THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 43, 16 March 1909, Page 4

THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL

RE-01>E.\TNG CEREMONY. The 11)00 session of the New My-' mouth Technical School has commenced, and the olliciul ceremony in connection therewith is to lie held to-morrow evening at the school. The instructors in several of the subjects have been taking a hand in the arrangement of the function, in c.-njun.tk.a with Jlr. Billautyne, the director, and Mr. Tiisch, member of the Education Board and of the Technical School Committee. Parents of pupils, intindi.ig pupils, and all those interested.' in iei-liiiic.il education generally and these c.isses in particular, are invited to visit the *.hoo] to-morrow evening and inspect some of the work done by the pupils during last year. The actual ccreinouy of re-opening the classes will be placed in the hands of Jlr. G. Tisch, the Mayor. who will also present the certificates, awarded for last year's work. ' Among the displays that of Jlr. G. Moverley's wood-carving classes will possibly be most attractive, with the possible exception of the present cookery classes and the tasty productions thereof. Some of the work of his pupils will be shown, and it will be found in the hall of the building, comprising articles in various stages of completion. A brief study of this will convince almost anyone that wood-carving is no useless hobby, but a very valuable! accomplishment as well as an interesting and delightful method of occupying odd hours and moments. There is a lovely the panels and pedimeuta of which wiire carved iu renaissance style by a lady pupil. Here is where the utility comes in. The sideboard cost her about £ls; no cabinet-maker would have supplied it for under £2l. The design, and the finished nature, of the work are an excellent advertisement for the class. Again, there is a beautifully carved hull table and hall chair, music stools, drawing-room bellows, carved mirror-frame:, and several other articles to show how usefully employed Jlr. .Moverley's pupils have been. ■■ Plumbing has always been a strong class, the various plumbers in. the town insisting upon their lads going through the course of lessons to qualify for those certificates without which they are ineligible for sanitary work. Some of the work of the class will be on view. Jlr. F. W. Sandford, the instructor in woodwork, will have several of his pupils at their benches, with hammer and saw and chisel and plane, making odd-looking bits of timber into articles of household usefulness. The boys at work will represent the Central, West End, Fitzroy, and Frankley schools, and they will be divided into drawing anil carpentering sections, one section drawing from a. subject set on the blackboard and the other section devoting their attention to reproducing the sheteh in the wood. An enjoyable hour ean bo spent watching these juvenile joiners, at work. -, The cookery classes under Jliss JfacDonald will probably speak for themselves. There is no need to dilate here upon the inestfraablc value that a knowledge of cookcrv is to every girl. Now-

i-days, where the girl is part of our ominercial system as clerk or typistc, ihe has not the same opportunity as >f yore in learning the art of cookery. These classes arc very generous in their Kope, the pupils' instruction embracing ilmost every culinary operation from :he boiling of a potato or the preparation of vegetables to the making, bak,ng and decorating of fancy cakes and pastry. Miss Mac Donald, who has suc:eede'd Miss Tilly in the charge of this irrtport'ant branch of technical instruction, has excellent testimonials, and has ilready shown her ability as an instructress. The dress-making classes by Miss Jones are in full swing, and the instructress will be present to give information :ind, as far as possible, give a brief outline 01 the course of work undertaken. A pupil who leaves the hands of Miss Jones as "finished," and carries a similar certificate from the cookery room, should have an especial interest for the sensible young man who requires a sensible and capable helpmate for life. The work of the art classes (conducted W Mr. E. P. Fenton) will be represented, but not largely. Some of the pupils' water-color sketches and drawings will be displayed, and should attract their share of attention, i During the. evening Major Snudfonl ■will distribute the prizes won by the cadets in the recent riflp meeting at the •Waiwakaiho range, the prize* including the handsome challenge cup won this year by the Central School team.