THE PURPOSES OF A TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9304, 21 March 1907, Page 4

THE PURPOSES OF A TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

It is only natural that people should desiw to know ttoo purposes which such, an insti fcut\on will serve, and the benefits to be derived from its operation. The following sketch will therefore be of interest. Primarily, technical in&truotion in a district, the very existence of which is dependent on the faa-ming community, should cater fox the agricultural and pastoral interests., in providing for them scientific training in the different branches of farming. In the building, which it is hoped will soon bo in tlie course of erection, accommodation will be supplied for a Laboratory "for the frcientific study and observation of milk, and for the conducting of such experiments as will suggest to tho farmer means by which his milk supply can be improved. In fact, one of tho principal aims of a technical school, from a farmers point of view will be the scientific training in methods of improvement of milk supply. At tha same time, provision will be made for instruction in the scientific principles of- agriculture*, and the observation of the beneficial effects of these. To the farming community, a technical school should also offer additional opportunities. Many of the children, in the sturrtounding ©ountiry,' as soon as they pass tihixxugh *he standards, oro kept busily employed in dairying during the summer, but in the winter days have ample timo for the improvement of their education for the business of farming which they intend to adopt. A technical school would fail in one of its object 1 * d?d it not cater for these. Throughout the winter months pupils could attend, in all probability without cost to themselves^ claspes in such subjects as would bo of practical benefit to .them on a farm. A course oi instruction in. dairy science, in agriculture and veterinary science, in practical carpentry and joinery such as would be useful in their occupation, in tronwoik, and including instruction in such, arithmetic and drawing as woul'l bo tof practical benefit, would send the youthful farmer out into the world much better equipped for the tattle of life than he already is, instructed as he would be by eiperts in each siubject. For the gentler sex provision could be r-iade for instruction in a full course of domestic economy, including cookery, dressmaking, and laundry work, dairy work (as distinguished from the actual science of dairying), home nursing, and if doottred a course in subjects of art or science for educational purposes. A well-prepared and wellinstructed scheme of education on these lines wouli without doubt prove a boon to the farming community. Then the town with its varying avocations Las tt> bo

wera., where many tracks are carried on m but a very small way, technical instruction «m necessarily be supplied only tc those trades where are eirploycd sufficient to form a class for instruction. Thus, there shbuid be no difficulty in providing for all those engaged in building a, course of work in tho scientific principles underlying their occupation, and in that branch of drawing which is so necessary to those who should be able to work accurately from plan and Provision would be made for instruction in plumbing and sanitary science, modern authori- , ties recogmsiin? that the sanitary oonditions of a town. a*|e. dependent to a con1 sideiuble extent on the knowledge of those men who work on its water and drainaga systems. In fact, in most places at the present time a plumber is not allowed, to work unless he possesses a certificate of competency in the practical and theoretical I branches of his trade. Should tho demand exist engineering and farriery will also be catered for. The commercial side, of education should not be neglected, and training such as is suitable for those, engaged in accountancy and office work* will form another branch, of instruction. Shtort.ly. then, the objects of a, technical school here should be to offer adeq_ate instructfion to those engaged in farming, in tiadee, in dMP.merce, oir in domestic duties. Such objects can be carried out under a thoroughly competent staff, and will be carried out under one certain condition— ■ that the" people of town and district show themselves to possess that desdre for selflmppovement that ia so essential to the well-being not only of a technical school but of the community itself.