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267. The answers to these questions are set out in Sections 10 and 12. Briefly, they are that the present facilities, especially at the University schools of engineering, have been far from adequate to deal effectively with the big influx of students that has occurred during the last few years. Moreover, these facilities are insuflicient to handle the numbers which it will be necessary to train in the future to meet this country's requirements. Although the problems of the technical schools have not been so pressing, the establishment of diploma courses will make new demands on them. The main respects in which improvements are required are indicated in the following recommendations (a) That the question of building a new engineering school at Canterbury be considered to be one of the greatest urgency, that steps should be taken to secure a suitable site, and that the building be given a high priority (page 43). (b) That the equipment of the Auckland University College School of Engineering be improved and that further equipment be provided to permit the extension of the courses in civil and electrical engineering to the final year of the B.E. course (page 44). (c) That the staffing at both University schools of engineering be sufficiently liberal to permit of a reasonable amount of research being undertaken (page 48). (d) That the necessary facilities be provided in the technical schools at Auckland, Wellington, Hutt Valley, Christchurch, and Dunedin for instruction in the various subjects of the diploma course, if these facilities are not at present available, as an initial step in the establishment of technological institutions (page 56). Question (vi) : What instructional courses in engineering subjects should be provided by the Technical Correspondence School ? 268. This question is answered by the two following recommendations : (a) That to meet the needs of those who in the interim period will still be sitting external examinations, instruction be provided through the Technical Correspondence School, and that arrangements be made for laboratory work in those subjects requiring it (page 51). (b) That for candidates outside approved centres instruction be provided through the Technical Correspondence School for all subjects of the first two years of the diploma course and that arrangements be made for laboratory work in those subjects requiring it (page 56). Question (vii) : What weaknesses, if any, exist in the present standard of instruction available at any stage ? 269. The Committee received some criticism of the instruction available at the two University schools of engineering. This criticism, however, mainly arose from the conditions under which the schools have had to carry on their work in recent years. For this reason the Committee has made specific suggestions for improving accommodation, equipment, and staffing. It is of opinion that, if these improvements are not accomplished as soon as possible, the quality of graduates must decline. 270. The Committee thinks that the present system of allowing overlapping of professional years is not in the best interests of the students and considers that for deserving students there should be supplementary special examinations. It believes, too, that the University course should be restricted as soon as possible to those students proceeding to a degree in engineering. 271. In Section 10 attention is drawn to certain branches of engineering for which there is little or no adequate instruction available. In particular, the Committee recommends the addition of courses in locomotive engineering, refrigeration engineering, and telecommunications.

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