TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1916, Page 8

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT. j _ At the meeting of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday, the Direetoi oE. tlie New Plymouth Technical College (Mr. A. Gray) reported:— The classes resumed on June 28 after a vacation of two weeks Tlk numliers will be about the same for the coming term as they have been. I have ascertained that free railway passes can be issued to returned wounded soldiers io er.able them to attend technical classes. Arrangements lmve been made with the Park Board for the use of the Sports Ground as a playing field, we undertaking to keep the ground in order. I have to tliank Mr. Dempsey, head master of the Central School for the use of the school gymnasium on Thursday afternoons, and also Mr. W. Moverlv, who has presented to the College a complete set of specimens of Ne\» Zealand woods. Messrs. Okey i( n.* Rollo have given the engineering department a water engine, which will prove a handy addition to our apparatus. Their thoiigbtfulness is miidi appreciated by the staff. At the recent Winter Show the College exhibit was the subject of favorable remarks. The judges of the engineering exhibits, Messrs. F. \V Okey and J Rollo, have sent,me the following report: "In judging. the work done by the pupils of the Technical College ( ve were extremely pleased to note the excellence of the work in both the mechanical and freehand drawing, also the work done in the engineering workshop. We consider it highly creditable both to teachers and to pupils." A large, quantity of electrical and mechanical apparatus has come-to hand during tie holidays; we can house this, but cannot set it u|> for lack of space. The whole staff is struggling to eope with the work under adverse conditions as regards room. Surely the Depatrment could be got to agree to the erection of at least part of the buildings required. T have notifications from the Plumbers' lioard that there will be no plumbers' examination this August. Also the Board has notified liie that the suggestion' emanating from this college in 1!)14 to the effect that the plumbers' examination should be held in sections will be given effect to if the plan does not prove too expensive;

AGRICULTURAL. Mv.' Sergei reported as follows: Report on agriculture course: At Fitzroy we have got more ground turned over in preparation for sowing. 1 have taken the boys to Messrs. Duncan and Davies place, and also to Mr. Renbe's farm at Westown. Mr. Rcnbe treated \is with much hospitality. The boys helped at the Winter Show, both in setting up their own exhibits and acting as stewards. Farmers' instruction: Since my last report I have been to Midhirst, Norfolk road, Pihama, Upper Mangorei, Pungarehu. and Tariki. I append details ot results obtained by the leading competitors in the swede-turnip and potatogrowing competitions for boys in the country. I suggest a letter be sent to Mr. Paul, secretary, and to the officials of the Waikato Winter Show, acknowledging their kindness to W. H. Fussell. Personally, T would be glad to have an expression of opinion from the board as to the extension or otherwise of a similar scheme for next season. Concession tickets: In the past a difficulty has been experienced in obtaining concessions for students travelling by 'bus ot coach. I am pleased to say that in addition to concessions granted on the trams, viz fourteen penny sections ■: for 9d, substantial reductions have been granted by the various motor 'bus proprietors. ParentH. have specially remarked to me on the kindness and consideration sjiown to the children by Mr. A. Smith, of the Urenui motor 'bus, I find that the number of students from the district north of Waitara is steadily increasing. Results of swede-turnip growing competition W. H. Fussell, Lepperton: Weight .30, profit per acre 30, reports 7, specimen roots 14, total 81; A. D. Gibson, Oaonui: 22, 20, 20, 15, 77; E, M. Gibson: 17, 15, 20, 14, Gfi. Results of potato competition:—lC Looney, Opunake: 15 tons 3 cwt. 64 lbs. per acre; D. H. Johnson, Stratford. 11 tons 10 cwt. 53 lbs. per acre; E M. Gibson, Opunake: 10 tons, 4 cwt., 101 lbs. per acre. Mr. J. Connett kindly acted as judge for the specimen roots. Mr. Halcombe brought up the question of endeavoring to obtain from the Government a subsidy towards the travelling expenses of country children attending the technical classes, as the expense pressed heavily on the parents. He moved that the board apply to the Government for a grant for that purpose. The motion was carried. ■ In reply to the chairman, Mr. Gray stated that neither the board nor the Advisory Committee of the Technical College were under ally liability to the Recreation Grounds Board over the use of ' the playing ground. It was decided to' authorise Mr. Sergei to continue the turnip crop growing competitions, and to extend same as far I as possible. The director's report was adopted.