MASTERTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 974, 18 February 1910, Page 3

MASTERTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

ANNUAL REPORT. The following is the annual report of the managers of the Masterton Technical School, on the working of the classes during the year ended 31st December, 1909 : The classes opened in the new Technical School on Monday, loth March, and closed on Saturday, November 27th, during the whole of which time they were well attended. The course of the work was spread out over three terms of twelve weeks each, and instruction was given to classes in the following subjects:— Perspective and model drawing, Geometrical drawing, Building construction and architectural drawing, freehand drawing, Light and shade, Painting, Dressmaking (six classes), Plumbing, Commercial work (shorthand, typewriting and bookkeeping), Signwriting and ticketwriting, Wood carving, Wool classing (three classes), English and arithmetic, Civil service subjects and Pitman's shorthand. 'n all twenty-two classes were established, and that the in truction thus provided was appreciated is amply demonstrated by the fact that of a total average number of 281 pupils on the combined rolls of the respective classes the average number in attendance was 2Q9. Comparison with last year's records when the respective totals were 260 and 176 shows a very considerable increase, a result viewed with much satisfaction by your Managers. While referring to the classes generally special mention may be made of those in dressmaking under Miss M. Johnston. These classes proved most popular amongst the ladies, as is shown by the fact that they were attended by a total of 57 pupils, whilst the average number in attendance was 40. As in former years, the holders of proficiency certificates were this year also allowed to take up their free places at this institution. The number who took advantage of the opportunity thus afforded was 44, of whom 38 succeeded in complying with the departmental regulations in reference to the attendance of Free Place Holders. Of the ba lance three failed owing to removal from the district, while two were excused owing to illness. It is a noticeable fact that by far the larger proportion of these Free Place Holders take for their optional work subjects connected with our commercial course no less than 38 or them having followed this course during the paat year. Early in the year your Managers found that there was a growing demand for the establishment of classes in woolclassing. The Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was approached, their active co-operation and assistance secured, and classes in that branch of farming industry forthwith established. Your Managers succeeded in securing the services of Mr S. Wood, instructor to the Napier, Hastings and Waipawa Technical School woolclasses, and before the term was far advanced no less than 60 students, mostly farmers from all parts of the district had joined the classes. The instruction provided was ereatlv appreciated, and it is the opinion of your Managers that classes such as those just referred to constitute a strong claim for the support of the general public on behalf of the institution. During the course of the term of instruction in this subject, lectures were given to the students and their friends by Messrs W. Perry and Alfred Matthews, two prominent sheepbreeders in the district. Mr Perry took for his subject Lincold sheep, whilst Mr Matthews confined his remarks to the Romney breed. Both lectures were most attentively listened to by the large

number of persons present, who demonstrated their appreciation at the ciose of each by passing a hearty

vote of thanks to the lecturer. In the opinion of your Managers lectures such as the ones mentioned above, given by practical men, should prove of great benefit to the farming community as a whole, and your Managers trust to be able to arrange for a further serjes during the coming year. In May and June last the annual examination in connection with the City and Guilds of London Institute and the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, were held in Masterton, and certicfiates were gained by the following :—clumbers' Work : Frank Petersen, ordinary pass; Jocelyn Andrew, ordinary practical pass; Godfrey H. Russell, orc'inary practical pass. principles of plumbing: Horace Joyce, ordinary pass Painters'

I j and Decorators' Work, Edwin J. j Chilton, ordinary second class pass. I Plain Cookery • Mabel H. Siceley, first class pass, Catherine M. Stanton, first class'pass. Building Construction and Drawing, John A. DuffiN, first class pass (s*ate 1). Human Physiology, Leonard B. Bradstock, second class pass (stage 2). In December last an examination in the theory and practice of Plumbing was conducted at this school under the auspices of the Wellington Technical Education Board, and certificates have since been awarded as follows:—Theory first class pass: G. H. Russell and H. N. Joyce. Theory second class pass: Frank Petersen and Edgar Joyce. Pass in practice: Frank Petersen, G. H. Russell. Edgar 'i'. Joyce, H. N. Joyce and J. J. Androw. Full certificates were gained as follows:—First class: G. H. Russell, H. N. Joyce and Frank Petersen; Second class, Edgar T. Joyce. Accompanying this report is a statement of receipts and expenai-l ture for the year ended 31st December, 1909, a glance at which shows the receipts for the year to have amounted to ±'Bs9 10s lid, whilst the expenditure for the same period was £Bl3 7s lid, leaving a credit balance of £46 3s, with which to commence the new year's operations. This is a state of affairs which your Managers consider eminently satisfactory, i particularly in view of the fact that the operations of the institution are on a far w der scale than was the case a year or two ago. The work pf the year has been carried on in the handsome new building formally opened by the Minister for Education, Hon. Geo. Fowlds, on 10th December, 1908. Taken as a whole the work shows considerable advancement in attendance, m quality, and in results, dus no doubt to the fact that it is now performed under comfortable and up-to-date conditions. While viewing with satisfaction the work of the past year it is the earnest hope of your Managers that the progre&s accomplished will be not only maintained but also considerably augmented during the coming year. In conclusion your Managers desire to take this opportunity of sincerely thanking all who have in any way assisted them in their efforts for the cause of Technical Education. In this connection special acknowledgement is made of the valuable assistance rendered by the Education Department, the Trust Lands Trust, the Masterton Borough Com ei i the Masterton County Council, and the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Your Managers wish also to specially ackrowledge assistance rendered on behalf of the wool by the followi-g gentlemen: —Messrs H. H. Beetham, J. Strang, Jas. McGregor, H. Morrison, A. Maekay, J. and H. Holme?, E. Harper, G. C. Williams, W. Perry, and A. Matthews. Owing to the liberal aid they have received from all parts of the district the work of the Managers has been rendered possible, and they now conclude their report by giving expression to the hope that their efforts for the advancement of Technical Education in both town and country may long meet with similar appreciation. —ED WIN FEIST, Chairman of Managers; N. D. Bunting, Secretary.