NIGHT SCHOOLS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2571, 4 July 1882, Page 3

NIGHT SCHOOLS.

The following letter appeared ia this morning's issue of the "Press.":— Sie, —If space will permit I should feel favored by the insertion of this short letter to draw the attention of the Education Board to the advantages that would be derived by the establishment of night schools in this city, where so many ohildren are occupied daily in tho several f aotories and workshops, in many cases for a twofold object I much fear ; first, to save the expenses attendant upon an elementary eduoation by probably a dissolute father or mother, and secondly, to be in great part bread winners for the household, whose cupboard would probably be empty were it not for the youthful earnings of the family. Elementary night sohools, upon which seme two millions of money are annually spent in England, must in the aggregate have an immense and beneficial influence in forming the minds of the young, and though much of this advantage is lost, by the faot that many are taken away to be earners of money at too early an age, yet a very large percentage will have received permanent advantages, to which most probably they may afterwards owe a successful and prosperous career. A technical school for the more advanced attendants to the night schools would be a proper and fitting adjunct to the elementary sohocls, providing suoh instruction by classes, in the more practical forms of eduoation, and thus preparing its scholars for entering those persuits to whioh they are intended, or for which they have a natural inclination common to all youths. And these should not be formed for any olass interests, by instituting any prohibitory tariffs, regulations, or fees for special classes of knowledge. That would prevent, or be the cause of preventing, the ohildren of working men in particular taking full advantage of them ; but should be strictly of a character such as the lads of the working classes could grasp, and such as the system of apprenticeship and the institution of trade guilds fostered in lormer days, and as shown in the examples of medissval art, whioh we do little more than oopy in our own day. Ey suoh an institution as night schools, both elementary and technical, the workmen themselves would be led to have a personal interest in improving upon old methods, eradicating that which is bad, and in developing the never-ending resources of their craft. Of oourse the beneficial advantages that would be hereafter derived by such an advantageous adoption of theso schools would be immensely repaid by an improvement in the quality of production, and an extension of their sale, thus necessarily increasing the happiness and welfare of thousands of families, and would be a lasting and permanent benefit to the students themselves, without mentioning tho immeasurable benefits to society at large. It has been suggested that a lad having passed the first three standards (whioh ere simply elementary introductions to the general course) might well be excused for half a day in the week by his employers by the latter making such arrangements in hie working establishment to meet this, feeling sure that he would be amply repaid by the additional intelligence and skill brought to the lad's handicraft. I shall not trouble you at any great length to-doy upon this important subject ; all I desire is to open the question, and I feel sure, indeed know, that there are in this city workmen of high intelligence, who only want the subject opened for them to take an immediate and permanent interest in suoh an undertaking, and who should rightly bo the prime movers to such a commendable course as the instituting of night schools in this city. Their co-operation is needed, and I hardly need montion that I iesl sure it would be heartily contributed. Yours, &c, G. Latham, F.8.G.5., Civil Engineer and Arohitect. Manchester street, Christohuroh, June 30th, 1882.