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The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [July 
tank of 1,059 gallons capacity had been filled with alcohol from the cistern-room in 
an adjoining building. A down-draught had carried fumes to the second floor, and 
when sparking occurred in the starter these fumes ignited. 
No. 6 : The blower in a foundry was located on a platform near the roof, and was 
being repaired at the time of the fire. An electrician’s helper was holding an electric 
light on an extension cord to furnish light for the repair operations. He accidentally 
dropped the light, the bulb was shattered, and the holder struck an iron plate in such 
a way that sparks were produced and some oily waste thereby ignited. The fire 
quickly reached the roof, and did damage to the extent of $7,500 before it was 
extinguished. 
No. 7 : In this case a loss of more than $12,000 resulted from an exposed electric- 
light wire on a wooden ceiling. The spread of the fire was facilitated by an open 
elevator in the centre of the room. 
No. 8 : The management of a storage warehouse had been informed that their 
electric wiring was unsafe. They took no action, and a fire involving a loss of $170,000 
resulted. 
No. 9 : Defective electric wiring, to which the attention of the management had 
vainly been drawn, caused a loss of more than $30,000. 
No. 10: A brief quotation from a letter from an inspection department—“We 
had a fire with an electric heating-pad in a private sanatorium and pretty nearly 
burned up the patient.” 
It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that the principal hazard 
arises from faulty materials and incompetent and careless workers. The 
question which naturally follows is, What are we doing in the matter of 
technical education for our youths in order that the evils of incompetence 
may be overcome ? The answer given would probably be that technical 
schools and night classes are provided at which the boys can receive a 
technical training. That is admitted, and I acknowledge the good work 
done in the schools; but I hold that there are serious defects in the present 
system of technical training—first, because they are night classes, and, 
secondly, attendance is not compulsory for the apprentice. The average 
boy who enters the works of an engineering firm does so usually at an age 
between fourteen and seventeen, and he is generally too tired to attend a 
night class and carry through a course of studies after labouring for eight 
hours during the day. 
I am of the opinion that attendance at technical classes should be made 
compulsory, and form part of the regular routine of the day’s work, or, 
say, three afternoons each week. Instruction should be given not only 
in engineering and allied subjects, but also in subjects which will give the 
boys a knowledge of human nature and enable them to understand their 
neighbours. I do not claim that every boy should receive a full course of 
technical training, because there will always be a certain percentage to whom 
it would be just waste of time, but this would show itself at the end of the 
first or second year, when the boys could be returned to the works for their 
full time. 
We must devise some system that will give to the apprentice, along with 
his practical training in the workshop, an insight into the principles that 
govern his work, so that he will be able to take an intelligent interest in it. 
In arranging this system of technical education care must be taken that 
no undue strain is imposed on the student, because if we allow his studies 
to become a burden we will defeat the object we have in view, and may 
permanently weaken his powers as a worker. In other words, whatever 
system we adopt, our ultimate object must be to produce men who will 
find a pleasure and pride in their work. The work of men of this class can 
always be depended on, and workmen who work in this spirit form the most 
valuable asset that any country can possess. 
