TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 254, 26 October 1897, Page 2

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

DISCUSSION BY THE EDUCATION BOARD,

Tho question of technical education again came up at the Education Boayd to-day as a result of a communication from the Education Department, Wellington. Mr Phillips urgeil $hat cooking and nepdleivori- and dress-making were suitable subjects for inclusion in the new Technical Instruction Bill. The chairman said it was a question whether such subjects would come under th Bill. >Jv 'Phillips said thy were only suggestions, and suggestions had been asked for. Mr Lock fearod that tho country schools would receive no benefit from the technical instruction as it was proposed. He did nofc think there was very much in the suggested subjects, but if anythipowas to be gained he wou'd support Mr Phillips ir. his advocacy. Major Franklyn said thero was no reason for depriving tho town children of a boon [simply beoausp the country children could not participate. Bir Lock said ho did nofc wish to deprive any children of a boon, but whether town or country thoy wanted to bo fair all round. The country must not be crippled because of favours oxtpndod fo tfiofown. The chairman asked for any other subjects. Mr Phillips said Mr Maginnity had somo suggestions, but he was nofc present just then. Mr Lock said they would find that plenty of suggestions* of subjects nuuld be mado by the various; Bpayds throughout the oolony. Ho would like to see bookkeeping taught, but it did nofc come under the heading of technical instruction. Mr Besfc said he also would like to see book-keeping taught. f n reply to the chairman the Chief Inspector (Mr Harkness) said the remuneration for technical instruction as provided by the present Bill was not sufficient to encourage schools to go in for technical instruction. A. special grant on a larger scale was necessary. As to subjects carpentering, mineralogy, and agricultural chemistry were most suitahle. Inspector Ladley pointed o,nt thafc the apparatus requisite in giving technical instruction was j_lso expensive anrl ought to bo provided for. It \yas resolvei} on Mr Phillips' motion f hat cooking and dressmaking be inoluded in the list oi subjects thafc may ba taught uqdet tha Act; and thafc suffloient funds be provied to enable classes ia these subjects to bs established In suitable centres, tho grant nnder the present Act being deemed altogether inadequate.