17

E.—s

The engineering and science staff of the technical high schools being for the most part available for the instruction of evening classes, a similar earnestness and thoroughness are characteristic features of the work, but as the instruction is given under different conditions the best results are not always achieved. The instruction in science includes subjects required by those preparing for the examinations of the Pharmacy Board, and for the more advanced course in engineering, and the methods of instruction leave little to be desired. Hygiene and physiology are also effectively taught at some of the larger schools, and the classes are mostly attended by publicschool teachers preparing for examinations in the subjects. The course in engineering includes such subjects as geometry, mathematics, mechanics, machine-drawing, electricity and magnetism, machine construction and design, electric installation work, and workshop practice, and the majority of students are taking a more or less complete course in two or more allied subjects; but it is again asserted that the instruction of these young mechanical and electrical engineers will not be placed on a .satisfactory basis until the principal part of the training is carried on at classes held during the day. For the most part the well-equipped workshops afford opportunities for doing types of work with which they may not become familiar during the course of their apprenticeship, and full use appears to be made of the opportunities provided. Some of the examples of constructional work, such as small electric and internal-combustion motors and workshop and laboratory appliances for their own or school use, are well designed, and in most instances accurately fitted, and this work with the training in principles appears to provide an admirable training supplementary to that of their daily work. The value of handwork training has been publicly emphasized in connection with the training of young engineers. It is gratifying to report that adequate attention is given to this matter, and the degree of accuracy attained in some of the workshops with hammer, chisel, file and scraper, and with hand tools at the lathe, is one of the most pleasing features of the instruction. Given the full opportunity our schools are for the most part in a position to provide a vocational training in workshop practice of a valuable type. At all the schools and classes adequate provision is made for the teaching of English. The quality of the instruction varies, but is, speaking generally, on sound lines, tending to an understanding of the author studied, and an appreciation of some of the beauties of our literature. A feature of the work at one institution is worthy of wide extension : it is the encouragement and stimulus given to students to commit to memory passages from standard and well-known authors of both prose and poetry. The novelty of being invited at a visit of inspection to listen to the recitation of brief passages by both male and female students given with clear enunciation, and in a manner generally indicative of clear understanding and appreciation of the passage rendered, will not readily be forgotten. Work on these and similar lines make for interest and good work. Brief mention must be made of the excellent work done for the most part in classes for instruction in wool-sorting, photography, and typography. The wide use of photography beyond that made of it by the amateur appears to warrant the placing of this subject on the timetable of the principal schools, and making provision for the instruction of those who practice photography for commercial purposes. Extensions in this direction cannot, however, be expected under present conditions. The movement to provide technical and vocational training for the printing and'publishing trades appears to be a step in the right direction. At one school fairly complete provision is made, and most successful classes are in operation; and at another it is proposed to commence classes shortly, part of the necessary equipment having been provided by the Managers out of their own funds. M. H. Browne, i t . m n i .Inspectors or technical Instruction. Hi. O. ISAAC, I The Director of Education, Wellington.

3—E. 5.