The Daily News SATURDAY. JANUARY 27.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8038, 27 January 1906, Page 2

The Daily News SATURDAY. JANUARY 27.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The gratifying intelligence citron icled this morning that the Minister for Education and his advisors have recognised tho wants and aspirations of Northern Taranalti in the matter ot technical edu ation, will, 110 doubt, be road with gratifi nation. Negotiations have been proceeding for some considerable time between the Tiranaki Education Board and the (lovernment with regard to technical schooljbnildings. Originally a scheme was brought forward for the securing of a building which would include a technical school, Hoard ollices and a imblin museum. I>, was soon found.

palmc museum. it was soon tounu, however, tluit the realisation oF these commendable ideas was impracticable, and the scheme was modified considerably, to embrace only a technical school. Application was accordingly mi.de to the Government for a building of four rooms, in three of which it was proposed that woodwork, cooking, and science should be taught, the remaining room being a. general utility one, in which dressmaking. drawing, and other subjects might be undertaken. In the course of negotiations the Department suggested that a room should be fitted up for the teaching of plumbing, but the Board did not consider the circumstances necessitated such pro--1 vision. At this stage, matters were ' delayed pending a visit from Mr Hogben, Inspector-General. About November last Mr Hogben visited ' New Plymouth and discussed the project with Mr Wade (Chairman of the Board) and the Inspector. Mi

Hogben then expressed him-elf in favor of a brick building, and considered three rooms, in addition to waiting rooms, ample. During Mr Seddon's visit to the town, just prior to the elections, a deputation, consisting of the Chairman of tho Board, the Mayor and representatives of adjacent Local bodies, waited on him and laid their requirements before him. Although it cannot be said tlint much encouragement was given the deputation on that occasion, it is now evident that Mr fioddon recognised the earnestness of Taranaki to promote education. Since then the elections and the holidays have interfered with the progress of further negotiations until last week, when the Chairman of the Hoard telegraphed to the ] iispector-Oem-r.il asking as to the position. A reply was received that the matter w:;s being considered, and an early reply would Ve forwarded. The reply, announcing i.hat i£!1500 had been granted for the purpose, is the gratifying result. Until the confirming letter has beei received, it is impossible to say what conditions are attached to the grant. If, however, all that lias been asked by the Education Hoard and the High (School Board of Governor.* (these two bodies having been actii.g in conjunct-ion in the matter) is not included in the grant, we hope that the citizens and local bodies will come forward and do what they can, financially, to provide ample nccom modation for the technical (lasses which up to the present, have been working under giwt difliculties. In this connection all donations carry a Government subsidy of £ for £. and we trust that should an appeal bp necessary the response will be such as to place the New Plymouth Technical School, in the mattor of equipment, in a position that will assure its usefulness and permanency for all time.