TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 28 July 1915, Page 3

TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

.* COMMITEE MEETING. A meeting ot' the Technical School Committee was held at the School list night. Present: Messrs. A. .1. Joblin (chairman), Rev. W. F. Sent, W. J. Kuhtze, A. J. Champion, A. Mercer, and W. J. H. McCormick. Apologies were tendered for the absence of the Rev. R. H. Cathrwood, Dr. Boyd, and Mr. Burrell.

The Director’s Report was read and adopted. The report showed the classes to be progressing satisfactorily, although the attendance was not as large as the importance of the classes warranted. Mr. Mercer asked whether the Board published any pamphlet to be sent into the homes of -the people, so that residents would be kept in touch with the School. Mr. Mcßae stated that he had made a persona? canvass with a prospectus, but this was at the commencement of the technical classes.

The Chairman said they advc rtised in the local paper also, giving particulars of the work being done at the classes. But they had not sent circulars to the peoplte to bring the advantages of the School classes before them.

Mr. Mercer said the Borough Council seemed to take very lightly their duties with respect to the assistance of technical education in the town. Mr. Stent asked whether the County Council or Borough Council gave any financial assistance in place .of personal effort.

The Chairman said the Rangitikei County Council sent £25 to the Wanganui Education Board to be distributed among several schools.

Mr. Mercer said he was satisfied that the School Committee was taking a keen interest in the work, but there were other gentlemen in the town who were members of the Committee exofficio, who might be asked to give their assistance.

Mr. Stent said to stimulate interest among the pupils and the public, they might offer prizes for various things, Mr. Kuhtze thought a quarterly exhibition of the work would be a means of creating interest.

Mr. Mercer moved that the Secretary (Mr. Macßae) write to these gentlemen, intimating that the technical classes were in operation, and that their active co-operation with the work of the Committee would be much ap-preciated.-—-Mr. Stent second the motion. which was carried. Mr. Mercer suggested that an invitation should be extended tn parents of pupils and othrs interested to visit the School at an appropriate time to witness what' was being done at the* classes. He believed that severity percent. of the the people were not aware of what was being done. Mr. McCormick thought it would cause the pupils to take a keener interest in their work. The matter was left in the hands of the Director (Mr. Macßao) to make whatever arrangements were necsssarv for the visit to be made at a convenient time and when the classes wore at

A letter was received from Mr. R, TV. Brown, agricultural 1 expert, from Hawera, giving particulars of the agricultual classes which he is forming in various disticts. Mr. Stent said Mr. Brown was undoubtedly one of the best practical agricultural! men in the Dominion, and he knew that his lectures to farmers were both interesting and instructive. The Chairman explained that a class of twenty farmers had be formed before Mr. Brown would visit a district. These farmers paid £1 each and their respective farms were visited in turn. The lecturer gave an intersting address and gave advice as to manures and other branches of agricultural work. Mr. Mercer moved that the Chairman write to Mr. Brown, asking him what time he woultd have at' his disposal for a class at Taihape and when he would be available.-—Seconded by Mr. Champion and carried. The following accounts were passed for payment:—A. J. Champion £1 5/-, H. D. Bennett and Co. 4/-, “ Taihape Daily Times” £3 10/-.*