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THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Photographs by Staff Photographer.
The Technical College on Wood Road,
A year ago we described in these columns the various difficulties which the Hong Kong Technical College had en- countered and, in fact, were still combatting in their efforts once again to carry on their various courses.
At this time last year. in spite of lack of equipment and furniture and the many post-war difficulties that beset every- one in Hong Kong, the College had already commence their 3-year course and 26 students were under instruction.
During the first year there was a shortage of hand tools. machine saws, planing machines, etc. As a result more time was spent on theory and on surveying than would normally
The class-room for draughtsmen.
be the case, since the workshops were not fully equipped. At the end of the first twelve months, however, the students were able to build a small house of two stories. Although the walls of the two floors were not carried up to the full height, all the normal features of a two-story house were incorporated. Walls were also built incorporating door and window frames, and doors and windows.
As was described last year, for two periods each year, each of two months duration, the students obtained employ- ment on actual construction with contracting firms. Wimpey's took several of these students on work on the Bank of China site. Several more were employed on the construction of the Government Workers Schools and other buildings being erected in Hong Kong.
It is interesting to note that the staff of the College not only watch their students during term time, but keep a very strict eye on them to see that full advantage is taken of their periods of employment outside the College. Incidentally, not only do the staff work their students hard, but they are extremely hard workers themselves. Mr. Bebbington, in charge of Building Construction, has apparently become furni- ture designer to the Hong Kong Government. When we visited the College, the one hundred and eleventh drawing was just coming off the board, all Mr. Bebbington's own work.
The three primary school classes which were allowed temporarily to occupy part of the College premises owing to shortage of accommodation elsewhere are still in occupation. This means, unfortunately, that no plans could be made to extend the curriculum as there was still no possibility of their moving for the time being.
The pre-war equipment of tools and machines is rapidly being replaced and much practical work is being done. The main carpentry workshops, when fully equipped, will include a full size surfacing machine, thicknessing machine, pendulum cross-cut saw, circular saw, bandsaw, wood-turning lathes. trimming machines, and a complete outfit of hand tools to
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Two views of the main carpentry workshop.
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