TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1920, Page 8

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

THE WORK IST TARANAKI DIRECTOR'S REPORT. V l> A review of technical, manual, and agricultural instruction for the past moiith was made hy the Director (Mr. A. L. Moore) in the following report before the Taranaki Education 'Board -at the monthly meeting on Wednesday:— New-Plymouth Technical College.— The numbers in the day. classes arc: Commercial 38, domestic 9, general class 11, engineering 29, agriculture and industrial 5. At this time of the year, as in former years, pupils begin to obtain positions and leave the school. It is my intention to carry on the reorganisation next year so as to effect a more economical staffing without decreasing the efficiency of the school. The attendance at evening classes has been very irregular, and a complete return lias been supplied to the truant officer. Stratford.—The evening classes at this centre finished at the end of October. Manual and rural classes are continuing as usual. ' Eltham.—Compulsory evening classes are continuing, and are showing a slight increase in the interest taken. As mentioned in the Departmental Inspector's report, suitable furniture in the form of desks is badly needed here. AGRICULTURE. Mr. Johnson reported as under: — Primary Schools.—l have made altogether 30 visits during the month, and found the work on an average very well forward. In almost all centres, the subject is living, and much interest is shown in both the outdoor and indoor work. In many cases considerable improvements to grounds are being held up, because committees are unable to secure the necessary labor.

Tlio bnys' and girls' agrii-nltural clubs formed in t!ie southern end promise of giving groat success. In all there are 1!) centres, and in the mangold growing competition alone there are ],">o competitors. The teachers show great keenness, and 1 believe that in the oountrv schools tlii* great co-operation which must exist now between home and school, teacher and parent, will raise the standard and tone of the rural subjects.

Secondary Schools.—Work is proceeding regularly at Stratford District High School. The work has in some classes confined itself to the examination syllabus of the Civil Service Entrance or Matriculation. However, some work is being done in tending propagation beds, and in training the pupil in cow-judging It is hoped to have in the region of 100 secondary pupils (boys and girlsi competing in the juvenile judging at tin Stratford A. and P. Show.

Mr. R. Syme reported as follows:—! have visited 3,"i schools. Particular attention has been paid to the teaching of agriculture in the larger schools, to standard Vl.' pupils in preparation for the examination he held later in the year. This part of the work is being done well in most eases. The other parts of the work are showing very satisfactory progress, especially in the nature study in some of the small schools. HAWEP.A SCHOOL. A report was attached from the principal of tiie Ilaweva Technical High School (Mr. A. Gray). The attendance at the school was given as 114. The report stated:— Agriculture.—During the month the agriculture class visited the Han-era Dairy Factory. Arrangements have been made by Mr. Dunlop for a further series of visits. A very interesting and instructive afternoon was also spent at the agricultural implement store of Messrs. liennelt and Sutton. The manager went to a considerable amount of trouble in explaining to the boys the special points of the various ploughs and other implements in stock. The herd testing is proceeding systematically and already several of the parents have expressed their appreciation of the work being done under this heading.

The attendance has been somewhat broken lately owing to the very wet weather. Generally speaking, the work is proceeding steadily, but we must have more seating accommodation in order that tiie commercial students may come over to the main building for English and arithmetic.

I have to extend thanks to the Sports and Pastimes Club for free passes for the boys to the recent boxing tournament. The club has been most generous to the school in many ways. I also wish to thank Messrs. S. A. Heid (Hawera), and E. Drake (Okaiawa) for donations of medals for sports. The evening class numbers totalled 158, including English and arithmetic fifi, shorthand and typing 21, St. John's Ambulance (men) l'f>, (ladies) 13. The Principal expressed the hope that the Education Bill before the House would provide machinery for the more satisfactory conduct of these classes. At present the full value of the class was sometimes not received by the enthusiastic workers owing to the misconduct of one or two unruly spirits.