DUNEDIN TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3014, 20 December 1911, Page 4

DUNEDIN TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

The monthly meeting of the Technical School Managers was held on the 12th inst., the members present being Messrs T. Scott (chairman), P. M'Kinlay, A. Burt, A. E. Tapper, P. Goyen, J. Mitchell, T. Cole, and C. R. Richardson, The Appointments Committee recommended the appointment of Mr A. G. Johnison," High School, Timaru, as teacher In the science department, the understanding being that he should devote his whole time to the subject. It also recommended the appointment of Miss Cameron to the dressmaking and Miss Melville to the cooking classes for the coming year.—Adopted. The Director reported that the attendance register of the day school showed that 48 boys and 162 girls had received Instruction during the year, 191 of them being free-place holders. The technical course for the preparation of trade apprentices was becoming better known and appreciated, 30 boys attending for instruction this year, as against 16 last year. For the domestic conree there were 52 entrants, and several of the day pupils were among the successful candidates for the London City and Guild examinations. The classes in chemistry and physics in this department were suited to the requirements of girls wishing to matriculate with the intention of proceeding to a domestic science degree. So far no other school in Otago had made this provision, although it was necessary to enable the University degree couree to be brought to a successful issue.—ln this connection Mr Goyen expressed the opinion that the High School Board of Governors was guilty of gross negligence in its attention to the matter of physics and chemistry. They were taught in the school, it was true, and the master was a highly capable one, but the facilities provided were of the most slender description. — The report continued that consistent attention had been given to the teaching of commercial work and the appointment of a special teacher for each subject had Led to greatly increased attendances, the results being of a highly satisfactory . ■ -t The girls of the school had: been given the option of tuition and practice fn deeip breathing, vocal exercises, and singing as an addition to the usual

physical exercises, and it was a matter lor regret that only about one-third of them had taken advantage of it. The art course, too, was worthy of better upport than it had received. The various members of the staff were deserving of praise for the zeal with which they had devoted themselves to the discharge of their duties during the year. —The report was adopted. Mis© Little wrote thanking the board for leave of absence grajvted. In consequence of a communication from Mr Chad wick it was decided to advertise in the Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin papers for a man to take charge of the engineering department. Accounts and salaries were paseed for payment to the amount of £341 16s Bd.