TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 290, 6 December 1889, Page 4

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

DRAWING IN OUR SCHOOLS,

At the meeting of the Board of Education this afternoon, the report _of the inspectors on the teaching of drawing in the public schools waa considered. Tho reporb stated that though undoubted benefit had been received by country schools from the teaching of drawing by Mr Robinson, yeb they thought the timehadcomo when the ordinary staff might do the necessary work, and they did not think the expense of employing a special teacher was justified by the results. Mr Upton read several of the annual reports on drawing, and mentioned that fche teachers of special branches had been gradually dispensed with, the work being done by the ordinary staff. The inspectors now proposed that this course bo taken in regard to drawing. He had spoken to Mr Dickenson on the subject, and he had said that writing was Buffering through the excessive attention given to drawing. Mr Goodwin agreed in this opinion, but thought the drawing ought to assisb the writing, Mr Robinson had written mentioning the classes he had established I for teachers over, the country, and that these had in the country centres been well attended. Through these visita the drawing had improved considerably, having previously consisted of a little pottering ab freehand. He dreW attention to the work done by country licbools in mechanical drawing and carpenfcrV work. The question was this, wheshej- the Board intended bo conbinue bhe emp oyment of a special teacher of drawing. . j Mr Luke thought) Mr Robinson s services should be continued, tor he was doing good work in the country schools. Mr Goldie agreeid with Mr Luke that the work behjg done was very useful, and much more useful than that, done by the WSllington Board in its School of Art "And Design, which was established to Jlease the Civil See™Mr Upton moved-i" Thafc Mr Robinson be employed for one yW more." He should not have done so bt_fc for fche clause in fche inspectors' repoj-fc which said that advantage had been gained. Ho thought b«jgained for the. next year, J

After ft li.-le .tirbh.r desultory conversation tho motion was carried, Messrs Carr and Monk voting againsb lb.