TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1920, Page 6

TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

BREAK-UP DAY. A large gathering assembled at the New Plymouth Technical College yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the breaking-up ceremony and distribution of prizes. Among lie visitors present were Messrs. P. J. H. White (chairman of the" Taranakl Education Board), the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), and Mrs. Wilson, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.F., Mr. J. S. Connett (County chairman), and Mr. H. Trimble (member of the Education! Board). Apologies for absence were received from Mr. It. Masters, M.P., Itev. J. Napier Milne, and Itev. 0. Blundell. On behalf of the Education Board, the governing body of the college, Mr. White extended a welcome to all. The gathering, he said, was probably tie finest they had hail In connection with (he Co/Hege, and was evidence of the increasing interest manifested in the institution, DIRECTOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the director (Mr. A. L. Moore) stated tho opening of tte school was delayed by order of the Public Health Department on account of the Influenza, but eventually opened on the 19th February, with a roll number of 120 made up as follows: Commercial 19, engineering 40, general 15, domestic 11, agricultural and Industrial 5. A number of unavoidable staff changes occurred during the year. Mr. Sandford very kindly continued to flll the position of woodwork Instructor until Mr. Oorrlnge was able to take up his duties on the Ist April. Mrs. Wlshart, commercial mistress, resigned owing to ill-health. Mrs. Lambert, dress-mak-ing Instructress, was also compelled to resign owlnj to ill-healtl", and Miss Sandford filled the position temporarily until the appointment of Miss Heal. Miss Heward, domestic science mistress, resigned in February and Mrs. Moore was appointed to flll the position until the end of the year. Mrs. Woods, teacher of general Bubje'ets. relinquished her appointment at tho end of the first term in order 10 return to Canada, and Miss Lambert was appointed to the position. At the end of the second term Miss Dean, assistant domestic science instructress, received an appointment under the Wanganui Board, and Miss WoHerstnn was appointed in her stead. Miss Hannal:, assistant commercial mistress, severs her connection with the school at the end of the year. The whole of the school courses were remodelled at the commencement of the year, and the school has this year been run on tbe same lines as a technical high school. It Is hoped that the advent of a Dominion grading scheme will do away with so many staff changes. The examination results for the year are as follows:—Four Intermediate passes, 4 partial teachers' "D" certificates, 44 awarded senior freo places on annual examinations. City and Guilds of London Examinations.— One 2nd class pass dressmaking, 2 passes electrical engineering, 7 passes motor car engineering. Pitman's shorthand and Society of Accountants' results are not yet to hand. A fine display of pupils' work was made at the annua! Winter Show, and 12 certificates of merit were awarded to our pupils.

Sports, etc. —Duo consideration has been given to drill and sports, swimming, football, cricket and hockey. The girls have been exceptionally entlusiast.ic with tho hockey this year, every girl in the school, with the oxception of a few physically unable, took pari In the game. The "A" team were the winners of the Taranakl ladies' hockey championship, and the "B" team were the runners up in the local TTursday competition. Swimming sports were held fbr the first time in the early part of the year, and a very successful sports gathering was held last month. We are still very much handicapped for want of sports grounds and playing fields. The cadet company has made great Improvement in general appearance, smartness and enthusiasm, under the command of Messrs. Kirltpatrick, Crimp and Skelton. The boys under the 'entruslaatic. guidance of Lieut. Crimp have been shooting remarkably well, considering the small amount of practice It Is possible to obtain under present conditions. We are handicapped for the want of a miniature rifle range and two .22 rifles. Here Is a line opportunity for a. well-disposed benefactor. The girls are' very keen on their physical drill and show a remarkable improvement In this direction. I have to thank the Board for granting and obtaining grants for equipment, but ttere Is still more equipment needed to make the school up-to-date and complete. Tho recreation and social side has developed. Several social functions were held during the year where recreation of an instructive and pleasnrahlo nature was indulged in. The annual break-up concert was held on Monday last, when the pupils showed marked ability in portraying Shakespearean and other characters. A library bas been commcaced in connection with the school. Contributions by the pupils themselves and friends formed a nucleus of over 200 volumes, to which we hope to add from time to time. A school magazine Is also being issued this year. Old pupils of the school have formed themselves Into an association, and will, I believe, tave a great Influence for good on tho future of the school. The Imminent expansion and growth of New Plymouth should arouse the citizens to the fart that it Is time to "sit up and take notice" of what is going on In our midst, to take stock of facilities and Institutions for our present and future needs in view of a rapid development. If we have not what we require, or sufßclnt of what we require, now is the time to see that ttose deficiencies are made good. This is particularly so in the case of our educational institutions. The great need for tho present and future welfare of this town anft district Is the provision of a hostel attached to this school. A number of applications were made at the beginning of the year, but we were unable to satisfy the enquiries. I trust that tf:!s disability will be speedily removed. 1 wish to express my appreciation of the work done by the staff throughout the year; they have worked loyally and whole-hearted-ly both In school and at games and sports to keep the whole up to concert pitch and maintain a standard of excellence. To those who are leaving to-day, remember the principle of conduct that have been held before you, and do not forget that your old school has always a welcome for you. Mr. Smith said the value of technical education bad been demonstrated in New Zealand, and in the centres where they had full opportunities tl:e institutions, had shown the people the importance of the work, with the result that the schools were taking their proper place in (lie educational sphere. The New Plymouth school had been lampored lu one direction by having no playground, and they had to make use of a public park. If, however, tho teachers and pupils were to have an equal opportunity i with the rest of New Zealand tV.ey must | have proper facilities, not only for the school life Itself, but for the activities outside the school. Another drawback was that there was no hostel for the accommodation of country children, who sbould have an equal right with town children to tho benefits of technical education). Increased interest was necessary on the part of parents, who should back up the Board solidly In its reqiK-srs to the Department for the various needs. The Mayor said personally he had a'ways taken a deep Interest in education, and Us efforts had once extended to taking a class at the New Plymouth Terlmic.il School on the subject of mercantile law. He hoped that before long the school syllabus, would be extended to embrace that subject agal-.i. li. some remaxUK, acMfessod ff.vocially to the pupils, Mr. Wilson reminded them that ttey owed a duty to the community, and should some day be ready to (111 public oositiona. In these they would derive a certain amount of pleasure in serving the community. The chairman. In addressing the pupils, reminded them that their education was never completed, and he advised them on lcaviu I ,' school to read widely. He believed, ti'at with the changes taking place In tho world it would be necessary to obtain a new conception of life, and to do this they imnst be informed as to what was happening in other countries of the world. the speaker said the. College would fill a much larger plias.) in the community's life than It had done before. The benefits which the "College would derive in the future, however, would largely depend on the Interest which the publ.c tool; In iU welfare, lbs Hoard ef Sduutiuu end

Advisory Board were almost, impotent If ihelr demands were not backed up by the .urei.ls. jir. White remarked on the progress technical education was milking. Tic Board hoped to do something more for the New Plymouth College than had been accomplished up tc the present. Ho pointed out lhat the school was not In competition with the ordinary hl6h school, tkere being ample room for both.

Tlio prizes were then presented by the Mayoress.

Mr. Crimp, who coached the girls' hockey team (winners of the Taranakl championship), was the recipient, of a presentation from the, team, ttis being made on their behalf by Miss Mary Klvell (vlce-.captaln) who expressed the thanks of members to Mr. Crimp for the work done for the team during :l.e season. At the conclusion of tho ceremony visitors were entertained at afternooa tea.^ PRIZE- LIST. GENERAL CLASS. Seniors: Gladys Hardgrave, Ist arithmetic, botany, literature, geography, 2nd history, grammar, special mention hygiene, Interdiote: Delina PolettJ, Ist English literature, tistory, 2nd arithmetic, ibotany, grammar, geography. Juniors: Ist, Lillian Burton, Ist arithmetic, grammar, geography, 2nd literature, history, special mention French; 2nd, Margaret Sutton, Ist literature, home science, 2nd arithmetic, botany, grammar, geography. Special prize for progress: Kathleen Corney, Ist history and civics.

Third Year Commercial.—Francis Holmes, arithmetic Ist (equal), Ist book-keeping, Ist geography, 2nd dressmaking, English, economies, shorthand, 3rd typewriting; Mary McHae, Ist dressmaking, English economics, Ist (equal) arltbmetic, 2nd bookkeeping, geography; Avis Woodham, Ist shorthand; Florence Knopman, Ist typewriting; Doris Lund, general progress. , Second Year Commercial. —Doris Barnden, Ist arithmetic, dressmaking, English, geography, shorthand, typewriting, 2ad bookkeeping, art craft, 3rd history and civics; Fanuie Soffe, Ist bookkeeping, 2nd (equal) typewriting, 3rd arithmetic and art c/nft; Mary. Klvell, Ist (equal) \rilhnieiic. Ist science, 2nd dwi.naki.i:!, English, geography, 3rd bookkeeping, lid (equal) art craft work: Ethel Smitn, Ist history and civics, art craft, 2nd shorthand, 3rd English; Violet Bosson, general progress. First Year Commercial.—Bella Miller, Ist bookj-kieep'iiig, ldt (equal) .arithmetic, 2nd' (equal) English, geography; 3rd science, tiypewritting; Winnifred Sampson, Ist geography, 2nd (equal) bookkeeping, history, and civics; Vera Carmlehacl, 2nd (equal) bookkeeping, shorthand; .li(..jsio .Torus, Ist shorthand, dressmaking, art craft, 3rd (equal) arithmetic; Connie Spurdle, Ist typewriting. Domestic. —General progress, also Ist art craft work, and dressmaking, Mary Stuart. Rachel Muir, 2nd arithmetic, cookery and domestic science, 2nd (equal) dressmaking and needlework, 3rd home nursing and first aid. Francis Andrews, Ist homo nursing and first aid, 3rd arithmetic; Elsie Glenlworth, Ist cookery and domestic science, 2nd home nursing and first aid. First Year Engineering.—Highest marks: Ist Harper IJarnett, 2nd Bernard Corbett; best work done in workshop, Ist Douglas Itichards.

Second Year Engineering.—Best vise made during year, Reginald Sarten; Harry Dugdale, sncclal prize, proficiency In engineering subjects; liigl.-est marks, Ist Arthur Ulckson, 2nd Herbert Lee; special prize proficiency in engineering, Wm. Boyd. Third Yar BiiKinoerliiK.—Highest "'marks, Alex Burrell; second highest marks In englneering, Robert Scott; special prise for highest marks in electrical engineering, K. Scott, Ist fuze for work in engineering workshop during year, Leslie Loveridge and Werlton Taylor (equal). Messrs. Rollo and Millar's special prixe for best third year engin-'.ring student, Alex. Bun-ell.

Agricultural and Industrial.—Varioy lltilyar, Ist woodwork, applied mechanics, rae'.liaulcni drawing, workshop practice, 2nd (equal) bookkeeping; Ronald Body, Ist science, bookkeeping, 2nd woodwork, 3rd workshop practice; Reid Baker, general progress.

The following inuilifled for third year err tlfleates :

Commercial.—Frances Holmes, Mary JleRae, Florence Laurent, Doris Lund, Florence Knapman, Avis Woodham, Eileen Hine, Walter O'Byrne. The following qualified for second year certificates: Fanuie Soffe, Mary Kivell, Doris Barnden, Ruth Palmer, Nora Andrews, Eva Syraonds, Violet Bosson, Iris Mountford, Ethel Smith, Grace Faweett, Lelta Frewin, Stanley Scott.

Engineering.—The following qualified for third year certificates: Alox Burrell, Robert Scott. The following qualified for second year certificates: ' Arthur Dickson, James Smith, William Keed, Herbert Lee, Albert Rumtall, Japes Frankiyn, Leslie Loveridge, Kenncb Elgar, Reginald Sarlen, Jlerlton Taylor, Kenneth Keenau, Eric Corney. for fourth year certificate: Gladys Hardgrave. Qualified for second year certificates: Patricia Baker, Violet King, Deiina Poletti, Fred Bovett. Domestic—Qualified for second year certificate: Francis Andrews, Elsie Gientworth. CERTIFICATES OF MERIT. Annual Winter Show. E. Corney, mechanical drawing (under 17 years) ; A. Dickson, meckanical drawing (under 18 years) ; Wm. Reed, freehand mechanical drawing (under Hi years) ; K. Elgar, freehand mechanical drawing (under 17 years; Albert Rumball, engineering workshop work (under lli years) ; James Frankiyn, engineering workshop work (under 17 years) ; Kenneth Keenan, engineering workshop work (under 15 years) ; Henry Bennett, engineering workshop work (open class) ; Henry Bennett, freehand mechanical drawing (open class) ; Ronald Henderson, engineering workshop work (under 18 years) ; L. Vercoe, mechanical drawing (under 15 years).

SPORTS PRIZES. Boys. Senior ' championship, Walter O'Byrne, runner-up senior champions!'ip, Arthur Dickson; junior championship, lioid Baker; runner-up junior championship. Harper Bamett; highest points handicap events, James Frankiyn; second highest points handicap events, Leslie Loveridge; fastest time steeplechase, A. Rumball; fastest tlmo one mile, Arthur Dickson. Girls.—Senior Championship, Gladys Hardgrave; runner up senior cl ampionship, Frances Holmes; junior championship, Jessie Johns, runner up. Olive Kingston and Rachel Muir (equal). Highest points handicap events, Florence Knapmnn, 2nd Avis Woodham; Old Girls' race. Hazel Andrews. MILITARY SrORTS. Winner of 1 mile, Mevlton Taylor; winner of ho]), step and jump, A. Rumball; mile walk, A. Styles.