TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 549, 2 July 1909, Page 2

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

e CONFERENCE OF DIRECTORS. Tho Conference of Directors of Technical Schools opened at tho Education v Board office on Wodnosday, rosuincd at 9.30 a.m. yesterday, there being present: Mr. G. Georgo (AuclJand), in the chair, aiid Messrs. Opio (P3lmorston North), iKing (Petone), r\)ssoy (Nop'«r), La Trobo (Wellington), Howell (ChribWhurch) Vornoy (Wangamii), Grant (Timaru), M'Caw .(Invercargill), Hointz (Nelson), and Brown (Edncation Do* partmont). The oonforenoo resolved into committoo for about an ; hour. On resuming, the following resolution* wero confirmed:— By Mr. J. H. Howell (Chrjstchurch)-." "That the ednoataon boards be empowered, to engage pupil teachers or probationary assistants at manual training classes for cookery, laundry-work, motal-work, or woodwork; and' tfyvt. after tiho completion of a course ehould be empowered to' , admit such ' as students of training colleges in Division A provided they have obtained a pass or a partial pass in tho following: compulsory sul)j<vfta of tho toaohor'B rcrtifieato Class D (except vocal music), two, subjects from Group 111., and two subjects from Group ■ IV " By Mr. George (Anckland): "That ti» capitation for school classes in cookery and woodwork oondu'eted hy spcoial insfcructore bo raised to 20s. for not less than 60 houia , instruction par annum, with a pro rata for 20 hours and 40 hours respectively." i In. open conference, Mr. Guorgo (Aaealand) moved: ' "That it be a recommendation to the Department to extend'the optional subjects 'for the Junior Civil Servico examination m the direction of domestic science and manual training subjects, to allow of students at , technical schools sitting for that examination." The motion was seconded, and, after a short discussion, carried. ■ • Agricultural Colleges. ; Tho following remit was then tabled by Mr. George:-- ' '', ' "That tho conference notes with approval the increased capitation paid for pupib taking agricultural courses in district' high sohools; hut, in view of tho fact that agn- • culture is the mo3t important industry ia ( this Dominion, that tho Minister be urged to authorise the establishment of agricultural technical schools in ' suitable country centres," '' . I Speaking to tho motion for its adoption, Mr.' George said that tho importance of agricultural technical sohools had been re- , cognised in Canada and the Dnitod States. The Now Zealand Education Department proposed to introduce an agricultural coarse into the programme of its rural district high schools. That proposal, did not go far enough. It was essential that the head of t ' an' institution taking such work ' should' thoroughly • understand the technological character an'd practice of bis subject. Under tho proposed scheme, lie was afraid that there would bo a clashing of interests. Ho undertook to' say that if an agricultural , technical school were established, say, in Hamilton, as a oentro for the Auckland district, quite fifty students from a distance would bo .found; willing to pay the cost of boarding expenses, for tho purpose of availing themselves of the facilities offered by such an institution, tho value of which, to fanners, would be very great. Mr. Opio (Palmcrston Nor,th) seconded the motion, and cited his own experience in demonstration of tho fact that such colleges were highly necessary. He know of'two lads, sons of farmors, who competed for a Lincoln v College scholarship offered by tho Manawatu A. and P. Society. Neither of them knew muoli about farm.worL , . One of them actually didn't know how many posts went to a chain of fencing, and hazarded the information that ,0110 per chain might (Laughter.) Tho motion, on being'put, was.carrJort by six votes to'-t'wo.f "' . 1 i ' Maintenance and Administration.: Mr., Grant (Tiraaru) * put in a plea ,for better provision for the maintenance and,upkcop of buildings and equipment. He moved: "That it bo a recommendation to tho Department that some provision bo made for the maintenance of technical school buildings a'nd_ equipment on], a .definite basis," Too motion was carried. The following resolutions were also placed on tho minutes:— ,By Mr. 1 Howell. (Christchurch):—"That it ' be a recommendation to boards to placo before tK-e Department tho particulars of, capitation paid in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and to urge strongly that, in view of the highor cost of administration in the Dominion, and tho recent improvement in tho status of teachers' in .the branches of the, system, the present rate of capitation should bo considerably increased, and brought into line with that granted in other countries; furthers it should bo pointed out that the capitation paid in the 'case of Ireland, Scotland, and England is not , whole source of revenue. •' which is drawn largely from locai rates.^ By Mr. Grant (Timaru): "That it bo a / recommendation to tho Department to allow a small percentage of tho capitation being deducted , to. defray' tho cost of admin- ■< istration of associated classes, the percentage to' bo mutually arranged between tho controlling authority and the managers." Constitution and Alms. The draft constitution piopared by the Government Committee of the conference , was read and adopted. The conference is •now a standing organisation, ontitlod "The Directors and Superintendents of Technical Education and Manual Training Association , of New Zealand," aiid having for its objects:— . 1. Tho provision of moans for interchangee i of ideas amongst its members. t2. Tho influencing, by combined action when'desirable, of Parliament, the Department, and local and other bodice concerned in promoting technical education and manual training. 3. The promotion of the official organisation and management of teclmical and manual training institutions, tho facilitation of concordant action amongst, governing bodies, and 'aiding in the development of tech- , , nioal education and manual training throughout tho Dominion. It wan decided that tho headquarters of the association and tho location of tho annual general meeting should bo fixed at Wellington. Special meetings may be convened, on the application of not fewer than six members. ' The following officers wcro elected:—President, Hon. G. For Ids (Minister for Education) i vice-president, Mr. G. Hogbon (In-spector-General of Sohools); cliaiiman, Mr. Georgo Grorgo (Auckland); secretary and treasurer,, Mr. F. D. Opio (Palmenston ' V North); executive committee, Messrs. G. Geoigo (Auckland), J. H. Howoll (Christcliurch), and\ll. Grant (Timaru).' The conference then concluded.