TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 20

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

A RURAL COURSE. " The following are the terms of a circular which has been issued by Mr ~D. T. Fleming to the chairman and members of a number of school committees in Central Otago: As you are probably aware, I have been taking a good) deal oi interest lately in connection with the introduction of the rural course ;into the schools, and also in doing something towards having the means of technical instruction placed within the reach of those residing'• in the country districts. The board has adopted the rural course, and technical instruction has been taken up with success and enthusiasm at Milton, Balolutha, Lawrence, Tapanui, Owaka, Waiwera, Stirling, and Clinton, and more is hoped for next year. In connection with these two matters I have, in company with the 'chief " inspector (Mr Richardson), and in the case of Lawrence with Mr M'Kinlay, visited Milton, Mcsgiel, Lawrence, Tapianui, and Owaka, and had conferences with the school committees and representative residents, likewise also at Balclutha.

I am anxious that the schools in. the districts of Oemiral Otago should, if possible, be provided with some meamß of special instruction oo the lines indicated. . The instructors under the rural course will' be fully occupied in the district high schools and adjacent districts. It would, however, be an. advamfcage if an instructor with special qualifications suited to the requirements of the district could 'be appointed for the schools ire Central Otago. He should be something of -an expert' in-fruit culture and horticulture, as. well as irrigation.- Unfortunately there is only one district _high scihool in Central Otago, at Naiseby, and we cannot get much benefit from the increased capitation payable in; respect of pupils of district high schools. If, however, the various • local bodies, associations, ohd organisations, as well as private individuals, were prepared to help it would be possible to attain a practical result. -.- In connisotiooi -with the rural and '.. technical instruction -the. residents and public bodies of Milton*, Balclutha, and, Owaka have contributed liberally, while at Lawrence and Tapanui there is reason to hope for substantial assistance. The Balclutha School Committee and the rector have contributed £SO; the Balclutha Borough Council £25 a year for two years; the Clutha County Council £ls, with the prospect of two or three additional voies o.f £5 each; the Clutha and Matau»A. and P, Society £lO, and assistance has been; .promised out of a trust fund to the extent of £25, while the president of the Farmers' Union has promised to run a Bruce auction at a suitable date, and support is expected from- the Stirling Dairy Factory Company! At Milton the school committee has found £45, the Borough Council £2O a year for two years, the County Council £lO a year ■for two years '.for the classes at Milton*, and £5 a year for two years for the Balclutha classes*, while the public has guaranteed to raise £6O. At Owaka the residents have guaranteed to raise £3O for a room for cookery and other classes. In addition to the above the school committees at Milton arid Balolutha have made theonselves responsible for the cost of typewriters, say, £l5O.

All these sums carry a subsidy of pound for pound from the Government. It has - occurred to me, therefore, that if bhe people of Central Otago are prepared to help in a similar way, it will be possible to secure the services of an instructor to be devoted almost, entirely to the schools in these districts. The salary of a suitable man will be at least £3OO a year and travelling expenses, and if it were possible to get; contributions to the extent of £l5O or £l6O a year, for, say, three or five years, the board would, I feel sure, be prepared to favourably entertain" the proposal. As a suggestion, says the Tuapeka County Council, the Roxburgh Borough Council, the Tev:ot Fruitgrowers' Association, the Alexandra Borough Council, the Clyde Town Board, the Vincent County Council. Vincent A. and P. Society. Cromwell Borough Council, Na.=eby Boroueh Council. Maniototo County Ouricil, Maniototo A. and P. Society each guaranteed sums varying from £lO to £ls a year. Then there are the Oddfellows' Lodpas at Roxburgh. 'Cromwell, and Naseby; the Druids and Foresters at Alexandra; the Masonic Lodges at Alexandra, Cromwell, and Naseby; the Horticultural .Societies at Clyde andi Cromwell; and the Miners' Association, which might be annroached for sums varying from, say, £2 2s to £5 a year. In addition, there miarht be private contributions, while the school commiittees at the centres named miarht be able to guarantee 'to raise, say. £5 a year, and some of the committees in the districts surrounding might be expected' to help a little. Tn the north nearly all the local bodies,

organisations, and associations contribute annually towards technical education. Towards the I>unedin Technical School the City Council grants £2OO a year, and is this year making a special grant of -£IOOO (spread over four years); Mosgiel is giving £25, Taieri County Council £25, Port Chalmers Borough Council £IOO, Waikouaiti County Council £25 ; Waikouaiti Borough Council £5, St. Kildia Borough £SO, and Eoslyn £l5O. The suggestion I am putting before you is, therefore, not without precedent. The advantage will be that the schools and residents in the district will have the services of an instructor qualified for the Bpecial requirements of the district. As far as possible demands for classes, such ss woodwork, woolsorting, shorthand, typewriting, dressmaking, etc., would be met, fees being charged for other than school childrem

I put the proposal before you for the consideration of your ccm>mittee and others interested. I need not point out the advantages to the district of ths adoption cf a scheme such as that suggested, and a practical result is attainable if co-operation and enthusiasm are shown. It would be advisable to discuss the matter with your Mayor and councillors, your county chairman and councillor for the riding, representatives of A. and P. Societies, and other local societies and organisations, as well as representative men in your district, and members of neighbouring school committees. At a later date, if the matter meets with your approval, I shall be glad to meet and confer with your oomimittee and others, and get the chief inspector, and possibly the chairman and one or two other members of the board, to accompany me,

In the meantime I commend the matter as outlined to your favourable consideration, fully convinced it will be of untold benefit to the cause of education in Central Ota.gK>, and ■ for the mat&rial progress and prosperity of the district.