HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1147, 7 June 1911, Page 6

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) — 9 PE'fOXE TECHNICAL SCHOOL, , (From Our Special Correspondent.) There were present at the monthly meeting of the Pctone Technical Schoul Hoard, held last night, Jlessrs. A. Thom.'oii (chairman), \\. M'Kenzie, K. .1." Hont)i",ite, \. A. T. Hone, Ci. London, and J. Li. Castle. The Director - ;. (Mr. J. Lynskey, 8.A.) report disclosed (lie fact I hat Micro had been an increase of over SOt) hour attendances over any quarter of last year, and that if students attending, but not on the roll, had been counted in, an attendance increase, of 1200 hours would have been shown. The report staled that a feature of the attendances is the regularity of pupils in some of the classes, the wool-sorting class that was lately added being the primary cause in helping tho increase. Owing to the City and Guilds examination being just over, tho attendance on the first two opening nights of this quarter, which started on Hay 29, has not been good. In the theory plumbing class Mr. Hopkins, the lecturer, recommended holding only one theory night for senior and junior pupils, instead of three as at present. Tho sign-writing class had not reached tin* minimum number of attendance as required b.v (he board (S pupils). Mr. M'Konzic expressed the opinion that, as there were 7 pupils in tho class, tho board might see its Hay to continue it. Mr. Castle remarked that the attendance only averaged 2.7. On some evenings only one pupil put iu an appearance. Jlr. Hope thought that the board had no alternative but-to close the class. Jlr. Soufhgate said that, ever'since the class had been in existence, it had given trouble, anil a motion was now on the books (carried at last meeting) that (he class be closed provided the number of pupils attending did not reach 8. Jlr. London said that it was desirable to keep tho class going, if possible, and he thought, that the instructor should be offered the capitation as well. : A motion .to the-effect-that tho class be discontinued as a formal class was moved-by Jfr. Hope,-and carried. Jlr. Hope also moved that the instructor bo offered facilities of continuing the class, as outlined by J*r. London, and that, when the numbsr of pupils reached a total of eight, the class be placed upon its former status. This was also carried. Jlr. Hope stated that he hail noticed, in a report brought down by the director of the Technical College, Ckristchurcli, that employers had agreed at a conference to grant apprentices, who. had obtained proficiency certificates at the college in carpentery and joinery classes, 2s. per week extra in wages during tho last ycai , of their apprenticeship. As this was a great incentive to lads to improve and qualify for certificates, ho desired to move: "That (his board approach tho Wellington.Technical School Board, with the object of gaining their co-operation in hringing about a conference between employers and the school boards of Wellington and Petohe. in order to see if such a desirable understanding could not Imi brought about here." Jfiv Southgate, in seconding tho motion, thought that- it 'would be necessary to apnrbaeh the Employers' Association, and then, if an amicable understanding was come.to,-the'.question could come before'the Conciliation Board at the end of 'he year.. JIY. London thought tho suggestion an excellent one. After further discussion, the motion .was carried, a.nd.Jf,r. Lv.nskey (director of flie'sellool) was'.asked tri confer with Mr. La Trobe, of the. Wellington Technical School, on the subject. OBITUARY—MRS. STEVENS. Quito a- glooto was. cast over Lower Hutt on Monday morning when it became known that Mrs Stevens, wife, of Mr. Robt. Stevens, chairman of the Hutt River Board, had passed away. Tho late Jfrs Stevens was born in Auckland 4!) years aeo, and, at an early age, removed to Wellington, .and thbnce to the Hult, were she,,lias resided for tho last twentynight years. -JJecea&xl was an active worker'ill connection' with Knox Church, and an unfailing friend to those in distress or sick. The. interment takes place at Talfa Cemetery at 2 p.m. this afternoon. GENERAL ITEMS.' Mr. J. T. Hawthorn's meeting, in reference to tramway affairs, which was to have been held at the Town Hall, Lower Hutt, last liight, was postponed, owing to a bereavement in the family of a member of the Hutt Valley Tramway Board.

"Public night" last evening at the Petone Technical School was largely •attended.-