TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13839, 26 February 1909, Page 7

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

THE TIMABT7 ASSOCIATION. The following is the annual report of the Timaru Technical Classes Association, to be submitted at the annual meeting this eventing:— The J. 903 session began on March the 30th, and lasted for 26 weeks. The -Managers would like to see the session extended for a longer period each year, but experience has proved that students will not attend during the long evenings, and to carry on classes with reduced attendance means financial loss to the association. The course of instruction last year was much the same as in former years, as the aim of the "Managers has always been to provide facilities for self- improvement for those engaged in'earning their, livelihood during the day. On account of want of proper accommodation and apparatus, it was decided not to carry on the engineering and electricity classes; but new classes were started in first aid and home nursing, and elocution. The first aid class was ablv

conducted by Dr Thomas, and proved very popular, but the elocution class was not so well attended, as the excellent instruction given by Mr De warranted. The following gives the- list of classes

and nnmber of students enrolled in each class:—-Building construction 15, cookery 28, typing (two classes) 33, shorthand, I'itman's, 25, carving 9, woodwork 7, book-keening 35, dressmaking (two classes) 28, first aid and home nursing 18, English 29. arithmetic 35, plumbing 15, drainage 15, drawing and paintine IG, Gregg's shorthand 17, Standard YI. work IQ, elocution 10; total 345 class entries. The -average attendance was about 75 per cent. When everything is considered the above attendances must be considered very gratifying, and shows that classes have lost none of their interest to students, and that the work sought to be accomplished is valuable and effective. A pleasing feature is that a number of the students have attended the school for several years, thus showing by their presence that the class of instruction yiven is of a high standard.

thving .to the, .the. Technical Inspector, Jdr - E.-iC 3saac,' no "> official visjt was made to the school last year, but the various classes were at-different times inspected by the Managers, who reported on the results of their visits. At the end of the session, examinations were held in English,. arithmetic, shorthand, book-keeping, and typewriting. Two examinations were also conducted by inspector Kershaw to enable plumbers and drain layers to obtain licenses from the Borough Council. A Sixth Standard examination was also held-by the Inspectors, to enable students attending Standard VI. Class to gain cer- ( titicates of proficiency. The results of all these examinations have already been published. Early in 'the year the Government granted the sum of £2500 for the pur r pose of making additions to the school. The Education Board's architect (Mr James Turnbull) was entrusted with the drawing of the plans, and Messrs R. and G. Shillito, contractors, have charge of the work. The building is now'in course of erection, and it is hoped will be ready for occupation by the end of March for the beginning of the 1909 session. The thanks of the Managers are. due to the Government for its liberal assistance, and Timaru is now the proud possessor of a technical school replete with all modern convenience, and worthy the size and importance of ,the town. * It now only remains for the youth of the town to support the school loyally, and by their attendancei and interest in the work to justify the demand for the school. By the strictest -economy the funds of' the association are kept in a sound condition, the statement of assets and liabilities showing a credit balance of £124. It should, however, be pointed out that but for the voluntary contributions of the public, and the different contributing bodies, the school could not exist, as it requires the whole of the fees and the capitation to pay the salaries of instructors.'

In summarising, the past year's work must be considered highly satisfactory. The attendance has been, good, and the students have been diligent and satisfactory. There has not been one single hitch in connection with the work of the school during the year. A special word of praise is due to the teachers who have often carried out their duties imder very adverse circumstances. The whole success of. the school depends on the staff, and their loyal enthusiasm in the past accounts for the position of the school to-day. It is hoped for the future that with better accommodation now provided, instructors will find the work more congenial, and that the school will continue to be successful and popular. The thanks of the association are due to all local bodies and citizens who contributed liberally to the funds of the association, to the different examiners who conducted their examinations gratuitously, to the Press, who always support the school loyally, and are ever ready to pomote the cause of technical education in our midst. The Managers also desire to place on record the prompt attention af the Central Department to all claims and applications made during the year. The following is a summary of the appended statement of accounts: — Receipts. —Credit balance at beginning of year, £54 12s 9d; Government, capitation on association classes £94 6s lOd. and. on account of free places. 1007 £73 lis fid. 1.90S £3G 12s (kl. £llO 4s: buildings, £1900; furniture, fittings, apparatus. £52: subsidies on voluntary contributions, £76 16s; fees, £167 2s: voluntary contributions, £77 7s; interest P.O. Savings Bank. Is 9d. I Total. £2532 10s 4d.

Expenditure. —Salaries of 'instructors, £279 3s 6d; office expenses (inoluding salaries, stationery, etc.l, £lO6 18s: advertising and printing, £l6 lf)s; lighting and heating, £34 19s 10d: insurance and repairs, £2 5s 3d; material for class use, £l3 6s 5d : sundries. £5 Jfe: buildings and additions, £1300;

furniture, fittings and apparatus, £53 ."Is 4d; credit balance at end of year, £717 18s lOd. Total, £2532 10s 4d. There is due to the contractor for the building £6OO/ and this and some small accounts reduce the credit balance to £124 3s.