TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2370, 10 December 1908, Page 6

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

ADVANCE MOVEMENT IN NAPIER.

Since liis appointment us Director of the Napier Technical School, Mr. It. P. Clarkson, M.A., lias carried out a campaign to promote the advance of technical education among the children of the artisans and producers of the district, and to further extend the movement a largely-atten-ded meeting of representative citizens was held in the Athenaeum Hall, Napier, last Friday evening. The Chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board (Sir "William Bussell) occupied the chair, and Mr. Clarkson in outlining his scheme said that 90 per cent, of the population -were people engaged in production, and they desired education to help these producers. By the formation of an associated hoard they would be able to do' much better work than they were doing at present, and they would be able to teach subjects which they were at present not able to teach. Their instructor would he paid a salary and not in the precarious manner "of the present time. If they were not in a position pa> qualified men a good salary it would lie better to leave technical work alone. He pointed out that under presett conditions in the Technical School the higher scientific work had to he left out, 'and this was particularly so in tlie plumbers’ class, where only practical work could be taught. The Board required the assistance of the local bodies in order that the very highest might bo given in the way of technical education'. The question should hot be looked at in a financial sense, hut from the point of view whether in the interests of the district certain classes should exist or not. Mr. C. H. Edwards, Chairman of the Napier School Committee, after speaking in support of the proposal, moved the following resolution, which was carried unanimously—" That an association ho formed amongst private individuals of the community for the purpose of assisting and promoting technical education and that the minimum subscription be Is pci year.” Mr. Clarkson was asked what would he the probable amount of money required. Mr. Clarkson said it might seem rather a large order, hut he was anxious to get £350 locally and tin's with the Government subsidy would give them £7OO. If they got this amount they would he able to carry out their technical work as they were anxious to see it carried out. -Several gentlemen expressed the opinion that more than £350 would be readily subscribed. Mr. T. W. Bear said he had just arrived from a meeting of the Working Men’s Club, and was authorised by to promise a 'donation of

£25, which was as much as the present rules of the club would u’.ow them to give. (Applause.) I* suffident interest was taken the matter the rules might be altered at'the next general meeting of members and the subscription thereafter increased to perhaps £SO. On the motion of Mr. Ivon Beecli.iin, the names of those present willing to join the. association were taken, 1 13 with the result that 42 gentlemen were enrolled an d subscriptions promised amounting in all to over £2O