6 Technical Instruction in Belfast; 



construct a central hall. Finally, within the past eighteen months, 

 after considerable consideration and examination of the whole 

 subject, the erection of a fifth storey has been decided upon and 

 sanctioned by the Corporation. The total net floor area of 

 rooms as now provided for is 109,000 superficial feet, the gross 

 floor area being 134,000 superficial feet. The total cost of the 

 structure, as now planned, will be about ^"100,000, exclusive of 

 equipment, furnishing, and lighting. The Committee is making 

 provision for the expenditure upon these additional items. 



(Here a number of slides were shown of the site as it stood 

 originally, and also of the different plans prepared for the building, 

 including the present or final scheme.) 



With regard to the financial position, it was explained that the 

 Corporation levy a penny rate for technical instruction, and that 

 this rate produces about ^"4,500 per annum, On condition that 

 this rate is levied, the Department of Agriculture and Technical 

 Instruction make a payment which amounts in the case of Bel- 

 fast, in round figures, to £ 11,000 per annum. Added to this 

 there are other sources of income such as fees, science and art 

 grants, interest on sums invested, bringing the total income of the 

 Committee to close upon ^"20,000 per annum. 



It was pointed out that, for each penny raised by the rate, 

 about three pence is received from other sources. 



In concluding, reference was made to the day technical depart- 

 ment which it is hoptd to establish, and also to the development 

 of instruction for apprentices in engineering and other industries. 



Mr. J. M. Finnegan proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Forth for 

 his able and interesting lecture. He said he fully appreciated 

 Mr. Forth's difficulty in regard to the want of preparation on the 

 part of students. Looking back to the time when he was in a 

 national school, he could not find in the higher class of schools at 

 present the same amount of thoroughly good work that used to be 

 done. In many a country national school a boy used to be 

 turned out who had a very good knowledge of algebra, arithmetic, 

 and mensuration. He was afraid in that direction they had gone 



