CONTINUATION CLASSES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 808, 10 June 1903, Page 2

CONTINUATION CLASSES.

A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening to consider the question of the establishment of continuation classes in connection with the District High School. Mr E. W. Sargent, chairman of the School Committee, presided. He said the advantages of technical education were being, every day. more fully recognised, and the school in Hawora was particularly suited to the carrying, on of manual and technical instruction, a"nd continuation classes. The Inspector had pointed out, and that was the zeason the committee had decided to call a public meeting. The chairman pointed out that the A. and P. Sooiety and the Caledonian Society would probably assist, and it was possible to induce the Borough and County Councils to vote sums, which would carry subsidies from the Government. Mr Strack said the classes might be continuation ones, or manual and technical classes. The matter had been very well stated in that evening's Star. The continuation classes were the maximum of the Sixth Standard, with additional subjects. Thero would be a capitation of l£d per hour per pupil, and fees from the pupils. The management would be in the hands of the School Committee. The amount asked for from pupils would, approximately, be 10s per term, but of course it might be less if the pupils were numerous, and the local bodies assisted to any extent. The subjects under manual instruction would be those which trained the hand and eye, and the technical drawing in its various branches, painting from nature, mathematics, science, etc. Subjects treated separately which might be included would be shorthand, typewriting, commercial geography, commercial letter writing, etc. In Hawera the instructors for continuation classes were available, as was also the apparatus. As to the manual and technical branches, and science, Mr Richardson and Mr Niven would be able to start in a measure at once. Apparatus to the extent of £80 had been applied for, and would ■ be here almost immediately. An endeavour was being made to have carpentry and cooking classes established. The gymnasium apparatus would also be available. Dairying classes had been mentioned, a"nd the speaker thought these would bo useful in this district. Mr. E. Dixon (member of the Board) thought it advisable to decide to form certain classes, and see what support was forthcoming. Mr Niven said in Dunedin the Technical Association had carried on classes for a dozen years, and the subjects mostly gone in for were penmanship, shorthand, and science. There was a good English class there also. Mr Bobbins thought it desirable a' start should be made. The pcoplo of the district were not yet awake to the importance of the manual and technical education and continuation classes. He pointed out what had been done in Palmers ton North and Wanganui. In the latter place it took a long! while to get things into anything like a flourishing condition, but since the Government had taken up the matter the classes had taken a new lease of life. If the young people of the colony were to successfully compete with the youth of other countries of the world, they would have to take full advantage of the opportunities for manual and technical education. He was glad to see the matter 'taken in hand by the local School Committee, and he hoped that certain classes, which would be

important in a town like Hawera, would be started. Whether the local bodies would bo able to contribute anything he very much doubted' ; he believed the classes would have to be solf-supporting. As to the instructors of the continuation classes, the teachers at the school would be available, but for the manual and technical classes extra' instructors would be needed. The matter of agricultural science should not be lost sight of, and if a class of that description could be established, he believed they would be* largoly attended by the youth of both sexes. Further, the district had a distinct claim to accrued revenue from lands set apart for the purpose of promoting dairying, and every effort should be made to induce the Government to do justice to the district. Mr Eitchie and other authorities thought it would be a good thing to have agricultural classes established here. He (the speaker) suggested the canvassing of the town to see what mechanics and apprentices were' likely to attend classes, and the issue of circulars to all young people in factories, etc., pointing out the advantages, and enumerating the classes which it was proposed to start. He thought a start should be made, even if the classes did not pay very well at first. Mr Ogilvie said there would ibje no difficulty in getting pupils for the plumbing class. Mr Bobbins moved, That an en- , deavor be made to start manual and j technical and cjontinuation classes in joinery, book-keeping, plumbing-, typewriting, art, shorthand, and coo,king, and that a circular stating probablo i li. tlm ?. °,f, f ° lasses > etc., be issued by the School Committee, and application be invited from those willine to join. c

Seconded by Mr Dixon, 'and carried In answer to Mr Parkinson, the Chairman said it was hard to estimate the probablo cost of instruction Local teachers would no doubt do the work for less than would be reouired by qutside ones. Mr Dixon said the desire of the Board was that teachers would equip tlhemselves so as to be able to give instruction in cookery. Mr Bobbins moved, That, in the opinion of this meeting it is of great importance to the whole district tlh'at agricultural chemistry and dairying science should be taught to the young men. aind women engaged in agricultural pursuits. Also, seeing- that there should bo a large sum accrued from rents of. sections set aside for such purposo, ajnd seeing that tbe Hawera District High School is specially adapted for the carrying en of such classes, therefore strong jepreseatatiions be made to the Government for a special grant per annum from these towards the carrying out pi the classes. It seemed to him that if Jhe Goveripnent cpuld put up and ecfUip 3. school for dairying instruction' in Stratford, Hawera tinder tjio circumstances had a strong claim f[or the establishment of classes here. Such classes were of vast importance to this district.

Mr Dixon seconded the motion, which was carried.