HAWERA TECHNICAL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 14 July 1908, Page 5

HAWERA TECHNICAL

SCHOOL

A meeting of the Hawera Technical School Committee was held on Monday evening ; present— Messrs E. Dixon (Chairman), Brunette, Parkinson; Mr Brown, northern supervisor, and Mr Niven, local director. Apology for unavoidable absence was received from two members of the committee. A letter was received from Mr James, architect to the Board, forwarding amended plans, and stating that tenders would be called for the work very shortly. One or two suggestions were offered, and the committee appointed a deputation to wait on the Borough Council asking for permission to erect in wood or iron the

woodwork and plumbing room, which are to be detached and placed at the rear of the main building. The question of collecting the unpaid subscriptions was brought up. The Chairman said that on looking over the list he found that practically all the subscribers could be relied on, and therefore he had given a guarantee to the Board that the amounts promised would be paid. It was resolved to collect the amounts as soon as possible, and to ask for help from people who had not yet subscribed, so that the brick building proposed might be erected without curtailment.

The local director submitted the following report on the first term's work: "I have to make the following .report on the Hawera technical classes for the first term of 1908:— There aTe.at present seven classes in working order, viz.: Dressmaking, under Miss C. Young, roll for first term 11 ; millinery, under Mrs Anderson, 13; art, under Mr -Richardson, 14; bookkeeping, junior, Mr Cox, 13; accountancy, under Mr Cox, 4; shorthand, under Mr Cox, 7; wood carving, under Mr Andrews, 13. The art classes, dressmaking and millinery classes have started the second term; two of the commercial classes finish their first term this week. The other classes started later and are still in their first term. Arrangements have been made for starting an evening shorthand class. Mr Cox, who is at present taking this class in the afternoon, will then be free to take an afternoon bookkeeping class. A photography class seems likely to have very fair support. It is questionable whether a plumbing class should be held this year. Fees paid in to date amount to £73 17s 6d. Seventynine individual pupils have taken advantage of the classes so far, and several of these take more than one class."

The figures were regarded as satisfactory under present conditions, but it was decided that efforts be made to increase the strength of the classes. It was pointed out that very efficient instruction was being given, and that more would no doubt attend if the importance of the ' matter could be brought home to their minds.

Mr Brunette, to show his interest in the school, offered to give instruction in practical drawing and designing, and would arrange hours to suit pupils as soon as the new building was erected. He would prefer to see the work done by one of the staff, but would give his services rather than that this work should not find a place in the course of instruction. Mr Brunette's offer, was applauded. \

The committee decided to meet monthly on a Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock.