TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1188, 10 December 1924, Page 2

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

BREAK-UP CEREMONY. LARGELY ATTENDED FUNCTION. The annual break-up ceremony and presentation of prizes in connection with the Technical School took place in the Municipal Hall last night. Mr J.'A. Nash, M.P., chairman oL; the Technical School Commitete, presided over an attendance which taxed the seating capacity of the commodious hall. The proceedings were enthusiastic and an interesting feature was an address delivered by Mr W. S. La Trobe, «M.A., Superintendent of Technical Education. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs F. J. Nathan), Miss C. B. Mills, M.A., B.Sc.. lady principal of the Girls’ High School, and Mr W. Hunter, secretary of the Technical School Committee. The chairman extended a welcome to the parents of the pupils and the public generally and introduced Mr La Trobe, to whose ability he paid a warm tribute. Of late, said Mr Nash, tlie school had made marked headway. For instance, the classes had increased from 80 to 100 and the , enrolments from 2557 to 4905 in the year. it would not be long before Palmerston North’s Technical School would rank with those of the larger centres, and provision for increased accommodation sooii would have to he considered. They did not possess too- much land, however, for when technical education started in New Zealand it was only in a very small way and over-much land had not been provided. He wished to remind Mr La Trobe that it might not be long before the board would have to approach the Government in this regard. The public and local organisations had done much to help the school, additional interest in which had been stimulated by the new director. The work of tho school had been excellent, he said, and sopie specimens had been sent to tlie Wembley Exliibition, while in sport the institution had been prominent. With regard to the staff, they were most fortunate indeed. (Applause.) DIRECTOR’S REPORT.

Tlie director of the school, Mr G. G. Hancox, M.A., then read his annual report, which stated, inter alia: At the beginning of the year Dir D. E. Dredge joined the staff as fulltime instructor in woodwork and Miss C. Martensen as registrar. Later. Miss Gwen Kirk was appointed instructor in typewriting to the day commercial classes. At the beginning of April the present director assumed charge. The staff at the end of the year consisted of seven full-time and 26 parttime instructors. During the year 1010 students were enrolled, 647 being free place and 536 paying. Last year .the numbers were 563 free place and 330 paying. The increase was due to the teachers’ classes coming within the supervision of the school and to the commencement of the day commercial classes in the second term. These met a long-felt want and the support given to them has more than justified their continuance. • That the school continues to make headway is also seen from the hour-enrolments. In the first term of 1923 these amounted to 2445, in the first term of 1924 to 2557, while in the third term of 1924 they were 4905. The number of classes conducted also shows an increase. At tlie end of 1923 the total was -80 ; in the Ist term of 1924 85; in the 3rd term of 1924, 100. From these facts it will readily bo appreciated that the accommodation of the school is being heavily taxed. During the year, trades, art, domestic and commercial day courses and trades, art, domestic, commercial, proficiency and matriculation evening courses have been provided. Ail exhibition of students’ work bold lato in the year afforded those interested an opportunity of seeing the work that was being done. That tlie boys of tlie day trades class are doing something of a practical nature is evidenced by the fact that they have installed a lathe, an electric motor, an electrio cooker, two main and three sub-fuse boards, and completed the wiring of the school, the total number of lights being 210.

EXAMINATION AND SPORT SUCCESSES. From the following summary it will be seen that our students have been successful at various examinations— Proficiency, 12; competency, 3; nurses’ invalid cookery certificates, 7; Pitman's speed shorthand certificates, 150 words a minute, 1; 110, 1; 100, 2; 90, 1; 80, 6; 70, 3- 60, 1; 50, 1; matriculation, 3; Public Service entrance, 1; partial group, class D, 1; Winter and Royal Show, 24 first, 20 second, 14 third prizes; City and Guilds of London Institute, mechanical engineering, division 2, stage 1, 2; dressmakingj 1; master wiremen’s theoretical certificates, 3; journeyman wiremen’s theoretical certificates, 9; registered plumbers’ theory, 2. Not only has J:he indoor work of the school progressed, but outdoor activities have not been neglected. During the vkinter four football teams, three Rugby and one soccer, competed in grade competition. The sth grade A Rugby team were limners-up ■ for the banner, while the soccer team won the junior knock-out competition. Seventeen boys gained swimming certificates. During tlie winter the girls indulged in hockey and basket-ball, and they have now formed a "tennis club. Early in tlie year a very successful barracks courso was conducted by Captain J. M. Stewart, assisted by officers of the Defence staff. Later Capt. Stewart relinquished command of the company to concentrate his attention to No. 53 Company and the director took charge. OTHER MATTERS. Visits, to see the school under working conditions, have been paid by tlie builders, contractors and plumbers of Palmerston North, Palmerston North Borough Council, Kairanga County Council, Citizens’ Lunch Club and tlie Working Men’s Club. The builders and contractors showed their appreciation in a practical manner by subscribing twenty-eight guineas towards the woodwork equipment fund. Oil behalf of the school I wish to express our gratitude to Mrs Barraud for the gift of works of art; to Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame, Ltd., for tlie Collinglnime Shield; to Mr L. H. Collinson for sports trophies for the girls; to the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board for the loan of a motor ; to the Palmerston North Borough Council for providing an electric cooker; to Messrs;. Smith, Ritchie and Co. and Mr Leamy for the gift of engines; to the plumbers of Palmerston North, the Working Men's Club and the Manawatip A. and P. Association for providing scholarships; to the Palmerston North Borough Council and.. Kairanga County Council for theft" donations' to bur funds; to the press for its ready assistance ; and to all others who in various'ways have assisted us. It is fitting here to place on record the able

manner in which Mr Newman carried out the duties of acting-director under very trying circumstances. In conclusion, 1 desire specially to thank the members of the staff for their loyal co-operation during a difficult year and to tho board of governors for their keen interest and hearty support.. Applause greeted the conclusion of the reading of the report. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. After addressing the assemblage, a report of his speech appearing elsewhere, Mr La Trobe presented prizes as follows: — English and arithmetic (evening classes) .—lst year, Alfred Allsop ; 2nd year, Annie King,-Ethel Sutton, Edgar Lock; Dir A. J. Trevena’s special, Isabel Swan ; Mr. J. J. Stevenson’s special, Edgar Stone. English and arithmetic (day classes). —lst year, Helen MeConnel; 2nd year, Joyce Mawhiney; progress, Ist year, Ida Needham; 2nd year, Maggie Frew (Miss Martensen’s specials). Proficiency class.—Mr Campbell’s specials, Gordon Dutliie, May Butcher. Essay special.—Sydney Mudgway. Art,—lst year,, Agnes Jowers; 2nd year,- Ray Jacobs. Book-keeping.— Ist ; year (evening classes), L. Fitzsimmons; 2nd year, Ethel Hosking; Ist year (day classes), Enid Doull; Reginald Hallet, Mr R. A. Fuller’s special; Christine McCulloch, Dll- Newland’s special; Nora Munro, Accountants’ Society prize (junior) ; Doris Arthur, Accountants’ Society prize (senior). Typewriting (evening classes). —Ist year, Jean Pullman; 2nd year, Rlioda •Christian ; day . classes, Joyce Ma-li-hi ney. Dir Preece’s specials for progress: Thomas Twiggs, Nora Monro, Lola Torstonson, Isabella Swan, Dloyra Craven. Shorthand (evening classes). —Ist year, Winnie- McKay ; 2nd year. Daisy Morgan; day classes, Joyce Mawhiney. Dir Hardy’s prizes for progress: Elia Penman, Alvin Craven, Dlona Martin, Beatrice Lloyd. Speed shorthand (Dliss Anderson). — Pi-ogress, Olga Olsen, Lola .Torstonson. Dli ss, Anderson’s special, Rita Liddell. Dressmaking.—Junior, Ethel ‘Whitehead; senior, Jean Peterana. -Dliss Jean Young’si'special, Catherine Blackwood; Dliss- J. A. Young’s special, Phena Dyer. Millinery.-i-lst' year, Muriel Dorn; 2nd year, Rona Farrelly. Dliss C. Dlardon’s specials: Annie King, Beatrice Lloyd, Jean Fraser.

Cookery.—lst. year, Eileen Forrest; 2nd year, Catherine Blackwood. Dliss DI. Jordan’s specials: Hazel Russell, Flora Wilton.

Home-nursing.—lst year. Dlona Petersen ; 2nd year, Iris Hughes. Sister Beswick’s specials: Joyce Mawhiney, Constance Wood, Nancy Lampard. Home - nrusing certificates. Constance Wood, Alice Keenan, Noeline Barnard, Annie Smith, Dlelva How, Effie Low, Olivo Wiggins, Eileen Forsyth, ,Ida Needham, Ethel Whitehead, Ethel Gray, Helen Davis, Mona Petersen, Nancy Lampard, Iris Quicke, Annis Bailey, Vera Rees, Gwen Hands. Violet Sutherland, Rita Birch, Norma Kelly, Jean Peterana, Joyce Dlawhiuey, Iris Hughes. Engineering mathematics.—Ml- J. A. Colqulioun’s specials: Ray Anderson, John Walker. Dlec-hanieal engineering and theory. —First year, Alfred Roes; second year, Charles' Francis. Workshop practice.—Second year, Lawrence Koberstein. Woodwork. First year, Thomas Bramwell; second year, Roy Smith. Building construction. Thomas Bramwell. Dir W. Angus’s special: Ronald Hcwetson, W. Hayward. Plumbing.—School progress prize, Fraser Craven: certificate, J. R. Penketh. Dir Penketh’s special, awarded on result of scholarship examination, judged by Mr D. Watson: J. R. Penketli 1, Cecil Jones 2. Day trades. —C IB Francis Withers; C 1A Lancelot Borreson; C 2B Sydney Davison; C 2A Churchill French. Dlr Stevenson’s specials: General information, first year, Frbd Griffiths Eric Smith; second year, Churchill French. Sports trophies, presented by Dll- L. H. Collinson.—Rearms Duthio 10), Dluriel Dorn 6), Dluriol Wilson 6, Jean Lampard 4. Speed shorthand certificates: —Rita Liddell (150 words per minute), Janet Simes, Jjola Torstonson, Olga Olsen, Ivy Pollard, Laura. Oliver 80, Dluriel Mullins, Edith Allen 70, Doris Whiblev 60 Vera Hocking 50.

Electricity, theoretical certificates, master wiremen’s. James Shipp, Haughton Renaud, William P. Stevens. Collingbame Shield.— No. 3 platoon, Sergt. J. Powell; DlcNab Shield, Corporal W. J. Blandford. Evening students’ trophy.— Ronald Hcwetson. Girls’ junior championship, medal and Collinson trophy.— Maisie Bailey. Girls’ senior championship, medal and Collinson trophy.—Alarjorie Newth. Boys’ senior championship (Bennett cup).—Charles ColTyer; Journeyman wiremen’s certificates. — Clifford Trask-, John W. Walker, W. J Paris Alfred L. Dlorez, Eric W. Pinfold, Daniel Reid, Albert Dlohring, James Cleveley, Jack Jamieson. Following the presentation of prizes Mr W. F. Durward, a member of the committee, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr La. Trobe, at . the same time warmly eulogising the magnificent work done by that gentleman for technical education in Now Zealand. Dll’ Durward also congratulated the pupils on their excellent behaviour during the evening. , r Dir La Trobe voiced his thanks lor the remarks passed. Dli- T. it. Hodder luovod a vote ot thanks to the director and his highly competent staff, tho work of whom lie very warmly commended. The stall, lie said, was one of the best in New Zealand and the sc-bool was going to do splendid work in the future. He concluded with an expression ot Cuiist-. mas and New Year greetings, following which the children gave three cheers for the director and staff. The singing of the National Anthem and three cheers Tor the King concluded the ceremony.