PLUMBING CLASSES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 171, 23 July 1903, Page 2

PLUMBING CLASSES.

DEPUTATION TO EDUOATION BOARD.

A deputation of plumbers waited on the Education Board on Wednesday wi h the object of obtaining a re-con-sidcration of the Board's decision as to tbe administration of the plumbing classes.

Mr. Nixon pointed out that many of the plumbers were averse to attending the classes now beiog held by the Board, and had started a class of their own, which they dtsired stould be reoog- | nised, as it was hardly to be expeoted they should attend classes conducted by a rival trades-man.

Mr. Griffiths said that the plumbers attending the independent clause* were v illi' ; g to defray tbe additional expense entailed by the -Board in holding classes at> an " outside " room and conducted by ao outside instructor With regard to tbe examination, their instructor felt that the students would not b- competent to go up for < lamination in August, and he asked that another examination might be held in three month's time, es there was no hurry for the certificates, and they were wiling'ofay the expense of getting the txaminer to c:>me here agdn. It was felt that the Board had made the arrangements for the claßses hurriedly, and had not considered the plumbers views,

Mr. Mackay pointed out tint the New Ph mouth plumbers differed from those at S'.ratford, where under similar circumstatoia no friction existed, and the cl sses were working nnst harmoniously. Mr. Nxjn said that two of the Stratford plumbers, sooner than join the classes there, had gone to Wellington.

Mr. Adlam inquired if the deputation wished the Board to take over their instructor. Mr. Griffiths: No. All we want is to have a duly qu\lified Instructor. Mr. Hiland io qui red who her Mr. Smart held a practical and theoretical certificate.

M>-. Faull said that was cot the point at i-sue, it was evidently a question of jealiusy. Mr. Griffiths: One mister does not go to ano'h ir to ba taught. Mr. Maokay: To put <hs matter a'raight out. Da you not consider Mr. Smart showed a considerable amount of public spirit in tha action hs took in ! his matter ? Mr. Hi'and: Does not Mr. Smart get a rent for his shop in resfeat of the classes ?

The Obairman; Mr. Smut placed bis shop at th? disposal of the Board frw.

Mr Nixon: It is infra dig fur a master to apply to another master for permission to a;tend cIaBMS. The Obaiinun: Such application! are made at the Board's office.

Mr Mickay e*id he would like to give the deputation some advice. They sbouid sink their differences for a short time as this was ouljr the start of technical classes. He was confident that if they took this course they would find mutera working emootbly. The Chairman informed the deputation that if the Board oould sea its way to moet their vfews it would do bo. The deputation then retired. I The Chairman then detailed what had taken phcfo between himself and the p'umbera represented by the deputation nlative to the matter, and 'stated he hid informed them the Board wad quite prepared to allow them to attend the examination. He reported that the classy, both at Stratford and No* Plymouth were going on smoothly and euco estully and he was not disposed to interfere withthete olassesß at this juncture, bu 1 ; was in favour of let- ; tinx them run their course.

Mr Fau'l considered that had the malcontents attended the classes and found anything wrong they might have had a ground of complaint, but as things were they had no v*lid reason for the attitude they had assumed. Mr Mack&y moved, that the Board cannot consider the question of amalg imation of plumbers classes at present but will afford every facility to plumbers attending the private class to iitfor_ examination under the BoardTTJic-" onded by Mr Wade and carried.