TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Southland Times, Issue 21198, 26 September 1930, Page 5

TECHNICAL COLLEGE

MONTHLY MEETING. REPORT OF PRINCIPAL. The monthly meeting of the Southland Technical College Board was held last evening. There were present: Mr J. H. Reed (chairman), Miss McLeod, Messrs. W. G. Tait, W. Carswell, W. Grieve, A. J. Service, A. J. Ball, A. W. Jones, F. G. HallJones and D. Galbraith. Comment was made on the fact that the General Council of Education had met early in June, yet the report had not been received until a few days ago. A circular from the Director of Education advised the suggested school terms and holidays for the year 1931. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman and the principal. A report on the school was received from Mr T. R. Cresswell, acting-inspector of technical schools. The report concluded as follows: “The final impression on the inspector’s mind waS that the principal was capable and full of energy, that he was supported by a loyal staff and that a good working spirit prevailed throughout the school which is doing an increasingly important service to the people of Invercargill and surrounding district,” The chairman reported on the annual conference of the Technical Education Association which he and the principal attended as the Southland delegates. The Recess Committee’s report had been fully discussed and points to which exception was taken were noted. Matters had been discussed with the Minister of Education, who had met the delegates very fairly. On the motion of Mr A. W. Jones, a minute of. appreciation was recorded of the services rendered by the delegates at the conference. Congratulations were also tendered to Mr Reed on his re-election as president of the association. Messrs Service and Galbraith were appointed a visiting committee for the month. Principal’s Report. The principal (Mr C. A. Stewart) submitted the following report: Day and evening classes resumed after the vacation on Monday, September 15. Several pupils have left since last term, but we have had about an equal number of new enrolments, both day and evening. The day school roll thus remains about the same as last term. In general the attendance has been satisfactory, but we have been somewhat affected by scarlet fever, the victims being cither pupils or in the homes of pupils. Other illnesses arc mainly of the influenza type. In regard to the evening school, we are awaiting -a ruling from the Department as to whether some of the smaller classes shall be discontinued; it is probable that present arrangements, although not absolutely in conformity with regulations, will be allowed to continue for the remainder of the session.

Tournament: At the beginning of the vacation our teams met Dunedin and Christchurch Technical College teams, and were successful in Rugby, hockey- and basketball. In all we won six games out of seven played. Our boys are now holding our Old Students’ Association Challenge Cup for the sixth time. Since I made my- last report our junior A basketball team has definitely won the championship in the junior grade. Workshop Extension: I would again bring to the notice of the board the urgent need for the formulation of a scheme for workshop extension. During the last 10 years the school (day and evening) has more than doubled its numbers, and there has been no extension in the workshops. I might go further and say that, since the school was opened although there have been increases in workshop floor space, we still have only the same number of shops, i.e., one woodwork room and one engineering room (plus smithy). This has necessarily- involved a steady reduction in the amount of practical work given to individual classes—the work has had to be spread more widely arid therefore more thinly. It is generally recognized as desirable that all boys in our type of school should have same manual work, either in metal or in wood. For a good many years now no commercial course boys have received any. It has also been necessary to reduce the amount given to boys in the agriculture course, and even in the trades courses. To this extent the courses may be considered leas satisfactory than were formerly given. If we are to make provision for normal increases in number of students, day- and evening, it is necessary that plans- should be considered as early- as possible. A further consideration, of course, is that we are under obligation, moral at least, to provide some special accommodation and equipment for our motor mechanics, who now form one of the most enthusiastic sections of our evening students. The plumbing workshop has been recognized for a considerable time as too cramped for really first class working. Of course, that room is in use only on two evenings weekly, but it is required for work that is essential in the interests of the community. The board has at various times considered the advisability of appointing a second instructor in woodwork, but such an appointment is hardly justified until we have a second woodwork room. The matter of workshop extension was referred to the building committee. A motion congratulating the teams on their success in the tournament was carried.