TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12721, 5 February 1906, Page 4

TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Enthusiasm for instruction in technical subjects is at the present time very manifest in Wanganui, and the cominenceanent of & new term to-day at the local Technical School is a favourable opportunity for briefly reviewing its past and also the future programme. The school was established by the Wangahui Education Board an the year 1892. The original building consisted of two rooms, the present wood-carving and science rooms. The funds for the erection of these were obtained 'from an Education Department grant, which was supplemented by the Board voting an amount from the accumulated interest on money left by the late ©r. Rees for educational purposes in Wanganui. Naturally, with the growth of the town the school has grown, and it was found necessary to provide additional rooms for lau-t work, leaving tthe. old art room for instruction in -wood-carving and modelling. Since 1903 the demand "for technical instruction has increased, and it has beem ireoognised by the authorities that for success to crown their efforts theoretical and 'pradtical instruction must advance hand in (hand. Consequently we find the addition of workshops for plumbing, painting and decorating, engineering, and carpentry and joinery. Three lecture rooms for commercial subjects weire also added during last year,-and 'have been much appreciated. ■ There is mo doubt that .from its vtiry cemmencemient some .excellent work has been done at the school, but we look to the future for the most valuable reeu'l'ts. The opportunities now open to out young people are far in advance of anyMng Ithalfc has been offered in the past. Owing to the' Government's provision for free tuition, it is open to all •wiho ih'ave passed jStanxJaird Vl.vwith proficiency .to -, avaiil . themeelTea of instruction in subjects that are mosft usefid Itoi'tthem in their daily occupation. The prospectus ■shows that the work of thie school is dirigible into six depart-•nuents—-Art, Wood-ca-rriaig, Oomrmercial,

Artisan, /Domestic, and Miscellaneous. In addition to the ordinary branches of drawing aiid painting, , classes ore in operation iqv specific instruction in architectural drawing, for builders, etc., •and mechanical drawing, for machinists 'and engineers. The latter includes iectures on applied aneohaniios and steam. The wood-carving and modelling, department is too well known to need comment, except .that «t(he classes will be held as usual land tlhat no efforts will be spaired, .as in the padb, to turn"out first, ©lass <work. We notice tihat >a designing class is being fanned, and students of •tlhus department are strongly urged to attend and ireceive' the necessary training which, will -enable them to, originate •their own- patterns. The commercial, classes are established to meet the onieeda of those students who sire desirous of taking specialised courses of study in commercial work. They have a twofold objedt—<l) to enable persons who are entering or ' thinking of entering upon a oommeroiai oaa-eer to obtain an 'Intelligent knowledge of the work they will be required to perform during their firsfb few years in a business 'house; and (2) to enable clerks and the sons of business men to acquire information which, will 'be of practical use in their,, wor>k, and Uhe knowledge of which it is esential they should possess if they aspire to higher positions. The course includes typewriting, shorthand, book-keeping, commercial law andy commercial correspondence, which comprises lessons inbanking, Oudboms, insurance, etc. Such a course cannot fail to benefit those for ■whom tilie classes,tare intended, and we would strongly 'advise all -who take tlhe commercial course to follow the example of /last year's students., who -worked for the examinations of the Association of Accountants and Auditors of New Zealand and the Institute of Accountants of New Zealand. From the prospectus "We gather that it is the iritentdon to prepare the advanced classed in book-keeping and commercial law for ! these higher examinations. . Tlic instructors, we believe, are thoroughly qualified to cope with all the students' difficulties, and there is not the least need for the assistance of any outside coach. The classes in the artisan section are specially for caipenters and joiners, plumbers, painters, telegraphists and those engiaged in electrical engneering. The students will be prepared for the various examinations of the Board of Education, South Kensington, and tJie Oity and Guilds of London Institute. We quite agree with the authorities in endeavouring to induce the stuj dents to gain certificates ■ granted by the:aibove -bodies. We understand that tihe plumbers and telegraphists are now compelled lo hold Certificates in their respective branches 'before they" are promoted to the higher positions. The section which should become the most popular is ■ the Domestic Department 1 wh&re instruction is imparted in subjects relating• <bo the;: 'home, such, as cooking, laundry .irodi, dr«6smaking, millinery, and home nursing. We can confidently speak of the success of last year's classes in 000-kery and dressmaking, and feel oartain that the new classes dn laundry work and home-nursing will be much appreciated in the town. The programme of.work for the nursing class, -besides .physiology, - includes the 'nuTefng iahd general care 'of infants; the sick-room.,(its cleanliness, deooration». furniture. .-/Ventilation, and temperature) ; tlhe patient's food, medicine, etc.; the 'nietliod of taking and recording, iempei^ture^and pijlse; the nursing of pneumcoa'a r .b"onohibls ; influenza, etc., 'and first aid jn case* of accidents likely to occur in the home. Among the miscellaneous'classes -may be mentioned Latin,- - mathematics, .photography, and elocution. The last-named class -we have already dealt "with, and feel sure that, in (the hands 'of such a capable teacher as Mr J>ewdney v , it will be a success. We -were somewhat surprised to find photography in the list of classes, and yet there are so many, amateur photographers in our mideb wh.-> s are anxious to produce good work that, sufficient students should be forthpoming po ensure success. It is this ope/i----ing out of.new fields from which to draw students that has done much to iiicneafce t!be interest in the work of th-3 school. We presume that vac ordinary clofiSes for the study of English and airithmct'O will 'be continued, and now that \noreaeed accommodation is provided, all the classes will be able to,settle down to tlheir work from the commencement of the year. (We wish the school every success, and would again urge all young -people to take advantage of the opportunities now offered to them. , .