AUCKLAND TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 125, 27 May 1907, Page 3

AUCKLAND TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

i PTEST ANNUAL DINNER. The past and present members of the staff of the Auckland Technical College held the first annual dinner on Saturday night si, Buchanan's Cafe, Karangahaperoad, when close on thirty ladies and gentlemen were present. It is almost needless to state that the entering was in every respect satisfactory. Mr. I* J. Bagnali (Chairman of the Board of Education) presided, and proposed *°The King," which, was-duly honoured. The next toast was also proposed by the Chairman. It was "Technical Education," and with it was coupled, the name of the Director, Mr. George George. In moving this toast, Mr. Bagnali referred to New Zealand r s occupation by « white ra-ee being of comparatively a recent date, •consequently technical education had yet its spurs to win in thk colony. It had taken some time for people id appreciate the need there was for technical education, if they were to compete successfully with other countries in the markets of the werld. The growth of the dairying industry was an illustration of the newl for special education in any particular line to assure success. There was a time in the history of the , colony when good butter was a starc-c commodity, but with improved methods, that state of affairs was at an end, and they now had a great export trade in that particular industry. That wa3 an indication of what might yet be done in this colony in respect to other industries, with the aid of proper instruction, and that was really technical education. People must be trained so that j the results of their labours should ensure i ready markets and profitable returns. jAt first there was considerable opposition to technical education in Auckland, and it took some time before Mr. George i George eoiild overcome that feeling. lie could now, however, congratulate the j Director, and those on the staff, upon j the success which had attended tbelr [efforts, for really excellent work had jlweu done in every department, although ■working uuder great, difficulties. He was pleased to say that now there was some £JO.OOO available for the purpose of j building an up-to-date, technical college m Auckland. In the past, unfair criticism had been made of the technical education, but people were vealiriug more and more the'value of the work done. In coupling the came of Mr. George George with the toast tie. might without flattery refer to that gentleman's capability for the position^of director, and his enthusiasm in Ms work. Naturally in eta rt ing such a work, Mr. George had come across'snags. That was inevitable, but opposition only stimulated a man. aad Mr. George had well maintained the principles for which he had been fighting in connection with the technical college. (Applause.)

Mr. Rospgger, on behalf of the instructors, then presented to Mr. George a large, handsomely framed .=hield,°containing the photographs of the donors, and also a tastefully illuminated address acknowledging his kindly aid and sympathy. The address also stated that the College had grown from four instructors to 30. and the students from 30 to 1000.

Mr. George, in responding, returned thanks for the handsomejpresent, and the kindly reference made to his worJtby the Chairman. Ho. said it. was gratifying-to-find those associated with him'hW such kindly feelings towards him. He had. as the Cha-innan said, struck some snags since the work was inaugurated some 41 years ago. but he was pleased to see. that the work was now better appreciated. For instance., they would remember the trouble when he took up the question of plumbing as being of vital importance to the health of the community, yet only last week the master plumbers and journeymen plumbere had agreed to ask the Arbitration Court in the nest award, to make it compulsory for every apprentice to.that trade, to'attend the Techniy ! cat College, fcbe masters agreeing to pay 'the.fees. (Applause.) In 1902, the inicome of the College was £200, laet year it was £9800, and as all but three or four hundred in the shape of students' fees was capitation paid-.by the Government, it showed bow much tiie attendance at the college-had increased.. That, he recognised, was largely due to the enthusiasm and loyal co-operation of the instructors. As to the result, he might mention that last year, of the 130 students who passed the City Guilds' examination in the c-olony, no less th-an 72 came from the Auckland College, and ia plumbing they bad better success than any of the large London Polytechnics, with the exception of one. (Applause.)

The other toasts honoured were ''The Ladies," proposed by Mr. Munro, aud 'The Press," proposed by Mr. J. Payne. During the evening songs were contributed by Mr. Wallace Brace and Mr. G. P. Darnell-SniHb., and Mr. J. M. Stoops gave an Irish reading, all three items being well appreciated. Tlie "National An tbem" concluded an enjoyable fuiictioa.