TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 161, 2 April 1919, Page 8

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

MEETING OF THE BOARD. . The monthly meeting of the Wellington Technical Education Board was held last evening. Mr. G. Frost presided. The financial statement showed receipts for the month .£919 16s. ttd. The expenditure totalled ,£1277 16s. 7d., and tho crodit balance was shown at .£166 lis. 3d., as compared with ,£9Ol ss. Bd. at the corresponding date.of last year.

A deputation from the New Zealand Institute of Architects waited on the board to urge that competitive plans be called for the'new college buildings. Mr. J. S. Swan, chairman of tho Wellington branch, who was introduced by Mr. A. Atkins, 6aid that the deputation desired respectfully to retfuest that the board invite competitive designs for the intended new technical college. He submitted the following reasons for the proposal :— The building will be the most important and extensive Wellington civic structure erected for a considerable timo past. Being particularly interested in most of the sttbjeota taught, the architects wore fully alive to tho fact that it was desirable for the development of the Dominion that a comprehensive system of technical education should be maintained. To obtain the most perfect results it was essential *hat infinite care and skill should be devoted to the solution of the problem involved in planning and designing. He offered for tho consideration of the board <[he following suggestions :—(1) That the competition suggested be based on tho regulations of the New Zealand Institute of Architects which are iri accord with those of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

(2) That tho competition be confined to practising architects residing within the boundaries of tho Wellington District Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, the number approximating about 60.

(3) That an assessor be appointed who should be a registered nrchitect residing outside tho .above-named district, and that he confer with the director of tho colloge in drawing up the conditions of competition and assist him in awardins the premiums.

(1) That premiums of a minor value be awarded,, and that the successful architect be entrusted with tho carrying out of the work, the first premium to merge into his commission.

Continuing, Sir. Swan said that a competition on the lines ho had indicated would be to tho lasting credit of tho board and of the utmost value to the community at large.

Mr. T. Forsyth asked what advantages would accrue to the board from the competition. Mr. Swan replied that they thought the board would get the best results from throwing the plans open to competition, and in, answer to a further question Mr. Swan said it was desirable to confine the competition lo the Wellington branch, as other centres had adopted that practice, and furthermore, it would reduce tho expenses.

The chairman (Mr. G. Frost) said that tho request of the deputation would be considered by the'board, but at present he was unable to say what would be done. Public money was to be spent on the construction of the building, and he, for one. thought thov should get the best results. So far as competition was concerned the board was free to do as it thought best in the matter, all I hat the members desired was to get tho very best results possible.