MARION TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9369, 11 February 1909, Page 8

MARION TECHNICAL SCHOOL

A meeting of householders was held last evening to elect a technical school committee. Mr J. «*• McDonald occupied the chan- me director read the annual report which is subjoined. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance on the year of £5 18s od. The following members were appointed ex officio to committee Messrs J. MoEldowney (representing Marton Borough Council). Mossman (Marton School). J. McDonald (chairman School Commit tee). Parnell (Wanganui Education Board), .-And the following were elected; Rev. D. Gordon, Richardson, Little. Dolbv and Train. Rangitikei County Ocunoil, Marton Chamber ct Commerce and the Marton Branch of FarmersV - Union have still to notify their representatives. Mr J. J. McDonald was appointed chairman of the and Mr Train secretary. The director reported as follows Attendance.—There were about 110 different persons attending classes during the year, a number in itself quite satisfactory, being almost 10 per cent, of the population of the borough. The trouble, however, was that most of these 110 stayed for only one term, and in some oases for only part of one term. In other words instead of coming to the school eager and anxious to learn, the majority of the students came with the idea of amusing themselves; and on finding that the classes would make a serious demand on their intellect and on their patience and perseverance, t hey were only too ready to relinquish their [attempts at self-improvement and to themselves to other and pleasanter ways of spending their leisure time. The reason for this half-hearted and desultory pursuit of knowledge is to be found neither in the expense nor in the inadequacy of the instruction given. As regards the expense it is somwehat curious to note that the wood-carving class where the'jee was a guinea per term —instead of the usual 10s—was perhaps the most, successful class of the year. , Instruction. —As regards adequacy of instruction, I may say that as director I was present at the classes almost every night, and hare no hesitation in characterising the instruction as most.satisfaotory. I have also frequently held conversations with students, who have left the classes, but in net a single instance has any complaint been made as to the quality of instruction during the year. One is forced to conclude that most of our young people are born with that tired feeling which forbids the expenditure of any energy whatsoever, either fbr their employers or for themselves, after the 5 o’clock whistle has sounded. Singing.—For children, fee sb. Instruction, O. W. Naylor, of Wanganui. Average attendance, 7. This class did not receive adequate support. Parents generally fail!: to realise the amount of pleasure and profit that children will derive from the possession of a well-trained voice. Personally I rank singing as a subject of first importance in school curriculum, and greatly regret that so excellent an opportunity for voice training was not more largely used. Carpentry.—Average attendance 6. Instructor, H. Bannister. Class lasted one term only, but fell into a decline early in second term. I should say that s in this class the instructor erred on the side of giving his class work rather too difficult for beginners. Wood-carving.—lnstructor, W. Andrews. Average attendance 10. uid satisfactory work for two terms. Dressmaking and millinery.—lnstructor. Miss Bohan. This class lasted throughout the year, and was well attended. Total number of dressmaking students, 25; millinery, 10 Commercial Law.—This class was attended by about 10 business men. Lecturer: .Mr O. B. Colins, who iindly gave the lectures as a donation to the school. Bookkeeping.—lnstructor, O. Cox, of Wanganui.—This class lasted, with difficulty, throughout the year; average attendance 7. In this class the instructor was handicapped by the fact that several pupils were lacking in the preliminary grounding in English and Arithmetic, which is necessary for this subject. The pupils too were at ah stages of development, some having a tair knowledge of the principles of bookkeeping and some being beginners. This prevented class work, and the instructor was .forced to give individual teaching. Maori.—lnstructor, W. Meshack This class lasted one term. No satisfactory work was done. Efforts to organise agricultural and dairying classes met with no response' whatever. If will thus be seen that the year 1908, though not exactly a failure, was largely lacking in those elements required to make the school a '•mrishing and useful institution, such as it undoubtedly could and ought to be.