wright, chairman of the Technical College Board of Governors, traced at length the board's efforts to get the new school built. The plans had been approved and the money placed on the estimates. The Board of Governors must accept the blame for allowing the overcrowding of the classes to continue. In. 1926 the present school was full, and today there were 25 per cent more scholars. While the new school was mooted, it was found that 400 scholars came from Papanui and the surrounding districts and that number was greater to-day. The board had repeatedly brought the matter before the Minister and the Prime Minister. Government’s Policy.

In reply, Mr Hawke said that when the erection of the college was agreed to, the Minister of Education had £500,000 to spend on construction. To-day he had but £50,000, and the intermediate schools were part of a definite policy of the Government. Without these schools more primary schools would have to be built. Mr Hawke said he had interviewed the Minister, who had said he was as anxious as anvone to help the technical schools and that as soon as money was available the No. 2 school would be proceeded with. The speaker promised his help and that of all the Canterbury members of Parliament. Mr Holland said another financial year was approaching and every effort should be made to get the money placed on the Estimates. He differed from those who opposed intermediate schools, and said that they had proved in other centres to be successful.