TEMUKA TECHNICAL CLASSES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 582, 27 May 1909, Page 4

TEMUKA TECHNICAL CLASSES.

The monthly meeting: of the Board of Managers of the Temuka Technical, Classes Association was held on Tues- 1 day evening. Present ;—Messrs M. Me-1 Lood (chairman), G'. Thomson, W. k. | Evans, J. W. Joynt, A. Frew, and the director, Mr J. T. Smart. Mr Mclunes and Mr Buxton sent apologies. The chairman reported that Mr Greene, the instructor for the art classes, had asked for two small tables for the art room, and he had authorised Mr Smart to procure them. Mr Greene also asked for some small stands, and Mr Judson was making these. (The chairman’s action was approved of.) The chairs for the board room and the small office table had come to hand, and were quite satisfactory. Two demonstrations had been held since last meeting, and were most successful. The dressmaking one by Miss Smith wag attended by 42 ladies. The members of the afternoon class had to he admitted free, and 9/- was taken in cash. At the cookery demonstration by Miss Rennie, G 3 were present, and 23/. in cash was taken. A millinery demonstration would be held next week, the date of which would Ire duly notified. Mr Joynt said Mr Buxton, Mr Smart and himself had met at the art room, and considered the best means of warming ut, and decided that a gas stove should be installed. The stove had since been put in at a cost of £2 10/-, and he understood it wat satisfactory, factory.

The chairman said there wera; 14 students in Mr Greene’s art class, and Mr Greene considered this number rather too large to do justice to. It would not pay the Board to have two classes unless they could get more students, and it had been suggested that the class should commence half an hour earlier than at present, arid that the instructor’s fee be proportionally increased. The extra half hour would give Mr Greene the necessary time to attend to all the students.—The director was authorised to settle the matter with Mr Greene. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows :

Mr J. D. Christian, secretary to the Ashburton Technical Classes, wrote applying for the use of the Association a typewriters for a few months, and enquiring terms. —The director to reply that the Association is using all ite typewriters. From Messrs Okas. Bean and Co., in re repair of typewriters,. etc. —The director explained that the cost to the Board would be loss than last year, and his action in accepting Messrs Bean and Co.’s offer was confirmed. From Mr Ritchings Grant, Terhnical Director, asking the Board to furnish the Department with a return showing the number of young men attending evening apd technical classes under the control of the Association, who are memlrers of Volunteer Corps or Defence Cadet Companies.—The director was asked to furnish information required. The chairman said this was probably in connection with the defence propo. cals. In Germany memlrers attending such classes are granted a certain amount of exemption from military service. ‘

Mr A. Bell, secretary of the Education Board, wrote stating that the Board had under consideration the question of the appointment of a person to take charge of agricultural classes in this district. Such a person would need to possess farming experience—particularly experience in scientific farming and experimental farming, leaching ability and high scientiiic knowledge. The Education Board asked the Technical Association for a grant towards such an instructor’s salary.—The chairman said this was a most important matter, and ho con sidered the Board was quito light in attempting to do something of the kind. Other districts had been making such appointments, and it would not do for an agricultural district like South Canterbury to lag behind, Mr Frew asked what would lie the salary of such an instructor, and tho chairman replied from £3OO to £4OO. Ihe Board of ‘Education had expected to get a most suitable man for the position-one who was very highly qualified—but ho hud accepted another appointment. If such a man could not lie got in the dominion they would have to get one from Homo, us ho must have the highest qualifications. Tho Board of Education want to know what this Board will contribute towards such a man's salary. They could guarantee so much a year and run classes, and if they could gob his services for lectures, they could pay something extra.

•The advantages of such an appoint, ment was recognised by all. Classes coukl be rim iu connection with tho school, and lectures given to farmers, etc,

Mr Evans moved, Mr Joynt seconded, and it was curried unanimously—‘That this Board is strongly in favour of an agricultural instructor being appointed, provided his services are available in tho Tcmuka district, and that £lO per annum lie guaranteed towards his salary, with the probability of an increase.” PAY-SHE EE Accounts amounting to 13/- wire passed for payment. The director arknowlodged the re- < ipt of the sum of £3 as a donation from the Temuka District High School Committee. VISITORS' REPORT. Mr Evans read tho foliowinb report on behalf of himself and Mr Buxton ! As members of your visiting committee for tho past month, we have pleasure in reporting as follows —On 19th hist, we visited the drestmaking class, under the Misses Smith. Thyrc were 32 pupils iu attendance, ami all seemed to lie doing useful work, ami this class is a decidedly satisfactory one. On 20th inst. we inspected the following classes : Cookery, Miss Rennie, 21 pupils; wood-carving, Miss Hall. 12 pupils ; wool-classing, Mr 11. E. Marie, 12 pupils ; and millinery, Miss Straolmn, 7 pupils. Erich of these classes is making good progress, and pupils and tutors are well satislied. Painting class, under Mr Greene, had 11 pupils, and the oar|vniry class, under Mr Chaplin, had also 11 pupils. The.uo class'** are both doing good work, ami result* are unite satisfactory, Commercial : We have visited this class to-nigld, and there are 15 pupils. Me have to report favourably on (he work done under Mr Gihnonr. who m quit** satisfied with the results. Thos. Buxton. W. F. Evans. Visitors. The chairman complimented (lie visitors on their work ; they hud visit's! nearly every class, and their noport showed a very satisfactory state of affairs.

The director reported ’that Miss Stnn'lmn wanted a flat iron for the millinery class. and 'Mr Evans mentioned that Miss Hall nskisl that a water trone-h Ik* planed under the j/rindslone. 'l'he director was ashed to attend to both mpiests. Mr Evans also mentioned that Mr Grmto wanted a snpbonrd erected in

he art room, but this request was deferred.

Messrs Frew and Jeffries were appointed visitors for the month. GENERAL. On the motion of Messrs Joynt and Thomson, it was resolved that four members of the Board form a guorum. On behalf of Mr Buxton, Mr Joynt moved the following motion, given notice of at last meeting—" That the resolution relating to fees for painting class passed at a meeting on the 23rd March, be rescinded.” This was seconded Ipy Mr Evans and carried. The meeting thou terminated.