TIMARU TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12908, 23 February 1906, Page 7

TIMARU TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION.

The-'fifth annual meeting of the Tiraarn Technical Classes Association was held in the school last evening. Present: Me*srs i J. Craigie (chairman), T. Hawkev. G-. 0.Clayton, J. McXab,- J. A. Johnson, -J. G Gow, T. Wagstaff, J. A. Valentine, H ! Amos, C. H. Collins, T. N. Bowls. J. j Kaye. aud Hutchinson. The report and balance sheet were printed ■ and. circulated previously,, and were" taken as read. The chairman made a- brief statement, referring, to the success of the past wear, the work of which compared verv favourably with that of previous years." The pupils at the school were in earnest, and attended regularly and well, with the full intention of improving themselves. lire Association counted for much in the future or* the proposed free places for pupils who had passed the sixth standard; provided i ihey took arithmetic and English, they j oould attend all the other classes free. This sort of-class was eminently successful -elsewhere, and he had- no doubt, that a great many would take advantage of the system. This year ten pupils would sit- for the City and' Guild's of London "certificate in plumbing, and next- year he hoped .-to' See a good number sitting for building construction and drawing. The Association iiad secured the services of a competent man for this branch, and good work -was anticipated. In the matter of the buildings, the Government had been very liberal; they had given all they were -asked for. The back of the school had been improved. - and a story added to the workshop?. He pointed out that the contributions—£l64 with subsidy—were very small for Timaru's population; and the money was iadispensible. It had just enabled" the Association to have a credit balance. The meeting -would appoint- managers. He - regretted that there was so small an attendance. Referring to the exhibition of the year's work, lie said that the room engaged was' too small. Next- year it must be held in a (larger hall. He moved the adoption of the annual ireport and balance sheet. Mr McNab- seconded the proposal. In ■doing so he deprecated the keeping of a Post Office Bank account and another in an •ordinary bank, where the Association had to pay for the keeping of the account, getting no. interest. - The chairman explained that the payments of tie Association were more easily handled' through the bank, and they occasionally needed an overdraft, -which the Government wou'id not give. i Mr G. O. Clayton said he regretted very * much not to see more builders present. He referred to; some points that did not commend themselves to them as trades--men. It was not encouraging- to them, for the Association should not be open fairly to tie tenders of the local tradesmen. A case in point was the building of a.' fence, -by} a firm 130 miles a.wa.y. though, local irorifounders were able to", dr. the work. Another point was the desirability of continuing the classes from terra to -term)under one teacher. He referred specially to the class in electrical instruction : it was- regrettab'.e that youths had' to go to Christehureh and Duriedin for instruction i in this direction. He paid a tribute to Mr Crawsha-w for his able work in connection with the school. Mr Crjigie replied that prices were sot locally for the fence, and were too hicr] l: when, therefore, ■• Mr Faulkner, who had mult another in -town, offered to build the fence for £3O, his offer: was accepted: The Association -was desirous of giving their work, where possible, to local, men. The difficulty in connection with the electrical classes was to get a good instructor at the salary the Association could offer On further remark by Mr the secretary explained that the Association had dropped the matter of tie-fence when tie last offer was'made. Regarding the instructor for electricity, he said the difficulty in -an classes was to get men were not- only .experts, but were alsa good , teachers -A good electrical instru^ov"was too good for Timaru : there was not enough for him to do.- Still there were plenty of pupils for a class if ore could be started If a teacher eouj'd be got. with £!.» ag sistance of the Government. tha~ Addition would not mind working on ■• :,« s The report and balance adopted. w ■ The secretary explained that- :•■ « mg free places, a pupil must take ens- hovr a week at both English and arithrr.erie. and •put in. at least 20 hours 'a session on' each in order to capitate; they must :.W take at least one extra technical class, r-.? shortband, typing and book-keeping. Mr McNab asked- if the regular '.-.;& of the typewriter spoilt hand-writing. ?;u- others replied to the effect that such was -nly the case when writing was not much: uol. Mr Johnson explained that the r 7 >;s;r)ultv about i'isri'iictors"'referred only -to- the- technical and r.ot to the- continuafio:'. classes. Tn the litter, it was found that f._? - -ban-'. teache-s. especially those of low;-- s Farias were :ea(ly to take up-the worh :■•• very' smaii ■"r.'iuiip-atiojr. M-- "V :!?pn*ine moved a hearty -.,-■'> n f thai-.:.-; :.. the secretary, and : efsrvo s ■:••) the

growing necessitv for a suggestion by the secretary, to ha ve a ' Director ' "to "completely run the scho."" - r ~° w supported the" motion, and it iT^ 5 I^Managers were' then elected" , t>r *he ensuing year, to represent the members generally, as follows : Messrs * Jv' ans i? 1 ' Valentine, Holdgate and C'ayton. The various local bodies .have to appoint rep* e " sentative managers. The meeting adjourned' with the passing of a vote of thanks to Mr Craigie, for the great deal of work he had done during the year- on behalf of the Association. A meeting of the new management was held- next. Present: Messrs Craigie, and Hawkey (for the Borough Council) J. G. Gow (for the. Education Board) Valentine 'and' Johnson. They re-elected Mr Craigie chairman for the year, Mr Holdgate treasurer, and Mr Crawshaw secretary. Mr Valentine stated that the secretary was about to take a holiday, and it- would be a very good suggestion to contribute to his travelling expenses so that he could inspect the methods of other schools and impart his knowledge on his return, An offer was made to the secretary of his fares fof the trip to Auckland, if he could arrange the journey, and can have his vacation extended.