TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1921, Page 2

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

THE MONTH’S WORK. REPORT FOR TARANAKI DISTRICT, Reports on the working of manual and technical classes in Taranaki during March were received at the monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board. A summary is given below:— New Plymouth Technical College.—Mr. A. L. Moore (principal) reported that during the past month four pupils left in order to take up positions, and three new pupils joined the school. The numbers in the various classes totalled 163, including commercial (57) and engineering (48). “Manual training classes in cookery and woodwork are now in full swing,” stated the principal. “Bell Block, through a misunderstanding, did not commence with the others, but is making its first attendance this week. So far as I can ascertain no desk equipment was ever supplied for the engineering lecture room, with the exception of 16 drawing desks. The balance of equipment for these rooms is made up of tem- < porary examination tables, which are the property of the Department.” Additional equipment is required at Waitara and New Plymouth for cookery classes. The instructors report that the manual training rooms at Waitara are in a very dirty condition, the woodwork room particularly so, not apparently having been swept for weeks, although the room is used daihr for general classes. It was decided that the additional equipment asked for in respect to Waitara and New Plymouth Technical Schools be supplied. Hawera Technical High School.—The headmaster (Air. A. Gray) reported that there were 173 on the roll, including literary (79) engineering (22), and commercial ('64). The numbers attending the evening classes totalled 110: English and arithmetic (16), woodwork (20), shorthand and typing (-15), and book-keeping (12). The work was progressing satisfactorily under great difficulties as regards seating accommodation and staffing. The roll number increased each month, and there were not even sufficient seats.

On the recommendation of the finance committee, it was decided that the necessary desks be supplied as a temporary measure, until a decision is reached between the Department and the architect as to the style of desk to be supplied to the school.

Eltham Technical *Bollool.—The following report was presented by Mr. W. C. Bichend:—“Owing to the visitation of an epidemic of measles, the manual classes from the Eltham Convent, Rawhitiroa, Mata, and Salvation Army Boys’ Home schools did not meet for two weeks. As Miss Earl is again incapacitated an instructress for domestic classes is required for each Monday in the week from 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Twenty-four youths are enrolled for the compulsory classes, and these have been regularly held. The attendance has been satisfactory, considering the prevalence of measles. Miss Lovell has held an adult class for bookkeeping, typewriting and shorthand each Tuesday, and the attendance has been highly satisfactory.” AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. The agricultural instructor (Mr. H. S. Johnson) reported for the month of March:—

Primary Schools.—Work has been carried on as far as possible. Since Mr. Syme has been unaible to travel, this work has not received all the attention it so justly merits. In all three visits were made during the month. The centre at Stratford for primary pupils in rural science gives promise of very satisfactory work. The pupils seem keen and enthusiastic. The senior pupils from no fewer than 18 district schools attend. At Inglewood a centre has also been formed, the pupils attending coming from Waiongona, Kaimata and Norfolk road, with a possibility of Dudley and Durham. I am hopeful of establishing a centre at Kaponga, but at present no definite arrangements have been arrived at. I have interviewed the committees of Cardiff and Bird Road re improvements to school grounds. In both places arrangements were made for considerable improvements. With Mr. Syme I spent a day in nature study with the pupils from Ohangai and Whakamara schools, the centre of study being our native plants. While this may have little value from a practical agriculturist’s point bf view, yet I feel convinced that it plays an important part ,jn the moulding of a pupil’s outlook on life. At Ngaere school on the 24th inst. a school show was held. The pupils had in the spring been supplied with seeds and flowers and vegetables. These were grown at home and brought to the school on this day for inter-competition. The results achieved were excellent, and are deserving of the highest praise. Such a move is of the utmost importance from the fact that it brings “school” and “home” in close touch.

Secondary. —Regular instruction has been given at Stratford District High School. By kind invitation from the Stratford Jersey Breeders’ Association, I was permitted to take 75 senior pupils to the demonstration by Mr. H. E. B. Watson, of Christchurch. The Association provided motor cars for the conveyance of the pupils to and fro, and. did all in their power to make the demonstration of the utmost value to the pupils.

General.—l would ask that matters be hastened in connection with the appointment of an additional agricultural instructor. There are a few schools, new or practically new, where, on account of the lateness of the aseason, no planting could be done. Permission has already been obtained for obtaining trees for some of these. I would ask that permission be granted me to purchase 1500 hedge and shelter plants, and, as last year, twenty dozen ornamental shrubs for distribution to primary schools., Apparatus for the most efficient carrying on of the classes at the centre in rural science is greatly insufficient. The potato shield competition for schools surround- ' ing Eltham was won by Ngaere, Okaiawa being second and Eltham third. The exhibits from all twelve schools'were of a very high order. Mr. R. Syme reported:—Primary Schools: As I have been unable to use the motor-cycle during the month, the ordinary inspection visits to country schools have been held up. Special visits have been made to several of the schools round New Plymouth for instruction in cowjudging. I have also been with Mr. Johnson to several schools in the southern end of the district. Assistance has also been given with the primary school classes that assemble at Stratford. The work with the High School classes at Stratford in dairy science and agriculture is continuing satisfactorily. Mr. W E. Burley reported:—During the past month the laboratory work in connection with all classes in science has continued in full up to Matriculation standard in addition to the advanced chemistry for students at Stratford. The chemistry and physics is being treated as fully as possible, and should enable

all pupils, whether in agriculture, dairy or domestic science, to become proficient in this branch of their science subjects, and at the same time meet the requirements of the subject physical science undertakep by students both at Stratford anti New Plymouth. During the month my work has been arranged so that I take the New Plymouth classes on Tuesday instead of Friday, on which day I am now employed at Stratford.