TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18822, 10 March 1931, Page 7

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

BOARD OF MANAGERS. The monthly meeting of the Board of Managers of the Timaru Technical College was held last night. Present.— Messrs A. Stead (chairman), W. I. Tait, J. W. Preen, G. Selbie, J. G. Venning, E. W. Jones, J. G. Gow, and W. E. Tubb. Principal’s Report. The principal (Mr F. L. N. Tuck), reported that the day school enrolments on March Ist were as follows: — Commercial boys and girls 69; part time 2; domestic science girls 69; part time 7; industrial boys 105; part time 3; average attendance 225. Totals full time 243 (last year 211); part time 12. The return of additional second and third year pupils to the School had required the division of more practical classes, making further demands on staffing. The increased roll number had justified an addition to the fulltime staff, and each such increase was of benefit in enabling greater use to be made of specialist teachers. The pupils had been divided into four Houses, Competitions between these Houses were in progress in cricket for boys, and in tennis and rounders for girls. The continuance of fine weather had enabled regular visits to the baths, and the enthusiastic efforts of the staff in giving swimming instruction was meeting with a good response from learners. The annual swimming sports were held in Century Baths on 25th February. These were capably organised by Mr Johnston, assisted by members of the staff. Mr Snow kindly acted as judge for the diving events. The championships were rather easily won this year by outstanding competitors. but it was hoped that these competitions would have the effect of raising the standard of the general average from year to year. The winners were:—

Senior championship:—Boys: Frank Thomson (25 points) 1, Harold Purcell (13 points) 2. Girls: Thelma White 1. Junior championship and Herbert Smith trophy.—Boys: Edwin Guildford (16 points) 1, lan Gillon (14 points) 2. Girls: Mona Callaghan (20 points) 1, Clare Heywood (6 points) 2. House championship.—Pukaki and Wanaka (61 points) 1, Hawea (46 points) 2, Tekapo (44 points) 3. Part-time day classes were being conducted as follows:—Cookery 3 primary classes; woodwork, 10 primary classes, 8 secondary classes; metalwork, 2 secondary classes; woolclassing 4 secondary classe; motor engineering, 2 secondary classes. So far the enrolments were about the same as last year. The full session of the evening classes opened on 2nd March, but preliminary classes in the courses for professional accountancy, university entrance and other examinations were held the previous week. Many students were late in enrolling, and it was felt that there must be many more still to come. The classes arranged to date were:—English 3, French 1, arithmetic 3, history 1, mathematics 2, geograpny 1, mechanics 2, science 2. mechanical drawing 1. motor car engineering 1, woolclassing 1, electrical engineering 2, practical geometry 2, building construction 4, woodwork 1, engineering workshop 1, plumbing theory 1. plumbing practice 1, book-keeping 6, economics 2, law subjects 4, shorthand 3, typing 4, cookery 2. dressmaking 3. millinery 1, art 2, ticket writing 1. All the available rooms were used most of the four evenings. R. Hide had passed the Intermediate New Zealand technological examination in electric wiring. A new appointment to the fulltime staff was that of Mr P. Ruston, B.Sc., from the Napier Boys’ High School to teach mathematics and science. New evening staff appointments are:—Mr W. Allport, A.P.A.N.Z., A. advanced book-keeping; Mr T. K. R. Whitehouse, M.Sc., chemistry and general science; Miss E. H. Smith B. English, history, French; Mr A. H. McLintock, 8.A., has charge of the art classes. The new playground area had been levelled and shingled and presented a good appearance except for the bank. A contract had just been let to erect a retaining wall in concrete and rubble to support this bank and to provide drainage. The fencing of the new area was nearly complete. The buildings were inspected last week by the architect of the Canterbury Education Board, and two engineers of the Public Works Department, in the course of their survey of the brick school buildings in the Canterbury province. The new wooden building had been supplied with electric light and book lockers, and furniture had been made available for it by the purchase of forty-two new desks for the art room. Substantial new blackboards have been built into several of the rooms. A fortnight ago a visit was received from Mr Longworth chief physical instructor for schools. The report was adopted. General. A letter was received from the Main School Committee, stating that in reference to the fence and gate between the College and the School, the Committee considered that the fence should be continued to the tennis court, and that no gate should be provided. It was decided to refer the matter back to the Committee for further consideration.

The secretary of the New Zealand Society of Accountants wrote stating that it was decided to grant £6O for the present year to assist in the tuition necessary for commercial subjects. The grant could not be looked upon as continuous, and it might be necessary for the Society at an early date to curtail these grants. Under the circumstances it might be necessary to consider the question of fees, which were now being paid by students and to adjust these fees to more nearly meet the College’s expenditure. When the Council made grants to the University Colleges throughout the Dominion, it was with the idea of establishing commercial tuition at these colleges. After a reasonable period had elapsed the grants were discontinued, and the colleges now continued without any assistance from the Council.

The principal reported that he had submitted a statement to the Society on the year’s work in connection with students prepared for the commercial bookkeepers’ and professional accountants’ examinations. Seven classes were held during 1930. It was proposed to repeat these during 1931, and to add to the list book-keeping II and also, if there was a sufficient enrolment, auditing. For the conduct of classes the College was dependent upon the subsidy generously donated by the Society to supplement the payments received from the Education Department. He requested therefore, on behalf of the Board of Managers, the continued financial support of the New Zealand Society of Accountants.

A circular was received from the Education Department stating that the Minister had directed that all construction in brick must cease forthwith and existing brick buildings must be inspected and reported upon. The principal explained that Government officers had carried out an inspection. The Appointment Committee reported on appointments made during the month, the report being adopted. The meeting confirmed the following work recommended by the Works

Committee:—Provision be made for an iron bicycle shed above the concrete wall at the rear of the school; that the tender of Mr A. Kennedy at £92 be accepted for the erection of a concrete wall at the Main School bank, and for the provision of drainage. Mr Venning was added to the Works Committee. Accounts amounting to £252 were passed for payment.