The Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1882.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4480, 2 September 1882, Page 3

The Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1882.

Ik connection with the Industrial Association, a morement was initiated, a considerable time since, in the direction of securing some sort of technioal eduoation for artizanu generally, and especially for lads entoring upon a mechanical career. At the time in question, ■ome communication was hold with the Canterbury College Board of Governor*, and (he information was elicited that the Board bad already made arrangements for the establishmont of a Sohool of Art. There, we believe, the matter ended, so far as tiae Industrial Association wob concerned. It is understood that the evening olasses at the Bohool of Art aro being well attonded ; but whether the attendance is to any appreciable extentdueto the efforts of the Association, may be donbted. Yeb this is peculiarly a matter to which such a body ahould hoartily devoto itsolf ; and a favourable occasion for in some degree retrieving lost opportunities, ocourß just now. It is proposed to divido the Association's Committee into small groups, each of which will have some Bpeoinl purpose in view. Oiio of the sub-oominitlsos should bo instrnoted to givo active and unceasing attention to tho Bubjeot of " Technical Education." Thoro ia the "raw material" in plenty in tho numerous largo factories and workshops ; and if the leading mombors of tho Asooiation succeed in establishing ovoning classes such as aro necessary for tho acquirement of technical knowledge, they will have done far more for the advancomont of our local industries, than could bo accomplished by jours cf ordinary work. It is not onough for them to poaseaß themselves in peace with tho knowledgo that classes for technical drawing and design are in existence. Thoy should beat up rcoruits, and leave no means untried to koop the class-rooms always orowdod. Something moro may be done. Ohristchurch now possesses a Technological Museum, well furnished with some of the best procurable models, tho outcome of applied Bcioneo as direoted by tho thinking brains of tho ago. What is being dono in order to put such a valuablo auxiliary to its proper use? The hours during whioh the Museum is open are not those in whioh artizuns can viait tho.plaoo; and oven if lads and young men could do so, how muoh would it avail them in the absence of verbal explanation ? "Wo fr-1 oitii'fip'-i th»«i if sufficient incluivjment could bo shuvni, tho Buartl of Governors would not bo slow to arrange for a oourso of technical soienco lectures, with demonstrations mado by tho aid of the valuablo collection of modols.