TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 21

TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION.

The following is the annual report of the committee for the past year: — Your committee begs to submit the eleventh annual report of the Dunedin Technical Classes Association.

During the year your committee held 12 ordinary meetings, at the first of which (in accordance with rule 7 of 'the constitution) Mr A. Burt was xe-electecl president, Mi Greoige M. Thomson hon. secretary and superintendent, and Mr W. Cutten hon. treasurer.

Your committee regrets that no further progress has "been made towards "the establishment of a technological museum. Should the projected addition to the buildings be carried out, it is intended to provide accommodation for this purpose. Similarly there is nothing to report in regard to the library.

The association during the past session employed 26 paid teachers and assistants, and 35 classes were carried on in 23 different subjects. Of these classes two were held at Port Chalmers, and the experiment was so far successful that the local committee hope to extend the scope of the work during the "coming session. The total number of students enrolled was 767, and of 'these 17 received total or partial remission of their fees. Four students gained the senior diploma of the association, 14 the junior diploma, and 228 gained ceitificates qualifying for diplomas.

The reports of the examinations held in IS9Q by City and Guilds of London Institute show that Messrs- A. Connell, S. Foster, J. Fiilton, and W. Gallagher all passed the preliminary grade in plumbers' work, while in the ordinary grade of the same work Messrs Gallagher and Foster each gained a first-class pass, and Mr Connell a second-class. In the honours' work in plumbing Mr G. Dyer gained a second-class, and in the honours' work in bookbinding Mr G. Campbell gained a first. In carpentry and joinery, ordinary grade, -Messrs W. Marshall, G. Simpson, jun., and J. E. "Walker were all successful in gaining a first-class. The positions gained by Dunedin candidates in foregoing examination compare favourably with those of all other centres in the colony. In the examination of the science and art department Mr D. K. M'Donald was awarded a first-class pass in drawing and machine construction, and Mr J. Bruce second-class in advanced theoretical chemistry and a first-class in practical chemistry.

During the year Mr George M. Thomson organised a scheme for raising a building fund through the agency of past and present students. This work was not very enthusiastically taken up, but £125 17s 6d was collected and handed to the treasurer.

"With regard to the workshop and laboratory required for the teaching of practical electricity your committee, after full consideration of the position, decided to proceed, as soon as possible, with the erection of an additional building at the back of the present premises. Plans and specifications were prepared by the association's architect (Mr J. Hislop), whose estimate of' cost of a two-storey building was £1230, while alternative plans showed that a threestorey building would involve an approximate expenditure of £1700.

On November 1 a deputation consisting of Messrs A. Burt, G-. M. Thomson, M. Cohen, and A. Sligo waited upon the Premier to ascertain what anioixnt of assistance' the Government were prepared to grant for this purpose. After discussion of the scheme and examination of the association's premises, the Premier undeijook to further. £h.e wishes pi Jkg

as far as lay in his power. Owing, however, to the 'geneial election and patriotic movements having since engrossed universal attention nothing definite has been arranged up to the present, but the committee is still in communication with the Government on the subject. Meanwhile, although the association is in possession of a valuable plant and apparatus for practical electrical work, the opening of a class in this subject is still postponed.

During the year Mr Ch M. Thomson, who has been so closely connected with the work that his name lias become associated with that of the Dunedin Technical School, lesigned his position as lion, secretary and superintendent, an office lie had held from the inception of the association 11 years ago. By an illuminated address presented by members of your committee, by a token of esteem voluntarily raised by the teaching staff, and by special resolution embodied in the minutes, efforts were made to acknowledge the good work done by Mr Thomson, who, as a member of your committee, still continues to render valuable assistance.

The balance sheet, which is herewith appended, gives full particulars of receipts and expenditure, and shows there is a balance of £236 5s 5d to the credit of the association.

The committee desires to again thank those ladies and gentlemen who so willingly assisted in examining the students, the Otago Education Board for the annual grant voted by it, an- 1 also the officers of the board, who are ever ready to supply information and render assistance.

The committee would like to see a wider interest than is manifested at present taken in the work of the Technical School by some of our public bodies. The City Corporation, th"c Trades and Labour Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Association of Otago, and other bodies are all, either directly or indirectly, interested in the work which 'is done, and might reasonably be expected to render some assistance to the association.

The following members of committee retire by rotation, but are eligible for re-election: — Messrs Burt, M'Nicoll, and Robin.