VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17294, 18 October 1919, Page 9

VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

_«» . SICK AND WOUNDED MEN. ROTORUA AND AUCKLAND. SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME. Some details in connection with the i vocational work being carried out among sick and wounded soldiers receiving treatment in the military hospital and convalescent homes in the Auckland district . were given yesterday by Maior W. A. G. j Peniington, vocation officer. - Major Peniington has just returned j from Rotorua, where he visited the vari- | ous workshops used in the carrying out of the vocational training scheme. He men- I tioned that all the workshops were in full ! swing, and very satisfactory work was I being done. Twenty-four main subjects i were being taught regularly, six of which might be classed as occupational, including basket making, leather work, weaving, etc. Although, he said, these subjects had a vocational value, most of the men taking them were doing so for curative reasons. Eighteen of the subjects could be regarded as strictly vocational, as they included several branches of engineering, boot-repairing, cabinetmaking, acetone , welding, and the like. From time to time intensive courses lasting from a week to a fortnight were held, the subjects in- ' eluding poultry-farming, veterinary work, ! wool-classing, and dairying. Curative Advantages. It was hoped that during the nest few days a start would he made with a class Hi farm cooking. Briefly, this would con- j sist of a. course of six lessons specially designed to give men who intended going on the land a knowledge of plain cook''- I ing. Equipment had just been received ! for teaching upholsterv, a small class ! being ready to receive* instruction in this! subject. In addition, provision was being I maue for ooi respondenee courses for men requiring them on • such subjects as accountancy, engineers' examination, and law. A class in commercial training was being conducted at the hospital at Rotoiu», the subjects including book-keeping, commercial antnmetic, correspondence! shorthand and typewriting. Asked as ..., „.,finer attendance at the various classes was compulsory, Major lenlmgton said this was not an, unless ordered by the medical officers for curative reasons. However, practically all the men in the hospital were taking some subject, as it was considered helpful to their cure to be engaged at least an hour or two each day at some occupation. Instruction to Farmers. Reference was made to the instruction in general subjects given to farmers or those who intended taking up farming. These men were showing a keen interest, not only in the farming lectures, but alio in repairing, saddlery, and motor instruction. This last included the running of motor-car* and oil engines wuallv applied to farm work. The workshops" contained several types of oil engines for demonstration purposes, which had been obtained in bail order and had been overhauled, refitted in some cases, a.nd put in working order by the men themselves. "My experience throughout the district." said Major Penlington. "is that not very much interest is taken in commercial training. The reason, I think, i* that the men do not Tike anything that of the schoolroom. On the other hand, the -repairing and similar classes are flourishing. Twenty-four men are attending the -repairing class, learning to do their own repairs," while 10 men are attending at the tailoring 6hop, only two of whom intend to be tailors. Already many men have converted their hospital "Hues'' into very smart garments by altering the shape, providing them with pockets, and pressing them. Before), drafts of men le?.ve the hospital they keep the tailoring shop occupied, pressing their own suit-; for their entry into civilian life. Major Peniington mentioned that the classes had the assistance of a very useful technical library, and if the men required any special book it was procured for them. He also said that the basketmaking shop, which was originally at the sanatorium, had now been removed to Pukeroii Hill, while the accommodation for the boot-repairing classes was being doubled, and more space was being provided for the tailoring class. Well Established at all Hospitals. Dealing with the progress of the scheme of training in the province generally, he mentioned that the. system was now fairly well established in all the main hospitals in the district. At Kamo regular classes were being held in commercial subjects, motor mechanics, carpentry, and others, and a workshop was now being erected by the carpentry class under the guidance of the instructor. At Narrow Neck camp, which was recently opened as a convalescent home, vocational classes were opened without delay, and a. very large percentage of the patients were attending. The classes at present included motor instruction, woolclassing, an 3 commercial training. Referring to the work at the Auckland Military Hospital, /Major Peniington said that splint-making was* being carried on, and orthopaedic splints of an elaborate design were being made specially for in- j dividual patients. A motor workshop had recently been built, and an instructor was kept busy, the numbers attending having made morning and afternoon classes necessary. Classes had now been started in acetone welding, bootrepairing, French, book-keeping, carpentry, economics, basket work, leather work," and wood-carving. A bee-keeping class had been in progress for some time with much success, the bees being kept at the hospital Major Peniington also referred to the fact that a considerable number of the men confined to bed were passing the time doing embroidery and raffia basket work, while special tables had been provided to enable men in bed to practice the use of the typewriter, two machines having been obtained for instructional purposes. In addition to the classes actually held in the hospital, arrangements had been made for a large number of men to take courses at the University, Technical College, Elam School of Arts, and at private coaching establishments. In conclusion, Major Penlington said the system of vocational training was proving a vhiuaui« aid to the repatriation of the men under treatment, -as it was j possible in most cases for the men to arrive at a decision as to the form of occupation they desired to follow on their return to civil life. CALVES LICK UP EVERY DROP. Unlike other calf-foods, there is no sediment in " Ceremilk," the fine particles remain in suspension in the bucket, thus making preparation easy and enabling the calf to get all the goodness. With many other calf foods a semi-solid deposit is formed at the bottom of the vessel, so that the animal gets only half a feed. The fact that there's no waste with Ceremilk has given great satisfaction to farmers. Mr. D. L. A. Astbury, Mangatoki, Eltham, writes : —" Kindly book forward for me one half-ton of " Ceremilk," in case there is difficulty to get it next season. We have reared j seventy calves this year; none have died, and unquestionably ' Ceremilk' has given us more satisfaction and better results than any other prepared food we have used previously." At ail stores and factories, in 200, 100, 50 and 251b bags. If your dealer cannot supply you, write to Fleming and Co., Ltd., Box 555, Auckland. Hear Alfred Mace, West End Theatre, Poneonby Road, Sunday afternoon, throe o'clock ; evening, seven o'clock. Subji c.t, Great Things That Go." Cold in the head and nasal catarrh is quickly relieved by Nazol. Take five or six drops on loaf sugar, and place between the check and gums, and allow to dissolve naturally and very slowly. This j gives prolonged action and quicker relief. Ska Hand's " Moa ' Brand Egg Preservative never fails to keep fresh eggs sweet 1 and good. Thousands use it* ' A *