TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2913, 8 November 1916, Page 7

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

MEETING OF THE WELLINGTON BOARD

Messrs. G. Frost (chairman), 'J'. BalliDgcr, C. M. Luko, "\V. H.. Bennett, L. li. Partridge, M. F. Lucltie, W. J. Thompson, J. Hutcheson, J. F. Atkins, Win. Allan, H. Field, CI. L. Steivart wero present at tho monthly meeting of tho Wellington Technical Education Board held last evening.

Tho financial statement showed receipts ,for tho month amounting to £321 55., as against £3002 7s. Bd. for tho corresponding month of last year. Tlieso two amounts should not ho compared, as certain automatio payments have boen made the statement was drawn tip. Tho expenditure amounted to £889 6s. Id., as compared with £769 Os. lid. for tho samo period last year. A debit b'alanco of £618 4s. lid. was shown. This debit, however, does not represent tho present position for tho reason above stated. Students' Plumbing Tools. The Director (Mr. AV. S. La Trobe) presented a report on the advisability of providing tools for tho plumbing students of fho school, instead of the students providing their own. The report embodied another report of tho instructor-in-chargo (Mr. H. Johnson), who reported as follows "Ito tho question of providing tools for apprentices in tho plumbing classes; having considered this in all its aspeots, I would recommend that the tools be provided, subject to a deposit being made by each student to cover loss or damage. My reasons are as follow: — (1) The right stylo of tools would be used, in place of the varied types now purchased and. used by the students; (2) the oft-repeated ery of forgotten 'tools would be obviated; (3) tho initial cost of providing tools would not debar any apprentice from attending technical classes; (4) the general result would be, better tools, increased skill, more efficiency."

Mr. La Trobe gave _ arguments against the recommendation merely to sliow that thoro were cogent reasons on tho other side, vz., that bettor work can be done by those who had their own tools.

Mr. J. Hutcheson said that Mr. La Trobe's comment weighed more with him than tho recommendation. Ho would not give tuppence to work with another man's tools. Ho thought that the student should bo encouragbd 'to have his own tools. A sense of responsibility and proprietorship should bo inculcated in the boys.

On his recommendation a sub-commit-tee, consisting of Messrs.- O. M. Luke, W. H. Bennett, and T. Ballingcr, be. set up to go thoroughly into tlie matter. ' Art in the . Schools. At the conolusion of an interesting report by a special committeo on tho study of art in primary schools, tlio following recommendations were made:

—"(1) That this committee considore it advisable that tho supervision. and inspection of tlie art work in tho primary schools should be in the hands of tho Djreotor of tho Technical College." "(2) That a recommendation be made to the Education Board to this effect." The recommendations vrero adopted. Annual Exhibition. ' The ,board decided that the usual exhibition of students' work should be held this'year. No prizes are to be gdven, but certificates will be presented by tho chairman of tho board. Thero will be a threo days' exhibition, commencing Wednesday, Decomber 13.