MORE ROOM NEEDED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 890, 6 February 1930, Page 8

MORE ROOM NEEDED

SEDDON TECHNICAL COLLEPP OVERCROWDED -

GOVERNORS IN QUANDARY

“I think it is advisable for board to take all possible steps • provide for the pupils, this year their right to a technical school eda. cation, ” said Mr. G. J. Park, prtn ci .' pal of the Seddoa Memorial Technical College, at a meeting of the Board o{ Governor? yesterday afteruoon.

Mr. Park went on to say the ques. tion of providing accommodation for intending pupils was one of vital iin, portance. The increase in the enrol, ments had been steady throughout his period as principal of the college. In 1922 the day school rolls totalled 580. This year, the rolls on the first day of school had reached 1,123, and about 100 had to be refused admission. The need lor evening classes was also likely to prove urgent.

“The reason generally accepted,’’ said Mr. Park, “is that the d fficulty of securing employment has caused the great demand for post primary education. This certainly has been a strong factor, but as almost 1.000 pupils are first and second-year pupils under the age of 16, it is not by any means tlie only cause.”

Mr. Park said that if the Auckland Education Board would give the ad. joining Wellesley Street buildings t 0 the board, it would be possible to arrange for most of the pupils fused. He recommended that the Auckland Education Board be ap. proached so that the buildings he available for the Technical School use.

It was stated that representation* had been made to the Government asking for a grant to cover the purchase of land and the erection o! buildings for agricultural classes, but so far nothing had been done by the department. The necessity for land and buildings was so apparent that if the Government was not prepared to make the necessary grants, the courses which had been in operation for 15 years, would have to terminate.

The possibility of converting the school gymnasium into classrooms was discussed by the board. Mr, Park remarked that he was reluctant to ratify the suggestion, as the g}mnasium was a valuable institution in school life. The question was deferred.

It was decided to appoint deputations to wait on both the Minister ot Education and the Auckland Education Board regarding the question ot future accommodation.