TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18330, 30 July 1929, Page 8

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISIT. Some twenty representatives of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce paid a visit of inspection to the Timaru Technical College last evening, and watched the various classes at work. All were impressed by the splendid facilities available for technical, commercial, and professional training, and remarked on the enthusiasm shown by the students. Before the inspection was made, Mr A. Stead, chairman of the Board of Managers, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce represe?itatives, Mr W. G. Irwin apologised for the absence of their president (Mr F. S. Shrimpton), who was unavoidably detained by business, and thanked the Technical College for their invitation. He regretted that more members had not availed themselves of the opportunity to visit the School, but he could give an assurance that those present were deeply interested in the work. Very fine work was being accomplished, and the training that students were receiving would stand them in good stead throughout their lives. The young people attending the Technical College were preparing themselves for later years: the man with an education always had an advantage over the uneducated. THROUGH THE SCHOOL. Those present then visited various classes—there were 170 pupils present last night—and saw first-hand the splendid training that was being received by the young people at the College. Great interest was taken in the practical work, in wood-work, and the useful articles that the boys had in hand; in the engineering room, where things of utility were being shaped from iron; and in the building construction .classes, where homes and other buildings were being designed. The commercial and law classes evoked much interest, and the busy workers learning the art of typewriting came in for their share of attention. The pleasant odours that floated from one class room where cooking (later sampled, and not found wanting), was going on, was a suitable introduction to the domestic classes, where “the future wives of fortunate men,” as one member put it, were busily engaged in cookery and dressmaking. Other class rooms in which interest was shown included applied mechanics, plumbing, and drawing. It was noted that in one case a workshop was being used as a classroom, and there were evident other signs of imminent enlargements at the College. ENTERTAINED AT SUPPER. On adjourning to the cookery room, visitors found an enticing “spread” prepared, and it was not long before they were passing compliments in regard to the instruction in cookery. At the conclusion of supper, Mr W. I. Tait, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the Board and the staff for their hospitality, and referred to the fine working order in which they had found the college. They had noted with very much pleasure the enthusiasm the students had shown in their work, and felt that the training they were receiving was excellent to a very fine degree. It was obvious that the instructors had the interest of the School at heart, and those who had paid the visit last year could not help noting the improvement in tone, work and general appearance that had taken place during the twelve months. Mr N. R. Mclsaac, the acting-post-master, expressed appreciation of the fact that he had been invited to be present. It would give him a deeper interest in the welfare of Timaru. He would not say that the cookery clas| interested him most, that might be ad* mitting a weakness—(laughter)—but he had been attracted by the work ol the manual classes —building and engineering—which he could see were doing splendid work. Other technical schools he had visited were in theif infancy, and he was not in a position to make comparisons, nevertheless, h 4 was very impressed with the good work that was being carried on. “All the students are taking the keenest interest in their work,” said Mr G. H. Andrews. It was the first occasion on which he had visited the Technical College, but he knew of the vast strides it had made during the past two years or so. Everything seemed to be in splendid working order, and the classes were working under practically ideal conditions. He really must say he appreciated the cooking—(laughter)—and felt sure that the teachers of this class were conferring a great benefit to the future fathers of families. He asked them to accord a hearty vote of thanks to the teachers and members of the cookery classes.

This was carried with acclamation. Mr J. Jenkins said that he was keenly impressed with the study groups they had just seen working. There was a big task for the Timaru Technical Board of Managers to handle, and the general public seemed to think that the Technical College was outside their sphere. This was not so, and it was apparent that they should command the attention and co-operation of the public. Such visits he felt, would help a great deal to stimulate interest in the work being carried out. Replying on Ijehalf of the Board and staff, Mr Stead said that they wanted the public to know the work that was being done—publicity was necessary for the advancement of the College, and one of the best ways to obtain this was to have representatives of various organisations pay visits to the school. Referring to the mention that had been made in connection to cookfcig instruction, he said that splendid training was being received. There was the old advice to a good wife: “If you want to make the home happy—‘feed the brute.’ ” He thanked the visitors for the keen interest they had taken in the work, and hoped that when they paid their next visit, they would again observe further improvement. He knew that their interest would not cease with the visit that night.