CROWDED OUT!

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1756, 22 May 1913, Page 6

CROWDED OUT!

THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

INTERVIEW WITH THE MAYOR. For over a decade pnstJiis Worship tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) lias taken a close interest in technical education and the affairs of tho Wellington Technical Education School in this city, and ho has persistently advocated its expansion in whichever direction was compatible with utility and economy. As,the local llcchnicaf School is a. scattered, as well as a very overcrowded, house, which allows of jjo healthy expansion, and is located in the heart of the business part of tho. city, till? Mayor was approached yesterday for his views regarding tho removal ot the school to a more suitable position, and (.) a building that would be better adapted to the purposes in view Hum are tho present structures. Mr. Luke said that he, as a member of the Technical Education Board, thoroughly understood the position.. and was absolutely sympathetic in regard to tho ncd for larger and more happily-situated premises. In reply to a suggestion that tho Citv Council might bo inclined to tako over th? Mercer Street workshops a* offices to relievo tho pressure that was being ielt in the Town Hall, ami so save building, tho Mayor explained that the Mereer Stu:et property belonged to the citv, biu was held on a lease in pvpetuity by the Technical Education. Board, and any negotiations which had the end suggested in view would concern tho council, the Education Board, and the Technical Ixlucation Board. What would be the nature of such negotiations would, lie difficult to determine at the present time, lho hr?t trouble would bo ta- provide ways and means of getting sufficient money to acquire a new site and erect the necessary buildings, and money was "up at present. Theft a sit." would havo to be found that was adequate, not, only for the rcciuirements of tho school, but that had ample space for recreation purposes, or, as an alternative, a site in tho locality 01 a public roereation ground. Jf such a site wore obtainable, and he (Mr. Luke) was prepared to say it was, lie was of opinion that step. s ; should be taken at the earnest opportunity to 'secure tho same in orucr to provide" for the legitimate expansion of technical education. "Tho City Council and citizens generally," said* Mr. Luke, "cannot divorce themselves from an .interest in technical education. Such an institution is a feeder to our industrial life, and we must see that the voting men and girls attending the classes of the Technical School are properly provided for. A great responsibility is cast upon the citizens in this regard, ajid all should be prepared to help when the time arrives.' The Mayor added that the chairman of tho board (Mr. David Eobertson) and its members were in close communication with the bodies immediately affected, and wero in sympathy with tho desire to extend the usefulness of the school, and relief proposals wero to bo submitted to the proper authorities and the General Government at an early date.