Page image

E —5

14

D drawing was covered, and a great deal of attention given to proper methods of teaching drawing in schools. Regular home-work exercises, bearing upon each day's lesson, were given, and these exercises were in a great measure responsible for the very satisfactory progress made by nearly all students. During the last term of the year head teachers were asked to supervise the blackboard drawing practice of their trainees—a plan, that produced very satisfactory results. In connection with the winter school for science subjects, a course in drawing (thirty-five students) and handwork (fourteen students) was conducted by Mr. Watkin. Additional illustrated articles by Mr. Watkin, on the teaching of drawing, were published in the Leaflet during the year, and from reports received have been very helpful to teachers. Local bodies, associations, and private individuals continue to give financial support, the contributions last year, including those due at the end of the year, amounting to £525 15s. 6d. The thanks of the Board are due to the following, in addition to. many individual subscribers: Feilding, Marton, and Wanganui Borough Councils; Kiwitea, Manawatu, Oroua, Pohangina, Rangitikei, Waitotara, and Wanganui County Councils; Feilding and Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Associations; Marton Chamber of Commerce; New Zealand Farmers' Union; Raetihi Town Board; St. John Ambulance Brigade; Wanganui Builders' Association; and Wanganui Plumbers' Association. \y. H. Swanger, Director of Manual and Technical Instruction. Extract from the Report op the Controlling Authority op the Palmerston North Technical School. During the past year the technical classes have been very well attended. The commercial and dressmaking classes were the most popular.. Owing to the war the plumbing class lapsed for want of students. The class has, however, recommenced this year. A course suitable for electric wiremen has been instituted, and the class on the whole has been well attended. As the London City and Guilds Examination for this work will not be held this year the class will be examined by local examiners at the end of the year, and a technical certificate issued until such time as the students may be able to sit for the London City and Guilds Examination. Several pupils were successful in passing the Shorthand Speed Examinations for the Pitman's certificate, and a very complimentary report on the work of the book-keeping classes was received from the president of the local branch of the Society of Accountants. The work of the school on the whole for the year has been most satisfactory; the staff has been most regular and punctual in attendance, and has always taken keen interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the school. <\\ |; Hodder Chairman, Palmerston North High School Board. Extract from the Report op the Director op the Palmerston North Technical School. The total number of classes working during the year was fifty-six. The number of individual students was 6"60, of whom 176 were free pupils and 484 were paying students, the total enrolments being 1,150. The commercial course continued to attract a large number of students, there being no- less than six classes in shorthand, with an average of seventeen; five in typewriting, with an average of fifteen; and two in book-keeping, with an average of twenty-five. Good work has been done, and about twelve of our advanced pupils sat for the Shorthand Speed Examination (Pitman's). The local "branch of the New Zealand Society of Accountants has again conducted the Bookkeeping Examinations, and has awarded two special prizes for the best junior and senior papers. The typewriting department has been considerably improved by the purchase of twelve new machines which, with the good machines already in use, make the class-room quite up to date in every particular. The school is now able to accommodate up to 100 pupils in the typewriting classes. The domestic course has been fairly well attended, the dressmaking class being the most popular. Eleven classes continued throughout the year, with an average attendance of from twelve to fourteen pupils in each. Two millinery classes were held throughout the year, with an average attendance of fifteen in each. The attendance at the cookery classes was about the same as for the previous year. A high standard of work in all classes of the domestic course was maintained. The Technical School Board is indebted to Mr. T. R. Moore for a generous donation of £5 for cookery prizes, for the purpose of encouraging more girls to take up this important branch of their education. Four students sat for the London City and Guilds Cookery Examinations, and all were successful, two receiving first-class passes and two second-class passes. The science and engineering classes, on the whole, have been only, fairly well attended, many of the boys having to work at night in consequence of the shortage of labour. About ten to fourteen boys are being prepared.for the Electrical Wiremen's Examination. The arts and crafts department shows a falling-off in the number of students, but the work is quite up to the standard of former years. Two classes in first aid and home nursing were conducted. Of forty-eight students who sat for the St. John Ambulance certificates thirty-seven were successful. The wool-classing and sheep-shearing classes were well attended. The thanks of the Technical School Board are due to the Minister in Charge of the Agricultural Department for the supply of wool. The class in industrial history and economics continued to be well patronized, and showed a record attendance.