The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1904. TEACHERS' WINTER SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 126, 1 June 1904, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1904. TEACHERS' WINTER SCHOOLS.

Teachers have learned with gratification of the decision of tho Education Board, acting on the recommendation of Mr W. E. Spencer, Chief Inspector, to conduct classes for instruction in manual and technical work. The board has done a good deal in this direction by means of Saturday classes, but the very unsatisfactory parti of that system was that many teachers were unable to attend owing to their distance from New Plymouth, and the heavy expense of travelling by coach. The inspector's report, presented at last meeting of the hoard, was received with expressions of surprise and appreciation, tho members having been unaware that any such amount of work had been done, the inspector having gone to work, as one member remarked, "without making a great noiso about it." The attention of many people has been directed to the Stratford Technical School, oblivious of tho fact that! this form of instruction obtains in thirty-five schools in tho district—a remarkably good average. These winter classes for teachers will present many advantages. The Education Board will refund to teachers their coaching expenses, and the Railway Department will grant free passes on tho railway to those attending the school. Much good must come, of course, from bringing these two or three hundred teachers together, for members of the profession are iuvel- • erate talkers of "shop." and the intercourse thus permitted will doubtless result in educational advantages, as well as the benefits to be derived socially. Tho course of subjects embraces woodwork, cookery, New Zealand botany, kindergarten work, brush drawing, music for schools, and drill. The board hus secured instructors who are experts, each in his own department. In woodwork the tuition will be given by Mr Sandford, at present tho instructor in the woodwork classes at the Cliristchurch Technical School. Mrs Gard'ner, of the School of Domestic Instruction in Christchurch, will tako charge of the cookery classes, and, should the ladies of New Plymouth so desire, wo understand that arrangements can bo made for them to sliaro in the advantages of this instruction. For botanical study New Plymouth is exceptionally well suited, as the beautiful Recreation Grounds and the many private gardens combined contain as good a collection of North Island flora as can be seen in any part of the colony. Most oi the instruction will be given during Held excursions. The services of Mr J. Tennant, M.A., B.Sc., havo been secured for the classes in botany. Another expert is Mrs Hooper, a lady who came out from England under engagement to the Auckland Education Board to give instruction in kindergarten work, and who has since been in the service of several boards. Instruction in drill and music will Ire arranged for locally. The board must be congratulated on having secured such instructors, whose lessons must prove of the greatest benefit to the Taranuki teachers. It is hoped that nearly all, if not all, of the teachers will attend, in order that tho hoard's aim, that of putting its teachers on a thoroughly sound footing in the subjects enumerated, may be accomplished.