THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Southland Times, Issue 23181, 23 April 1937, Page 5

THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Principal And Staff Praised CHAIRMAN OF BOARD “On behalf of the board I wish to congratulate the principal (Mr C. A. Stewart) and his staff on the excellent manner in which they conduct the affairs of the school,” said Mr J. H. Reed at a meeting of the Southland Technical College Board last evening. “The tone of the college is very high, and the keenness and efficiency of the staff is reflected in the students’ enthusiasm for their work.” Mr Reed presided. There were present: Miss C. McLeod, and Messrs W. Grieve, W. Carswell, A. J. Ball, A. le H. Hoyles, J. Weir, S. Anderson, W. G. Tait and A. J. Service. The report of the principal (Mr C. A. Stewart) for the month of April stated: “After long delays, the Technical High School and the evening school opened for the year on Wednesday, March 31. The total number that had enrolled for the Technical High School was in excess of 720, but the continued uncertainty about the opening date induced a number to take up employment, and several left the district. The number which has actually attended, however, is well in excess of last year’s, and therefore a record. The staffing arrangements are working smoothly, but may require some slight adjustments when the department has considered my reports. As might be expected from the large new enrolments here and in the high schools, we have small numbers in some of our evening school junior classes. On the other hand, the total numbers are quite satisfactory, and there is a definite increase in engineering classes. At about this time last year we had 10 engineering classes with average roll of 17; by the end of the year the number of classes had grown to 14 and the total individual enrolments to 88; we now have 18 classes, 104 individual students, and an average class roll of 17.2. New classes started this year and promising well are in diesel engine work, welding, panel beating (two stages) and motor electrical work (two stages). Great credit is due to Mr W. E. Mclndoe for his zeal and energy, which are bearing such good fruit. We are hoping to be able,- with the help of the New Zealand Garage Proprietors’ Association, to procure and build up some good electrical testing equipment for the motor mechanics’ classes. Mr Gray’s Visit “A recent visitor to the school was an ex-New Zealander, Mr G. T. Gray, a technical instructor in a mission school at Saharanpur, India. As an engineer, he was keenly interested in the equipment of our workshops, and surprised at the range of machinery in use. He addressed the boys of the school on his work, and showed very fine films of the work and of Indian village life. During next week, at the request of the rector of the Gore High School, we shall have with us a member of his staff to observe methods of work, equipment, and so on, in our workshop. We hope to be of use to them in the organizing of their manual work. I know that our teachers will give all possible help.” The growth of the college roll was commented upon by the chairman in reviewing the report. “Sixty-one evening classes are now in operation and two more are certain to be opened shortly,” he added. “This is very encouraging.” Mr Stewart reported that the college’s first lunch-time concert for the year had been held that day. It was very successful. The pupils had been extremely well behaved and the big

attendance was proved by the fact that £7 3/9 had been collected. “I am very pleased to hear that,” said the chairman. “It enhances what I have already said about the general tone of the college. The concert has brought a wonderful response from the pupils and reflects credit on Mr Stewart and his staff.” Jubilee Celebrations The following supplementary report was submitted to the board by Mr Stewart: “The jubilee committee and the various sub-committees are doing very thorough work in organizing the functions to take place at the first weekend in May to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Technical High School. There is every indication that the celebrations will be entirely worthy of the school and of the Old Students’ Association. It should be good for all of us, alike the general public and those of us more directly concerned in the work of the school, to be reminded of the road that we have travelled in the quarter century, and of the honour to the men and women who pioneered the road.” The chairman said that the. jubilee celebrations promised to be an outstanding success. What they described as the enthusiasm of the pupils, the high standard of efficiency of the staff and the generally smart appearance of the school were praised by Messrs Anderson and Weir in reporting on their visit to the college as members of the visiting committee.