PINCHED FOR ROOM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1674, 14 February 1913, Page 3

PINCHED FOR ROOM.

THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The Wellington Technical School .appears to be the Cinderella of our educational institutions. For years tho question of providing more central and adequate premises than those now occupied has been before the board and City Council, sites have been proposed and inspected, dwl there lia've been numerous discussions on ways and means, but nothing has been definitely done, and the year 1913 open 3 with, the position more acuto than over.

Mr. W. S. La Trobo, the director of the school, admitted to a reporter yesterday that ho was almost at his wifs end to know how to accommodate,tho students this year. As the night classes only commenced last evening, he could not say what the increase in tho number of 6tudenti was, as compared with last year, more than to state that there was an increase. At present the Technical School is accommodated in four separate buildings —tho Educution Board's promises, in Mercer Street (which extend to Victoria Street), tho workshops on tho opposite side of Mercer Street, tho shed in tho yard of the board's building (where, the cookery classes are conducted), and in tho Y.M.C.A. building in Upper Willis Street. The direccor confesses that it is very awkward to havo classes so far away from his offico ns the Y.M.C.A. building, as it was well nigh essential that he should keep in close touch with every section of the school. Now a fresh trouble faced him in tho return of tho Wellington Employers' Association to the rooms in tho Victoria Street building. These consisted, of a. large class-room and a smaller room, which had been most serviceable quarters for certain classes. His understanding of tho agreement under which the association donated certain exhibition moneys towards the erection of the Victoria Street wing was that room was to be provided for a permanent exhibition in conncction with the Technical. School for tho mutual benefit of students and the general public. That is what tho hall was provided for, whilst the small room -was to bo for the association's secretary, who was to look after tho exhibition amongst other duties. That had never been done. For somo years tho association occupied the rooms, then they let them to the board at a rental, and now tho board were, under instruction from tho Education Department, restrained from paying that rent, tho association was about to re-enter into possession of tho rooms. This meant that ho (Mr. La Trobe) had to find accommodation in an already over-crowded building for the classes which occupied thoso rooms.