STRATFORD TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 179, 31 July 1903, Page 4

STRATFORD TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

LATINO THK FOUNDATION STONE.

[OUR BPKCIAL REPORTER.]

THKoeremony of laying the foundation atoue of the Technical School at Stratford took place yesterday. The day was quite a red letter day in Stratford, Aiga flying in all directions, >he business people observing a holiday. Although dnll and cloudy, the' rain held ofij and fully 1000 people witnessed the ceremony. In addition to the Hon. 0. H. Mills, the Minister of who performed the ceremony, there were pre- > ■est from New Plymouth the Chairmanj of the Education Board (Mr Allsworth), ■ His Worship the Major of New Ply-1 mouth (Mr Cock) and Mrs Oock, the j Qhairman of the New Plymouth High | School Bobrd of Governors (Mr N. K, | ' MacDiarmid), Messrß Sptncer and Bal- j lantyne (Inspectors of Schools), Mr j Whiteombe (Secretary Board cf Bdu-: cation). From Hawera, Mr B. 0. j Bobbins (Mayor cf Hawera). Ail the leading public men of 'he Stratford, district Mr Joseph Mackay, M.A.' (member cf the Education B-iard and Chairman of the Scratfoid County), the Mayor of Stratford ( Mr N. J. K ng), County and Borough Councillors, th 6, chairmen and members of the various school committees, e'c. During ths forenoon a visit was paid; to the Stiatford District High School, the infant depariment givit g pby.ical exercises and eingitg school and action aoogp, after, which addresses were given Mid tret 8 planted in honour of the occasion by the Hoc. Mr Mills, the Chairman of the Education Bard, the Inspector of and the Mayor of New Plymouth. At 2.30 a procession was furmad in Broadway and four carriages contaicing the visitors and local officials headed by the Stratford Muni-, cipal Band and School Cadets, nearly CO string, piocsedcd to the site of the school where, after an excellent address on the advaitages of education generally, acd of technical education in , particular, the Hon. Mr Mills kid the foundation stone, a huge block of granite, with an inscribed lab'et of marble let in, supplied and inscribed by Mr i W. H. Brooking, of New Plymouth. Before doing so tho Minister was presented by Mr Sole, chairman of the ' District High School Committee, on ! behalf of the contractor, with a suitably inscribed silver trowel, and copits of the Daily News, Taramki Herald, Siratford Settler and Post, viirh a full record of the occasion, and the nanus of these cffioially connected with the even*', were placed in a cavity of the stone by Mr T. H. Penr, Secretary cf the District High School Coir mist ee. On the Minister decluing the at >ne well and truly laid, the Band, winch hid rendfrad capital service, pbysd tiff National Anthem, and the Cadets presented arms. The Major of Stratford then took occision to cffl:ially welcome thoje part in the ce> emosy and to express the gra'ificalion cf the people of the'borough of Btratfcrd on the happy ■vent then beicg consummated. Ho dwelt at aom? length on the value of the school to the district. On b:half of the borough he thanked all those who had io getting the matter ■o far advanced.

Mr Allsworth, Chairman of the Board of Education, referred to the generous assistance given to the Board in securing the erection of the Technical S:hool, and the success of the educational institutions in Stratford. He dwelt on the difficulties the Board bad to contend with in carrying out their fonctions, and quoted a lot cf ioteresing figures showing the progress of education in the educational district generally, and also in the Btratfi rddistrict,adding that the desire of the Boatd was to provide Educational Institutions, so th*t the children of Taranaki would be fully equipped for any and every walk in life. H < ais) made a reference to the Opaku Rf-

serve, and hoped the Hon. 0. H. Mills' would assist them ia gettii g j js'ice in j connection with the funds from if. | Mr dock, in the course of a capital; address, drew a contest between the! apathy in educational matters and the I divisions existing in New Plymouth,' and the energy and unity displayed at j Stratford. He heartily congratulated the people of Stratford on being so neir to the accomplishment of their denre to possess a thoroughly equipped 1 Technical School, and all the advantages which must follow. Mr Joseph Mackay, as county chairman, gave an excellent address en the higher and nobler objects of education, o'her than'mire money making. Mr Mackty was ghd the Opiku Reserve had been refened to, and hoped they would £ooor ba providing scholarships oat of the funds arising from it. Mr Bobbins, Mayor of Hawera, was very hearty in his congratulation! l , and ' Raid on behalf of Hawera he wished the Technical School every success. He also looked forward to the fuods from the Opaku" Reserve being available to promote education in Taranoki, the more so as the put of the district to which he belonged, although in the Wangwui education district, wculd therein Uid Lent firs of the expenditure. Mr Sole, the cbuit man of the District High Sohool Committee who had presided, then expressed the of the school committee for the assistance given, and called far three cheers for tboee wao had taken part in the cere-! mony. j Mr MacDairmid, chairman of the New Plymouth High Scboai Board, was to bave spoken, but. re u-ncd by the 3.30 train to New Plymouth. Toe gathering on dispersing adjourned to the school, where afternoon tea was provided on a most sumptuous seal?, and a most enjoyable concert held in the Bigh Schoolroom. Bafore the Cadets were dismissed for

the day the Chairman of the Education Board thanked them on behalf of the Board for the assistance they bad given in making the day a success, and com plimented them on their military bear, and general appearance and efficiency.

In the evening the Minister wrs banquStted by the Mayor and citizens of Stratford at the Club Hotel,