The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, September 23, 1909. TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 484, 23 September 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, September 23, 1909. TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

The question of technical education was revived at the last meeting of the local School Committee. Our readers are aware that a technical school was established at Boston some 2 years ago. The old school building was approved by the Board’s inspector and architect for the purpose. It was decided to conduct the following classes:— English and arithmetic,shorthand, book-keeping, stationary engine driving, woodwork, dressmaking, millinery. Mr Adams, the late headmaster, was appointed local superviser, and local teachers were appointed for several of the classes. Parents did not show any desire to allow their children to take advantage of the opportunities afforded, as only three or four pupils attended the English and arithmetic class, and a number of ladies the dressmaking and millinery classes. The dressmaker was the only technical expert who could make it convenient to give instruction at the local school. The school exists in name only. Application was made for a grant to equip cookery and woodwork classes, and the Board forwarded the application on to the Department. An official paid a visit to the school on Mondhy, to ascertain whether the Department would be justified in spending ihe money asked for. It appears that the Wanganui Education Board has absorbed large sums of money for technical school purposes, and we have our doubts as to whether this expenditure has been justified in every case. This doubt is probably causing- the Department to watch out before making further grants. Foxton, however, has a building eminently suited for technical school work at present lying idle, which has not made a hole in the funds of the Department ; our local people have subscribed liberally towards the object of technical instruction, and we think our claim for the equipment of cookery and woodwork classes should not be overlooked. Further, the school will be supervised in future by a technical educational enthusiast in Mr Gabitcs, and we hope the Department will do the lair and square thing by Foxton in passing along the grant asked for.