TECHNICAL CLASSES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 886, 9 May 1903, Page 3

TECHNICAL CLASSES.

Thero was a large attendance at the meeting held in the Gisborne school last evening to consider tho question of the formation of technical classes. The Chairman of the School Committee, Mr J. W. Bright, presided, and shortly explained tho objects of the meeting. He said that the question of technical classes had been talked about for some time, and he hoped something definite would ho arrived at that evening. Mr W. Morgan related the interview he had had with the Secretary of the Education Department, when in Wellington. Thero was every hope of assistance being obtained from the Department. A general discussion followed, hut most of the speakers required information us to what subjects it was intended to teach, and the fees to ho charged.

The Chairman said that the meeting was called for the purpose of ascertaining which subjects the pupils would like to take up and how many pupils there would be for each subject. Mr Graham urged that mathematics or higher rules of arithmetic, mathematical drawing, and English should be subjects taught at the commencement, and other subjects could be taken up later on. in answer to Mr Cogar, the Chairman said the classes would he held in the evenings. Mr It. .Johnston spoke in favor of classes being formed for hook keeping, shorthand, typewriting, mathematics or higher rules of arithmetic, mechanical drawing, and English. Mr Rowley thought that a class should bo formed for ordinary school subjects. Thero were a number of young men about town who for various reasons had had to leave school, and who had not been through the standards of the school, and they would like instructions in these pri-

mary subjects. Mr Sweet said that the Board of Governors would no doubt give financial assistance towards starting tho clusses. Mr File thought tho best course to adopt would bo for tho School Committee to consider the question of ways and means. Ho had no doubt that the classes would bo well supported by the young people of tho district.

Mr Morgan said that tho Committee would have to decide whether they should havo tho Board of Education as the controlling powor, or seek co-operation with the Agricultural Association, County and

Borough Councils, and other local bodies. Referring to tho question of finance, Mr Morgan said that tho School Committeo some timo ago had TOO, money raised for promoting technical classes. He had no doubt it would be available when required. A voice : It has been spent.

Mr Bright: Yes, and Mr Morgan was Chairman of the Committee at the time. (Laughter.) Mr Morgan : Thero is a body in existence called the Technical Committeo. It was they who acquired the gas jets and furniture of this room. In tho courso of furthor discussion it was suggested that classos for dressmaking should bo formed.

Mr Bright said that if too much was attempted tho movement would ond in a

On the motion of Mr Johnston, the following resolution was unanimously adoptod :—That the School Committeo he requested to call for applications from persons willing to attend any of tho following classes : Bookkeeping, shorthand, typewriting, mathematics or higher rules of arithmetic, mechanical drawing, English, and dressmaking. It was decided to communicate with tho Agricultural Society, County Council, Borough Council, and other local bodies inviting assistance. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.