TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1919, Page 5

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT. The fpllowing report on technical education 'was submitted by the director (Mr A. Gray) to the Education Board {in Wednesday:— New Plymouth.—Day classes 158, previous reports is proceeding steadily. At sT«ir Plymouth I think the position is a solid one, and that the next' few years will see decided progress in technical work.' That the day work is preferablfi to evening classes is I think, adequately demonstrated by the success of the d§y daises at this centre. There fe?mq to be every probability of the near future witnessing the introduction of day attendance of apprentices. I am that most' employers would welcomesuch a scheme.' JtUNSfedXhe numbers in the differtat classes totalled 150. The w<a£ is beiagearried out on general Technical BMff SeSool lines. I hope the school wifi be fully staffed by Ist July. The Advisory Committee is anxious that the fqun&ttiop stone of the new building shouk' be laid on that date if possible. Stratford.—The number of students totyff 62. Mr Tyrer reports that the eludes are progressing satisfactorily. Spring the last six years I have had inuch help and advice regarding this centre from Mr Tyrer, and I have to expriss my appreciation of the happy relations that have always existed betinm us. AtEliham the number is 51. Some gottL technical work blight be done here bl connection With the Salvation Boys' propose to visit this institution during the holidays, and will pra■ent a report on the possibilities there fffpre tin end of the month. 4« pvidence of the scope of manual technical work in the district I may remind the board that there are at presenfnineteen instructors engaged exelu»ivsljrin this wok. ' 4£ my last report as director of "manual tad technical work, I would point put that the board possesses in a very efficient and enthusiband, of workers. Personally I ha*« to express my very sincere gratitude to all these supervisors and instructro.f&q haveworicedso loyally during jfif. years. To Mr Whitcombe and theoffice staff I am particularly gratefirifprinuch assistance and advice, especially daring the first years after jay appointment. I also wish to . tfiank members of the board for the universal courtesy and consideration extended to me during my term of officei Whatever may be sold to tie contrary, there can be no doubt that technical .-education is I tSe. coming not in just | thesameformj#Td the past, but certainly in sopjrform or other. lam fully cgnsroTs of many mistakes of ■mitie but J suppose such mistakes are inevitable fa the inauguration of any j new movement. MANUALI AND TECHNICAL COMMIT- / TEE'S REPORT. The Wing] and Technical Committee mads tfie following recommendations: — That Mesdrs McMillan and Frederick be thaakcp for their gift of a Gerber tester far we Btratford classes; that the hedge plant* recommended 1 by the Agricultural Instructors and those applied for by the Stanley Committee l>e granted; that the tocu? recommended ■by the agricultural inptrocMts be granted; that the agriaßtural instructors be to report oft tke application of the Oaobui School ipr Pohotukawa plants; that the agri- ■ 'ultural Snsteuctora be directed to promt*' the oat; recommended in theirrelortj tbatfresh applications be called Eor tiie portion of dress-miking injtructrcss in tie New Plymouth Tectorial College; that Miss Maud Heward be jppoiatsd domestic science instructress lb the New Plymouth Technical College; That the board is of opinion that ;h<) present staff of the Hawera Technical School is sufficient for the present itfcndgnfe, and farther that the financial position does not warrant the ap- - aq adiiiti/m to tha staff. ■I ■ ' '