EDUCATIONAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19035, 12 June 1924, Page 5

EDUCATIONAL

TECHNICAL COLLEGE BOARD MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Wanganui Technical College Board, was held last night, Mr. BruCe occupying the chair. There were also present; Messrs Swanger, Laurence, Edwards, Luxford, Duggan, Patterson. Richardson and Mrs. Veitch. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. The chairman (Mr. E. P. Brown), reported as follows: With the director, I attended the Technical Educational Conference in Wellington on May 21 and 22. It was the largest and most successful conference yet held. The appointments committee selected Mr. W. L. Walton, of Hawera, to succeed Mr. Hudson as science master, he being highest on the grading list. Mr. Walton wil take up his duties on July 1, and Mr. Sharp, woodwork instructor, about a fortnight later, Both appointments have been confirmed by the Education Department. Miss McNiven took up her uuues on the. first day of this term, but it is not possible to make full use of her time owing to the scarcity of classrooms. The Public Works Department has been busy effecting repairs to the roof of the building, and to the floor of the main corridor. Owing to the methods adopted by the department practically no inconvenience has been caused tohte work of the classes. The department has been very considerate in every way. In order to meet the requirements of pupils who desire to qualify for the proficiency examination, the department is being asked to approve of a special proficiency class to be held on Monday evenings. The plumbing workshop is now taxed to its utmost capacity on Wednesday evenings. Attendance at this class has increased considerably during the last few months. The number of pupils enrolled in the evening technical classes is now 320. The report was adopted. It was decided to request Mr. Veitch M.P., to attend to the matter of subsidies promised by the Department to the college. QUESTION OF DENTAL CLINIC. The question of a dental clinic for the college was raised by Mr. Richardson. He thought that possibly they might be able to arrange for treatment of the pupils’ teeth, on similar lines to that employed in the primary schools. He pointed out lhe grave danger that existed through neglect of the teeth, and suggested th(t the of a clinic be gone into at an e“rly date. A member suggested that the matter of goitre might also be considered, for it had been proved that tho treatment in this connection in the primary schools had proved very ibcneficial. The principal (Mr. Newton), pointed out that the matter of dental clinics for secondary schools had been discussed at the recei(t conference, but it was generally considered that it was too much to ask the department j to pay attention to the elder pupils’ teeth. Messrs Richardson and Duggan explained that TJ)ey had discussed the question with dental men in the town; and they had been very enthusiastic "over it. The had indicated that they would be prepared to undertake the care of the children’s teeth at a very nominal charge.

Mr. Bruce suggested that they communicate with the Dentists’ Association in regard to the matter. State dentistry was very desirable, but it appeared to be out of the question at the present time. It was eventually resolved to invite the Dentists’ Association to discuss the question of a dental clinic and inform board what concessions they were prepared to make to Technical students. They are also to be asked to suggest some procedure in the matter.