TECHNICAL CLASSES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1671, 10 February 1906, Page 2

TECHNICAL CLASSES.

A meeting of the Technical Classes Committee was held last evening, when there were present; Messrs A. Graham (chairman), J. Coleman, B. Johnston, and Church, and W. Morgan (secretary). The Hawke’s Bay Education Board wrote stating that they had appointed an assistant to Miss Ivey, and asked that the Gisborne Board accept her ser?ices in the cookery classes in plaoe of Miss Ivey. The secretary, Mr Morgan, said he had replied objecting to this proposal, and the Board had sent Miss Ivey to Gisborne,, They now asked that Miss Ivey should''” commence the classes here, remaining for about six weeks, and then return to Napier, the assistant carrying on the classes under Miss Ivey’s supervision. Miss Ivey waited upon the Committee and explained the Board’s suggested arrangements. It was intended to commence classes at Dannevirke and surrounding districts. She had 850 pupils in Napier, and was working double olasses. Her assistant had been recommended by Mr Isaacs, and Bhe thought would suit the Committee. Personally, Miss Ivey said she would be pleased if the Commixes fell in with the Board's suggestion, as her home was in Napier. Mr Coleman said the chief success in olasses seemed to be in securing a thoroughly efficient teacher. They had gone to considerable trouble to get Miss Ivey, and he did not see why they should accept a less qualified teacher. The Chairman said he would like to see a larger meeting to deal with the question. They should hold the matter over, and in the meantime find out something about the young lady’s qualifications. After further discussion the matter was held over for a future meeting. The following report of the Technical Classes Committee for the year ending December 31st, 1905, drawn up by Mr Morgan, was approved : “ School classes were carried on in cookery and woodwork for the first half of the year, and dressmaking and woodwork for the latter half. Pupils from tho Gisborne, Mangapapa, Matawhero, and Patutahi schools attended the classes for the first six months, and in addition to these, pupils from Makanri, Ormond, Waerenga-a-hika, Kaitaratahi, To Arai and Maraetaha schools attended for the last six months. The pupils appeared to fully,, appreciate the importanca of and good work was done, as testified to by the reports of the teachers of the sohools. The Department allowed the pupils of tho country schools on one day a fortnight to take two lessons on the same day, an arrangement which worked very well, and which we hope to see continued. I “ The continuation classes in English, bookkeeping, and shorthand- were poorly attended, but the latter improved some* what in the second quartet, lam writing to Pitman and Son to arrange for an examination, as some of tho pupils wish to get a certificate. Three boys sat for a certificate, but as tbo papers covered a wider course than they were prepared for they failed in some of the subjects. They in* tend to sit again if tho class is continued. “ The plumbing class was disappointing, very few pupils offering, and was only oatried on for one quarter. It seems a pity that so few of the youths engaged in the business should show a desire to take advantage of this class, by attending whioh they could qualify for a certificate of merit as in other plaoes. Those who did attend took a great iuterest in the work. “ Tho amateur class in woodwork was a’so disappointing, but those who did attend did good work. At tho olo3e of the session an exhibition of work done by both schools and amateur olasses in woodwork was held, and the visitors were highly pleased with the work done. The prizes so generously donated by Messrs Parnell and Go. were awarded by Mr J, Somervell as follows: A. Morgan 1, W. Hall 2. A speoial prize was awarded by Mr Warren, instructor, to Geo. Morgan. “ Early id the year the various were written to, drawing their attention to the fact that tho technical school was in operation, and oSeriDg to get a class for the youths oDgaged in the carpentry trade, but it met with no response. " Adult classes in cookery were oarried on with much success during the first half of the year. Our thanks are due to the Gisborne Gas Company for their kind assistance, which greatly helped to make thorn a success. (, The dressmaking olasses for girls under eighteen woro very successful and wore well attonded. At tho close of tbo season an exhibition of work done by this class and also tho sohool olasses was held, when some excellent work was shown, and tho visitors expressed themselves highly pleased with tho progress made.

“ Mr Isaacs,Technical Instructor, visited the fchool in December, and expressod himself satisfied with what was being done, He advised having a range put in the cook.ry room, and arrangements were being made to give effect to h>s recommendation, “ Addition lo the funds wero made by the Borough Council, Gisborne Gas Coy, W. J. Cox and Co, A. Gilman, Patutahi, which together with the subsidy of £ for £ from the Government was a very material bo p. “ Wo desi'e to appeal to the parents of boys and girls to assist us by having them attend some class. Thore are numbers of boys and girls who have not gained a higher pass than the fourth standard, who by attending the English class could get a corlificate of efficiency which is equal to a sixth standard pass. The fee is morely a nominal one, 10s per annum. Provision is also mado for gaining scholarships which entitle holders to free tuition in

these subjects. We hope to sec greater interest taken this yoar, and that new classes may bo formed. Our thanks are

duo to the various teaohers

Classes for

male teachers on Saturdays in woodwork, and in cookery and dressmaking for female teachers have been held during the year, and were fairly well attended.” The resignation of Mr J. Warren was accepted with regret as instructor for the woodwork classes, and Mr JQevoy was ap-< pointed to the position. '

It was decided to re-oommence all olasses hold last year. A vote of thanks was passed to thij yarious teachers.