STRATFORD TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

A deputation from the Stratford District High School Committee, comprising Messrs J. W. Boon (chairman), Clarke, and J. H. Thompson (secretary), supported by Messrs R. Masters (chairman), H. Trimble and S. G. Smith, M.P., and H. J. Eaves, members of the Education Board, waited on ,tbe Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education atHawera on Tuesday in connection with the erection of the proposed Technical High School at Stratford.

Mr. Boon said the' people of his district were beginning to be concerned about the delay that was taking place in the commencement of the building of the Technical High School. The committee was not quite clear as to where the fault but they knew it was not due to the Minister. The only information was that sketch plans had been received, and that no provision was made thereon for the erection of an assembly hall and a room for domestic science. He urged the importance of completing the 'whole building, and the advantages, indeed the necessity, of an assembly hall in a school of that size and character. This also applied to the inclusion of a room for the teaching of domestic science, a,subject in which the Minister was specially interested. He strongly urged that steps be taken to expedite the completion of ' the plans, and that an early start be made with the erection of the building. In concluding, he invited the Minister to come to Stratford and lay the foundation stone of the new building.

Messrs Clarke and J. H. Thompson also spoke in support. Mr. S. <J. Smith, in supporting the request of the deputation, said that the best authorities now recognised that in schools of that nature an assembly hall was an essential part, and he hoped that the Minister would see his way clear to include in the grant "a sum sufficient for the purpose.Mr. Trimble, while not agreeing that on assembly hall was essential, considered iiy inclusion highly desirable. Mr. Masters; also hoped that the hall and the domestic science room would be Included, but he did not want any further delay to occur. If the question of the provision of an assembly hall was going to hang up the giant, he would prefer that.the plans for the classroom be dealt with as 'early as possible, in order that the. board sWild be in a position to take immediate stops to go on with the erection of the building. The board, had considered the question of plans, and had. decided to send it 3 overseer. (Mr, C. H. Moore) to Wellington to confer with the» departmental officers.

The Minister, in reply, stated that he was entirely sympathetic to the deputation, as was evident by the fact thnt he had. got Cabinet to agree to a grant for the erection of the school. He sympathised with their do3ire to have ideal educational conditions, but the grant nlreadr made was not sufficient fnr tV whole requirements. The possibility of referriTij; it back to Cabinet mi«ht caiv=o fnrtV-r delay. If still Minister for Education when the date was fixed for laving the foundation stone, he would be pleased to,come to Tan.naki,