TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13841, 1 March 1909, Page 4

TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

In acknowledging the vote , of thatiks to the Press of Timaru, embodied in the annual report of the Technical Association,, and endorsed at the meet-

nig on Friday evening, we canuot, perils) its," do better than oiice more r draw attention to the lacl thai the time is now opportune ior the people of Timaru to show a more enthusiastic intercut in the Association's work. Tho classes which are announced l'or the session ol 1909 will begin their work in a lew weeks, and will start nndor conditions that have never been equalled here. The close ol last year has been an important addition to the buildings, and Tiniaru now possesses a school, and -\\ ill shortly have an equipment, equal to those ol' any town outside the most-important centres of the Dominion. ' The report on hist year's work makes pleasant reading, but when one comes to examine it critically, it is seen that several of the classes were not up to the standard they should have been. Wc have amongst us a iair number of people, representative of commerce and industry , who have the good >of the school at heart, but there arc many others who should lend a hand in encouraging a movement the obicct. of which* is' the importing of knowledge and skill in occupations that benefit v the whole community. What is needed is, a wider enthusiasm, and a. determination that not the lew but the many of tlio joung people of the district shall take the I idlest advantage of tho benefits of the Technical School. In the spread of this enthusiasm, narents,can • second the efforts of the Association and employers, and see to it that our youth attend the classes, to improve themselves for work lor which' they< have a bunt. Costly apparatus, well ■appointed buildings, and skilled teachers, spell a mere waste of money, if students do not come lorward in satisfactory numbers to take advantage of them. Were enthusiasm worked up as, it should lie, there are sufficient young people in Timaru to crowd our school every 'night of the week, and swell the roll of each class to its maximum. To attain this end, gentle persuasion should be better than steani- > hammer compulsion, and we hope to sec the technical classes this winter much better attended than they have been; in in the past, with a few exceptions, the attendance has'been ho low as to, be a disgrace to a place like Timaru. It is unnecessary here 'tp refer in detail to what,, the school undertakes to teach. v Our desire is to rrcatc a more lively public, interest m it, so that when'the classes 1 commence » work in a week or ( two, pupils will come forward'in such numbers ..that the Manngers will be gratified to see that what they have striven, for 'is ( appreciated in a whole-hearted manner.