TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5094, 3 August 1895, Page 2

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Committee appointed by the Masterton Town Lands Trustees, forwarded a report on Technical Education to the meetingof last evening. The report was A followsy To tiik Chairman op the Masterton Towx Lands Trustees,— Sib, —The Committee appointed by the Masterton Town Lands Trustees to prepare a schemo for the formation of technical classes in Masterton, under tho auspices of the Trust, held five meetings, at which they discussed at length the most desirable means of placing before your Trustees a scheme likely to prove both popular and educational. The committee havo gone to a great deal of trouble in obtaining information with to the working of similar classes in this colony and in the Australasian colonies, and have given the whole matter very careful and deliberate consideration, Tho chief aim of the committee has been to make its suggestions as practicable as possible, but at the same time to choose subjects which are likely to prove attractive to the majority of those persons who will be able to avail themselves of tho scheme, Tho recommendations of the committee are as follows

1. That technical classes be formed on the application of at least ten pupils for any class, jL 2. That the maximum nominal feeW five shillings per quarter for pupil?,' under eighteen years of age, and eight shillings for pupils over eighteen years. 3. That half the above Tees be returned at the end of every quarter to all pupils who have made seventy-five per cent, of attendances during the quarter. 1. That the following be inaugural classes, lo be added to as the scheme

develops :—(u) drawing required in nil trades; woodworking; (c) the principles of agriculture; (d) dressmaking; (el cookery; ffj shorthand. 0, That for any class formed a recognised syllabus be adopted and annual examinations provided for. G. That, wh<:u classes are successfully ..inaugurated, steps be taken to form a technical library in connection with the scheme. 1. Your Committee suggest that tho Drill Hall lie retained for the purposes of the proposed scheme, and that a portion of it bo converted, as occasion requires, into the necessary accommodation, S. That the Trustees appoint a body of managers to carry out the scheme. It will be noticed that the inauguration of any class is made to depend on there being a legitimate demand for the formation; the success of any elaj» started will, therefore, be to some extc* assured. The fees stated will show thai very liberal encouragement to pupils is recommended, these fees being yery much lower than those in connection with similar institutions. The fees received will not, of course, pay for the cost of instruction. It is expected that, with the return of half the class fees, in accordance with recommendation No. 3, regularity of attendance will be obtained and zealous work done. To give the scheme the best possible chance of success, the list of subjects has been made very limited, but includes those calculated to meet the needs of the greatest number of probable pupils. The subjects (it and h—drawing and woodworking) are those which your Committee feel ccitain arc likely to be ot the most immediate benefit to the boys and youths of Masterlon, and to hi, them for after life, whether in the town or country. Subject (e) is one which your Committee feel convinced must meet with the warmest approval of everyone, as a thorough knowledge of agriculture, especially in these days of keen competition and low prices, is essential ta enable a man to commence farming lijl Subjects i/ and c—Your committee at? of opinion that men's welfare depends upon the assistance of the other sex, and that, without the necessities ami comforts which cooking and dressmaking provide, the world cannot properly revolve. Apart from this, your committee are satisfied tlmt (lie female portion of the community should have the samo opportunities as the male of participating in the scheme. Subject,/', shorthand, is to alTord both sexes an opportunity of acquiring a knowledge upon a subject for which there is a growing demand. Your Committee have carefully considered the cost of giving ell'ect to the foregoing recommendations, and arc satisfied that they can be carried out at a cost not exceeding, during the first year, two hundred pounds (£200), and, during each subsequent year, one hundred and seventy-five pounds (£175). There are many oilier subjects which Your Committee would have liked to recommend, but their great desire has boon to suggest a scheme which will ultimately assume much larger dimensions, and afford to the residents of the Mastcrton district opportunities which no other town of its sizein New Zealand can ofl'er. Your Committee regret the absence ol Mr W. Lowes from all their meeting through illness. " We are, Sir, your obedient servants— Enwix Feist, Geo. K.Bond, Chas, 13. Danieu,, W.m. G. Beard, AV. 11. Jackson, Aitmirit Yii,b." The Chairman said as the meeting was a small one, he did not propose to ask them to deal with tho matter that night. There was no doubt the objects set forth wore legitimnto ones and worthy of support. Bofore doing- anything, however, they had to well consider the question of ways and moans. Taking all their expenditure into consideration,including the cost of Town Hall if provided, they had to find about £O2O, and as the report stated about £2OO per annum would be required for the scheme submitted. This brought tho total up to £B2O per annum. Against that they had an income of £Gll at present fairly certain, and another £IOO a year of a precarious nature. Mr Vile thought Mr Daniell had sot down a£looperannumtoo much as expenditure on the Town Hall. Mr Danioll said they had to look at the project from all points of view as Trustees. Mr Renall said he should like to thoroughly grasp tho report before venturing an opinion. Mr Hornblow said tho objects set forth were most laudable. It became, however, a question of ways and means. He thought as the meeting was a small one, they should not take any dofinite step at that meeting. Mr Daniell said the Chairman had perused the report, and while agreeing with it generally, thought very careful consideration was necessary before the Trust did anything. On the motion of Mr Hornblow the report was laid on tho table until next meeting. Mr Daniell said he should like the Trustees to pass a vote of thanks to the gentlemen of the Committee who had taken such ut lively interest in tho matter, and prepared the report now before them. On tho motion of Mr Hornblow ; this course was adopted. Tho/proU ject should have his hearty sqppora Tho Chairman said some eighteei? names of young men who v;ould take advantage of tho scbc&'l, if started, had been handed to .liim already,