HAWERA.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1917, Page 3

HAWERA.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

SITE re® NEW SCHOOL, GIVEN.

(From our own Correspondent.) Ilawera, August '23. The need for increased facilities for technical education in Ilawera has been felt for some time, past, and in recog-. nition of this need the borough council, at a special meeting held last evening, decided to grant three acres as a site for a new college. A deputation, consisting of Messrs J. B. .Murdoch, R. Tait, and K. Sage, waited upon tlk> council. Mr. Murdoch said that by extending the operations of tlw present school and holding day classes, the institution had increased in attractiveness. IJawera had a tine district behind it and there was 110 reason why the town should not become an important educational centre, with its technical school meeting the requirements of the place and well supported by pupils. In connection with the present school. Mr. Murdoch said the grounds were too limited and did not admit of agriculture instruction being carried on as those interested in 'education would like. The borough council had a considerable lot of reserves in Hawera, and of these ono in 'particular commended itself as an admirable site for a technical college. Ho referred to an area of three acrts lying kbetween King Edward Park and Hie Egmont A. and P. showgrounds. With this area as a site, and the use of the adjoining park land for reertation purlposes and the use of a portion of the A. and P. grounds for agricultural experiments, an ideal arrangement could be entered into with the Department. Mr. Murdoch felt quite sure the A. and P. Association would allow a portion of their land to be used for agricultural purposes in connection with the college. The speaker said he had known business people come to the town with a view of settling here, but when they found that the facilities for technical education were not up to the standard of other towns they went elsewhere. With regard to having the day classes of the school recognised, .Mr. Murdoch said he hail received a letter from the Minister for Education stating that the committee's representations were receiving favorable consideration. This the speaker regarded as a sign which augured well for any steps the council might take.

The mayor moved the following resold tion:

"That the Hawera Borough Council offer to the Taranaki Education Board three acres of land, part of recreation around, situated between the Park and Egmont agricultural show ground, with use of recreation grounds for football, cricket and hockey, on condition tliat a technical high school h established in Hawera early next year, and suitable buildings erected to meet the requirements on the termination of the war.'

"This is the phsychological moment in which to make a move 011 behalf of technical education in the borough," said the mayor, who went on to read a number of confidential documents pertaining to education in the Taranaki district. The borough, he said was in a fortunate position in the matter of endowments, and the council could not do better than devote a poition of our spare land to education. There was 110 better site in the town than the one proposed. Situated as it was within 19 minutes from the railway station, seven minutes from the post oiP.ce. and within the drainage and ..water areas and adjacent to expansive recreation grounds, it lended itself admirably for the purpose. There was no doubt residents of Ilawera had been the losers because the town had not been an educational centre. The giving away of three acres referred to would not interfere with tlie__council's beautifying scheme. In tile proposal the council did not give the land away. They merely gave the land to themselves, and in return they would get a buildiug worth ■C2900 and upwards and facilities for ■better education for our children, and for the people of the town ;nd district. Cr. Bates seconded the niulion, which was warmly supported h.v 'Crs Osborne and fiormly. Or. Harding suggested that five acres should bo given. After further discussion the motion was put and carried unanimously. HEALTH OF THE TOWN. Dr. Watt, health officer from Wellington, visited Hawera yesterday. He inspected various points'in the town, and in an interview with the mayor and Cr. Bates, he complimented the people 011 the clean appearance of the place. With regard to the diphtheria outbreak he s aid the authorities had done all they could to subdue it. and was of opinion the number of cases would decrease as mid-summer approached. Dr. Watt visited the cattle receiving depot at the railway station, and as the result of the visit, the Mayor was sure much woukl he done to assist the council in doing away with this nuisance. Dr. Watt regarded the INolantown school as in an insanitary condition, and said something would have to be done to improve matters or the school would have to be closed. Referring again to the disease Dr. Watt said it wns ranipant in Wellington, Christcliurch and Oisborne, and that practically the only towns free from it were Nelson, Masterton. and New Plymouth. The disease in Ha/wpra was a very mild form, and was due-to the warm damp weather, NATIONAL PRAYER. At a meeting of the Hawera BoroughCouncil last night, a resolution forwarded from Hokitika l"iat the attention of the Government be drawn to the matter of fixing a day for national prayer in connection with the war was carried. The mayor (Mr. E. Dixon) and Cr. Bone heartily agreed with the resolution, and quoted the words of Admiral. Beattv and General Robertson in support of their view that unless the nation ■would humble itself and supplicate tho help of the Almighty it could not vet ilook for victory. Cr. Harding considered the question was not one for a borough council to discuss.