The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2010, 20 February 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20, 1907.

“Education,” says Wendell Phillips, “is the only interest worthy the deep, controlling anxiety of the thoughtful man.” How many “thoughtful men” are there in Gisborne wlio entertain a “deep controlling anxiety” in technical education? If the number of applicants wlio came forward on Monday night to avail themselves of tile advantages offered is any index to tile true answer to tlic question it does not afford a high testimonial to the paronts of this town who have grown up children to whom the advantages offered might prove of lasting benefit, nor is it encouraging to those who interest themselves in the getting up of thoso technical classes. With only two pupils offering for such a useful subject as building construction, and only one willing to learn the not less useful science of cookery, it seems almost a hopeless attempt to interest the rising generation in anything that will fit them for the duties and necessities of middle life, and yet it is hard to believe that even though the young people themselves are careless of the matter, that the parents as a whole are unmindful of the welfare of their children to such an extent as to allow them to neglect those opportunities. We venI ture to say that if piano playing or | the art of dancing had been substi- ! tnted for cookery there would have been no lack of entries from those anxious to learn; but cookery is a despised art apparently, and the girl who can strum a waltz is thought more of by an admiring swain of similar calibre than one who could cook him a' tasty, wholesome meal. Tho sensible parent, however, would take a different view of the matter, and so would tho swain when he comes to experience the real discomforts of badly cooked meals and realises tbe fact that ho cannot enjoy tlio soothing rhythm of the waltz unless his digestive organs have been properly treated. But there is in life a period of romance when budding nature bubbles over with natural desires, and the thoughts or cares of after responsibilities play no part in the daily routine—a period when the school curriculum is cast aside and visions of enjoyment haunt the mind, and for the realisation of that enjoyment everything else is sacrificed. This is the time when parental assistance and advice are most needful; but when, as a rule, they are relaxed, and instead of instilling into tho mind the seeds of useful knowledge, or interesting the hoy or girl in subjects with which but a few years later they need to bo acquainted with, they are in far too many cases allowed to follow tlieir own sweet wills, and, naturally enough, such things as cookery or building construction are eschewed for tho fascinations of social intercourse. For this the young people ought not to be blamed, for they hut follow natural instincts, nor is it necessary to condemn or suppress the social desires altogether if pareiits would only take the trouble to dictate how far indulgences in social pleasures ought to interfere with tile formation of character and the proper training of the hands as well as tho mind. It is with the view of assisting parents to carry out this necessary duty towards their children that tho technical schools have been established, and it is not too much to expect of parents that they should wherever possible show their nppre--1 ciation of these efforts by causing

tlioir children to avail tlioinsolves of tho tuition given therein ; but, so far, tho results hero are more than disappointing, though in other places tho experience is quite the rovorso. At tho present moment there are exhibits of handicraft in tho Exhibition at Christchurch, produced by pupils j in technical schools, that would do j credit to tho most accomplished nrti- ! suns, and in AVellington at any rate, tho cookery classes are attended by girls of every grndo of society who dospiso not tho handling of a stewi pan, and who are the better for their acquaintance with it by a very great deal. “AYoman,” said John Todd, “is the highest, holiest, most precious gift to man. Her mission and throne is the family, and if anything is withheld that would make her more efficient ,useful, or happy in that sphere, she is wronged, and has not her rights.” Her efficiency includes a knowledge ol tho proper use of the stowpan and the chemistry of cooking as much as it does the technique of the piano, and the proper use of tho one instrument can often j cause as much delight and comlort . as the other, sometimes more, while tlio misuse of either is equally excruciating. Of mail it lias been said, “It is not a question ol how much a man knows, but what use he can make of what lio knows; not a question of what he lias acquired, and how he has been trained, blit of what ho is, and wliat ho can do.” What can a man do; what can a women do without technical training? AVithout it neither is efficient and tho parents who neglect any opportunity to afford their children the chance to become efficient men and women, or who do not insist upon the opportunities being availed of are neglecting one of tho most sacred duties that devolve upon them as parents. If to this neglect can bo traced the disheartening results of the technical school committee’s efforts it is deplorable, and we would profor to find it ill otlior causes; but all will agree that those olforts deservo results, and it is within tho power of parents to compensate them. AVill they do it?