TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 December 1912, Page 2

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

The benefit of Technical instructions was exhibited during the last few days in the way of work that had been done in our Helensville Technical School cooking class. There has been on view in the Misses Becroft's Fruit and Confectionery Show window, an exhibit of cakes, work designed and executed by various ladies of Helensville, who attended the classes during the quarter which closed on the 12th of this month, and we must congratulate the pupils and the instructress on the splendid samples turned out, the decorations being equal to a master baker's handwork, Before the begining of this term the Education Boaid notified the Helensville residents that evening classes would commence in coohing, millinery, dressmaking, etc., under certain conditions, viz., that a guaranteed number of girls and adults, age from 14 years and upwards, came forward, fee to be 15s per quarter, one evening of two hours each week. There was no response to the offer at first, but nine of our local iadies combined to give the cooking class a trial —more for example to the younger portion of our town—and the quarter has terminated with success under the able instruction of Miss B. Griffiths, appointed by the Board. These lessons have consisted of all branches of cooking from the every day eatables to the highest class of confectionery. In the dressmaking department there were 6 pupils, and in the millinery depart* ment, 3 pupils, who are taught by Miss Goldie, and some good work has been done in both branches. There has been 13 lessons in all. The Gov~ ernment has assisted the Education Board by paying sixpence per lesson per member attending, making the total income to the Board, £1 Is 6d per quarter, to help carry on the work of the school. There are a large num» ber of both girls and boys of other schools attending day classes, receiving lessons from Miss Griffiths and Mr Askew, who is teaching in the mechanical branches, and it isto be hoped that a larger number will avail themselves of the opportunity given to boys and girls just left school when the classes open in the early New Year, for one evening each week will be well spent in a school of Instruction such as can be obtained in this district, and no boy or girl should have any cause for regret after giving part of their evenings to the above named school.