TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 320, 18 July 1907, Page 4

TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

- ■ ■ ■•■ — --• The following report on the first term of this year was presented at the meeting of the Feilding Technical School Committee last Wednesday evening by the Director (Mr Amos):— Classes and Pupils. — Seventeen classes commenced work at the beginning of the term, and were attended by 199 pupils. Thirty classes are at the present time being held, attended by 360 pupils. Four new classes commenced at Apiti this week' with an atendanoe of 50 pupils, and five classes will be commenced at Pohangina next week, for which 30 pupils have already handed in their names. This makes a total of 37 classes, and an enrolment of 430 pupils. I also hope to have some wellattended classes at Foxton shortly. Finance. — During the term £132 9s 4d has been received in fees, and fees amounting to £27 9a are outstanding. £15 of this amount is due from the Ashhurst classes, which, I understand, has nearly all been handed in to Mr Andrew. I consider that all the fees are good. The sum of £16 14s has been received in donations, viz., Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.R., £5 ss, Pirani and Co., £5 16s, Mr L. £. Jackson £2 10s, Mrs Sherwill £3 3s. Capitation. — I have only been able to make an approximate calculation, as some of the classes do not finish their term until the end of the month. I have estimated the amount at the lowest possible figure, and the amounts total £129 0s 2d. Expenditure. — This amounts to £148 8s 3d, of which £44 8s 9d should be refunded by the Department, and £26 4s 4d has been expended in salaries. The other items are-7-typewriting accessories 9s 6d, carriage 10s 2d, wages £1, gas £2 11s 4d, trap hire £4 12s 6d, Banks' £18 9s 6d, Miss G. travelling expenses £10 5s Bd, Directors' travelling expenses, stamps, telegrams, stationery £20 4s 3d. This expenditure extends over nearly six months. Ac counts outstanding amount to £26 16s 6d, of which £73 13s Id should be re funded by the Department. Instructors' salaries at the usual rates will amount to £163 13s 4d, of which £26 4s 4d has already been paid by the Committee and £12 by the Education Board. Balance. — The total receipts amount to £308 2s 6d, and the estimated expenditure to £260 12s lid, leaving a balance of £47 9s 7d. Building. — The contract for the erection of the school has been signed by the contractor. It is a matter for regret that the building has not yet been commenced. If the school is to be ready for the Beginning of next year, the work should be commenced without delay. As the cost of the building will exceed the original amount granted by the Department, it is necessary to collect about £50 more in this district. Overtures hare been made : to the public bodies for further as- : sistance, and judging by remarks j at recent meetings, I think it would be well for a deputation to attend the next meetings of the various local bodies to explain what is being done for technical education in the district. Farmers. — I should like to start more suitable classes for the farmers of this district. There seems to be a big demand in this district for a veterinary science class. If six of such classes could be established at various centres, each attended by 20 pupils, a sum of £250 could be raised in fees and capitation for 24 weeks' work. I find this a rather expensive district to work on account of the number of places off the railway line. As the Department grant railway passes to instructors, I do not see why some allowance could not be made for coach fares. If this could be effected, it would be possible to lower the fees for the members of country classes considerably.