TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1916, Page 6

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT. At yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Education Board the Director of Technical Education (Mr. A. Gray) submitted the following report:— The numbers attending the day classes are as follows: Commercial 92, arts and science 17, domestic 22, agriculture C. engineering 40, woodworking 1; total, 178. Students continue to obtain positions before finishing their full course. Although this lessens our numbers we cannot complain, -as there is a great scarcity of labor owing to the abnormal conditions prevailing. The work generally is proceeding satisfactorily, and good progress is being made. I'should like once more to emphasise the importance of domestic training. Our domestic instructresses are entering most heartily into this work, and I have noted an increased keenness on the part of the day pupils. I think everything possible should be done to encourage this elsss; but where dress.naking, millinery, etc., have to he taught in the chemistry and cookery room, it will be readily understood that both pupils and teachers are working under difficulties. The Department has notified that the sum of £1471 has been granted for the purpose of extension of buildings. This will meet the requirement of the engineering class, but does not put the domestic or commercial classes on any better footing. Regulations.—As the Department has issued a reprint of the Did manual and technical regulations. I take it that no now regulations are to be issued at present. Evening Classes.—The numbers attending the evening classes remain about the same. With regard to compulsory pupils, I shall be compelled to recommend the prosecution of certain persons whose children not only absent themselves from the classes but try to induce others to do the same. Grounds.—The caretaker, Air. Lyley, is making good progress with the improvement to the grounds. The result of his work is already apparent, and when summer comes the change should be most marked. The improvements to the lighting have been carried out, and are very much appreciated. THE AGRICULTURE COURSE. Mr. Sergei, agricultural instructor, reported:—The weather has not been very favorable fo r practical work. In the early part of the mouth we put in some potatoes at Fitzroy and pulled all the mangolds. Later we have been at Corbett read, and resumed breaking up pasture ground. One portion we have subsoiled, hoping later to ascertain whether it will make any appreciable difference to root crops. We are also continuing fencing. Our variety test of quickgrowing ryes is doing well, the limed parts in particular. I more and more deplore the fact, especially in the winter months, that I can get the science room at the college for one hour only in the week for the boys. Fanners' Instruction.—Since my last report I have been to Tariki, Durham road, Midhirst, Oaonui, Opunake, Toko, Tarata, Pukeho, YYaitara road and Tikorangi. 1 have the impression that owing to the increased prices of fertilisers many farmers are greatly reducing their use of what, broadly speaking, limits their production. It cannot be too strongly urged that increasing our output should be encouraged, as from an economic point of view the value to the Empire at this stage is considerable. Through the courtesy of Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., I have been able to obtain from the chemistry division a number of analyses of Taranaki soils, and although in some respects their value may be regarded as being limited, yet they are undoubtedly interesting. The chairman reported that the Advisory Committee had passed a resolution drawing attention to the clause in the director's report relative to the compulsory attendance clause. He thought that in cases where children could attend without hardship and did not attend, then a prosecution sliould be instituted. With regard to the additional accommodation the money in hand would not suffice to carry out the building proposed by the overseer, but by omitting the v. coding flooring for the present and substituting wood fov iron, a building could be erected that* would serve the purpose. With a little fitting up the shed now used for an engineer's shop could be made available for a class room. Rev. Chappell brought up the question of students only taking part of the subjects of study and thereby partly hindering the progress of the classeTs. Mr. Gray' stated that this was inevitable, and could not be avoided. The report was received and adopted and the payments recommended by .the director authorised.