4 Tech?iical Instrtution in Belfast : 



Preparatory School great fear was expressed by those interested in 

 Secondary Schools that the new School would act detrimentally 

 upon existing Secondary Schools ; but the question having been 

 looked into with an earnest desire to arrive at the bare facts, it 

 could not be discovered that such injury had resulted, and it was 

 asserted that the fear was rather that it would not be possible 

 within a reasonable time to make up the leeway and fill up the 

 educational gaps which abounded. The view was also given that 

 the Trade Preparatory School, instead of acting detrimentally, is 

 having the very reverse effect, for there are not wanting signs that 

 it has had the effect of stimulating to greater efforts more than 

 one local Educational Institution. 



Passing on to the effect of the Technical Instruction Com- 

 mittee's efforts on the life of the city, it was stated that a 

 distinctly increased appreciation was being attached to education 

 in all its phases ; as evidence of this it was pointed out that an 

 increasing number of employers are sending their employes to 

 attend classes of the Institute, and are paying the fees, offering 

 prizes, and in other ways encouraging those who have been sent 

 to the School. This interest is shown not only by employers, but 

 is found equally amongst the artizan population, some of the 

 trades societies having gone the length of devoting a portion of 

 their funds to provide prizes to encourage members of their trade 

 to avail themselves of the instruction provided in the Institute. 

 The keenness of the students to secure tangible evidence of their 

 progress is also most noteworthy. The certificates won are 

 greatly valued and the class prizes eagerly sought after. As 

 independent evidence bearing upon these statements and testifying 

 to the general increase of interest in education, the following 

 letters were read. One from Sir William Quartus Ewart as 

 follows : — 



Glenmachan, Strandtown, Belfast. 



November 19th, 1904. 

 Dear Mr. Forth, — I am sorry that I cannot be present at 

 your lecture on Tuesday evening. Very few who see the fine 



