TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1921, Page 7

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

LAST MONTH’S WORK. Reports on the various manual and technical education being carried out in Taranaki were received at Wednesday’s meeting of the Education Board, and are summarised below:— NEW PLYMOUTH TECHNICAL COLLEGE. The principal (Mr. A. L. Moore), reported that during the last month the wet weather had interfered with the regular attendance of pupils, particularly those who had to come long distances. The total roll number was now 172, including commercial (75), and engineering (47). The Usual exhibition of work was held at the winter show, and 32 prizes were gained. A splendid display was made in the primary and technical cookery sections for which thanks were due to Misses Wright and Bottrill. Teachers* and correspondence classes were being well taken up, and the attendance at the evening classes had improved a little since the last report. As the result of the principal’s report, it was decided that the department be again written to with reference to a grant for desks, and that application be made to the department for a grant for cork linoleum for the college. HAWERA TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The headmaster (Mr. A. Gray), reported that the roll number was now 176, including agriculture (9), engineering (22), literary (7'l), and commercial (67). The evening classes had a roll number of 143, English and arithmetic (59), woodwork (30), engineering (12), and shorthand and typing (20). The new. school is practically finished (the report continued), and if the furnishings can be hurried in, we shall be able to move in a very short time. As a considerable sum of money will be required for laying out the grounds, I propose to accede to the request of a large number of residents and repeat the operatta which proved such a success last year. Numbers of people were unable to gain admission then .and. we were too close to the end of the year to give a second performance. The proceeds might be used for the purpose of assisting to defray cost of fence and laying out. Thanks are due for the following donations to the Sports Fund:—Messrs. Death, Mr. Catran, Mr. J. Ekdahl, and Mr. E. H. Harrop, each 10s 6d, Mrs. Jarvie gift of vegetables for boarding house.

It was decided to thank the donors mentioned in Mr. Gray’s report. ELTHAM TECHNICAL CLASSES. The supervisor (Mr. M. C. Bicheno),. reported on the work during June:— : The woodwork classes under Mr. Reed, have been held regularly, with satsifac. tory attendance. The cookery and domestic science classes have not been i held at ail during the past month, and there has been no instructor for a period i of seven weeks. Jt will be almost impossible to secure capitation for these classes if any more lessons are missed. I have personally taken the Eltham girls only for some of the hygiene connected with their course, but owing to my duties at Eltham school I could not take the newly former.!-country classes. It seems a pity that no instructress can be temporarily appointed to carry on the domestic classes while Miss Earl is absent on sick leave. This is especi-' ally so with regard to the country classes which journey hither. The compulsory technical classes are being Well attended and the lads are taking a greater interest in their work. The truant officer has had salutary effect upon the few delinquents, the adult commercial classes are achieving good results. The matter of the appointment of a cookery instructress at Eltham was referred to the chairman to confer with the senior inspector, with power to act. AGRICULTURE WORK. The agricultural instructor (Mr. 11. C. Johnson), submitted the following report on work carried out during the month of June:— Primary Schools.—Primary schools are having -a bad time. For the first week I was engaged with teachers’ classes at Matiere, and during the last fortnight Mr. Syme lias been off duty on account of illness. This has meant that during the whole month practically one instructor has been carrying on the work and classes of two. Such conditions do not work for good. However, at the 14- schools I visited during the month I found work progressing steadily. This will be the case when the work is well established, but, in the schools where the work is but in its initial stages, I fear we shall see little progress.

Secondary Schools.—Regular instruction lias been given at Stratford during the mouth. During my absence, Mr. .Syme took my classes, and during his illness I have taken his.

Teachers’ Classes.—These classes (Saturday) have not received as regular attention as one would desire, on account of meetings in New Plymouth. I was unable to take my classes at Stratford on two occasions. 1 was able, however, to arrange for Mr. Burley and Mr. Thomas to carry on. At New Plymouth similar interruptions have taken place, on account of Mr. Syme’s illness, Mr. Burley again took extra work. I would 1 ’ dfeire to express my appreciation of the willing mahner in which Mr. Burley has taken these extra teachers’ classes.

Correspondence Classes. —It is regrettable that these classes have been held up so long. 1 feel that the greatest good has been lost because we have been unable to enter upon correspondenoe classes immediately the winter schools ended. I met the Hawera school committee staff re the arrangement of school, and conferred with the Manaia committee on their ground improvement. A definite plan has been supplied and arrived at, and I expect good results from this centre. I also met Opunake committee. This school is rather unique. The committee is possessed of a plentiful supply of money, but is unable to obtain suitable labor. I understand, however, that, matters will soon be put in hand. Mr. R. Syme reported for the month of June:

Primary Schools.—No visits were made during the month, as at the beginning of the month owing to Mr. .Johnson’s absence at Matiere, my time was fully occupied with the New Plymouth show exhibits, iuid at the end of the month I was absent on sick leave. The primary school classes at Inglewood centre have been continued, with an increase in the number of pupils. Stratford District High School—The work with all classes in agriculture and dairy science has been continued. Dining Mr. Johnson’s absence I continued i £he work with his classes.