THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12867, 27 July 1907, Page 8

THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING.

It must indeed bo gratifying to the Cnntorbury College Board of Governors, and to Professor Scott in particular to know that tbe School of Engineering stands so hi eh in tho estimation of such an authority as Professor Flather. bend of the Engineering Department of the University of Minnesota. # Professor Flather took the opportunity while on a short visit to Christchurch of making a thorough inspection of the Engineering School, and has boon goxl enough to give his impressions to one of our staff in the interview published elsewhere. Tlie American universities huve for somo time past mado a feature of their engineering departments, and no expense has been spared, to keep thoso departments thoroughly up-to-date. When, therefore, an engineering professor of one of theso progressive institutions states as his honest opinion that the local School of Engineering provides a theoretical training as complete and as up-to-date as that given by any of the colleges in his country it is undoubtedly a subject for congratulation, and indeed pride on the pnrt of thoso who havo laboured to bring about this result. Regarding tho practical Bhop work of tho students now carried on not at tho college itself, as is tlw case in the States, but during the vacations at the railway workshops at Addington, Profeusor Flather, not having seen any of it, expressed no opinion, but his suggestion that when the next improvements are made at the School of Engineering they should he in the direction of providing a suitable workshop for the students, has, no doubt, n good deal ti recommend it- On the other hand there is reason to beliovo that tho experience at the Addington workshops is excellent training for those who choose to avail themselves of it properly and it has the advantage of being actual workshop practice as it exists under what may lie termed service conditions such as the students are likely to encounter when they go out into the world.

Perhaps the most important information imparted to our reporter by Piofessor Flather was that relating to the professional .prospects of young engineers after they have completed their ( collejao course. In tlio United States,

he says, the demand for such men by the proprietors of large manufacturing works really exceeds tho supply, and there is keen competition among rival companies to secure the services of the best men. Once a man has joined one of these largo manufacturing institutions, his future seems to be assured, for although he is put on a small wag© during th© time h© is qualifying himself in respect of th© particular branch of industry he has associated himself with, and when he is known as a student-engineer, yet the higher positions are always available for him. When he shows himself competent to fill them, he has the first claim to those positions as against outsiders who have qualified themselves elsewhere. That state of affairs in one of tho largest manufacturing countries in the world would seem to offer a solution to a difficulty that exists here. New Zealand, whatever it. may be in future, is at present by no means a manufacturing country, and the openings available for competent engineers aro consequently very limited. Hence engineering graduates have found a difficulty in doing much good for themselves in the colony. Hut according to Professor Flat her these men would b© welcomed in th© States, where tho demand for engineers is keener and the opportunities for professional advancement are greater. Of course it would be a pity if New Zealand, after educating these young men, were to los© them altogether, but Professor Flathor anticipates this point by suggesting that after getting their practical experience iv the States and qualifying themselves for the higher positions in their profession, they should return to New Zealand to fill such positions as may .arise here. Whether they do so or not will doubtless depend on the opportunities which present themselves, but it is to bo hoped that in course of time, when the hydro-electric resources of this colony aro properly developed, engineering as well as other branches of industry will receive a great impetus.