TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1915, Page 3

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

C'OiirU LSOR Y ATTJiXDAXOB STARTED, IMPORTANT NEW CLASS. An interesting report oil tlie work of the Technical College was presented to the Taranaki Education Board yesterday by Mr. A. Gray (Director of Technical Education). Tile report stated: During the month the most important work has been in connection with the initiation of the compulsory attendance at classes. Altogether, to date, fiftythree pupils have enrolled under this act, viz,, 23 boys and 30 girls. The number are distributed among the various classes as follows:—.Commercial 28, domestic 15, engineering 5, wood-working trades 5. The students ire as a general rule orderly and well behaved. Many parents have spoken to me expressing their appreciation at the introduction of this system. There are, of course, some parents who have not yet bothered about enrolling their children, and I think it ought to be generally understood that substantial penalties may be inflicted for non-compliance with the Act. Engineering Class.—Tlie boys of this class, accompanied by their instructors (Messrs Kirkpatrick and Skelton), have paid one or two visits to the wharf at Moturoa and have been given every Opportunity by various officials to see anything interesting with regard to their special work. They have been allowed to inspect the engine-rooms of some of the boats, and have gained much useful information in a particularly pleasant manner. Proposed Course for intending Butter and Cheese Factory Managers.—lt,has, been brought under my notice that a dearth of labor in factories is likely to arise, and I have decided to inaugurate a course dealing directly with this work. It will he necessary to obtain the cooperation of at least one butter and cheese factory handy to town, but this should not be a difficult matter. The course would be divided into three parts, viz., (1) Actual work in a butter or cheese factory: (2) theoretical and scientific work at the College; (3) theoretical work with regard to refrigeration and engineering. This part of the course will be so arranged as to meet the needs of those wishing to sit for their enginedriver's certificates. The idea is to give certificates for work done, and it is hoped in this manner to help to put the whole of dairy factory work on a higher level. AGRICULTURE.

Mr. Sergei reports on the work at the College as follows:—We have finished planting the fruittrees, and have also planted some potatoes as a manurial experiment. I took the koys to the nursery of Messrs Duncan and Davies, where most interesting demonstrations were given in pruning, root-grafting, etc. Messrs Duncan and Davies showed much kindness, and have given us permission go again for further instruction. Siiice my last report I have lectured at Norfolk road,' Pembroke road, Ngaere, Lepperton, Tikora.ngi, Waiongona, Egmont Village, Tariki Beaconsfield Road. Midhirst, and again, find increased attendances. I am glad to say that experiments' in several places in the direction of growing pig-feeds will be carried out. It is pleasing to find, too, in some cases that better accommodation, in the shape of better houses, is being provided for this branch of our production. There is no doubt it is comparatively at present undeveloped, and yet the possibilities are wide. That the pig is capable of paying the rent ia in some cases proved. 1 aim to give this matter of greatest production in pigs my special attention. With regard to the competition in potato and turnip growing, Mr. G. Looncy, president of the Opunake branch of the N.Z.F.U., has written that his brand) has donated £4 for extra prizes. During the month three of the lady teachers have been absent for varying lengths of time through illness. Two have returned to their duties, while the third will be returning after the holidays. The classes broke up for the usual holidays on the 20th inst., and will resume on Monday, September 0.

Commercial.—We are si ill having a difficulty in keeping our third-year commercial students. The demand for pro-perly-trained clerics is such that we have to let the students go before their course is quite finished. In all cases, however. I am arraiiffing with employers that the work shall he continued at the evening classes. The report was adopted. AGRICULTURE AT STRATFORD. 3IY. J. fi. Ellis (instructor in agriculture) reported that upon the two acres of land at Stratford a beginning had been made with the season's work. The report stated: The building being erected by the .Board's workmen is nearly completed and will be a very creditable asset. The additional fences required are also nearly finished, and the land has ben ploughed and harrowed, I propose to make a start with the Stratford school boys on Tuesday next. I am intending to make variety tests and mammal experiments with all classes of field and' garden crops, and am pleased to report that the merchants of Stratford have kindly and readily promised to give manures and seeds required for the work. I have been in consultation with the rector of the High School, and the teachers of the schools in the surrounding district, and I hope to arrange Saturday classes for the pupils of some of these schools, and visits of two or three days' duration from the pupils of other schools. The work will be under my own personal supervision and cannot but be helpful in a supplementary way to the work done in their own grounds. I propose to make these classes combined agriculture and dairying classes, and the rector (.Mr. Tyrc'r) has placed at my services the science ruom of the Technical School wherein to give the dairy-work instruction, i am pleased (o report that the work is being inaugurated under such favorable circumstances, and wish to thank the Hoard for the buildings, etc.. the suitability and beauty of which I have already referred to.