THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13924, 7 March 1913, Page 8

THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

ANNUAL MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS. - A SMALL. ATTENDANCE. Interesting Particulars of the Ni|ht Classes. The attendance at the annual meeting of householders to elect representatives to the Technical College Committee, which was held in the Assembly Hall at the College last evening, was very poor, hardly 35 persons being present. Mr F. M. Spnrdle presided. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. The chairman, in opening tbe meeting, gave an interesting resume of the work that Dad been done during the past year, and which has been reported from time to time in the “Herald.” The past year had been an important one in the Education Board’s scheme of technical education, as their object, to make Wanganui an educational centre second to none in the Dominion, had been put into operation. The people of Wanganui,, and not the Government, were responsible for the fine building the Technical College was now housed in, and Wanganui should be proud of its high-spirited citizens. The staff of the \Collego was second to none in the Dominion, as their fine results showed. He regretted very much the lack -of interest in the trade classes, more par 7 ticularly in building construction, carper.tery.and engineering, which were not supported to anything like the extent they should be. The work and assistance he had had from the committee during the past vear had been of the utmost assistance in the arduous work of the past year. 1 , THE PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. The Principal, Mr W. A. Armour, read the following report on the work of the might classes -during the year: The evciiin- s ssion for 1912 began on ■Monday, March 4th, and ended on Friday, December 5. Owing to all classes being housed in our beautiful new building, the work for tbe year wont on consistently and without interruption; and it may be well said that,a- very solid year’s work was undertaken and carried out. The College is to be congratulated on having so conscientious an evening staff, the members of which, without exception, have been very painstaking in trying to advance the interests of the students,

Visitors.—During the year we had many distinguished visitors, among them being bis Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington). the Hon. Ell (Postmaster-General), Air Boddoc (Canadian Trade Commissioner), the Hon. Jas. Allen (Minister of Education), the members of the Education Com-' mission, and the Canadian and New Zealand Cadet Contingents. The Inspector of Technical Education, .Air Isaacs, also spent a week in the College, and furnished an excellent report on the work of the classes.

801 l Numbers and Attendances. —The following figures will' show the .attendance in connection with the evening and other classes, as distinct from the Day College: —Art 130. Juvenile Art 15, Applied Art 136, English and Arithmetic 76, Matriculation Course 10, Standard YI. Proficiency 25, ; Shorthand and Typing 76, Book-keep-ing and Office Boutine 91, Accountancy and Commercial Law 17, Law Subjects 10, Magnetism and Electricity 36, Applied Mechanics, Heat, Steam,, etc., 31, Practical' Eiiojiicoring 27, Workshop Mathematics 16, Building Construction 30, Architectural Drawing 9, Carpentry and Joiner- 22, Elementary Carpentry 11, Cookery 12, Dressmaking 149, Art Needlework 11, Plumbing (theoretical and practical) 36, Photography 4, Lettering and Ticketwriting 8, Vocal Music 97, Biology 16," Agricultural Science 14, Handwork 25 Compulsory Continuation (40 hoys, 21 girls) 61; total number, of students on rolls of classes, 1201; total number of,.individual students, 656; average number of classes per student, 1.8. Note.—The foregoing numbers are quite distinct from the statistics of (the Bay College. Art Department.—These classes were under the direction of Mr Seaward, assisted by Miss Copeland. The attendance at the evening classes was not as large as was expected, particularly as regards the adult pupils. This department was unfortunate in losing during the year some of its best students through removal from the town. One student has gone Home to continue his studies in Art. The department was very successful in results achieved in various competitions and examinations, as the following statement will show:—London Board of Education; Model Drawing 3 passes, Freehand Drawing 3 passes. Geometrical ■ Drawing 2 passes. Design 3 passes, Drawing from the Antique 1 pass, Drawing in light and shade 1 pass, Fainting. from still life 1 pass, Perspective Drawing 1 pass. Plant Studios 3 passes. New Zealand competitions ; Landscape Painting; two second prizes; Stencilling, one first prize; Drawing Natural Objects, one first prize; Architectural Design, one first prize; Design, one first prize'and two second prizes; Shading, two second prizes. Applied Art Department.:—This was one op the most successful departments, and the work done by the students during the .year reflects great credit upon the instructor, Mr Wm. Andrews. The subjects of instruction in u.is department arc Woodwork, Metalwork, Enamelling, Design, Modelling, and Leather Embossing. By the system of scholarships originated by Mr Andrews, many young students have a rare opportunity of attending these classes without payment of fees. The work done by some of these pupils shows exceptional ability. Distinctions. achieved by students of this department during the year in New Zealand competitions are as follows:—Woodcarving, 4 first prizes, 3 second prizes; Metalwork, 3 first prizes, 1 second: Modelling, 2 first prizes, 2 seconds, 2 thirds; Leather Embossing, 4 first prizes, 2 seconds. ,

Commercial Department.—This department continues to attract most students, and under the direction of Mr C. T. Cox and the various members of the staff the students made excellent progress during the year. The sub jects of instruction wore: —Book-keeping, Shorthand, Typing., Accountancy, and Commercial Law. For the Wanganui Education Board's examinations in book-keeping 44 students sat and 38 were successful. ■ The results wore as follows; Preliminary Grade, 26 passes (3 with distinction); Junior Grade, 9 passes; Senior Grade, 3 passes (1 with distinction). A large number of students also sat for Pitman's Shorthand examinations, but the results are not yet to hand. Engineering Department—lit spite of the fact that wc possess a well-equipped workshop, the attendance at the practical classes in Engineering was. poor early in the year, but improved during the third term, Tins is to be accounted for partly because of the faulty gas lighting iu the workshop militating against using the lathes and machines to any advantage; and also because during part of the year there was a decided dullness in town in the enginoring trade. The classes iu Theoretical Engineering, under Mr Crow, were on the whole, well maintained. . As the wm’kshop is now fitted with several hew lathes, and also with a dynamo, so that the whole building is brilliantly lighted with electricity, wo expect the workshop

to be filled ‘with next session. Undoubtedly this is'tlic best-equipped Engineering- School) outside of Canterbury in the Dominion, and affords stu- j denfc - a rare opportunity to pursue the study of Engineering. Owing to the age limits being, raised last year, only oiie student presented himself for . the Smith Kensington 1 examinations? and was unsuccessful. City and Guilds of London examinations: Mechanical Engineering 5 passes; Surveying, 3 passes.Domestic . Department. —Special classes were held during the year in various kinds of Cookery, by Mrs Glennan, late principal* of the Melbourne Domestic College. Thd.se were well attended. .Miss Mollispn had an evening class in Plain Cookery for the. third term of the, year besides the usual nurses’ class in invalid cookery. The classes in Dressmaking and Millinery were very well attended, in spite of the fact that, they' were often disorganised through changes of instructors. Miss Dandv resigned about the middle of the second term, her place being filled for a month by Miss Smith, until a successor was appointed.' Mrs Taggart has joined''’ the staff as' instructor in Dressmaking, and we expect those classes to be oven better organised than in past. In ■this department- we had a new departure this year by' the introduction of a class in Art Needlework, conducted by Mrs Watkin. Needless to say the work done in this class is of exceptional' merit. Carpentry, Joinery, and Building Construction. —These classes are fairly well attended. Wo feel sorry that the apprentices in the building trade do not take greater advantage of the free tuition offered.

Architectural Drawiiig.—Owing to a decline in the-attendance it was found necessary to these classes after Urn first term. .

Practical Mathematics.—This class had a very fair roll number, though the attendance was very irregular.. If young fellows belonging to the various trades could be' got to see the immense advantage of this class, embracing as it does practical workshop mathematics: and trade science, they. 1 would not fail to take advantage of the great ; opportunity this class affords. Unfortunately this opportunity is missed because they do not sec ;iny direct or immediate relationship between it and the trade they are following. - '

Plumbing.—These classes are under the direction of Mr John Graham, who is one of the most enthusiastic and successful nembers of pnr teaching staff. Throughmt the. year the classes were well attended, and the ■ students, maintained a /keen ntcrost in thein work. The following are the examination ‘ successes;— City and Giiilds of London: Practical work, 9 passes. Local Examinations: Theoretical work, 15 passes. Plumbers’ Licenses.—Theoretical , and Practical examination, 8 passes. Law Classes'.—The institution of classes .n Law .was a new venture.. The instructor appointed for those classes was Mr C. P. Brown, , M.A;, L.L.8., who well maintained his reputation for 'culture and thoroughness. ■ In. all, 10 students took the course; but owing to removal from town the numbers dwindled rapidly after the middle of the year, and a considerable amount of the instruction was done by Correspondence. As there does not seem to bo ,sufficient demand for this class, wc. do not propose fo continue it next year. Matriculation ,Ciasscs.-.-This was another, departure this year, but as the students who enrolled were hardly in a’ fit state of preparation to tackle work of tics standard, it v wa.s found advisable tft discontinue _ those classes' after the first term, ylt.;is ~expected, however, that a successful class will be formed this year. General Classes.—These "were conducted much as usual, aud wore fairly well attended. A class iu photography was carried, on during the. first torn), and one in Ticket-Writing and Lettering during the third term. The Compulsory Continuation Classes.— These- classes began on July Bth, 1912, The classes for boys in English and Arithmetic wore hold on Monday evenings, and were , ably managed by. Mr IN B Clark. The roil number reached 40, Though the attendance was .not very regular,'the majority of the hoys came to the classes .willingly and evinced considerable interest in their classes. As regard* 'the.- technical subjects taken, the m'ajbrity had theip instruction either in —e 'Engineering or the Trades departments. . The classes for girls were hold on Thursday afternoon, between 1.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., and 21, attended. The 'subjects taken were English, Arithmetic, and Dressmaking. These Compulsory Classes were rather of tile nature of an experiment and'-the success obtained augurs wijfl for the future. Suburban Classes.—During the year Continuation and Technical. Classes were held for the first time at three suburban centres, Wanganui East, Gourille, and Castlccliff-. The first qf these centres, had a, particularly successful session! The subjects of instruction undertaken included Commercial Subjects, Dressmaking, Building Construction, Vocal Music, besides English: and Arithmetic. In conjunction with the Technical Classes, other classes under the regulations for Compulsory Continuation Classes were also inaugurated. The latter were well attended and the number of students for the coming year will bo considerably higher! The School Committees arc to he thanked for the keen interest disvilayed in the, management of the .various classes. Herewith, is a table showing the number of individual students in each class, and Also the number taking each subject: Centre, Wanganui East; subject. Commercial; No. of students; 13; Dressmaking 10, Building Construction 24, Vocal Music 28, Compulsory Continuation 36; Total 87. Gonvulc—Commercial 14, Compulsory Continuation 18; total 30. Castlecliff—Commercial 9, Dressmaking 13, Compulsory Continuation 9;- total 25. Conclusion.—ln my report on the Day College I have referred to the changes in the staff during the year.,, No less than throe instructors besides the' VicePrincipal, Mr Varney, left us during the year—viz., Mr Win. Martin, 8.A., Miss Dandy, and Miss'Copeland. My best thanks are due to the Press fir the liberal manner in which they have granted space for notices re classes and meetings connected with the College; to the members of the Technical Committee for their willing assistance: : and advice on numerous, occasions during, the year;, and.to the Director of Education and the members of the Board’s official staff for their patience and. courtesy iu supplying information and in rendering assistance and advice at all times. - On the motion of the chairman, seconded .by Mr G. W. Sampson, the report was ’< adoptee-., , i Mr BIIAIK (Chief Inspector) then gave a very brief address, in which; lie urged upon .the people of the town and district tiie urgent; necessity there was of thorn supporting, the school by making ,their children attend the classes, both' compulsory and optional. | , . , -■■■ . - ■■ ' ' j GIRLS AND -NIGHT CLASES. Mrs COMYNS raised the question. of eomnulsqry . classes, for girls, and stated that she objected to girls being called upon to attend the College at night time, and mentioned that it was agreed last

year that no young girls should under any consideration bo in the buildings at night. The proper place for girls at night’ was at home, and the mothers in very many instances were averse to letting the girls out at night. The CHAIRMAN sympathised with Airs Corayns, but he thought that it would be very unfair for girls who were working all day to be debarred from attending the night classes. Mr BEAIK suggested, as a way out of the difficulty, that the girls should be let out an hour earlier than the boys at the evening classes. Air WALTER GREY supported Airs Comyns. Girls between the ages of 14 and 16 years should not bo allowed in .the building at night. After working all dav children were not in a fit state to attend night classes, and the employers should give their young people the necessary foiiii hours a week off work to attend their classes at the Technical School. He moved that in the opiniofi of the meeting no girls between the ages of 14 and 16 should be allowed to attend the Technical College at- night. Mr.MeCARTHY' seconded the motion. Air WILLIS asked whether it was within the right of. the householders to say that girls should not attend the College at' night. That was a matter solely for the parents. The CHAIRMAN expressed the same view, and he could not, he said, sec his wav to accept so drastic a motion. Air ARAIOUR explained that girls are not compelled to attend classes'-af the College after 5.30 p.m. If such a revolutionary step as was proposed were javried the College .would have to close its doors, as there would be hardly any' Government subsidy. As the result of the chairman’s statement Air Grey withdrew his motion. Several speakers referred to the matter later in the evening, almost without exception being opposed to M rOrcy's proposal. • ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE. This business was next taken. Seventeen candidates were nominated, as follows:—Mrs Comyns, Messrs A. Robinson, A. Willis, H. H. Thompson, W. Grey, W. Knuckey, W. McCarthy, J. Forbes, W. G. Bassett, C. J. Ri-.-hardson, M. Hogan, junr. Ansley, Bott, R. Ncilson. C; P. Brown and Revs. Radford and McKenzie. The nine householders’ representatives who were elected were the following: Airs Comyns, Messrs Robinson, Willis, Knuckey, Bassett, Richardson, Noilson, Brown, and Rev. McKenzie. THANKS. A r otcs of thanks to the Principal, Directoi% and staff of the school and to the chairman concluded the business.