CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17062, 15 August 1917, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

ENGINE DRIVERS' EXAMS

<To.the Editor.)

Sir, —I read with much interest an advertisement in the local press stating that, a class was to be formed at the local Technical College to coach pupils for the examinations of marine engineers. That this class should be well attended would be the general opinion, but alas! and why? It has for a long time been the expressed opinion that some representation should be made to the Government upon the conduct of such examinations as* are controlled by the Marine and Machinery Department. The want of some action as indicated above is made the more needful from the fact that without knowledge, one has only to. apply for a permit to drive an engine, and armed with the authority of a permit we have an engine driver! I have very carefully studied the laws governing the engine drivers' examinations, but sadly fail to find a clause which confers upon an inspector the power to issue a permit or to scatter the same broadcast. Sir, may I ask how many of such permits are to-day being worked upon in the Wanganui, Taranaki and other adjacent districts? These various places have numerously signed petitions for presentation to Parliament, which request must result in some satisfaction being obtained for the engine owner, the practical and certificated engine driver, and also for the candidates for the examination of engine driver or engineer. It is to the benefit of those who are moving in this matter that they have obtained the assistance of the correspondence instructors, whose evidence must reveal the ground for the action taken. Wanganui has a college and a staff of instructors second to none in the Dominion, yet when an engine drivers' class is thought of we find the instructor at class with one student to be coached for a coming examination. The instructor in a case like this finds no encouragement, and with his knowledge of the method of examination /he feels no disappointment that lie cannot obtain a 95 or 98 per cent, of passes such as other coaches can publish. That good may be the result of an enquiry is the wish of the writer, and that hereafter no person shall have cause to post fees away while we have such a place as our college, of which we all are so proud. 1 am,

"TO BE TRANSFERRED."