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The Vestry were fortunate in securing some very suitable workshops, at 35,
Hoxton Street, on the 9th February, 1893. Arrangements were made with the
Committee of the Whitechapel Craft School—who have had special experience of
the system required for teaching the wood industries—to organise classes in
Carpentry and Joinery, Drawing and Designing, Woodcarving and Manual
Instruction, which were commenced on the 25th March, 1893, at the very low fee
of 2/6 per term of 11 weeks, and 59 students were entered on the register of the
classes by the 25th April. The Worshipful Company of Plumbers generously
resolved to equip a Plumbers' Shop at the schools, and to hold examinations and
give prizes to the students. A fine shop has been provided, and a class for
students actually engaged in the Plumbing Trade was commenced on the 18th
April. 1893, and thirteen students were registered by the 25th April.
A class for Electrical Fitting will also shortly be commenced, for which
applications have been received from 32 students. Altogether 110 applications
have been received from students desirous of entering the school, but the funds at
disposal have only allowed of the above classes being commenced. A second class
for Manual Instruction has had to be started, and the Superintendent has asked
for a second class on Wood Carving, Drawing, Cabinet Making, and Plumbing to
be formed, as the present ones are overflowing. The Shoreditch Free Library
Commissioners made a grant of a library of technical books, costing £50, for the
use of students of the schools, which will be of great educational value.
The development of the schools has, therefore, been exceptionally rapid, and
the Technical Instruction Committee entertain no doubts of the complete success
of the undertaking.
In connection with the formal opening of the schools by the Eight Honourable
the Lord Mayor of London on the 5th May, an Exhibition of Antique and
Modern Wood Carving and Furniture was held in the Shoreditch Town Hall, an
account of which will be given in the next annual report.
DUSTING AND SCAVENGING.
As from the 25th March, 1892, the Vestry took over the collection of the
refuse of the whole parish directly, in place of the contract system. The collection
in the Eastern Division of the parish had been taken over by the Vestry on the
29th September, 1891, and with the experience thus gained, arrangements were
successfully made for carrying out the whole of the work from Lady-day, 1892,
without any difficulties arising.
As was anticipated in the preliminary report of the Committee, the annual
cost of the collection and disposal of refuse under this system is larger than under
the contract system, but the new duties imposed on the Vestry by the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, in respect of cleansing the footpaths and the growing