WANGANUI TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 16 December 1912, Page 2

WANGANUI TECHNICAL COLLEGE

ANNUAL ENGINEERING OAMP

. After seven days' camp at Kai Iwi beach, the engineering pupils of the local Technical College returned to town last Tuesday. During their stay at the befajch a great deal of usteful work wias done, such work as is necessary to (be complatcd (by engineers, preparaffcory rtJo formulating any engineering scheme. The Original intention was to snake a, survey of a suitable iroute for a light railway connection Wanganui with K'ai Iwi beach. -

On" arrival at the camping -ground, the boys immediately pitched the teats, four in number, and made" un> their bunks ready for tho well-earned orest, after the long cross-country tramp,"" 8 p.m. saw all lights out and everybody enjoying a sound night's sk'ep. . At six next morning iall was las'tir and, 'ready for the day's work. Instructions were posted up detailing the work of the day. One party immediately set about to lay a pipe line to conduct water from a <neigh!bouran!g spring to the camping ground on the opposite side of a deep ravuie; ibhis work iwas considered" essential as the river water showed signs of pollution. The t°tal length of this conduit wias 120 feet and was supported across the valley by two stout wires. Another detachment collected the week's supply of firewood. The third paa-ty were T^usy pegging out sufficient work for the day, and last but not least, th© cooks were expending their energies in preparing br&akfast, -consisting of oatmeal porridge, brawn and eggs. Eight o'clock saw all seated at their "breakfast, and discussing tho work which lay befoire them.

- Owing to the prospects of a continuance of the strong wind, it was considered advisable to alter the scheme of work, and instructions were issued that a complete traverse, accoimtpanied iby levels,. gaugings, etc., was to ibe made of the' Kai Iwi liver and wiater shed. This work <wsas to be of suich a camp-lete nature that it could 'be used in formulating a scheme to harness or develop this water-way.

Owing to the extent'of the. work un* dertaken, it was imperative thato no waste time be permitted to creep in, and with this an view the plarty was obliged to carry its mid-diay meal wWi it, and partake of it in 'the field j as time permitted. The surveyors returned to camp each evening and did justice to the meals of stew, potatoes, onions, rice, etc., prepared by the lads who were left in camp for that purpose. The evening meal finished sub 7 o'clock, left two hours for checking notes land enjoyment before retiring to bunk. . Sunday was spent by the 'lads m various ways on the 'beach, while the insti'uotors were busy entertaining parents and other interested visitors,, The camp had the 'honour .of a visit from two of Wanga-nui's leading engineers, who were very enthusiastic over the work that the students were doing.

Monday proved to be a very anxious day ,as the camp wias to be struck on Tuesday morning, and a large portion of the work, was still incomplete. This difficulty was overcome by 'working on in the evening until the light failed land resuming next morning iaft daybreak.

The survey completed, at seven a.m.. a start was made to pack and load the camping material, and /the pQJrty was on the homeward; journey (two hours later,, arriving in town at 12.30. ' During the work several settlers in the vicinity kindly offered provisions, but the lads, adhering strictly to the principle that the camp was to (be selfconitiaincd, did not 'aocept their hospitality and relied upon their own powers for sustenance, as is required of engineers when pioneering. ~ <* Without exception, the cooking and fare provided gave entire satisfaction, and it was marvellous to see how the kerosene tins full of stew and potatoes faded away before the appetites of the hungry lads. It is 'interesting to mote that all the cooking utensils in the camp were manufactured iby the students, empty kerosene tins being greatly in demand for thjat purpose. The notes and data collected on the trip are to be carefully preserved until the re-opening of the school next year, when they are to (be studied with a view to formulating and designing some engineering. scheme for utilising the energy possessed by the river, and turning it to account for the benefit of mankind.

Several of the lads, who would otherwise have completed their studies this year, have become so interested in the work that they intend .returning to school next year, in order to uhtvre ihe responsibility of formulating the perspective echeme.

The object of these engineering camps is to provide an opportunity to put into practice principles studied during the year, develop the powers of observation, self-reliance-, application and originality; also to foster the sense of responsibilfcty, all of which qualifications are essentiail when mouildinjg the minds of those destined to take their place as leaders in the industrial world.