MASTERTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8362, 19 February 1907, Page 5

MASTERTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL

ANNUAL MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Masterton Technical School was held in the Technical School Building last evening. There were present—Messrs E. Feist (in the chair), E. H. Waddington, W. H. Jackson, E. Richards, S. E. Wright, A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., Jas. Elliott, D. Dobson, and G. R. Irvine. An apology for absence was received from Mr J. M. Coradine. The balance-sheet showed the assets to be £lB5 18s 2d (balance in bank at date £53 18s 2d), and liabilities £53 Is (Trust Lands Trust, two years' rent £52); and the balance of assets over liabilities to be £132 17s 2d. The Chairman moved the adoption of the annual report and balancesheet. In doing so he referred to the pressing need of a new building for carrying on the work of the classes. In the past they had made applications to the Education Department for a grant for this purpose, but so far they had not been successful. He thought, however, that if the Managers could put some scheme before the Department, the latter would meet them and render them every assistance. The speaker considered that the balance-sheet showed a very satisfactory state of affairs, as they had a credit balance, and that was something new for them. He referred to the help rendered to the School by the local bodies, particularly the Trust Lands Trust, and spoke in eulogistic terms of the manner in which the secretary, Mr N. D. Bunting, had carried out his duties. Mr Hogg.fin seconding the motion, said the only thing he regretted was the small attendance of subscribers. The School was a very great help to young people who had left the public school. He did not think the public showed enough interest in the work of the School, and did not render the Managers enough assistance. He thought the balance-sheet was exceedingly creditable, as the expenditure had not increased in proportion to the increase in the receipts. The speaker suggested that to obtain # large attendance of the citizens at the annual meeting next year they should engage the Town' Hall and make an exhibition of the pupils' work. He was sure this would attract the public. The only difficulty that Mr Hogg could see this year was that referred to by the Chairman, viz., the want of a suitable building, but he thought this could easily be got over. He would suggest that the Managers place the School under the control of the Education Board, and then the Government would supply the money for a new building. .If this course was followed he felt sure there would be no difficulty in obtaining the money from the Government. The motion was then carried. Mr Elliott moved, and Mr Hogg seconded, that the retiring Managers (Messrs Feist, Jackson, Waddington, Keith and Coradine) be re-elected for the ensuing year. The motion was carried. Messrs Waddington and Jackson returned thanks for their re-election. Mr Jackson said he very much regretted that the townspeople did not evince enough interest in the Technical School to attend the annual meeting. He would certainly like to see more enthusiasm shown by the public in regard to the working of the School. He thought they should approach all the local bodies, including the Borough and County Councils, for grants, and raise half the money for a new building. Then the Government would subsidise the amount, and they could erect a new building: He considered that the Managers should establish laundry and cooking classes at the School. On the motion of Mr Hogg, seconded by Mr Waddington, a vote of thanks was passed .to Mr N. D. Bunting for the capable manner in which he had carried out the duties of secretary during the year. At a meeting of the newly elected Managers, held afterwards, Mr E. Feist was re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year.