TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1921, Page 5

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

PROPOSED CHANGE OF CONTROL. TRAINING APPRENTICES. A meeting of the Advisory Board of the New Plymouth Technical College was held last night. Present: Messrs. G. H. Dolby (chairman), P. J. S. White, E. H. Tribe, Hugh Baily, T. N. Blackball, W. G. Reid, F. Duckworth, W. H. Broome, F. S. Cobham, and A. L. Moore (director). Apologies were received from Messrs. J. Connett and F. W. Sandford. Correspondence was read from the Education Board to the effect that the matter of the formation of a board of managers was held over pending the issue of regulations defining the respective power of boards of managers and controlling authorities. Mr. White explained the purpose of these new regulations, of which a confidential draft had been sent to the Education Board, and he assured the advisory board that the Education Board was almost unanimous that a board of managers should be formed in each of the centres—New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera. It was resolved: “That the advisory board thanks the Education Board for its letter, and in view of the state of affairs, urges that the matter be expedited as much as possible.” The director’s report was received. In the course of the report the director stated: “I think it would be an advantage to call a meeting of employers and employees before the beginning of next year to discuss technical education and syllabuses for apprentices and employees, in various trades, attending evening classes.” A general discussion took place on this clause. Mr. Tribe said that such a meeting should be productive of much good, inasmuch as little was at present known of the facilities offered by the college. Mr. Duckworth said that the time spent by a boy in a technical school should be recognised by employers and count as time spent in apprenticeship. The director said that the main idea of such a meeting would be to strengthen the weaknesses that occur in an apprentice s training, so that he will become a more intelligent artisan, and hence a more useful member of his trade and the community. It was finally resolved: “That the Trades and Labor Council be communicated with and asked to receive a deputation consisting of the chairman and the director, to place before them the facilities of the college and ask their co-operation.” The director also reported that the only convenient available ground for games and recreation (the Recreation Ground) was about to be ploughed up. which would leave the school without a playground. Members remarked on the had position of the New Plymouth T.U. as compared with other centres, and decided that steps should be taken to procure, if possible, some playing space. Messrs. Dolby and Blackball were appointed representatives of the advisory board on the technical committee of the Education Board. Messrs. Blackball and Baily reported on their visits to the school during the past month, and that everything was satisfactory. Messrs. Tribe and Baily were appointed to visit the school next