TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 307, 25 November 1932, Page 12

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

EXHIBITION OF WORK. INSPECTION" J3Y PARENTS. Parents' evening was observed at the Palmerston North Technical School last night when, judging by the large numbers who gathered tor the first or three opportunities being offered to view the handwork of the students, the interest taken in the institution is very real. That the school is bound up with the iuture welfare of the city is undoubted and the evidence available last evening furnished convincing proof that the future and present citizens are being thoroughly fitted for their occupations. Befoi(j tjie inspection commenced, Mr VV. F. Durward, a member of the committee of the school, in the unavoidable absence of Mr "VV. L. Fitzherbert (the chairman), briefly welcomed the parents. Their interest showed that they appreciated the work being done at the school, which demonstrated that it could hold its own in the' city. Mr Durward made reference to the splendid work of the staff and said that their interest was grea/tly valued. They had worked without remuneration for many hours in efforts to assist towards the salvation of the unemployed boy problem. The school then being thrown open for inspection, the various rooms were visited.' On the ground floor many found much of interest in the science room whore simple experiments were in evidence. In the electrical room there was a large crowd fascinated by the development of electro-magnetic principles in various forms. The workshop was most interesting and visitors were proudly shown tools and articles made in metal by the students from blue-prints, many fine drawings and sketches being also in evidence. So useful is this department that the students keep the school metal fittings in constant repair. Upstairs the art rooms held much that was attractive. Models of heads and objects, pencil work, paintings of figures, objects and landscapes, etching wood and lino cuts, posters, book illustrations, writing, pen drawing, designs, metal, leather and stencil work all showed the advance made in fine and applied arts. In the commercial room were examples of touch-typ-ing shorthand and business methods neatly arranged. This was indeed practical work and the value of touchtyping was shown in French manuscripts typed by first year students at 39 words per minute and second year at 52. The millinery and dressmaking rooms were keenly sought by the ladies, who were shown much to delight them. . . The school house was particularly interesting. During the past month improvements have been effected, four rooms having been converted into one large room for cookery, laundry and general household lessons. Electric, o-as and coal ranges of the latest type are being installed and the.girls have every facility for education. Last night students were making sponges, batters, bread and pastry. In an adjacent room were tables neatly laid for three meals of well-balanced foods, while examples of work of the decorative and fruit preserving classes were on view. In the -woodwork shop there were many outstanding pieces of furniture which had won Show prizes. From model aeroplanes, a portable wireless set, model boat and ornamental firescreen to examples of inlay work and cabinetmaking—one china cabinet took two years to complete—the display was most convincing. The adjacent plumbing shop, with examples of domestic and general work, concluded a comprehensive display. _ The exhibition had an outstanding feature in a mannequin parade. Most effectively students of the school showed off the frocks and ensembles they had made during the year and bursts of applause from scores of onlookers greeted them as they threaded their way along the passage and down the stairs. During the evening the Misses Wood provided most acceptable instrumental trio music from the landing' upstairs. A fitting termination to a most pleasant and instructive evening was provided, in supper served at a small charge by the girls, the food having been daintily prepared and arranged by them.