TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Southland Times, Issue 17482, 24 July 1915, Page 3

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

YEAR’S WORE REVIEWED, A CO.UPUEUE NSI A 7 E .STATEMENT. The work of the Technical College Board of Managers was reviewed in, the chairman's and directors’ reports, which were laid oh the table, at the meeting of the Hoard yesterday. The chairman’s report stated that the transfer of the control of the 'Technical College from the Education Board to a Board of Managers elected hy contributing bodies was Dually effected in May, .1911. The lirst step of arousing public interest was begun in 191;’ and was carried out by inviting the members of local bodies to visit the College and see the classes in session. Deputations were arranged to meetings of the Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Employers’ Association, -Master Plumbers’ Union, South hind Farmers’ fnion. Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and County Council, and a lecture was delivered before a branch of the Farmers’ Union. This involved much labour, but the results were encouraging, for wider interest was created in the work of the College and live bodies in nil decided to contribute to the funds of the institution and share in its management. The first Board of Managers was composed as follows: Messrs J. Fisher, A. Lowrie, 11. K. Niven and A. L. AVyllie, Ai.A. (Education) Board); J. Gilkison (A. and P. Association). AV. H. Brent (Town Council). It. G. Speirs (Master Plumbers’ Union), J. E. Watson (Woolbrokcrs' Association), and C. .1. Konaldson (Chambers of Commerce). Air ft. A. Anderson was elected as tlie representative of the A. and P. Association but was unable- to act. At the first meeting held on May S, Air J. Fisher was elected chairman, and the Principal of the College was constituted secretary of the Board. The Board has met every mouth for the transaction of the College business, and a visiting committee lias been elected at each meeting in order to acquaint members with the more intimate working of the classes, and in order to give advice to the Board on matters arising for consideration during the month. The various commercial. educational and industrial interests represented on the Board have proved of inestimable value in the management of the affairs of the institution, and it is iioped that ultimately all sections of the community who are interested in tho instruction provided in the College will have a share in its control. The most formidable obstacle to the work of the Board lay in the arrangement of linance. for tiiongli the income of the College is sufficient to meet the demands made upon it. it is paid at irregular intervals, and at times long after it lias been earned. However, this difficulty has to some extent been overcome by the fact that tlie Board has been kindly permitted to bank through the Education Board in the meantime.

Jt soon became apparent to members of the Hoard that the room provided was insufTicieut for the growing requirementof the classes, and as the buildings now extend from the street to tlie back boundary of the site no further additions to tlie present buildings was possible. Negotiations were therefore entered into with (lie Hoard of Governors of the Southland Boys' High School, since it is anticipated that a new High School will bo built shortly on tlie Collegiate reserve, and the site now occupied and its .substantial buildings would serve the needs of the Technical College for many years to come if they were available as tin extension to tlie College as constituted tit present. Tlie two sites are only half a block apart, and tire admirably situated for tlie students attending the evening classes. An agreement was readied between the two Hoards as to the terms on which the transfer of tlo* property could be arranged, but the intervention of the European war has checked negotiations for the present. However, it is hoped that shortly the Col lege will lie ai.de to extend to tlie very convenient and suitable property of the High Schools' Hoard, The (dock of buildings at tlie rear of the Manual I raining rooms was completed and equipped during tlie year. This block includes two sets of lavatories, a room for the destruction of waste and rubbish, an engineering workshop with smithy and tool room adjoining and a large room now used as a combined draughting room and wood workshop. The building was constructed by day labour in brick and reinforced concrete under the supervision of the Education Hoard's architect, and is provided with electric lighting. As the* instructor in engineering subjects took up his duties in January, he was abie to supervise tHe erection of tlie machinery and fittings, which was carried out as far as possible by the boys attending tlie classes. Tlie large attendance in Uh* trades classes of the Technical High School and ihc evening classes lias shown already Unit the expenditure of the considerable sum of money required for tlie building* and equipment was well justified. The teaching staff of the I'ollegt- was increased dining tin* year by the appointments of M iss H. 1. tlnnii and Mr A, .1. Newman as teachers of domestic science and engineering subjects respectively, while .. clerk lias been appointed to assist in tb secretary's office. There have thus been eight permanent teachers employed during the year, and it is anticipated tiiat a further appointment of a teacher in science and mathematics will be necessary early in 10la. This will increase tlie pressure in the class room accommodation. which is already scanty, and the need of a larger laboratory will become still more apparent. The Board has felt tlie necessity of increasing ihe usefulness and attractiveness of the agricultural course by the acquisition of a suitable block of land, where agricultural operations could he carried out on a larger scale than at present. Some steps towards this end have already been taken, and if they can be completed the College, will la* in a much belter position to deal with agricultural instruction. Tlie year's work lias been considerable and ii is hoped will prove to be fruitful. Encouragement in (be work lias been given by Uic intimation received at the" end of tlie year from tlie youthland Builders' Association and the Southland Farmers' I'nion that these bodies desire to be represented on tlie Hoard of Managers in 1915. PklNt’ll’Ah'ii RE PORT. Tlie Principal's report was as follows: At the beginning of the year the terms wore rearranged, so that the art classes should be in session at tlio same lime as the Day School, while the length of die session of tlie Evening (.’lasses was increased from LIU to Ml weeks. The scale of charges for attendance at clashes was also revised, the general effect being to reduce Hie fees of students taking - a course of related subjects. During the year instruction was given to :!.ln individual students, an increase of r,u students over tlie total number in attendance in .1.9115. Tlie number of classes taken shows a considerable increase, being S2l as against 556 in tlie previous year. This result is very satisfactory, for the average number of classes taken per students was 2.3 as against f.9 for the previous year. Good results from an educational point of view are to be obtained only when students attend for a course of instruction rather than for individual classes. Despite the increased attendance, there was only a slight increase in tlie fees collected from students, who derived a substantial monetary benefit from tlie system introduced during tlie year, of charging reduced fees for courses of related subjects. On the other hand, the increase in the income earned as capitation was very considerable. .11 was anticipated that owing to tlie appointment at the beginning of the year of full-time instructors for dressmaking and for engineering subjects, considerable developments would take place iu those brahebes of work. The hiqies entertained wore fully realised, ami it has also to be recorded that the commercial classes attracted unusually large numbers of students. In tact, the enrolment for the engineering, plumbing, domestic* science, commercial and art courses was quite satisfactory, and the classes for woodworkers were the only ones in which the number of students was disappointing. As the Southland Builders’ Association has intimated its desire to be represented on the Board of Managers it is anticipated that increased interest will bo shown by employees in the classes for woodworkers in the coming years. In each of (he subjects, typewriting, shorthand and bookkeeping' two elasses were held instead of one as In previous years. Morning and afternoon classes vveie instituted for needlework and dressmaking, and tlie number of classes taken weekly was live, an increase of four on

the i numbers held previously. It was found nec'feaaary to take the practical class for. cookery In two sections during the first term on account of the number of students in attendance. Both elementary and advanced classes were held for plumbing, but-tho latter was nnsatisfactofy owing to the fact that the examination for registration was held in the middle of the year, and most of the students had not sufficient time to become thoroughly proficient before tho examination, or sufficient interest to attend regularly when it was over. Tho installa-: tion of electric lighting in the town made it possible to institute a class for electric wiring, which was conducted very successfully throughout the year by Alt- P. D. Beveridge. A dominion scheme for the examination and registration of electrical wirctnen and filters, provided that it is worked efficiently, will be as welcome to the employees in tho trade as to technical school mantigers, for tiie present arrangement‘.of loeai examinations is harassing, and is certainly not conducive to general efficiency or a uniform standard of work. The-work of equipping (lie engineering workshop was not completed until August. when a class of 1(1 apprentices entered for a course of instruction till tho end of the session. 'Large classes were held for trade mathematics and applied mechanics and machine construction throughout the session. As the College is now in possession of a well-equipped and well-lighted workshop and draughting room, there is reason to anticipate that it will continue to attract large numbers of engineers' apprentices. Students enrolled for the art classes in satisfactory numbers. A pleasing feature of this work is that the class for drawing from life, tin advanced subject, Juts an ever increasing roll number, owing to tiie fact lhat many of the art students attend regularly for several years. .Students are at a disadvantage from the fact that there arc in the town no considerable art collections, for the study even of good reproductions of paintings, drawings and etchings hy loading artists gives inspiration and added interest to their work. Further, when there is a collection of art subjects available for the inspection of tho general public, a, wider interest will 1)0 created, and students will enrol in greater numbers in the art classes. During tho year College students obtained awards for studies in black and white at the Canterbury Society of Arts Exhibition, .and several studies were prepared for tii o National competitions. There was a fair demand for instruction in art. Crafts, subjects including stencilling, photography and woodcarving, and in these good work was accomplished during tiie session. The Education I )epartmont's Organising inspector, Mr E. U. Isaac, paid his annual visit ot inspection during the year, and much help was derived from tiie discussions hold with him on different subjects. In conclusion, grateful recognition is given to tho Press for the willing assistance it lias rendered throughout tho year, Aly thanks are due also to the officers of Hie Education Department for their uniform courtesy, and to tho chairman and members of Hie Board of Managers for tiie consideration they have shown me and the assistance (hey have given me in my work. And above all, to my coworkers, my sincere thanks.