TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15920, 4 May 1912, Page 17

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS. LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. A meeting of tho Board of Governors of the Technical College was held last night; present—Messrs G. Scott (in the chair), W. H. Cooper, A. D. Hart, H. B. Sorensen, T. S. Foster, W. Hall, W. F. Cooper, H. R. Rusbridge, A. J, Bell R. C. Bishop, W. W. Charters, W. Pleydell, and G. E. Soodwin. REPORT OF .THE CHAIRMAN. Tat* chairman's report stated that cisven members of tho Board accepted tho invitation of Mr Hercus to visit the Kaiapoi Clothing , Factory. Mr Hercus showed members over the various departments and allowed them to tee all the arrangements that were made for the conduct of the work and the accommodation of the employees. Those members (who visited the factory agreed that the conditions under which the work was carried out wero thoroughly satisfactory. ! Mr Hercus explained that at the present time there were lome eighty machines idle for lack of machinists and, as each machine provided occupation for about two handworkers, in addition to the machinist, the factory could provide work for some 240 additional employees. Certain proposals had been made and wero receiving the careful consideration of the Appointments and Classes Committee. ' ; DIRECTORS' REPORT. The director presented a statement showing the class returns for tho first term of the present year as compared with the same returns for the corresponding term of last year. The number of students on the roll of tho day* school this year was tho same as last year, while in the evening school the number of individual students had decreased from 654 to 613. The actual figures for tho different departments in 1911 and 1912 respectively were as follows:—Trades Department, 476 and 531; commercial department, 823 and 865; general classes, 148 and 134; domestic science classes, 220 and 202. The report stated that the holidays for day and evening schools should begin on Monday nest and terminate on May 27., COMMITTEE REPORTS.

The Appointments Committee reported that it had re-elected Mr T. S. Foster chairman for the ensuing year. It recommended that additional remuneration at the rato of £ls a year should be paid to Mr Bowrfng for the class in Building Construction. The report was adopted. The Agricultural Committee reported that it had considered the question of the appointment of an agricultural instructor at the College to conduct experiments and give instruction to farmers in country districts. Members of the committee "had conferred with Mr ,1. D. Hall, chairman of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and recommended that a joint deputation from the Board of Governors and from, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association should wait on the Prime Minister and ask that funds should be provided towards the salary of the instructor and for the expenses of the plots. The committee considered that a salary of £4OO should be offered, of which £l5O might bo paid by the College for work in connection with its awn classes in Christchurcb. The cost of tho experimental plots would not exceed £3 per acre. The report was adopted. The Finance Committee reported that it had passed accounts amounting to £IBO, and recommended accounts for payment amounting; to £o4B ds 10d It recommended Mr Goldsbury tor 'the position of registrar and treasurer, with an increase in salary ot £2OO per annum. The financial statement showed a balance in hand of £l3Bl 6s lid. The report was adopted. - A report concerning the provision of facilities for the physical training or pupils of the College was received from the Appointments Committee. Ino report stated that, under the new regulations the Education Department was prepared to recognise physical training as a part of a course of instruction and would pay capitation at continuaction rates. The committee thought it desirable that the regulations should be so modified as to allow half-hourly periods instead of one-hour periods to be devoted to this work, as two halfSour periods would clearly be more advantageous than one hour. It recommended that the storeroom in connection with the workshops should be cleared and fitted up with simple apparatus as required for physical training; that in physical drill the exercises should be performed without tho use of: arms; that classes in physical culture for girls on one or two evenmgs in the week should be started during next term, a special reduction being made in the fee to those students already taking a course of instruction in other subjects. The report of the committee was adopted, and a deputation, consisting of Messrs A. J. Bell, Seth-Smith and the chairman, was appointed to wait on the Prinio Minister in connection with the matter. MEDICAL INSPECTION. ' The chairman, in his report, dealt with the question of medical inspection of. schools. Ho urged the necessity for such inspection in secondary as well as primary schools, and recommended that the local branch of tho British Medical Association and of the Dental Association should be approached,, and arrangements made for a preliminary trial.

The matter was discussod by the Board. It was stated that the Go-

vernment would probably put a Bill on the Statute Book providing for such inspection, but tho Bill would only relate to primary schools. On the motion of the chairman, it was decided that his recommendation should be put into effect, and that the Dental and Medical Associations should bo approached.