TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 401, 16 August 1918, Page 2

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

RATEPAYERS' MEETING AT PUKEKOHE There was a iei>resentative gathering of ratepayers at the meeting held at the instance of the Pukekohe Borough Council in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday evening last concerning the Council's proposal to raise a loan of £2500 for the purpose of purchasing land for a site for a technical high school at Pukekohe. The Mayor (Mr H G R Mason) presided. His Worship, in explaining the objects of the meeting, mentioned ihatthe technical high school proposed to be erected would be controlled by a Board of Governors representing lochl interests. The instruction imparted at the school would be more in the nature of a technical and scientific education than a literary one. In the future, said the Mayor, scientific and technical education would have to be recognised if they were as a nation to successfully compete with other countries. Mr Mason then referred to the application of science in connection with agricultural and pastoral pursuits, more particularly as instanced by " the freezing " and the pasteurisation of cream. In every walk of life, he said, scientific and technical instruction was becoming more necessary and the opportunity was now presented of obtaining a school where such education would be taught. His Worship paid a tribute to those who though much discouraged had forwarded the proposal which now seemed on the verge of success. He went on to say that the Education Department required that a site for the school, of about seven acres should de donated locally before a building would be provided. To that end it had been agreed at a conference with the Franklin County Council for the Boiough Council to take steps to raise a loan of £2500 for the purchase of the necessary land, the County Council undertaking to accept liability for payment of half the interest and sinking fund. Thus the Borough Council's share of liability would be about £75 per annum. The provision of such a school in the district, the Mayor pointed out would be a decided asset to the district and would enhance the prosperity of Pukekohe in every way. Mr F. Perkins (Chairman of the Pukekohe School Committee) then addressed the meeting and at the outset referred to the excellent services rendered by Messrs Filkington and J. Patterson as me übers of the School Committee in furthering educational interests Mr Perkins dealt with the greater control which a Board of Governors of a Technical School would have over the teaching s?aff and also alluded to the many advantages that would accrue to the district by the provision of the sc'iool

Cr A. B. Barter endorsed the sen- j timents expressed by the previous speakers in favour of the erection of a school as proposed. He also trusted that special attention would be paid to agricultural mbjects so that the school would prove in itself an Agricultural College, the demand for which was much needed. Cr. Barter, in conclusion, urg"d that those preisnt should talk about the glowing opportunity presented by such a school so that its claims could be more widely known aud appreciated. (Applause ) Cr D K. Hamilton emphasised the fact that the amount (£?5) asked for from the ratepayers should be looked upon as a pmiotic gift to the na'i >n and he urged that for the sake of the future nil should do their best to promote tae object in view. Questions were then invited. Mr Roadley enquired if any information could be given as to the site to be chosen, to which the Mayor replied that he could only reply that it would have to be reasonably close to the Railway Station and be seven to ten acres in area

' Mr J. Roulston asked if the site would be fixed before the poll was taken so that ratepayers should know for what site they were voting. The Mayor answered that the sub-com-mittee appointed would select a site but that the same would have to with the approval of the Minister of Education.

Mr C. Cooper strongly supported the proposal for the provision of such a school as a greit asset to the district while the small amount of cost to the ratepayer would, he felt sure, not be considered when the advantages to the future generation were so great. He advocated that everyone should do their best in the matter and should vote for the proposed loan. Mr Roadley proposed that the scheme to borrow £2500 for the purpose mentioned should be approved and this, being seconded by Mr W. Roulston, was carried unanimously.