MANUAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1917, Page 7

MANUAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

TARANARI DISTRICT. At yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Education Board the Technical Committee recommended aa follows: That the Hawera Borough Council he informed that the deputation appointed by the Board to make representation to the Department of .Education in connection with tho establishment of a Technical High School at Hawera has reported that the Department will not consider the erection of a building on any less area of land than 5 acres, and 'under these circumstances the Board is of opinion that if an area of 2 acres were offered in addition to the 3 acres offered in the council's letter the establishment of the school would be facilitated.

That Mr. F. T. Davis' resignation of his position as commercial instructor at the New Plymouth Technical College be accepted. That consequent on Mr. Davis' resignation the following appointments be made to the staff of the New Plymouth Technical College:—Mr. (1. H. White to be teacher of shorthand and other subjects at a salary of £lßll per annum; Miss H. Watkins to he teacher of typewriting, shorthand, book-keeping at a salary of £'loo per annum; Sir. V. Duff to give three lessons per week in bookkeeping at a salary of £1 10s per week; That the director be authorised to purchase six additional typewriters if they can be obtained at a reasonable price; that the recommendations of the director with regard to truancy be considered at the same time as the appointment of a truant officer for the primary schools. The report was adopted.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT. I The director of the technical college reported as follows: — The numbers in the various classes are as follows: ©ay gineering 43 (44), domestic 8 (S), art 3 and science 10 (17), agriculture 6 (8), woodwork 3 (3). Night classes: —Bookkeeping (sen.) 3 (3), book-keeping (jun.) 28 (35), shorthand (jun.) 2G (31), commercial correspondence 4 (4), dressmaking (jun.) 10 (14), dressmaking (sen.) 3 (5), cookery 14 (14), English and arithmetic 30 (*33), elect. English 1C (17), mechanical drawing 13 (13), steam, gas and oil 7 (7). motor car engineering 21 (24), workshop practice 21 (20). Engineering.—Mr. Kirkpatrick left for camp on Wednesday morning, Mr. Wright having taken up his duties on Monday, 17th inst. Tho work of fitting up the new engineenng workshop is almost completed, and it is worthy to note that it lias all been done by the staff and the boys. One of the students (J. Armstrong) was successful in passing for this third marine certificate. Commercial.—The partition in the art room has been completed, and we have now a suitable room for typewriting. This being so I recommend that six additional typewriters ho procured. This will place the class in .a satisfactory position in this respect. Hawera.—The numbers are:—Day classes: Commercial 46 (f.i), engineering 4 (4), arts and science 7 (S), arts and art craft 1 (1), domestic 4 (3), literary 1 (1), agriculture 4 (C). Evening classes: English and arithmetic 40 (40)', book-keeping 30 (3C)i, shorthand and typing 44 (44), woodwork 'l4 (10). cookery 5 (7), dressmaking 84 (S). The position here remains unchanged. The classes are still being carried on, and in many cases are doing good work. In previous reports I have referred to th« commercal class, and I should like here to state that the arts and science class is making splendid progrsss under Miss O'Rorke. This class would be much larger if parents only realised the quality of the work,

Eltham.—'The classes already recognised are proceeding satisfactorily. The truant officer's attentions are required at this centre. I should like to express to the board my appreciation of the manner in which Mr Lightbournc- lifts carried out the duties of supervisor. He has been most enthusiastic with regard to the classes, and most of the success attending them has been due to his supervision. Stratford.—One of the most successful classes at this centre is that for motor vngincering. The class has twenty students, the majority of whom are adults. Thanks are due to Mr. Ashton, manager for Mr. Newton King, for the assistance he has given to the instructor. The work so far has dealt with the engine, the carburettor and the ignition. The next part of the course will include practical demonstrations. Woodwork in country schools.—The Department has made a giant for benches and also has granted £IOO towards the cost of a motor-bicycle. As this will not cover the cost of a machine I suggest that, failing our being able to induce the Department to inYrease the grant the extra money required be paid from the manual fund. In any case these classes will not commence until next year. Compulsory attendance. —A* a large number of young people are undoubtedly shirking these classes, I think it necessary that a truant officer should be appointed to take over the work of technical classes only, in the three compulsory centre* There would be plenty of work for him to do in the meantime. I think this is desirable in the interests of those parents who do insist on their children conforming with the regulations. The report was adopted, and the director was empowered to obtain six new typewriters if they can be procured at a reasonable price, his suggestions as to a truancy officer being held over.