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WORKSHOP MENSURATION AND MECHANICS.
Instructor Mr. G. RADDON.
This is, I think, one of the most difficult classes held at the schools, yet in spite of
this the average attendance has been well maintained, a fact which speaks very
favourably for the methods Mr. Raddon adopts to make the subjects interesting.
There is no doubt that to the average artisan, these and kindred subjects present
very great difficulties. Many left school at the very earliest opportunity and finding
themselves freed from restraint neglected their studies, and soon forgot the greater
part of what they had learned. It becomes necessary, in the first place, to regain
what they have thus lost and then apply it afresh, this is irksome, and unless
handled in the most interesting way, fails to have the desired effect.
When we consider, that, combined with this, the class is carried on without the
least aid derived from the use of apparatus then the results attained are doubly
gratifying. I cannot but think that when the classes are installed in the new building
of Aske's Schools and are also provided with all necessary appurtenances, we shall
have very much larger numbers attending and a corresponding gain in results
will accrue.
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DRAWING AND LECTURES FOR CABINET MAKERS AND JOINERS.
Instructor : THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Assistant Instructor : Mr. E. N. FLASHMAN.
This Class has been eminently successful during the past year, and the results are
perfectly satisfactory. Many advantages have resulted through the increased
accommodation made at the commencement of this year, for we were enabled to
separate the joiners from the cabinet -makers. The students of both classes are very
enthusiastic, and take great pains, and throughout have followed with care and diligence
my instructions. Their attendance is fairly regular, and taking into consideration that
the majority had practically no knowledge of drawing as applied to their craft, and the
limited time they are able to devote to this subject, it is exceedingly gratifying to hear
the high commendations from the Master Cabinet Makers, corroborated by the students
themselves, on the value of the instruction to their every day work. It is also
interesting to note, that most of the students, who have gone through the course of this
class, together with practical cabinet making, are now holding better positions. There
is no doubt that the Educational Training the students receive in this and kindred
classes, gives them a much higher ideal of life, especially when one considers the very
wide range of knowledge they must cover before they become proficient.
The course is arranged so that the following subjects are taught :—
((b) Building and Cabinet Construction.
(c) The Nature and Properties of Timber.
(il) Tools, their principles and uses.