FEILDING TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8866, 17 July 1907, Page 3

FEILDING TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

A meeting of the committee was held Inst night Present: Messrs Goodhehere (chairman), Trowiu, Carty, Eramwell, and O’Kegan. The Director reported that 1? classes had been commenced at tne beginning of the term, and were attended by iO9 pupils, and 80 classes were notv' being held, attended hy 350 pupils. Four now classes had been commenced at Apiti this week with 50 pupils, and five classes would he opened at Pohangiua nest week, tor which 30 pupils had given in their uaities'. He hoped also to commence classes at Foxton shortly, .During the term £13:3 9s -id had been received in fees and the sum of £37 9c was outstanding. The sum of £l6 14s had been received in dona - tions. The total receipts amounted to £3OB 2s 6cl, and the estimated 1 expenditure ’(vas £260 12s lid- About £SO was now' needed for the building fund. He vyonld like to open classes suitable for farmers. There seemed to bo a demand for veterinary classes. In order to do so it would be necessary to have £250 in fees and capitation for 24 weeks. Mr Braik, Chief Inspector, attended the meeting," and ‘;n the course of a conference with the committee suggested the following points to render the classes more effective : Each member of tho committee interesting liimself in one subject (as at Eltham), endeavouring fq got pupils, and interesting himself par : ticnlarly in their progress; secondly, getting hold of children who had left school before they'had reached the higher standards, and even those who had passed the sixth, for” with-, out technical instruction such children often wore unable to make use of their primary education; thirdly, providing some means of recreation in connection with the school; and fourthly, tho committee to place themselves in touch with the employers, and ascertaining their needs. Other phases of the question of technical education, were discussed, and incidentally it was pointed out that tho district was rather a costtly ono to work, owing to the neighbouring towns and villages being off tho railway ilne. The possibility of commencing a commercial course was considered. Tho Director of the school spoke most hopefully of the classes that might be got in the country places if a really capable instructor were apppoiuted in book-keeping. He also expressed the opinion that veterinary and agricultural classes would be well supported.

Mr Braik also consulted the committee on tho future constitution of committees, pointing out the desirability of Technical Committees being elected or appointed in a uniform manner throughout tho education district. • Tho draft of regulations for election submitted by Mr Braik was very similar to those under' which the Feildiug committee was appointed. '