582 



TRADE SCHOOLS AS AIDS TO INDL■STK^ . 



The course consists of a probationary period of six months, spent m 

 all the workshops, followed by i8 months' specialised training in the work- 

 shops. The object of the probationary period is: — 



( tj To afford the lad an insight into the various trades, and so give 

 some guidance in his choice of his future means of livelihood ; 



(2) To discover the lad's aptitude for the different trades, and 

 advise his parents or guardians as to the trade in which lie will probably 

 succeed ; and 



(3) To ascertain whether the lad will i)rotit from tlie instruction 

 given in the school. 



The ctirricukiin and tinie-table for the two years' cotirse are 

 shewn below : — 



Curriculum and Time-Table. 



Originally there were five cotirses, as the test of admission 

 was tlie ]jassing of Standard I\'., bnt the standard of admission 

 having been raised to Standard \\ and the age to 14, the work 

 is now being covered in two years. The natural anticipation is 

 the raising of the Standard to the Vlth, so that the school may 

 be brought into line with the secondary and commercial schools. 



The ])resent enrolment is alx^ut 120. All the lads could be 

 placed in satisfactory employment though the enrolment were 

 much larger. The arrangement with the resident engineers for 

 shortening the period of apprenticeship has lieen confirmed by 

 t.h.e Chamlier of Mines, and it is linped to get from that body a 

 definite guarantee of employment to lads who have completed the 

 Trades School course, arvi that llie\- mav even undertale to 



