Canterbury College.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5168, 25 November 1884, Page 4

Canterbury College.

j • j BOAED OF GOVERNORS. THE QUESTION OP TECHNICAL i EDUCATION i An ordinary meeting of the Board of ' Governors of Canterbury College was held i at 3 p.m. yesterday ; present — Mr F. de C. i Malet (in the chair), Hon E. C. J. Stevens, j Messrs H. E. Webb, J. D. Enys, E. W. j Fereday, J. C. Veel, J. N. Tosswill, H. P. j Lance, E. "Wakeneld, and T. "W. Maude. j TECHNICAL EDUCATION. I A deputation from the Christchurch j Industrial Association, consisting of Messrs J. L. Scott (President), H. B. Kirk, E. H. j Banks and F. Jenkins interviewed the ■. Board with reference to the establishment of a schoel of technical education. The Chairman asked the deputation to stats their views for the information of the ; Board. ; Mf Scott said that the reason the deputa- .; tion had come to the Board was because ' they had been referred to it by the Minister : for Education. The Industrial Association had tak«>n in hand the question of furthering technical education, had written to the Government, and had received a j reply, which he would request Hr Jameson, j Secretary to the Association, to read, j Mr Jaraesou read the letter, which stated ; that the College Governors were- the proper body to • establish a school of technical education. i Mr Scott explained that the Association ; had written direct to the Government, as j they thought the Board of Governors had i not sufficient funds to carry out what tney i would like to see done. They thought that perhaps some steps would be taken by Government towards a general scheme oi technical education for tha whole Colony, ! and not for Canterbury only. As they had j been referred to the Board, ho might say that the Association thought that soint>- ', thing similar to what had been done in • reference to agriculture should be done foi other industries, though they did not pro- ' pose that anything so extensive a3 the Agricultural College should be. adopted,

The Association felt that the Board recognised that technical instruction should be given, as they were carrying out the principle with reference to the agricultural industry, and it was thought that what had been done for that should be done for others, such as mechanical engineering, architecture, building, and others. They would like to know if the Board could see their way to do something more than they , were at present doing in this direction. ! Mr Kirk said that technical education had been taken up very largely in Europe, and that a Royal Commission, appointed to consider the subject in England had just brought up their report, the result of three years' labour. The Ceinniission had visited the various large centres of population in Europe, and found that in Prussia, Austria, Switzerland, France, and elsewhere there were large technical schools, really manufactories in miniature, and in full working order. The idea of the Industrial Association was that something in the same direction should be done in New Zealand. If only a beginning were made, it would be enough for the present. He might say that in all the places he had mentioned the schools were supported entirely by the State. In England the work was done partly by the State and partly by private donations. The Duke of Norfolk, for instance, had given JJ3OOO towards a technical school. The Association thought that either the Government or the Board of Governors, or both combined, should do something in this way. Mr H. K. Webb said that the deputation was, he. supposed, aware that the Board had made some beginning towards technical education in the way of a technological room in the Museum. Mr Blair, the master of the School of Art, was also competent to lecture to students on mechanics, as he had undergone a proper course of technical education previous to coming to the Colony. He had also been connected with the institution at South Kensington, where he had been one of the examiners. Mr Blair had, he knew, given lectures to his students on mechanical subjects, but he found that so few of them took an interest in these, that he gave them up. He (Mr Webb) had been present at one of these lectures, when Mr Blair described a satety valve. There were only about half-a-dozen students present, and some of them were going on with their drawing. The deputation would see that there was a disposition on the part of the Board to further their views as far as means would allow ; but means were very small. A large amount of money had been spent in importing the apparatus in the museum. Mr Blair would make a beginning again if he could only get the students. Mr Scott said that the Industrial Association knew that the Board had done something in the direction of technical education, but they were not satisfied that the Technological Museum was being put to its proper use. The models were useless unless they were taken to pieces, and the principles on which they were constructed, and the processes of manufacture, explained. He found that there was an erroneous impression abroad with respect to the School of Art. An idea prevailed that it was only a place where boys were taught to copy drawings, a thing which, for practical purposes, was useless. They should be taught the principles upon which their work would have to be done. The Chairman said that that would mean the use of machinery. - Mr Scott replied that machinery and models would be necessary. The Chairman said that Mr Dobson proposed to deliver a course of lectures on the principles of building, to illustrate which the technological models would be used. Mr Scott said that he had been very glad to hear it, as he considered it a step in the right direction. The Chairman remarked that the School of Agriculture, to which reference had been made, was supported by endowments made exclusively for that purpose. Mr Scott said that the deputation recognised the fact that the Board could not do more than their funds would allow them. There was, however, a growing feeling among tho public that something more should be done for technical education, and, if necessary > the Government should be approached again on the subject. They were quite satisfied 'that they had"' the sympathies of the Board in what they desired. Mr Wakefield asked whether Mr Scott thought that a school of technical knowledge would be well attended. Mr Scott replied that he certainly did think so. He was glad to have heard what he had about the School of Art, and would do his best to qorrect the wrong impressions prevalent respecting it. . Mr Webb remarked that he had heard Mr Blair tell hia students that drawing was •of no use unless they understood the principles of mechanics. Mr Scott said that what was wanted, was something between the workshop and. the school, as principles were not and could not -bo taught in the workshop. Mr Maude asked if the deputation were prepared to indicate any branch of technical education they wished instruction to be given in. Mr Scott replied that they considered building and engineering should receive preference, as being the most important industries next to agriculture. The Chairman said that the Board would take the matter into consideration, and wouM communicate the result to the deputation. He was sure they would do all they could to meet the views of the latter, and the question would receive attention when the estimates came up for consideration at the end of next month. Mr Scott thanked the Board for the courtesy with which they had received the deputation, which then withdrew. The Board proceeded to consider the question introduced by the deputation, and a desultory conversation ensued thereon, during which it was remai'ked that a rearrangement of the time table of the Seheol of Art, and perhaps the engagement of an assistant teacher, would enable Mr Blair to devote some of his time to technical teaching. Mr Webb suggested that the subject should be referred to the School of Art Committee. The Hon E. C. J. Stevens supported the suggestion. After a brief desultory discussion, Mr Wakefield moved—" That the question of providing practical education in technical subjects be referred to the School of Art Committee, with a view to a re-arrange-ment of the prospectus, so as to admit of a part of the art master's time beiug devoted to this subject, and to recommend generally/ Mr H. E. Webb seconded the motion, which Avas carried unanimously. THE CHAIRMAN. A letter was read from Mr W. Montgomery, asking for leave of absene'e for six months, on account of his visit to England. Leave of absence, as requested, was granted. In a further letter, Mr Montgomery tendered his resignation of the position of Chairman, and thanked the members for the; courtesy extended to him during his term of office. Mr Malet said that the letter had been before the College Committee, who were of opinion that it would be well if Mr Montgomery were asked not to resign his position. He (Mr Malet) would be glad to ' render all the assistance ho could in carry- j ing on the work during Mr Montgomery's absence. Mr Wakefield moved, and Mr Webb seconded — " That Mr Montgomery be . thanked for his past services, and bo re- • quested not to resign his position as ChairL man." The motion waa carried unanimously. COLLEGE COMMITTEE. s The following wo,s read : — [ " The Committee recommends the fol- ' lowing addition to Regulation VII., sets , tion 1 : — After the word ' year,' in the 9fch • line, insert the words, ' but in any year no : subject shall count for more than one examination.' Also, that the following bo [ inserted in the regulations : — ' It is the • duty of students to make themselves ac- . quainted with all College regulations, and [ all notices upon the College notice board ; • omission of suoh duty will not bo accepted . as an excuse for any mistakes tha v they > ui&y make.' The Committeo rocommends , that clause 1. Regulation. YHI., should be

altered as follows : — ' The Library shall be open every day from J) a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Saturdays, when it shall close at 2 p.m. During vacation it shall be open ever/ day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.' The Committee recommends the following new regulations respecting the electoral roll j of the College : — (1.) For the purpose of section 18 of the Canterbury College Ordi- , nance, 1873, there shall be a roll of the ! members of Canterbury College who are ' graduates of the University of New Zealand continuing on the books of the Coir lege, and every person whose name shall for the time being be on such roll, and no : other, shall be deemed a member for the , purposes of that section. (2.) The list of ; members now in the custody of the EogisI trar of the College, signed by the Chair- | man of the Board of Governors, shall be I such roll, and shall be subject to alteraj tions as hereinafter provided. (3.) Every ! graduate of the University of New Zealand j who, before taking the Bachelor degree, kept three years' term at any College affiliated to the University of New Zealand j (one at least of such terms being at Canterbury College), and every graduate of the University of New Zealand who has taken a higher degree than that of Bachelor, and who, between the time of taking the Bachelor degree and such higher degree, attended at Canterbury College an average of not less than four lectures a week during one year, shall be entitled, on complying with the regulations hereinafter mentioned, to have his or her name entered on the roll. Provided that no graduate whose name is for the time being on the books of any other College affiliated to the University of New Zealand shall be entitled to have his or her name entered. (4.) If any graduate whose name is entered on the roll shall have his or her name placed t>n the books of any other College affiliated to the University of New Zealand, or (not having compounded) shall neglect to pay the annual fee before May 31 in any year, his or her name shall forthwith be removed from the roll, but in case of removal for non-payment of fees, may be re-instated on payment of fees in arrear and a fine of 10s Gd. (5.) Every graduate, who is entitled to have, and is desirous of having, his or her name inserted on the roll, shall make written application to the Registrar of the College and pay a fee of ss, and if he or she desire his or her name to be continued on the roll, shall pay a further fee of 5s on or before May 31 in every year following the entry of his or her name. Provided that all future fees may a'j any time be compounded for by payment of one sum of .£3 3s. (G.) The Chairman of the Professorial Council and the Registrar of the College shall be charged with the investigation of the claims of graduates to have their names entered on the roll, and of the liability of graduates to have, their names removed from the* roll, and shall report to the Chairman of the Board, who shall make the necessary addition to, or removal from, such roll, and every alteration and addition to the roll shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board. (7.) The roll shall be revised and signed by the Chairman of the Board during the first fortnight in June in every year, and after the 31st May, 1885, no addition to the roll shall be made, except at such annual revision. (8.) Any person aggrieved by the non-insertion of his or her name upon the roll, or the omission of his or her name therefrom, shall have a right of appeal to the Board of Governors. (9.) If the decision of the Board of Governors shall be that any name shall be entered on the roll, then, notwithstanding clause 7, such name shall be forthwith entered thereon. (10.) In case of the absence of the Chairman of the Professorial Council, the Professorial Council may appoint one of their number to act in the stead of such Chairman in all matters connected with the roll j and such person so appointed shall, during such absence, have, in such matters, all the powers and authorities vested in the person in whose stead he shall be appointed. — The Committee recommends the Board to grant Mr Montgomery six months' leave of absence." On the motion of Mr "Wakefleld, seconded by Mr Maude, the report was adopted. The report of the Estates Committee was read and considered in Committee, after which the Board adjourned.