THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 7 June 1907, Page 2

THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

OPENLNIt CJillEilON V

The Technical School ui, New l\y-' moiilu was ollicialiy opened on TiiurV-l day afternoon by the Hon. (J. t'owids ' Minister for i'ducatiuii, in the presence of a large assemblage of people. the Garrison Hand opeueil the proceedings aml ~, , yw| & , Wl; ".;»■'«{,' tin: afternoon. Apologies l„r absence were received from Hon. T. .Mr \\. .Syme.s, iUI.H.'s; i| r j saic ,„ Rector of Technical J'ilueutioii; \\' 'i, Kennedy. M,- \ V . Mimkhou-e, M,' 'V ■l'-"".', and Mi- ((. A. Ailhmi memoes (,1 tho LduciUon Hoard; Jir ami Airs T Jl. J ■;«>.., of Mlratford; Sir A'. K, ilncHi.uHIM, -New Plymouth. • Air Tisc-h welcomed the .Minister ,„-ll | '«■■ l-uWIf, and spoke a, .some logU, ~J * »,,,,„ lllU | 0 ,., illlw , lllU! • cuiieal education. Jie con-idered 'lie M'Overntuont had d„„e its pirt w ,i, J !':''V';l"i.s' such an excellent building. ; la, Jvlueatioa Hoard had engaged hignfy billed msli actors,,nd all that 'remained : wis for the youth of this district to : take advantage of tho great opportuniUU.S or mting themselves for the hattie Loflite. He made an appe:,! for thesup|l'ol't o, (he p .„,,,, in maintain!,,.; ./_, . «'hool at a „,„;, stjuniard of eliiciencv ""'I '" having the grounds made something tint townspeople mig],, , K , )r0lI(1

Mr Wade, chairman of the Education Hoard, followed. U 0 considered this ' occasion was one which ought to cause New Plymouth people to rejoice exceedingl }', and he was pleased to tuink th.it every member of ihe Education Hoard would rejoice with him that the school had reached this stage. He remarked on the fact lint the Stratford public had been more eiitmi-iastic in technical education -matters, and had given greater assistance than hid been forthcoming m New Plymouth, and thus the inland school had been in full swing, doing ,-.\- cel.ent work, before one was want-d here. The original plans had been em down considerably, io bring the cost if the building within reach of the available funds, and the Department had granted £2700 for a brick building. Other moneys had been furthcoming from local bodies, but more was needed", the. contract, price being £3442. He praised the architect for the design and the excellent manner m which the rooms were planned, and tiie contractor lor the excellence of the workmanship, and called on Mr Baliautyne, Director of Technical Education in Taranaki, wlio read a list of the classes now being -arried on at the school. There- were 1!>1 students, whilst 70 attended the te.ich-' ers' classes. At Stratford 180 attended the technical classes, and 127 the teachers' classes. Tile "school classes'' at the two schools were attended by about .000 children. Mr Billantyne specially nvutioiied the dairying classes at Stratford. Sir Wade continued. These classes could not he made a succ.-ss without the public sympathy and support in labor and money.

The Hon- G. Fowlds considered this a lcd-lotter day in the history of education in this portion of the Taranaki district. Times were changing, and they hud to adopt educational methods to meet the new conditions. New Zealand was recognising the value of technical education. Only a few years ago we had been behind-hand in this matter, and tlie young people were missing opportunities that should have been provided. In these days of individual and national competition it was necessary that all should be fully equipped for tile struggle of life. Whilst it was necessary to cultivate the artistic taste it was also necessary to produce finished IraJ-'Siuen, for now people were nyy particular than in the early days. The lirsi step an the direction of tcehnc.il education in the colony had been taken in 11102, and since then it had been going on, ami growing. Speaking of the .Stratford Technical .School, he mentioned that some of the best work in ',h colony's schools had come from there, lie hoped to See dairying classes started here, for the trend nowadays was to make education suit the circumstances and environments of the pupils. It wis of no use to cram Lai in and Greek into children who would have to spend their live* in sunn; olhet fmn of service, In-ie there should be instruction in scientific

agriculture, for in this district and in all the colony funning must lie the principal industry for many yen's to co.ne. This he said, was a tine building, a credit and ornament to the town, and he thought the Government was citified to credit for the manner in which it had done iis pirt. But buildings, however good, nor equipment, nor instructors could make the school a success unless thev were earnest and demoted students, and the sympathy and support of the public, particularly the employers of skilled lalior. Local bodies too, must help, and If thero were not forthcoming sufficient funds to maintain the classes in a state of efficiency then that would show the school was not needed, and not appreciated. Referring to secondary education, the Minister said that that had been revolutionise 1 .!. Secondary schools had once been 'he preserve of the rich., hut Ul2 system of ;'ree places had opened the door to all. This had entailed expense, and unless the people were prepared to increase nine itioii endowments the pruning knife would have to be applied. Messrs Dockrill, Mayor of New Plymouth; F. Okey, M.11.U.; and W. E. Spencer, late Chief Inspector in Taranalci, also spoke. Mr Fowlds was thou presented with an artistic silver key, suitably engrayed, and opening the door he declared the building open. The Garrison Band then completed its programme whilst the visitors inspected the building or enjoyed thj afternoon tea served by tho ladies' commit tee in the art room.