MANUAL TRAINING.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17750, 29 June 1929, Page 9

MANUAL TRAINING.

FOR HIGH SCHOOL BOYS.

QUESTION OF ACCOMMODATION,

AT "HIGH” OR "TECHNICAL.” The question whether engineering and woodwork workshops for Hamilton High School pupils should be provided at the High School or classes for these pupils should be arranged at the Technical School was discussed by the High School Board yesterday. The principal, Mr Eben Wilson, reported that he had been in communication with the principal of the Technical School (Mr W. Fraser) and had asked whether accommodation could be provided for classes from the High School. Mr Wilson’s report continued: “Mr Fraser advised me on June 10 that the Technical School could not undertake the work unless the department gave additional accommodation; that his board had written asking for additional accommodation but had been informed that the Department was not for the present prepared to recomment a grant for the purpose mentioned.

"The last New Zealand report on secondary education stresses the importance of the high schools broadening their curricula by giving more importance to manual arts and crafts and states that out of 27 boys’ schools or mixed secondary schools 17 were in 1927 teaching woodwork and eight metal work also.

"I discussed the matter with the Senior Inspector of Secondary Schools last year. He advised that I should first find out whether the Technical School could take our classes and, should it not be able to do so, to apply to the Department for workshops of our own.

"I would accordingly recommend that a copy of this correspondence be forwarded to the Department with a request that workshops for engineering or woodwork or both be provided for our school. We have a good site; the ground between the Hill Street gate and the bicycle shed would suit admirably.”

The chairman of the board, Mr G. LMacDiarrnid, said he himself was strongly in favour of manual work in all secondary schools. Whatever a boy’s future occupation was to be, it was good that he should be trained to use his hands.

The principal said such a workroom would be valuable in connection with the proposed boys’ hostel at the High School. Mr F. A. Snell said he considered the right solution was to provide the necessary accommodation at the Technical School. It was very doubtful whether they would make any headway at all by sending a request to the Department for a workshop at the High School.

The chairman: “That may he so, but I still think we should ask for it.”

Mr Primrose agreed. Such a request would bring the matter to a head.

Mr Sims agreed with Mr Snell. He said they should rather ask the Department to reconsider its refusal of the request to provide the necessary accommodation at the Technical School. The principal said it would be better if the school had its own workshop, which the boys could use at any time. The chairman said the Minister, Mr Atmore, had stated that the demand of high schools for more facilities for manual work must be acceded to. He moved that the correspondence should be sent to the Department, with a request for the necessary accommodation to be provided at the High School. Mr Tidd seconded. He said the proposal would raise a controversy, but this had to be faced.

The motion was carried, Messrs Snell and Sims alone opposing.