TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1917, Page 7

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

COUNTRY CLASSES.

ORGANISING THE DISTRICT. During the holidays, Sir. A. firav, Director of Technical Education under trie Taianaki Education Board, Ims hcon actively engaged in organising classes in the country districts, and doing his utmost' to promote technical cd i .ication in laranaki. The mooting recently held at Manaia was typical" of others held throughout the district. Addressing the householders nt Mann in, Mr. Gray described tlie difference between manual and technical education. Profeeding, Mr. Gray said manual training was.only part of a general education. On the other hand, technical training was distinctly specialised and was meant to give the student a knowledge of the fundamental principles of some particular trade or calling. It was thin specialised education, said Mr. Gray, that was to play so important a part in tho educational life of the country (hiring the next few years. It was to this system of education that Mr. Cray desired to direct the attention of parents. In the technical schools r" the Dominion facilities were offered students to learn the rudiments of the particular trade or profession any boy or girl purposed following. It was impossible, .said Mr. Gray, to establish technical schools in every small town in the country, and parents must be prepared to «md their children to the nearest centre. ThV© was wellequipped technical school at Hawera, '.nid there, the children of Manaia should bo sent. Mr. Orav described the various courses included in the school curriculum. He pointed out that free places would he awarded every child who had a. proficiency certificate. Every child who had a competency certificate with special mention in elementary science and handwork was entitled to a free place, irrespective of age. The fee to c.hihlren who were ineligible for free places was £3 per year. Concluding, Mr. firay impressed 'his hearers with the importance of actively supporting technical education., and trusted that a number of children 'row Maniaia, would be enrolled at tho ITawera' school.

Gratifying success has also attended Mr. Oriiv's efforts to obtain support to. the Board's scheme to inaugurat. l Mood work classes at various schools situated round the mountain.

• THE HAWERA SCHOOL. j Mr. Cray was busy last week in in- j tcrviewing the parents of children and enrolling students for this years' term at the Hawera Technical School, which opens on February 12. He pointed out that the Education Board was leaving no stone unturned to make Hawera a successful centre, and he had no doubt parents would take the matter up enthusiastically. Mr. Gray said inquiries concerning the Hawera school lwd been received from Mokoia, Inaha, Manaia, and Te Kid. The director pointed out to inquirers that the institutions were run as schools oii technical lines, and, t'lio classes were continued daily throughout the year. At Hawera the courses will cover commercial, industrial and agricultural work for boys and commercial and domestic wo.i<k for girls. The industrial course was specially designed to lead up to the various trades, and it was hoped that the course would ultimately develop into definite, ivaile work, namely, engineering and woodworking trades.. The course included instrumental drawing, mathematics, wood and metal work. At the end of 1917 the authorities would be able to decide definitely what trades should bfl gi' en prominence in the instruction. Every girl must take up physical drill, dr portment and singing, while every "boy must tako military drill. Sports and shooting would receive attention. For those who were artistically inclined there would he an arts and art crafts course, including work in drawing, painting, leather work, copper work, and enamelling. For the young people who intend to become teachers, a special arts and science course was provided. Any further information would be gladly supplied by Mr. Jackson, of the Hawera Technical School, or by Mr. Gray, of Kt>w Plymouth.

. NEW PLYMOUTH SCHOOL. In introducing the prospectus of lite New Plymouth Technical School to parents, the Director (Mr. A. Cray) said tbe day classes, which had prove.) t'o successful during the past two or three years, would re-open on February <i, 1017. Parents who desired a thorough technical education for their children could rely on the services of .1 first-rate , staff of instructors, each of whom was an expert at his or h?r own particular work. The curriculum was divided into eight courses, encii one of which embraced a variety c-f subjects. Engineering included a compute course in mechanical, electricil, and motor-car work. Commercial work included bookkeeping, shorthand, anil tvping, commercial English, and arithmetic, and office routine. Domestic work embraced cookery, dressmaking, laundry work, millinery, and hygience. In connection with the agricultural ;l'<iiartment of the school's activities, the school had, through tlio kindness of Messrs. Old and Counett, the use of 2'l acres of land, on which Hie practical work would be carried on. Hie agricultural course included chemistry and tetany, farm bookkeeping, farm :.irpenttry, and elementary practical engineering. In addition to drawing, painting, and outdoor sketching in tnc srt and art crafts course, there wa-: a fine course in enamelling, copperwork, and leather work. Agriculture, engineering, carpcnttry, mathematics, and mechanics, carried out on sound practical lines, formed the general industrial course. The school also oilers a good course in building construction, carpentry, and eabinetmaking for those lads who intend taking up any of the woodworking trades. All first au,\ second year students take English and oiithmc'tic. and all girls take singing and calisthenics.

Jn conversation with iv News reporter, Mr. Gray said the prospect fr.r ■ tliis year in Hawcra, Now Plymouth, o jkl the surrounding districts wns oittinctly bright. So soon as the poop!* realised the importance of technien.l education, lie hod no doubt of the sueIcess of the system.