TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1920, Page 6

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

THE WORK IN TARAXAKI. Reporting- 011 manual, technical, and agricultural instruction,-the Director of Technical Education, Mr. A. L. Moore, presented a summary of the month's work at yesterday's ■ meeting .of the J'siranoki Education Board:— The attendance at the various day dassts at New Plymouth Technical College totalled 101, and the evening roil number was 27ti. Results for the 1919 City and Guilds of London Examinations were just to hand showing one 2nd class pass in dress making, two passes electrical engineering and'seven motor car engineering. It was proposed to hold a parents' day during the present month, so that parents and those interested may see tne school at work. A successful start was made with the plumbing class, 12 students being enrolled. It will be necessary to provide accommodation for this class as the nature of the work was such that no suitable workshop was available. Stratford.—ifr. Tyrer reported that the evening classes had not been #ery satisfactory, but steps are being taken by the truant officer to deal with Vie matter.

Eltham, —Evening classes were proceeding satisfactorily. Miss Hannah, of the New Plyjnouth staff, is now taking a class'in shorthand and typewriting, and the dress-making class has been resumed. AGRICULTURE. Sft. Johnson reported as follows: Primary Schools.—The month was a short one for primary work. In all 24 visits were made, and many. to schools vhere the work is being taken up for the first time. Those teachers wly> attended the winter school are tackling the subject with confidence and enthusiasm, In almost every case the work is being carried out well; the frequent changes of teachers have anything but good effect upon the work. In many cases the enthusiasm for school ground improvement is so great that the committee and residents have made special grants to the teachers for purchasing shrubs, etc., viz., Ohanga, Mokoia, Okoke. Kapuni, Whangamomona. The work proceeds well at Stratford. The results of the examinations recently held show that in all classes good work has been done. One interesting result of tlu. teachers' winter school is the increase in attendance at the Saturday classes held at Stratford. • Agriculture now claims 20 and dairy science 14. Witn Mr. Burley I have begun an advanced agricultural chemistry class at Stratford. This class meets every Tuesday and although the attendance is only 10, I anticipate good work.

The school rural exhibit at the New Plymouth Winter Show is worthy of comment. The decrease in number of exhibits of roots was a true mark of progress in aim and ideal- These have given place to the more important work of "observational and record." The ob» servational work was of a very high standard, and I have pie-sure in stating that it has already hi., its upon some schools where the work was not previously taken on these lines. Mr. R. ■ Syme reported as follows: — During the month I have Visited 21 schools, chiefly in the Waitara and coastal districts. One week at the beginning of the month was occupied in the preparation of the schools' rural exhibit at the New Plymouth Winter Show. This exhibit was most successful from every point of view. On the 18th inet. I met the Piliama School Committee for the purpose of selecting a suitable site for a war memorial in the school grounds Stratford. —Very satisfactory progress is being made in all classes. A star!, has been made with the planting and pruning of fruit trees and other seasonal work.