TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 133, 29 October 1914, Page 3

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

ACaUCUUVRAL TEACUKIIS. THKEE ASKED YOR. ' At the meeting of the Education Board yesterday considerable time was 1 taken up over tile question of agriculture instruction. The inspectors jointly reported reeomruenting the appointment of an agriculture instructor solely for primary school work, at a salary of £250 plu« travelling allowance. The present instructors' time was so fully occupied that the work of the schools had to he iUuordiH.'it-.'d to his other duties. The director of the Technical College reported that the classes at New Plymouth were progressing steadily. Tliere was an increasing demand for finished students, and there seemed little doubt that ef'tdoyers were beginning to recognise uJk value of technical training. The coast dressmaking (lasses had liiiished, while the members uf the classes at Su'atford, Inglewood ami Leppei'toa were anxious to continue for ft no idler half term, the etu dents being most enthusiastic, hut he would like to see more people in the smaller centres willing to take advantage of the work. The Taranuki County Council had again donated £2O to the College. If there was any possibility of obtaining a suitable piece of ground for practical work he would, at the next meeting, recommend the appointment of an agriculture instructor for the College. The director of the Technical College. Mr Gray, further wrote recommeTiiiun, that tne position of agriculture instructor he advertised, at a salary oi £3OO a year, and actual travelling expenses.

Mr Gray said he could see no reason why ' '.lie agricultural instructor could no: do the school Work. Mr Ballantyne said it was found impossible for the instructor to do the cchool work. In fact, the instructor bad never been «o some of the schools. A way out of the difficulty would be to appoint an instructor for the College and the farmers' classes, and another .instructor for the primary schools. It was not only an agriculture instructor that was required at the schools, but an instructor :n dairying as well. The chairman "said he was inclined to believe in the inspector's contention that one instructor could not do all ;he work. At one time he thought it \va« possible for one man to do all the work, but he was of fc different opinion now. Mr Masters inquired whether it would not bo possible for the instructor at the Technical College to do the school work? He urged that the fanners' instruction should not be neglected . Mr Gray pointed out that it was a pity Ilhe "proposal to appoint an in-su-jietor for the schools was c mjk some' two or three years ago. before ha f ornlll-'*! ted his scheme, and he intimated that 10 adopt the suggestion the Board's inspector would probably result in fib (Mr Gray's) losinjf the confidence of the farmers, who might consider I'h&t. the existing scheme had broken down. lie was satisfied that one instructor could attend to the farmers' classes and school work.

Mr Ballantyne pointed out lAat tltfe* or four visits by the instructor to each school were necessary. The present work at the schools was very haphazard and would never prove a success, Mr Bradbury remarked that the Utter (he instruction given in the kchools, the 'ess need there would be for instruction to farmers.

Mr Marfcll considered the inspector's proposal was on the right line. Mr Morton advocated referring the whole question to a committee. He would very much like to see a- great improvement take place, and while giving Mr Gray credit for excellent work, be recognised that Mr Gray w*«, bo a .rtrtain extent the victim of circumstances, and had not the material to work wi'iUi.

Mr Adlam advocated carrying on for this year on Mr Gray's scheme, He favored giving the scheme another trial Mr Masters urged improving the present scheme fo as to mfike it useful both to the fanners and the schools. It was eventually decided to refer the matter to a committee consisting of ■!, he chairman and Messrs. Morton and Marfell. to report to the next meeting of the Board.

The director of the Technical College wrote recommending the pun-lime of the piano now in the building for £3O . Tlie rt'Comrnondalion w«« adopted.

IXSTRCGTOR'S RETORT. The Agricultural inspector, Mr J. Y.W. Klli* reported having visited various far'rni as arranged, during the day, and had lectured at night at Xgacre, Tariki, Maketawa, a further lecture Jo he given at Durham Road in connection with the creamery there. At Tarata the lectures were delivered alternately at Tarata and I'ukeho, and ab Midhirst, besides t'ne central place (at which there was no attendance) two of the courses had been given at Pembroke Road and Salisbury Road, whi'e the final one was to be at Bcaconsfield Road. At some places the lectures were not attended as well as they were in the winter, but the season's work was now in full awing, the hours I being long and laborious, rest being needed at the close of the day. On the whole his visits to the people on the farm were appreciated. In some cases he wai regarded with suspicion, but in many more he was gladly welcomed and his advice sought, and he was pleased to believe that he was frequently helpful to the man who needed help. The report was received. Mr Masters advocated that the Direetor should visit Wanganui and Palmerston technical schools, and he moved irt that direction. The motion was carried.

ART INSTRUCTRESS. The chairman reported that the only application for the position of art insiructrcss wa< fi\>m Mian Tjda <r. E'ifp, who wa» appointed to the position. DEPARTMENTAL REPORT. ON WORK AT THE COLLEGE. Cookery and Woodwork.—Classes in tiicfc subjects are conducted at New Plymouth, Stratford and Ing'lewood. The inspection of clasps was, howercr, confined to those at New Plymouth, at the other centres were at the time of rr Tiiit closed for midwinter holiday*. One matter in connection with the woodwork classes at New Plymouth needs again to he emphasised,'and that i» the necessity of keeping the woodwork room free from liUe<\ Attentiom bts bee* directed to this matter in previous report! and ii was expected that som*thiug approaehiDg order and tidi»»s» would have teen maintained in the new (woodwork room. As eimronment plays ' a very important part) in character kuilding, it ia necessary that the room in whioh tne woodwork instruction is given should be kept scrupulously clean and tify. Odds ami ends, it may lie of o«e----ful timber, should be placed iri the timber store', and the room swept free of shavings after each/lesson;

In this connection it appears desirable that the whole of the buildings used for manual unit trehnieU instruction shoid-l be in charge of a responsible officer of the Board, and it i s suggested that the Director of the Technical School might be authorised to sec that rooms used, mostly by school classes, are ken!: clean and tidy. The order and cleanliness of the cookery room are all that could be desired. The instruction in both cookery and woodwork appears to be satisfactory, except that a little more attention might with advantage be given to the drawing in the woodwork classes. Technical School.—The stall of the Technical School has been strengthened by the apt-ointment of Mr. Kirkpatriek and Mr Duff as instructors in engineering and commercial subjects respectively. ' Mrjliitlon, instructor in drawitg, has resigned, and as the number of students in attendance apart from those attending the day classes is very small, no appointment of Art instructor will be made at present. The building has the appearance ot being wed eared for. It is, speaking generally, in excellent order and condition. The removal of the woodwork from the main building has to some extent obviated the inconveniences occas- ' loncd by lack of classrooms, and when this room is partitioned off it should make it possible for the laboratory to be used exclusively for science purposes. At present the room is used Tor classes in dressmaking, and by pupils from the New Plymouth Central (school for elementary physical measurements, as well as for the science subjects in connection with the day and evening courses of instruction. " There appears to be little justification for sending a class of primary school pupils to the laboratory for lessons that can be very well taken in the ordinary classroom of a public school.

If the laboratory were used exclusively for classes in connection wit!) the Technical School, ami for teachers in the service of the Board, it would be possible to keep the necessary apparatus in a working condition, and the responsibility for breakages and damage to apparatus would be properly traced. The apparatus requires replenishing. As there arc 80 pupils in attendance ab the day classes, seating accommodation appears to be a pressing necessity.

Day Classes. —Well arranged and fairly comprehensive courses in commercial work, combined domestic and commercial subjects and engineering, have been organised, and are attended by about SO students. The instruction given and the tor.e of the classes is good. Special mention must be made of the course in mechanical and electrical engineering. The course is well arranged and the pupils appear to take a very keen interest in the subjects taught.

I Since ..« mecpwti ;. t::e Course the Whole time given to instruction has been, devoted to theoretical work. This, however, lias had its advantages inasmuch as it has afforded an opportunity of establishing' the course before the (raestioit of the .equipment of the workshop is considered. The provision of facilities fi.r practical H'prk')';,' mccnnicu and electrical engineering nc, iv apF'- are 'to be justified. In the commercial, and combined C 1 ™" merclai and domestic courses, good ivor*. is in progress. The courses are arrang-' •d to permit of a student obtaining a «ound elementary practical training in commercial work and a knowledge of housewifery. As there are only five machines available for classes in typewriting additional typewriters appear to be necessary.

The Director has in view the establishment of a day course in agriculture and dairy science, and in view of the importance of these subjects in relation ti. 'ihe primary in hislrics of Taranaki, i. is to be hoped that a sufficient number of students will be forthcoming. It is to be regretted that the instructor who was appointed to visit the farms, and confer with and give lectures to ■ farmers, did not appear to be suitable. He has now resigned and a temporary appointment has been made, which it is hoped will prove satisfactory until such time as the Board can see its way to re-organise the whole of this work on a ■ better basis than appears possible at present.' There can be no question as Vo the utility of a scheme whereby the practical interest of those immediately connected with the dairying industry is secured, , nor a» to the direct value of the information and practical help that can be imparted to those concerned by a visiting expert, who is brought into close touch with the everyday problems that arise on a farm, but it is questionable whether a man engaged in (his work can ai the same time, except in an incidental manner, be of much practical assistance to teachers in the 'primary schools responsible for classes in elementary agriculture and dairy science. The course of lectures to farmer?, and the persona! visits to farms for the purpose of giving instruction, have been made possible by the contributions of butter •an;l cheese faeU.rv companies eontr; bating a certain sum per (on of output. The Director appears to have devoted a good deal of time and thought to the •chomp, and it is to he hopi'd that he will succeed in creating sullicicnt interest among the farmers in the district to ensure the success of his day course in agriculture and dairy science. Evening Technical Classes. —The attendances at the evening classes are at present very small, but it is to be expected that they will be increased in the near future by students from the day classes. Speaking generally the organisation and tone of the school is more satisfactory than it has been for many years, and with a view to its betterment and to afford the Director an opportunity of seeing other schools and conferring with Directors on organisation and method, the advisability of permitting him to visit at least'two Technical Schools—say l'almerston North and Wellington—might with advantage be considered by the Board. During the ' time of my visit to New Plymouth a

"Winter School" for uncertificated and other teachers in the Hoard's service was in progress at the Technical Svhoo 1 , The Bubjects of instruction were elementary hygiene and cardboard work; and general hygiene, botany and dairy science, for D and C certificate requirements respectively. About 50 teachers attended and were afforded an opportunity of

going through a sound practical course of instruction in each of .the subjects. The work appeared to he taken in hand with n good deal of enthusiasm, and •olid work T/as done in all subjects.