THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1915, Page 3

THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

SOME GLIMPSES OF THE WORK. .WHAT THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION SAW. „ > One of the most interesting features of the. educational work carried on at New Plymouth is provided at the Technical College, and the Minister of Education (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) gained an instructive insight into the operations of the college during his visit there last week. To many of those who accompanied the Minister the visit was an eye-opener, for although aware of the fact that New Plymouth possessed an institution for technical work they had no idea that the work was being carried out on such an extensive scale, or in so thorough a manner. The engineering class, which during the year has been attended by between forty and fifty boys, provides a course which is designed to give instruction, both practical and theoretical. On enquiry, it was ascertained that several of the boys propose to take a five years' course at the college, after which they will proceed to the Canterbury School of engineering. The work they arc now doing is specially arranged to lit them to take the most advantage of the instruction at the more advanced institution. Other students will not be able to attend any other college, but will be proceeding straight to work on leaving, and the aim of the instructors (Messrs Kirkpatrick and Skelton) is to give these pupils such a thorough grounding that they will have no difficulty in making rapid progress in their profession. 'With this end in view all pupils who -so desire are prepared for the London City and Guilds examinations, and it is hoped that ultimately no boy will leave tlie college without this hall-mark of excellence. In the engineering workshop much interesting work was being done on the day when the Minister paid his visit. Each boy appeared to have his particular duties and responsibilities. One had .charge of the toot-room, and on him was laid the responsibility of seeing that all tools issued were returned in good order. An inspection of the valuable tools, neatly arranged in racks, showed that this part of the work was being well attended to. Another boy had control of the engine, and appeared to thoroughly understand what he was about. Others were working lathes, shaping-machine, drilling-machine, etc., while others again were doing vice work or sharpening tools on the emery wheel. A noticeable feature of these lads was the earnestness with which they carried on their work. It was remarked that the belting of the machinery was carefully protected by guards, and as far as could be judged the workshop was absolutely "fool-proof." On requesting to see some of the work done, Mr. Hanan was shown some beau-tifully-finished specimens in brass and steel. It was really difficult to realise that boys could turn out such work, but reference to the work in hand . at the time showed that they were engaged on other samples equally as good. In the room set apart for the theoretical side of the work, the boys were receiving a lesson on applied mechanics. In this room the Minister was shown some splen-didly-executed drawings of very complicated machine parts. Drawing is a most necessary adjunct to an engineering course, and the work seen showed that very special attention is paid to it.

THE OFFICE AND THE HOME. In the commercial rooms the instructors (Mr. Duff and Miss Menzies) were giving lesons in book-keeping and shorthand respectively. This class is the largest in the school, about seventy students having been in attendance this year. The full course occupies three years, at the end of which the student is considered capable of taking up responsible office work. It is found, however, that a large proportion of the pupils obtain good positions before they have finished the course. The subjects taught are hook-keeping, shorthand, typewriting, office routine and commercial correspondence. In the domestic department about forty girls have received training this year. The Minister entered the room just at the completion of a laundry lesson, and some of the articles which had been starched and ironed were most creditable both to the instructress (Miss Minkelscn) and to the pupils. The other subjects of this eoure are dressmaking, millinery, cookery, housewifery, and domestic hygiene. In the art room a number of students were at leather work, and here again some very fine work was seen. The raised designs on bags, book-covers, etc., were really well executed. In addition to this subject, the art course includes light and shade work, painting, instrumental drawing, beaten copper work and enamelling. Students from each of the other departments are allowed in turn to take a branch of the art work, while in some, eases pupils take the whole arts and crafts course. The woodwork course, conducted by Messrs Sandford nnd N. Johnson, has consisted for this year of farm carpentry and cabinet-making. It is expected that the class will fill up next year, when it is proposed to supply a complete course, including building construction and architectural drawing.

| In addition to the above courses there is a special technical course for those who desire to take up teaching as a profession (Miss Still, instructress). This course includes psychology, handwork of various kinds, hygiene, botany and other technical subjects in which practical certificates are demanded from examination candidates. In this clais an attempt is being made to formulate a scheme for the training of teaches on technical lines nnd it certainly appears that such an important profession should be catered for in a scientific manner. The study of psychology forms the groundwork for all the work. The whole scheme of instruction is under the continual supervision oF Mr. A. Gray, the director, anil the excellence of the College exemplifies the splendid work which he is doing.