EDUCATION: MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. [In continuation of E.-5, 1902.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, E-05

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1903. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. [In continuation of E.-5, 1902.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. EXTEAGT FBOM THE TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL EEPOET OF THE MINISTEE OF EDUCATION. A great advance was made during 1902 in respect to manual and technical education. The total number of recognised classes, which at the end of 1901 was 425, increased to 980 at the close of last year. Of these 566 were classes for handwork in schools, and 414 were " special," " associated," or " college classes," of which 64 were continuation classes —that is, classes for adults or for boys and girls that have left the day schools —in the ordinary branches of a general education, and the remaining 350 were technical classes properly so called. The total number of classes that so far are known to be in operation during the present year (1903) is about 1,800. The number of classes for handwork in the upper classes of the public schools is still small in comparison with the number of classes doing such work in the lower classes; with the introduction of the new standard syllabus shortly to be issued all excuse for this anomaly will disappear. One of the most pleasing features of the year is the increase of the number of classes in country schools and of classes for adults in small country towns. Much more might be done, especially if the agricultural associations and the local authorities generally would follow the example so well set by a few of them. The Act of 1902, it may be pointed out, by recognising Borough Councils, County Councils, and other local authorities as bodies that might join with Boards of Education, School Committees, or the governing bodies of University colleges to form technical classes, and by giving such authorities representation on the boards of managers, placed them in the same position as associations of various kinds were placed in before. There is now really nothing to prevent any district or any body of persons in a district from starting classes under the Act and securing grants sufficient to equip and carry on the classes, unless it be the comparatively small number of thoroughly competent instructors that are to be obtained. This, however, is an evil that is being gradually removed as those who have been attending training classes for teachers in these subjects become qualified.

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The grants to Education Boards for the instruction of teachers in manual and technical subjects, amounting in all to £1,875, were available last year as in 1901, and the amounts were paid over to all the Boards that had complied with the conditions; similar grants will be available during the present year. The revised regulations that were gazetted in December, 1902, considerably simplified the mode in which grants are obtained. Supplementary regulations, approved in June of the present year, offered grants not exceeding £5 per annum on account of each pupil admitted free to technical classes, provided such pupil had passed Standard VI. or a higher examination. These free places are called "junior technical scholarships " ; they last for two years, and may be extended (as " senior technical scholarships") for two years more if the holders show signs of satisfactory progress. In order that the substratum on which technical education is based may be sound, it is made a condition of the tenure of the junior technical scholarships that the holders shall attend continuation classes in one or more subjects of general instruction, such as English or some other language, and arithmetic or some other branch of mathematics. It is, indeed, difficult to see what more could be done by statute or regulation to encourage manual and technical education; it is now a matter for those in the various parts of the colony to start such classes as are suited to the wants of the several districts. Some have urged that Government ought to go further and establish classes everywhere; but it is tolerably certain that to set up classes where people are not prepared to make some effort in their own behalf would result in a considerable waste of public money without any corresponding benefit. The grants for buildings and apparatus paid last year amounted to £4,997 Bs. 3d.; for material, £246 Is. Bd.; capitation, £5,604 17s. 4d.

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TABLE X.—Manual and Technical Instruction, 1902.— Special, Associated, and College Classes.

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;ubj !CtS ol Insl .ruction, ani Aven ige Atl mdi tee. Payments up to 31st December, 1! 12. School or Classes. CO CD CC CD 5 o CD Si 3 0 a cd •Sea as a ca a a S3 a CD O a o CD 2 o g rrj 0 a CO cs a CBg a s PH a a a o ■a 1 a 'cq CD 3 T3 O ST 8 1'Sa a 2 '3 a _a O O 3 O *0 a a a co.2 o Is 3 "a O CO © © ei o 3fl O <-3 "3 'u CD 3 a .2 CEI a a S.S3S3 05 iH lis p.3.2 MCC cc H o a o r-i a o ■a o o II c 0 5 a CD O ■91 ats a a 43 CD . 2.3 8 irH 5 ! o a 13 o tr ■3.3 a _* a - M a o CQ fl fl QQ a. a' 3 H a o o •a a c8 a 'Si a 2 a eg a °£f Grants for S g 5 „ :i I Buildings, |gg Capitation. Furniture, a« " and o£]' d . Apparatus. S? a *> EH Grants for Material. Pound-for-Pound Subsidy on Voluntary Contributions. Ph tub fl Q c o r* Auckland Education Board — Technical School, Auckland Devonport School Eemuera School "Elam" School of Art, Auckland Taranaki Education Board — Technical classes, New Plymouth Stratford Wanganui Education Board — Technical classes, Wanganui .. „ Palmerston North „ Hawera Eltham i, Patea „ Marton Wellington Education Board — Technical Sohool, Wellington Technical classes, Masterton .. „ Pahiatua Carterton Masterton Technical Classes Association .. Hawke's Bay Education Board — Technical School, Napier Technical classes, Gisborne Woodville .. „ Dannevirke Continuation classes, Wairoa Marlborough Education Board — Continuation classes, Waitohi Nelson Education Board — Technical classes, Nelson Westland Eduoation Board — Technical classes, Kumara 8 17 5 3 9 326 15 14 •• •• 13| 4| I 11 .. 14 .. 11 .. 27| •• .. 14 ... ... ...... ...'.■ £ s. d. 112 17 6 •8 4 3 '3 18 9 365 5 3 60 45 1 0 29 122 17 3 88 17 5 23 13 3 3 6 0 ! 6 6 9 10 7 0 £ s. d. ; £ s. d. 90 0 0 58 16 7 '.'. 17 12 10 360 0 0 £ s. d. 75"o 0 •• •• 30 17 8 2 2 2 36 42 25 23 12 2 - 28 5 8 •• I 9 23 26 10 5 7 8 13 I 20 -• . 14 1 15 10 55 I 1281 42 - " " I 4 0 39 1 1 104 9 17 8i 43 173 41 60j 30 2 17 .. 52 24 43 93 959 12 6 5 8 0 6 14 0 '116 6 139 10 4 664 2 6 37 12 4 41 14 5 '.'. 68 15 1 " '" i •• *8 "27 • • I 14 '*8 ... .. 19, 9 ■• 16 •■ 52"4 7 4 1 1 5 57 35 10 10 61 37 6 28J 59 j 65 9 0 25 24 18 6 6 4 3 5 9 6 78 4 6 2 9 0 2 9 0 • - •• •■ I i ■• I • - i ii *8 19 1 9 3 0 2 I 28 .. 62 14 11 0

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TABLE X.—Manual and Technical Instruction, 1902— continued.

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Subjects of Instruction and Average Attendance. Payments up to 31st December, 1902. School or Classes. CD co a 0 CO fl 3 0 <flfl <5 fl "© o 3 2 a q Ph fl fl u O fl fl op ED Q fl ! rfl «-< 7l4=> tUD fl © o5.9 £ ■ © g .flap pu fl fl fl+= P a o Is ©S a a CO '3 a fl a cd © H © © © fl 1:3 tic fl O © 1.3 1:1 fl m gas 8* 8 ° o a o r-i ■a a a •0 ■a c o a a a CD a a . om ca fl © o P* © caO aca a a a a^P "co fl 3 CO a a a O M C2 2 a Ja" ■a -3 u §0 CO CD CD '3 QQ ja CD a a o fl" CD a CD H3 fl c3 fla 2 0 CDhH a p« o i co a & r I o o a 1 2 SO rrt a O m a °«a co a a a : g 8 r= Capitation. Grants for Buildings, Furniture, and Apparatus. Grants for Material. Pound-for-Pound Subsidies on Voluntary Contributions. 'CC a . Ph cib ■3 o Board of Governors, Canterbury College — School of Art, Christchurch School of Engineering, Christchurch School of Domestic Instruction, Christchurch North Canterbury Eduoation Board — Technical classes, Normal School, Christchurch Technical classes, Ashburton Lyttelton Eangiora „ Leeston Greendale Doyleston South Canterbury Education Board — Timaru Technical Classes Association .. Technical classes, Timaru Waimate Technical Classes Association.. Otago Education Board — School of Art, Dunedin Technical School, Dunedin Technical classes, Port Chalmers Southland Education Board — Technical School, Invercargill .. Technical olasses, Gore „ Mataura Country Continuation classes 41 29 12 218 .. 95 131 47 55 119 21! 78 *28 53| 32 13 • • •• 132 104! £ s. d. 532 13 3 243 15 9 140 14 6 £ s. d. 601 0 6 1,342 0 0 50 0 0 £ s. d. 199' 17 4 £ s. d. .. •■ •• .. •• ■• • ■ " 51 14 61 103 15 3 2 5 .-■ ' 5 •• •• 16 54 38 37 20 21 24 11 3 19 12 0 40 0 0 50"0 0 35 0 0 •• 16 16 •• 22 44 0 6 *2 2 9 78 10 6 . •■ "•I ■• ■• ... *17 6 5 •• 14 6 8 14 10 26| 12 70 97 132 72 "65 48 8 4 38 14 0 1 12 10 6 19 2 •• 28 •• "l5 •• •• " il 20 '54 'l2 39 39 3 241 108 32 35 14 23J 65 17 3G 73 227 1 3 fl78 18 4 flO 14 4 J503"9 0 143"6 0 ■■ "■ 36 23 •• '27 15 185 20 1441 I 25 .. •- » 23 6 2 7 6 10 8 27 13 36 12 7 102 10 15 78 31 23 23 51 139 11 7 10 0 0 7 10 42 19 2 - "' I " •• •• - I 18 ■• .-• 2 I I ... 38 ■■ - "" Totals ! Aid 1,217 248 304! 345 ; —! 154! 293 1301 103 148 1551 247 199 148 525 15 666 498 1 138' 630 3,879 8 3 3,986 9 3 246 1 8 428 5 2 * Payment on account of work done during 1901. t Paid to Dunedin Technical Classes Association. t Of this amount £3 9s. was paid to the Dunedin Technical Classes Association.

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TABLE X1.—Manual and Technical Instruction, 1902. —School Classes.

In the following table (X 2) a statement is given of the expenditure upon manual and technical instruction during the year. TABLE X2.—Statement of Expenditure fob Year ending 31st December, 1902. £ s. d. Capitation .. . .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. 5,604 17 4 Subsidy of pound for pound on contributions .. .. .. .. .. .. 428 5 2 Grants— £ s. d. Buildings and apparatus .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,997 8 3 Class material .. .. .. .. .. .. ■. 246 1 8 5,243 9 11 Training of TeachersAuckland Eduoation Board Taranaki „ .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Wanganui Wellington , .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Hawke's Bay , .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 Marlborough Nelson , .. .. .. .. .. 125 0 0 Grey Westland „ .. .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 North Canterbury „ .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 South Canterbury „ .. .. .. .. .. 125 0 0 Otago , .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Southland , .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 1,325 0 0 Grants in aid of classes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 116 15 5 Railway fares of teachers attending training-classes .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,094 16 6 instructors of „ .. .. .. .. .. .. 123 11 8 students attending registered classes .. .. .. .. .. .. 186 2 6 Scholarships .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 145 16 0 Expenses in connection with Examinations— Science and Art, Board of Eduoation, South Kensington .. .. .. 139 3 9 City and Guilds of London Institute .. .. .. .. .. 85 0 2 224 3 11 Students' works .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 14. 8 Books, publications, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 18 9 Advertising .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 14 11 Sundries .. .. .. •• .. .. •• .. ■• .. .. 23 5 6 Inspectors — Salaries .. .. .. .. .-. .. .. .. 700 0 0 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 211 16 7 911 16 7 15,519 8 10 Less recoveries (examination fees : South Kensington, £44 ss. ; City and Guilds, £16 7s. 6d.) .. 60 12 6 Total- .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £15,458 16 4

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ibjects of Instructs in ea< on ai sh Si id N bjei [u£ Ct. Lbei of lias: ies Paymer 31st Dece: its up to nbor, 1902. u o e= ■a a a W >> a a a CD 3 * *g ""■ DC .3 a S SflS p 1 a CD w 0D . < >•■ U 2 2 P g H 2 '? CO a CD a "3 S3 3 CD 3 Controlling Authority. w ■-* '§ 7, R { ,a S 8 a 00 0 S h . 2 a.2'S S £" 3 ep CD P >» r, a a a © tab a a 00 © P .si o ■a o o CO 3 CD o tub I fl © © I o o ■a 9 a oc a . f| fa Capitation. Grants for Buildings, Furniture, and Apparatus. I -3a E= 8 fa H 5 g » R HO S>1 u © O o 6 'co l» fl 0, * s. d. 12 7 6 7 15 0 Education Board, Auckland .. 34 1 .. Education Board, Taranaki .. 18 3 .. Board of Governors, High School, New Plymouth Education Board, Wanganui .. 1 Education Board, Wellington .. .. 73 .. 17 24 Board of Governors, Wellington College and Girls' High School — Girls' High School .. .. .. 1 .. 1 .. Education Board, Hawke's Bay .. ..33 3 11 .. Education Board, Nelson .. 14 ..9 Board of Governors, Nelson College— Girls' College, Nelson .. 2 Education Board, Westland .. 17 Education Board, North Canterbury .. 72 .. 113 Board of Governors, Canterbury College— Boys' High School, Christchurch Girls'High School, Christchurch .... 1 12 Board of Governors, Ashburton High School Education Board, South Canterbury .. 29 4 .. .. Board of Governors, Timaru High Schools — Boys' High School .. .. Girls' High School .. .. 1 Eduoation Board, Otago .. .. 27 .. .. 10 Education Board, Southland .. ..55 Board of Governors, Southland High Schools 1 1 1 46 s. d. 3 17 6 29 14 4 34 18 1 3 1 1 1 3 X 1 24 1 1 8 15 0 795 12 4 172 4 7 7;! 17 i I 11 1 33 14 3 1 11 '9 i i i 3 5 12 14 0 177 18 7 16 17 0 85 11 11 117 5 9 2 11 16 6 17 72 1 13 3 18 284 13 0 221 14 1 1 4 "l 6 15 0 17 8 4 8 10 0 3 8 7 i *2 2 i 1 29 4 35 0 6 1 1 22 10 0 270 3 9 96 18 0 1 15 0 115 4 9 199 17 1 27 55 i 10 i 1 1 1 i 'a 1 1 9 i 3 1 2 5 Totals .. .. .. 373 8 35 63 373 8 35 63 9 14 3 6 2 14 37 1,725 9 1 1,010 19 0 * Modelling, brush drawing, paper, carton, and cardboard 'ork, stick aid brie skla; dnj f, cane-weaving, &i

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The following table shows the results of examinations conducted in the colony on behalf of the Board of Education, South Kensington, and of the City and Guilds of London Institute : —

Art, Science, and Technological Examinations, 1902.

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[" C " represents cane ;es; passes. Auckland. Wanganui. Wellington. Masterton. Pahi iatua. Napier. Christchurch. Timaru. Dunedin. Invercargill. Subjects of Examination. C. P. C. P. C. P. c ! p. I c. P. C. P. C. P. c. : P. c. p. C. P. Board of Education, S. Kensington. ArtDrawing on the blackboard Geometrical drawing (art) Perspective Model-drawing Freehand drawing in outline Drawing in light and shade Principles of ornament Design Modelling design Memory drawing of plant-form .. Painting from still life Painting ornament Drawing from the antique Anatomy Drawing from life Modelling the head from life Students' works Science — Practical plane and solid geometry Machine construction and drawing Building construction .. Mathematics Applied mechanics Steam Magnetism and eleotrioity Agricultural science Theoretical inorganic chemistry.. 5 1 5 7 15 10 5 3 7 14 5 3 4 7 1 i i 3 4 7 1 i i 2 2 4 1 1 3 2 2 3 1 1 2 5 i l i '2 *2 1 1 2 4 1 3 1 2 i i 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 i i 2 3 1 10 9 3 1 2 2 3 6 6 1 2 4 '3 °i 3 '2 4 8 9 10 7 3 3 i 4 3 5 9 10 7 1 3 i 3 2 2 1 i l i 3 i l 'i i *2 2 ii 10 2 '2 ii k* '2 2 13 'of 20 1 1 6 1 3 1 3 14 13 1 10 9 3 10 7 3 6 5 1 7 l 5 9 6 i h 3 *3 3 9 2 7 2 3 3 i i i City and Guilds of London Institute. Woodwork, first year Woodwork, final Carpentry and joinery (ordinary) .. Mechanical engineering Plumbers' work (preliminary) (ordinary) , „ (honours) Painters and decorators' work 3as-manufacture Electric light and power (preliminary) Electric light and power Electric light and power, wiremen's work Felegraphy and telephony Cookery.. .. .. 3 3 i 2 5 5 4 5 7 1 1 3 5 i 2 io 2 3 *8 2 2 18 2 13 1 i i 2 10 9 2 2 10 6 I } " i 1 1 i - 1 1 4 20 3 18 Totals 87 55 25 97 66 7 1 2 2 22 16 80 59 9 5 [111 85 33 22 23 'otal ( .fpi irlb; ipers, 473 ; ' Wellingto: tOt! ,1 of; tassi IS, 33' :. * A bronze medal and a book pri: :e als< 0 gain< Still lents. ii pri: also gain< id by Du: tedin studi int. ;e wei ;e was

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No. 2. Ebpobt of the Inspector-General of Schools. Eight Hon. the Minister of Education. The special reports of the Inspectors of Technical Instruction deal with the principal aspects of the work of manual and technical instruction in the colony during the past year, and little remains for me to do except to emphasize one or two of the points mentioned by them. There are people who manifest disappointment because the passing of the Manual and Technical Instruction Act of 1900 has not been followed within the space of one or two years by the complete establishment of a fully developed system of technical instruction in every part of the colony. It would have been an extremely unnatural feature of the movement had there been such a sudden and rapid growth as to satisfy such expectations. In the first place, a small army of qualified instructors would have had to spring up from somewhere or other ; secondly, the minds of those whom it was sought to instruct would have had to be ready almost in a moment to receive the instruction. Besides, the inevitable result of attempting to force the movement in districts not prepared for it would have been a lamentable waste of public money. It has been estimated that, by reason of zeal untempered by knowledge, at least half the money devoted by County Councils in England during the last ten years to technical education has been expended in a useless manner. It would, however, be altogether a fallacy to suppose that there does not exist in several parts of the colony at the present time a substantial amount of provision for what is in the truest sense technical education, and in one or two cases technical education of a high order. I need only quote the Canterbury College School of Engineering and the Otago School of Mines as two instances. The number of classes under the Act has increased in two years (from August, 1901, to August, 1903) from 425 to over 1800. It is by no means an unhealthy sign that the greatest increase has been in the number of school classes, especially in the number of classes doing handwork in classes P. to S2. If the foundation be well laid, the rest of the structure will be sound. The number of technical classes, properly so called, has also increased, although not in so rapid a ratio as the number of school classes ; and there is an equally marked advance in the character of the work that is being done in these classes. Two or three years ago comparatively few of the technical classes so called were doing work that was strictly technical; now, although most of the work is still elementary in character, it deserves more and more the name of " technical education." Another hopeful sign is the large number of teachers who during the last two or three years have received training in subjects of manual instruction. The result is that, now that the new syllabus gives opportunity and encouragement for the introduction of manual instruction of various kinds into all the classes of our primary schools, and other regulations encourage its introduction into secondary schools, there exists a considerable body of teachers able to impart such instruction with knowledge and intelligence. The number of continuation classes is still much smaller than it ought to be : technical education to be sound must have for its basis a reasonable standard of general education, and the way would be prepared for a larger and fuller measure of technical education in the near future if in connection with all our schools, primary and secondary, there were established continuation classes giving to those who have left the day schools the opportunity of continuing their general education at evening classes, and of beginning at the same time the technical education suited to the trade or profession in which they are engaged during the day. It is with the local authorities that the initiative must rest. There is no reason why every school except the very smallest should not have its continuation classes. I would earnestly impress upon the Committees and teachers of country schools the immense benefit they would confer upon the youth in their respective districts by establishing without delay classes in such subjects as English, arithmetic and elementary mensuration, and book-keeping, adding thereto elementary agriculture taken in a practical way so as to give their pupils some idea of the nature of plant-life and of plant-growth, and of the structure and lifehistory of the animals useful or otherwise to the farmer. In mining districts elementary practical geology, mechanics, and surveying might be substituted for agriculture; and in most cases some drawing should be added, especially drawing to scale of a more advanced character than that done in the classes of the primary schools. No expensive apparatus would be required ; grants are available to meet the cost of the necessary outfit for such instruction, and the capitation payable under the Act would be sufficient not only to meet the expenditure upon the maintenance of the classes, but, if a small fee were charged, sufficient to provide very fair remuneration for the instructor. If, indeed, courses were established complying with the very moderate requirements of the regulations for junior and senior technical scholarships, sufficient funds would be provided for all these purposes without charging any fees at all. It appears to be in some quarters the fashion to sit down and rail at the central Department because it does not establish classes for agricultural instruction in various parts of the country. Now, it is not the function of the Department to establish such classes, and the Act does not even give it the power to do so. I am not sure, indeed, that if it had been otherwise—that is, if the Act had removed the power of initiative and control from the local authorities and had conferred it upon a central authority—anything whatever would have been gained; and I am quite sure that much of the benefit that follows from spontaneous growth and from healthy local control would be lost. If local authorities—by which I mean not only School Committees and Education Boards, but also agricultural and pastoral associations, County Councils, and Eoad Boards (which are all recognised under the Act) —would realise the immense benefits that would result from the general establishment of continuation classes and elementary agricultural, technical, or commercial classes in their respective districts, and would set to work in real earnest to establish such classes where they do not exist, they would find the first steps very much easier than they anticipated, and, although it does not follow that success would be assured everywhere, failure (which would

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probably be temporary only) would be more honourable than the present inaction. One of the most useful things, for instance, that an agricultural association could do in conjunction, say, with an Education Board would be to establish in its district classes conducted by a well-qualified agricultural instructor for training young farmers and teachers in the elements of some branch or branches of agriculture suited to the district. The Department would do what it has always done when requested in such cases, send one of its Inspectors to explain what initial steps should be taken, and generally to advise the local authorities as to the work of the classes. Similarly, in mining districts or in towns, good work might be done by local authorities or societies in encouraging the formation of classes. I would mention one or two facts that should not be forgotten : First, that it is not necessary to set up elaborate institutions, to start an agricultural college or a fully equipped dairy school in every country district, or an engineering college in every town, even if the colony could afford it; secondly, that if it were necessary probably the colony could not afford it, as, owing to the geographical configuration of New Zealand, such a policy would probably be three or four times as expensive in New Zealand as in any other country; and, thirdly, that the work done in this direction should be adapted to the special wants of the district, to its staple industries or pursuits. (That the warning just given is not altogether unnecessary is shown by the fact that in several instances small country towns right in the heart of rich dairying or agricultural districts have sought to establish not a single class in subjects bearing on country pursuits, but in lieu thereof classes in shorthand, typewriting, and commercial correspondence, which is almost as reasonable as for an intending traveller to Persia to study Chinese.) A fourth point on which I would lay emphasis is that the technical schools, new and old alike, should endeavour, as some of them are already doing, to arrange their classes in such a way as to make it possible for students to take up more or less complete courses bearing on the trades or pursuits in which they are engaged or which they intend to follow. Direct encouragement should be given to take up these complete courses; in time, perhaps, the unions of employers and workmen may see their way to give distinct advantages to apprentices that do this, and to ask for the recognition of such a principle, if necessary, by legal enactment or by decision of the Arbitration Courts. Of the various suggestions made in the reports of the Inspectors, two, I think, could be carried out almost at once at small cost and great advantage—namely, that as to the holding of local examinations in certain technical subjects on the lines of the examinations of the English Board of Education and the City and Guilds of London Institute, and the suggestion as to the institution of a national competition of art and technical work. The prospect of an early fulfilment of the proposals for the more complete equipment of the two existing training colleges and for the establishment of two others (at Auckland and Wellington) raises a hope that the primary and secondary teachers of the colony will be more fully equipped not only for giving better manual instruction, but for carrying out the fundamental ideas that underlie manual instruction and the new methods in all other subjects alike. 20th November, 1903. G. Hogben.

REPORT OF INSPECTORS OF TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. We have the honour to make the following report on the state and progress of manual and technical instruction in the colony during the year ending the 31st December, 1902 : — A. Manual Instruction. There continues to be a steady increase in the number of schools in which handwork is taught in accordance with the regulations under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act. Of the more elementary forms of handwork, modelling in plasticine, brush drawing, and paper-work are the subjects most generally taken up. In most of the schools the work has been confined almost entirely to the preparatory classes and classes for Standards I. and 11., though there are not wanting cases where it has been found possible to provide for some instruction in handwork throughout the school. The reasons why this most desirable state of things has not as yet become more general would appear to be— 1. The absence in the past of any provision for the thorough training of teachers in handwork. Many teachers have, it is true, endeavoured to supply this want by studying the various text-books and manuals that deal with handwork, with, it is to be feared, in some cases, not the mosfr satisfactory results. The Government, realising that before really sound work could be accomplished in the schools the teachers must first be given an opportunity of familiarising themselves with the various forms of handwork, has made grants to Education Boards for the maintenance of teachers' training classes ; these grants, which were first made in 1901, were renewed this year, and will be again available next year. Most of the Boards have established such classes, which have been generally well attended by teachers, many of whom have had to travel considerable distances. In addition to these classes, which are usually held on Saturdays, summer schools on similar lines have been successfully organized by the Auckland, Wanganui, and Otago Boards, whose example will probably be followed by other Boards next year. While the establishment of these training classes has resulted, as was to be expected, in a considerable increase in the number of classes recognised under the Act, yet in one or two districts the teachers appear to be somewhat slow in applying in their schools the knowledge they have acquired at the classes ; this may, however, be due to the

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fact that a more general introduction of handwork into schools is being postponed until the issue of a more elastic syllabus renders the teaching of handwork throughout the school course a simpler matter than at present it appears to be, also to the fact that it is in some districts considered desirable to have the teachers as thoroughly trained as circumstances will permit before requiring them to take up definite courses of work in their schools. 2. The disinclination on the part of not a few teachers to add what they consider new subjects to what they are already required to teach. As a matter of fact, handwork is not to be regarded strictly as a new subject; it is, when treated as it should be, a valuable aid to the teaching of other subjects of the school course; it may even be described, at all events as far as some of its branches are concerned, as a special method of teaching other subjects. Teachers who have realised this —and we are glad to be able to say there are many who have—know that the general work of the school suffers in no way by the introduction of handwork, that the instruction reacts favourably on the other work, and that it gives children an opportunity of gaining at least some knowledge at first hand. 3. The absence from the infant departments of many schools of suitable furniture and appliances for the teaching of handwork, and the difficulty in many cases of obtaining the necessary apparatus and material. These have no doubt hindered to some extent the progress of the work, but there are indications that, in some districts at any rate, the question of providing suitable desks will receive attention at the hands of the Boards ; and the fact that some of the Boards have seen their way to place the supply of apparatus and material to schools on a workable footing seems to show that the difficulty referred to is not insurmountable. There is no doubt, from what is already being done in that direction, that the Government grants for apparatus and the capitation earned by the classes would be used most economically if the Boards themselves supplied direct to the schools what was necessary. In addition to the more elementary forms of handwork, cookery, woodwork, and, to a less extent, cottage gardening, ambulance-work, and swimming, are being taught to an increasing number of the pupils in the upper standards of the schools. In Wellington cookery, and in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill cookery and woodwork, are being successfully taught on the " central " system, while similar arrangements are being made by the Auckland Board in connection with the city and suburban schools. Many of the teachers in the North Canterbury, Otago, and Southland Districts are attending special training classes, with the object of obtaining the certificates of the City and Guilds of London Institute for cookery and woodwork. At the examination of the Institute held in the colonj , this year, eighteen out of twenty teachers who presented themselves for examination passed in cookery, while nineteen out of twenty-eight teachers passed in woodwork. As far as these two subjects are concerned, therefore, one of the hindrances to the introduction of handwork into the upper standards —namely, the scarcity of competent instructors —may be said to be gradually disappearing. There is an increasing desire on the part of teachers possessing the necessary knowledge and the facilities for applying that knowledge to introduce cottage gardening into their school course ; especially in this so in the Otago District. Next year we expect to see quite a number of teachers in that district conducting classes for cottage gardening under the Act. Where circumstances permit this subject should be largely taken up by teachers of country schools, especially if agriculture is one of the subjects of the school course. A cottage garden conducted on proper lines—as, for example, are the gardens in connection with the Boscombe British School—may be said to stand in the same relation to the class for agriculture as the laboratory does to a science class. Up to the present, a few only of the secondary schools have seen their way to take advantage of the provisions of the Act. The subjects of instruction most commonly taken up are advanced drawing, physios, chemistry, cookery, woodwork, and dressmaking. During the year over 360 school classes were recognised under the Act. The number of classes in the several districts and the subjects of instruction taken up are given in Table XI. attached to the report. B. Technical Instbuction. The special reports received from the authorities of the various technical and art schools, and included in this report, set forth fully what has been accomplished in the way of technical instruction during the year. There are now fourteen technical and art schools in the colony, some of which may be said to be fairly well equipped with suitable furniture, apparatus, and appliances. In a few instances the buildings in which the classes are held are not altogether suitable for the purpose, the available accommodation being in some cases of a temporary or makeshift character, and. not always in the same building. In spite of these drawbacks, the removal of which is, it is to be hoped, only a question of time, much good work has been done, and though here and there there is room for considerable improvement in the character and quality of work, yet when the many circumstances militating against the efforts, local and otherwise, that are being increasingly made to place technical instruction on a sound footing are taken into account, it may safely be said that evidence is not wanting that the work done in the technical schools is distinctly in advance of that of previous years. One of the difficulties we have always with us is the scarcity of competent and trained instructors—of men who are thoroughly acquainted with the principles that underlie the practice, of men who not only " know how," but also " know why." Our hope in this direction lies in the larger and longer-established schools, to which we may fairly look, as time goes on, for instructors of the type indicated above. The class is, other things being equal, what its instructor makes it, and we would like to emphasize this fact: that, while an up-to-date school equipped on the best modern lines is a very desirable acquisition, such a school is practically useless unless it can obtain thoroughly competent instructors.

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During the year over three hundred technical and continuation classes, with an average attendance of about 4,500 students, were conducted in connection with the technical and art schools. In addition to these classes, there were also held in various towns in the colony, in buildings more or less suitable for the purpose, over ninety technical and continuation classes, with an average attendance of about 1,600 students, making a total of some 390 classes. The number last year was 360. The number of classes in operation and the average attendance at each are given in Table X. attached to the report. During the year many of the schools have been enabled, with the help of Government grants, to considerably improve their position in the matter of accommodation and equipment. New buildings for technical purposes are also being, or are about to be, erected in several towns where hitherto the provision for technical instruction has been either of a temporary character or altogether absent. The appointment by the Auckland Education Board of a Director for Technical Education opens a new chapter in the history of the Auckland Technical School. Arrangements are in progress to considerably extend the work of the school, and Government grants have been made for the necessary buildings and equipment. A feature of the work will be the establishment of training classes for teachers on subjects of manual and technical instruction, with special reference to cookery and woodwork. The Wanganui Education Board is also making provision for a considerable extension of technical work in its district. The chief feature of the proposed arrangements is the establishment of technical classes in close relation with the larger district high schools. Such classes will, it is expected, soon be in operation in Wanganui, Palmerston North, and Havvera. There are also indications that before long a technical school providing for, among other tilings, instruction in dairywork will be established at Stratford. As this will be the first school of the kind to be established under the Act, its progress will be watched with considerable interest. The classes of the Invercargill Technical School, which have for some time past been held in rooms in the Board's offices, in the high school, and in private rooms in the town, will before long be similarly accommodated ; the Board is now erecting a technical school which when completed should do much to further the work of technical instruction in Invercargill. Important changes have recently taken place in the constitution of two of the older-established schools. The classes at the Wellington Technical School will henceforth be styled associated classes, as arrangements are being made to place them in charge of a Board of Managers representing the Education Board, the City Council, and the Industrial Association, with the Education Board as controlling authority, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The classes of the Dunedin Technical School, heretofore under the control of a Board of Managers representing the Dunedin Technical Classes Association, a body that came into existence fourteen years ago, and to whose efforts the present condition of the school is mainly due, has now been placed on the same footing as the Wellington school, the classes being in charge of a Board of Managers representing the Otago Education Board, the City Council, and the original association, with the Education Board as controlling authority. Associated classes have also been established recently at Lyttelton, ■ Kangiora, and Waimate, while arrangements are being made to establish similar classes in Christchurch and Temaka. It is the intention of the promoters of the proposed Christchurch associated classes to provide for instruction in such subjects as are not already well provided for by the courses of instruction at the Schools of Art and Engineering in connection with Canterbury College, and at the School of Domestic Instruction. It may fairly be predicted that when these classes are established Christchurch will, from the point of view of technical education, occupy a position second to none in the colony. There is no doubt that one of the chief factors in the successful establishment and maintenance of technical classes lies in the interest taken in them by local authorities; and it is to be hoped that the establishment of classes under the section of the Act relating to associated classes will become more general as time goes on. The art classes of the colony continue to do, on the whole, good work. There are evidences that in the near future instruction in the various branches of applied art will be made a prominent feature of the work in the larger centres. This is to be regarded as a step in the right direction. The establishment of classes for instruction in applied art will provide opportunities for art students to usefully apply the principles they have learned in the art classes proper. It is, indeed, open to question whether it is desirable to encourage the study of pure art alone in any of our schools, except where students show marked ability. Of the other subjects of instruction, plumbing seems to call for special mention. There has been a considerable increase in the number of recognised classes for this subject. Plumbers in many parts of the colony are now required under the by-laws of the local authorities to be able to produce certificates of competency before they can obtain licenses to do sanitary work ; hence the demand for classes providing for the necessary instruction. Many of these classes are technical classes in the true sense of the term —that is to say, the courses of work include instruction in principles as well as in practice ; others, again, partake more of the nature of trade classes, where the sole aim of the instructor, who is usually an expert craftsman, is to teach his pupils how to perform certain more or less difficult operations without reference, as a general rule, to the principles that underlie them. What has been said in reference to plumbing classes applies equally well to classes for carpentry and joinery. The causes are not far to seek. Instructors possessing the necessary qualifications are by no means easy to obtain, while many of those who attend the classes fail to realise that it is just as important to know why such-and-such a thing is done as to know how it is done. Art, science, and technological examinations were, as usual, conducted by the Department on behalf of the Board of Education, South Kensington, and the City and Guilds of London Institute. The results, which are given in a special table attached to this report, may be summarised as

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follows :Of 196 candidates who sat for the art examinations, 151 passed; 42 students' work in connection with art certificates were sent Home for examination, of which 24 were accepted by the examiners. At the science examinations 74 of the 118 candidates who presented themselves were successful; 117 candidates sat for the examinations of the Institute, and 85 passed. The chief drawback to these examinations is the time that elapses between the holding of the examinations and the arrival in the colony of the results. For this, among other reasons, the question arises as to whether it is not desirable to consider the advisability of instituting colonial examinations in such subjects as drawing in outline and in light and shade, painting from still life, elementary design, elementary machine and building construction, woodwork, and. cookery : to these, in view of the growing importance of the subject, might be added plumbing, the examination in this case to be conducted by the Department in conjunction with local authorities. The institution of colonial examinations would, it is considered, do much to stimulate local effort, and in this connection it is suggested that the holding from time to time in the various centres of the colony of an exhibition of the bond fide work of the students of the technical schools and classes would do much to further the cause of technical education by arousing public interest in the work, and by creating what is always a stimulus to further effort—namely, a healthy rivalry between competing schools. M. H. Browne, E. C. Isaac, Inspectors of Technical Schools.

MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE SEVERAL EDUCATION DISTRICTS.

AUCKLAND. EXTRACT FROM REPORT OP THE EDUCATION BOARD. Technical Instruction. —Some progress has been made during the year in the formation of school classes. The number of such classes recognised by the Department at the end of 1902 was twelve. Now that the somewhat intricate regulations are being better understood, there seems a growing desire on the part of teachers to obtain for the scholars under their charge the benefits of technical instruction. The Auckland Technical School has been carried on with a reduced number of students, no effort having been made to extend its operations until the appointment of a Director. Seventythree applications for the position of Director were received in answer to advertisements published in England, Australia, and New Zealand. The Board was assisted in the selection by Mr. George Hogben, Secretary for Education, and by Dr. William Garnett, Secretary to the Technical Education Board of the London County Council. The result was the appointment of Mr. George George, P.1.C., F.C.S., Associate of the Merchant Venturers' Technical College, Bristol, and headmaster of the Sutherland Technical Institute and of the Longton High School, Staffordshire, England. Mr. George arrived in Auckland in October last; and he has since been engaged chiefly in making necessary preparations for enlarging the scope of work in the Technical School, organizing school classes in woodwork and cookery, and otherwise promoting the extension of technical education in this district. The Government have responded promptly to the applications made, on his recommendation, for grants for buildings and apparatus ; and there is reason to hope that his efforts will be followed by a large increase in the number of students. The question of providing means of practical instruction in agriculture is under consideration. A summer school for teachers was held during the Christmas holidays, and was attended by 280 teachers from town and country schools. The experiment thus made gives promise of a more successful institution in future years. Extract fkom Report op the Inspectors of Schools. Handwork—usually cane-weaving and modelling in plasticine—has been taken up with considerable success in a number of the smaller schools. Now that payments in aid of materials are to be made for an hour's instruction a week I expect an extensive development of this work. Curiously enough, when I asked the Minister to sanction this concession a year ago the request was refused. The Department is to be congratulated on taking a wiser view of the question. History is the subject that is omitted where handwork is taken up. Report op the Director of Technical Education. Having only arrived in Auckland in the middle of October last, my report must of necessity be short. THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. For several years past it has been the complaint in England that in a large number of cases the students who enter the technical schools are unable to take full advantage of the opportunities there offered them, owing to their lack of knowledge of the ordinary subjects of the primaryschool curriculum. In order, therefore, to obtain information regarding the education provided in the public schools of Auckland, during the first few weeks after my arrival I spent some time in visiting various city and suburban schools. As a result I found — (1.) That very little work was being done in hand and eye training. (2.) That there was no provision whatever for the teaching of cookery and of woodwork to girls and boys respectively of the higher standards. (3.) That all science teaching was confined to demonstration lessons by the teacher.

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The causes of hand and eye work not having been taken up appeared to be due, in most cases— (a) to the teachers not having had an opportunity of receiving any training in the work themselves ; (b) to the difficulty of obtaining material ; (c) to the great amount of formality that had to be gone through with the Department before the classes could be recognised. Eegarding the teaching of cookery and woodwork, I found that a recommendation had been made by the Chief Inspector that centres should be provided at Newmarket and Newton Bast or Howe Street where these subjects could be taught. The Board, however, decided that no steps should be taken in this direction until the advice of the Director of Technical Education (who was about to be appointed) had been obtained. After carefully going into the matter, I made the following suggestion to the Board :— (1.) That centres for the teaching of cookery and woodwork should be provided at Richmond Road, Canada Street (Newton Bast), and Newmarket, at which the girls and boys of Standards V., VI., and VII. of the city and most of the suburban schools could attend. (2.) That three trained cookery mistresses and three trained male teachers of woodwork should be engaged from England, in order that the work should be started on the most modern lines. These recommendations were adopted by the Board, plans and estimates were prepared, and the Department was asked to grant a sum of £2,528 for the building and equipment of the three centres. The sum granted, however, was only £2,292, and I venture to point out that the decision arrived at by the Department in this matter was neither fair nor critical. The three centres, it is hoped, will be ready for work to be commenced in them at the beginning of July, and the six instructors are expected, to arrive in New Zealand at the end of June. That the introduction of these subjects—cookery and woodwork —into the primary-school curriculum will have a very beneficial effect upon the rising generation of Auckland there can be no doubt, as both are subjects which have a utilitarian as well as an educational value. THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL. On my arrival I found that classes in plumbing, carpentry and joinery, graining and marbling, freehand and model drawing, architectural drawing, machine-drawing, and mathematics were being conducted in a building (formerly a cabinetmaking factory) which left much to be desired in the matter of lighting, ventilation, equipment, and cleaning. The classes in plumbing, carpentry, and graining were entirely practical, the instruction given (which certainly appeared to be very good as far as it went) was such as should have been obtained by the students in their own trade workshops. Technical education embraces not only " the know how," but " the know why "as well. " The know how " was certainly in evidence, but " the know why " seemed to have been entirely lost sight of. As a result of my investigations I made the following recommendations to the Board : — (1.) Obtain lease of present building in Rutland Street for two years, with option at the expiration of that time of renewing lease for another year. (2.) Obtain permission from City Council to erect a lean-to corrugated-iron building at the back of present building in Rutland Street, the added portion to be taken down as soon as building ceases to be used as a technical school. (3.) Clean down, decorate, and make structural alterations in Rutland Street building. (4.) Obtain, if possible, use of two rooms in Wellesley Street School for use of additional technical classes. (5.) Equip the various class-rooms and workshops with modern furniture and fittings which could be used for a permanent technical school when built. These recommendations were adopted, and a sum of £896 16s. was granted by the Education Department towards the carrying-out of the various alterations, &c, whilst the granting of a further sum of £810 14s. Bd. is still under consideration by the Department. It is proposed to commence work on the 23rd March, when the following subjects will be taught: Commercial arithmetic; commercial geography; English composition, including commercial correspondence and precis-writing ; shorthand ; typewriting; book-keeping ; French ; cookery; dressmaking; practical mathematics ; theoretical and practical magnetism and electricity; machine construction and drawing; steam; applied mechanics; practical geometry; building construction and drawing; wood-carving; carpentry and joinery; cabinetmaking; plumbing; painting and decorating ; chemistry and physics for plumbers ; freehand, model, and geometrical drawing for carpenters, cabinetmakers, painters, plumbers, &c; and experimental science for teachers. Courses of study at the Technical School, extending over a period of four years, have been drawn up in connection with some of the most important trades — e.g., plumbing, cabinetmaking, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering ; and an effort is being made to get the masters to give practical encouragement to their apprentices to take up such course as relates to their trade. These courses have been arranged so as to enable a student to obtain a thorough knowledge of the principles as well as the practice of his trade. With the present buildings and equipment, in most cases, only the more elementary portions of the course can be taught, but it is hoped that by the time that students are prepared to take up the study of the more advanced work Auckland will have a fully equipped Technical School, of which it is so much in need. A four-years course in connection with commercial subjects has also been arranged in order to provide a training for clerks and others engaged in business. This scheme is approved of by the late Chairman of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce (Mr. J. H. Upton), and by the Director of Technical Instruction for Wellington (Mr. A. D. Riley), and is to be discussed at a conference of the Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand to be held at Auckland shortly.

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It is hoped that some such scheme will be adopted by the Chambers, with the idea of having a uniform system throughout the colony. In many towns in England the Chambers of Commerce have become affiliated with the local technical schools, and have agreed, other things being equal, to give preference to applicants for positions who hold certificates from the technical school. There is no reason, as far as I can see, why this should not be done here. CONCLUSION. One of the greatest difficulties here at present is the financial one. As a rule, the people of New Zealand do not realise the importance of technical education, nor the fact that it costs money. Another difficulty is in obtaining well-qualified teachers for subjects under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act. ; 'The man in the street" never seems to realise the difference, for instance, between a carpenter and a trained teacher of woodwork, and there arises a perfect howl of indignation when it is suggested that such a teacher should be imported from Home or elsewhere. George George, Director of Technical Education. Eepoet of the Director, " Elam " School of Art. The following report relates to the work done during the year 1902 at the " Elam " School of Art:— I am pleased to say that the night classes which were started at the beginning of 1902 have been very successful, and have been so largely taken advantage of that the attendance of the school has been more than double that of the previous year. With a few exceptions the students have been regular and attentive, and have shown a pleasing desire to take advantage of the teaching. lam also glad to say that a considerable number of teachers have taken advantage of the night classes, those in town attending on several nights .during the week, and several of the country teachers who have been in the habit of attending on Saturdays now are able to attend on Friday evenings also. I regret, however, to say that the teachers as a body are among the most irregular attendants at.the school. The school has often to be worked as a disadvantage at night owing to insufficient room, and the number of students could, I think, be easily doubled if more suitable rooms were available. I regret to say that the wood-carving classes have had to be given up owing to the objections of the insurance companies, who seem to be under the impression that they are a source of danger to the building. I am pleased to see that examinations in blackboard drawing are now held in the colony, and I have taken advantage of the fact to encourage drawing on blackboards as much as possible, as not only does it tend to make a bolder style in all drawing, but to teachers it is absolutely necessary, and a branch which my experience compels me to say has been almost neglected in the past. The general classes have worked smoothly and well, although the necessity for so much individual teaching is a constant drawback. With the increase in the number of students it is becoming more possible to make use of class teaching, but to a large extent, owing to the class of students, a large amount of individual teaching will always be necessary. The total number of attendances registered during 1902 was 32,799. In the examinations of the Board of Education, London, 43 candidates presented themselves, and 34 passes were obtained, as follows : Blackboard drawing —5 candidates, all passed. Freehand drawing—ls candidates, 14 passed. Perspective—s candidates, 3 passed. Light and shade—lo candidates, 5 passed. Model-drawing—7 candidates, all passed. Of 11 works for art-class teachers' certificates sent to the Board of Education, London, for examination, 10 were accepted.

TAKANAKI. Extract from Eeport of the Education Board. Teachers' Classes. —During the year teachers' classes —first established in 1901 —have been considerably developed, classes being held in New Plymouth for mat-weaving, modelling, paperfolding, brushwork, and first aid, and at Stratford for modelling, paper-folding, and brushwork. It is gratifying to find the teachers very generally avail themselves of these means of improvement. Some effort should, however, be made to assist teachers who cannot avail themselves of the railway to reach the centres in which classes are held. Technical School. —Efforts have been continued throughout the year to establish a Technical School, with branches at New Plymouth and Stratford. The approval of the Minister of Education has been obtained of the plans of the building proposed to be erected at Stratford, and it is hoped the building will soon be erected and classes established there. At New Plymouth the question of site is still under consideration, and it is hoped that any difficulty existing will soon be got over, and classes established at an early date. Extract from Eepobt of the Inspector of Schools. Handwork is being undertaken in an increasing number of schools, and in many cases the progress made has been surprisingly good. In order that the difficulties inseparable from starting new work might be minimised, brush drawing was allowed to displace the whole of the drawing previously taken ; but, as in a great measure these initial difficulties have been overcome, it is desirable to point out that geometry and scale drawing should not be omitted, but might well be taught together in Standard V. and less brush drawing taken in consequence. As scale drawing is, however, required in connection with some manual subjects, where these are undertaken such special attention as I have mentioned need not be given to it. Paper-folding, bricklaying, modelling, and so on, have also been undertaken, though the difficulty in obtaining material has

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considerably impeded steady progress. I much prefer coloured bricks for bricklaying, and the coloured paper used at Home for paper-folding. Colour gives increased interest in the work, and increased interest causes an increased desire to produce the best possible work. Whatever one is interested in is done to the best of one's ability, and even in the case of adults hobbies for this very reason are prosecuted " for the joy of the working," and represent one's best efforts. Colour in the case of young children acts as a powerful means to an end, and should not lightly be disregarded. When brush drawing is undertaken I should like to see free-arm drawing undertaken also, as they are of mutual assistance, and produce better all-round training than either alone. The introduction of handwork has, particularly in the lower classes, produced a marked beneficial effect on the development of the intelligence of the pupils. On the other hand, notwithstanding all that has been said about manual work, hand and eye training, and so on, it must be admitted that there still exists a great deal of misconception as to the educational aims and value of manual work in schools. Those who have given little thought to it are very ready in condemning it as a waste of time, though they may admit that woodwork "is not so bad" because it enables one to do odd jobs about a house, and that first aid also " may come in handy." But while some kinds of manual work may be of practical utility to some people after they leave school, the importance of all manual work is educational, training the eye to accurate observation, the hand to accurate manipulation, and consequently training the brain which governs both. And surely very little consideration must impel one to admit that a pupil who during his school course has had his faculties so trained will become a better man, and a more useful being on the veldt, on the farm, in the office, or in the workshop, even if after he leaves school he may never drive a nail, handle a saw, or see a piece of plasticine. But teachers also fail to look upon manual work in the proper light. They often look upon paper-folding, modelling, and so on, as new subjects instead of methods of teaching other subjects, and they are, moreover, inclined to look at the result of the work rather than to the training of eye, hand, and brain received in producing that result. In addition to their value as methods of teaching, manual subjects afford a valuable training, obtained in only a slight degree from the school subjects prescribed by the standard regulations. Drawing, either with the pencil or with the brush, is .very seldom utilised in object lessons, science, geography, matter of the reading lessons, and so on. Modelling is brought to bear in very small measure on the other subjects of the school course, and therefore one of the most valuable aids to instruction is not used to its fullest advantage. Handwork, including kindergarten work, must be looked upon as a means to an end, and not as the end itself; and when teachers fully realise this I have no doubt but that it will fall into its proper place in school training. Just as spelling is judged by general ability to spell as well as by the test from a specially prepared book, and as writing is judged by the general ability to write as well as by the work in the copy-books, so also must handwork be judged by its effect on the training in the general work as well as by the quality of the specially prepared exercises.

wanganui. Extract pbom Bepobt of the Education Board. Technical Schools. — The technical schools at Wanganui, Palmerston North, and Hawera continue to do good work. Pupil-teachers receive free instruction in drawing on Saturdays. Early in the year a sum of £360 was received as a grant for the erection of a science-room and an art-room as an addition to the Hawera District High School. Some months later the sum of £760 was promised for the erection and furnishing of the technical school at Palmerston North, for which, with the District High School, a suitable building is in course of erection. At the beginning of the year the classes which had formerly been held in connection with the Wanganui Technical School were resumed under the supervision of Mr. T. B. Strong, M.A., B.Sc, and in addition some new classes were started. The most successful of these was the book-keeping class. In connection with this a class in commercial law was formed for the benefit of those students who wished to present themselves for the examination held by the Institute of Accountants. Manual and Technical Instruction. —As yet but little has been done to take advantage of the facilities afforded by the Manual and Technical Instruction Acts for school classes. The only classes held were classes in swimming and first aid and home nursing (Wanganui Girls'), cookery (College Street District High School, Palmerston North), and brushwork and shading (Hawera District High School). The regulations under these Acts are of such a nature as to preclude the possibility of much being done except in the largest schools of the district. Summer School. —This report would be incomplete were mention not made of the summer school for teachers which was held during the latter part of the midsummer holidays—2oth January to 6th February. The success of the gathering, which was attended by some 250 teachers, including several from other districts, was undoubtedly due to Dr. Smyth's organization. Extract from Report of the Inspectors. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Quite a number of teachers, influenced by the summerschool classes, have during the year been giving attention to some of the subjects that come under this head. Brushwork has been found by many to be a very useful adjunct to drawing. The pupils take to it with great relish, and some of the work shown us was extremely creditable. In most of our larger infant-rooms one at least of the various forms of kindergarten work is now being taught. We do not recommend that these subjects be taken up generally until the long-promised new syllabus has come into operation; but in all schools where there is more than one teacher, although it may not be possible to earn the departmental grant, it is possible to devote some time to at least one subject in the lower classes of the school.

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Summer School. —The first summer school was held at Wanganili, in January, 1902. It was Very largely attended by teachers from all parts of the district. Dr. Smyth, M.A., late Chief Inspector, was the organizer, and to his efforts, combined with those of a strong committee of teachers, the success of the gathering was largely due. That the school bore abundant fruit is evident in a quickened interest in school-work generally, an insight gained into one or two forms of manual instruction, and a readiness on the part of teachers to experiment with new methods and break away from old and stereotyped lines of teaching. Wo have not yet determined upon our next summer school, but we hope, if possible, to arrange for a winter' gathering, when an opportunity will be given to teachers of becoming further acquainted with one or two manual subjects, and of discussing the best methods of dealing with others. Bepokt op the Dikectok of the Wanganui Technical School. The average attendance of students who attended the different classes of the school during the year was as follows : Day classes —drawing and painting, 1225 ; wood-carving, 7 : evening classes— drawing and shading from casts, 11 - 1; geometrical and perspective class, 196 ; machine-con-struction, 95; building-construction, 105; life class, 45 ; mensuration, 10; theoretical plumbing, 9; practical plumbing, 142; wood-carving, 1575; modelling, 2 - 25; wood-carving, country classes, 16-5. The evening classes, the students of which are mainly drawn from trade industries, have courses of instruction specially arranged to meet the requirements of the students. In addition to the elementary course of drawing, which all students are required to take, building-construction, theoretical plumbing, machine construction and designing, drawing and paincing from the human figure, advanced geometry, and handwriting have been taught. Although the attendance at these classes is much more satisfactory than formerly, there is still much to be desired in this respect. If the employers of labour realised the great benefit accruing to themselves by having a properly trained staff of assistants, with a cultivated taste in the various branches of their trades, and an ability to express that taste in their daily work, they would co-operate in securing the attendance of their apprentices at the various classes which are held in the school. Three firms of this town, seeing the benefit of these classes, have paid the fees of their apprentices and compelled them to attend. In one case these apprentices did not avail themselves of the chance to improve their knowledge. I think parents and guardians should interest themselves in their children's education, instead of allowing the whole of their spare time to be spent in sport or an aimless walking about the streets. The Evening Art Glass. —This class has remained the same as last year, both in attendance and in the class of work. At the end of the first quarter Miss Browne was appointed to the Hawera Technical School, and Mr. James Eichardson took charge of the classes. The subjects taught were chiefly drawing and painting from the cast and from groups of objects, drawing from the antique, and painting in monochrome. Good work was executed by the majority of the students. Drawing and Painting Class. —The class was held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, and was poorly attended. The work included still life, flowers from nature, outline from botanical specimens, combined with designs to fill given spaces. The students went out to study direct from nature once a week when weather permitted. The standard of work was much higher than that of previous years. Saturday Classes. —The pupil-teachers and teachers attended the school every Saturday from 9.30 to 1.30. The work they have been engaged in was freehand from the cast and from photographic representations of ornament, drawing from models and objects on paper and on the blackboard, geometrical drawing, perspective, drawing on the blackboard from memory, and ambidextrous drawing of such figures as the circle, loop, spiral, and ellipse, and the application of these figures to design. Teachers and pupil-teachers have been advised to sit for the examinations of the Board of Education, South Kensington, London, as well as for the local examinations, for the reason that local certificates will only be recognised locally, whereas the South Kensington certificates are recognised all over the world. Since a reduction was made in the fee charged a number of children attending the primary schools now attend the Saturday classes. Building-construction and Architectural Drawing. —This class has made considerable progress during the year. Lectures were delivered on the various departments of the construction of a building. The advanced class was engaged in the construction of domes and hand-railings, and in the designing of villas, &c. Mechanical Drawing and Machine - construction. — The average attendance at this class continues to keep up with that for last year. The result of the examination of this class showed that the students had a good knowledge of the mechanical parts of an engine. The elementary course included drawing mechanical details to a large scale from given formulae. The advanced class was engaged in designing boilers and engines, and in drawing engines and machines from actual measurements, &o. Plumbing Class. —This class was established during the year to meet the requirements of the Borough Council by-law which was framed last year, compelling every plumber practising to be certificated. The class has filled in a long-felt need of a course that would enable an apprentice to qualify for the examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute, or for those held at Wellington. One drawback in connection with this class is that many of the students have to travel long distances from town in the prosecution of their trade, and have therefore to absent themselves from the class. These interruptions in their course dishearten them in their class-work. The practical plumbing class, which was commenced at the beginning of the third quarter under the charge of Mr. James Christie, has done some good work. Several students showed marked improvement in the handling of the tools and material. The Borough Council very generously voted the sum of £10 towards the class. I sincerely trust that they will see their way to vote a similar sum this year.

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The Life Glass has kept up its average attendance. The work was of the same character as that of last year. Some good work was executed in colour considering that it had to be done in the evening by gaslight. Wood-carving and Modelling. —These classes have been held every Monday and Friday evening, on Tuesday afternoon from 2.30 to 4.30, and on Saturday from 11.30 to 1.30. Some very good work has been executed by the students in the Gothic and classical styles, and in the conventional treatment of plant-forms. In the modelling several highly creditable specimens of worß were produced, one of which (a study of a head) gained the silver medal at the Otago Art Society's annual exhibition. The prizes offered by the Wanganui Arts and Crafts Society for the best carved panel and for the best carved made-up piece of furniture were also won by students of these classes. During the first quarter classes were held at Marton, Patea, and Bltham, during the second and third at Palmerston North, and during the fourth quarter at Hawera and Bltham, all these classes proving highly successful both in the work done and in the number of students attending. Practical Plane and Solid Geometry, —A fair number of students have attended regularly the classes in this subject. Want of effort and want of appreciation of the great value of this subject on the part of the students are noticeable features in connection with the classes. It is a mistake for trade students to ignore the importance of this subject as a part of their training. Girls' College. —The subjects of instruction for Divisions I. and 11. were drawing in outline and in light and shade from casts, geometrical drawing, model-drawing, and brashwork; for Divisions 111. and IV., freehand drawing from blackboard copies and model-drawing from geometrical solids; and for Divisions V., freehand drawing from blackboard copies. The painting class was held as usual every Monday and Wednesday. The course of work during the year included painting in monochrome from the cast, painting from still life and from flowers. Three scholarships were awarded on the results of examinations in art subjects, machineconstruction, and building-construction. I should like to see a greater number of candidates outside the students attending the school competing for these scholarships. There were no scholarships awarded during the year in wood-carving. The Board has offered three new scholarships in the above subject, open to school-children attending the primary schools in Wanganui. Nominated Scholarships. —Two pupils of the Girls' and two of the Boys' District School were nominated by the committee appointed by order of the Supreme Court. The annual exhibition of students' work was open for five days, and was well patronised by the public, who seemed to take considerable interest in the work. Board of Education, South Kensington, London. —Two works were accepted from as many students towards the completion of the requirements for the art-class teacher's certificate. The results of the personal examination held in Wanganui under the above Board have not yet come to hand. The delay in this matter is a serious obstacle in connection with these examinations. The results of the local second-grade examinations were as follows : Freehand—passed 17, failed 4 ; model—passed 18, failed 3; blackboard drawing —passed 26, failed 6 ; geometrical drawing—passed 10, failed 3. I have to thank my staff for their hearty co-operation in the work of the past year. David E. Hutton, Art Master, Director.

WELLINGTON. Extract- from Report of the Inspectors op Schools. The lectures on paper-folding, brushwork, plasticine and cardboard modelling, held in the Technical School last year under the direction of Mr. Eiley were attended by a large number of teachers, who showed a great interest in the work. Some schools have already applied for recognition for work under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act in all classes, and others for work in classes up to and including Standard 11. There is no reason why the larger schools should not obtain recognition of such work as is laid down for Classes P-Standard 11., for in most of them the work has been carried on for years in the preparatory classes, though perhaps in not as systematic a manner as is now prescribed. In the work now laid down for classes above Standard 11. practically nothing has been done except in a few schools. In the syllabus handwork is allowed to be substituted for any one of the class subjects except drawing, but the burden of the syllabus, and the scholarship programme existing in the district, practically made it impossible for the headmaster of a large school to make any substitution. The public pressure brought to bear on him to compete for scholarships was too strong to allow him to omit any of his class subjects, and, moreover, few of his teachers were trained for the work. A syllabus giving more freedom of choice to headmasters, and the extension of free secondary education by means of district high schools, will undoubtedly give greater impetus to manual instruction, besides providing relief from the necessity for preparing for a special scholarship examination. But before a teacher undertakes manual work he should make a careful study of the whole question, and have a practical acquaintance with the occupations he selects, and then see that those occupations co-ordinate with the general scheme of work he has laid down for the year. They are of little educational value if treated as independent and isolated subjects ; they must be linked with other subjects of instruction, fit in with the general aim of the work of the school, and thus supplement the usual intellectual instruction rather than act as substitutes for it. Nothing has yet been done to establish classes in woodwork, but the lectures now being given take up all the spare time of the teachers for the present.

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The cookery classes under Miss Ivey in Wellington and Miss Millington in the Wairarapa have been continued under the direction of Mr. Eiley as heretofore. The room now occupied by Miss Ivey's classes in the Technical School will, we understand, be required for other technical classes. To continue these classes applications have been made to the Department for grants in aid of buildings and apparatus for Mount Cook, and for apparatus, &c, for Newtown and the Terrace, the Board providnig the rooms in the two last mentioned schools. With these applications an application has also been made for apparatus and fittings for laboratory work in chemistry at Newtown and the Terrace. Ebport op the Director op the Technical School, primary instruction. The primary syllabus being under revision by the Department of Education, progress in drawing is practically at a standstill, the work being mainly on the level of past years. Increased activity in the direction of hand and eye work is generally manifest throughout the district, and when the departmental regulations are issued progress will be rapid, for the groundwork is gradually being prepared for a combination of drawing, brushwork, modelling, &c, in the various standards. The first-grade drawing examination has at last been dispensed with, and inspection substituted. With this object Mr. H. Bastings was appointed from the Technical School staff to visit the city and suburban schools, whilst I personally undertook the country work, it being impossible to spare any member of the staff for continuous work away from the technical classes. The majority of the schools of the district were visited during the year, and advice and assistance rendered upon the various sections of work. However, until the intentions of the Education Department are known with regard to the syllabus requirements, changes in the method of instruction will remain in abeyance in the larger schools. It would be unwise to issue a programme of our own under existing conditions. A considerable amount of extra work has devolved upon myself and the Board's Inspectors owing to the requirements of the Department as to the programmes of work, recognition of the classes, apparatus, &c, some seventy schools having applied for same. It is to be hoped, however, that these matters may progress more rapidly than in the past year, and that the syllabus will shortly be available. Mauriceville West School has successfully established a cottage garden and taken up agricultural chemistry. A considerable amount of apparatus is now in the headmaster's possession, and I anticipate excellent results. I should very much like to see classes in these subjects begun in other schools in the country districts. DOMESTIC ECONOMY. Cookery classes, under the instruction of Miss Ivey in the Wellington Centre, and Miss Millington in the Wairarapa and Forty-mile Bush, have been continued throughout the year. Wellington Centre. —494 pupils, drawn from 10 schools, received instruction. Wairarapa and Forty-mile Bush. —315 pupils, drawn from 11 schools, received instruction. One of the difficulties connected with the above classes is the irregularity in attendance, particularly towards the end of the year; this considerably reduces the financial assistance rendered by the Government. The irregularity of attendance is mainly caused by the children preparing for scholarship-work and leaving school after the annual examination. The general progress has been of a satisfactory character. The Wellington Gas Company generously devoted the sum of £25 towards these classes during the year. PRIMARY DRAWING FREE STUDENTSHIPS. The work of the sixty-two scholars holding free studentships has been satisfactory. The boys' course of manual instruction has been considerably improved. The scholars manifest a keen interest in this branch of the work. The girls' course included light and shade and colour-work in design from plant-form, as well as clay-modelling. Useful work is being done in this section, which acts as a connecting-link between the primary and the technical schools. As the first-grade drawing examination is discontinued, the free studentships are now awarded upon the basis of attendance at the various schools in the city and suburbs. Candidates are required to give a guarantee that they will attend during the whole of the year. The method of selection has been, as usual, by examination in freehand and model drawing. Forty-nine free studentships were awarded, the scale of award being as follows : Schools having 400 scholars, four free places ; schools having 200 scholars, two free places ; schools having under 200 scholars, one free place. This being the first year of the change in method of selection, a list of the next candidates in order of merit has been prepared irrespective of the school. Such vacancies as may occur will be filled from that list. The twelve second-year free studentships were awarded as formerly —by examination in freehand and model drawing of the second grade, taking into consideration the work done during the current year.

3—B. 5.

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INSTRUCTION TO TEACHEBS AND PUPIL-TEACHEES. Classes have been continued, as in former years, in plane and solid geometry, freehand, model, light and shade, and memory drawing, and in cardboard-modelling and brush-form work. The numbers in attendance were very satisfactory. In the second quarter the newly appointed instructor in design and modelling, Mr. Herdman-Smith, gave a course of lectures to teachers upon class-instruction in clay-modelling and brushwork, this being followed by Mr. Bastings upon geometrical and model drawing. An abridged course was also given at Masterton. Classes in drawing were also held at Masterton and Carterton by Mr. Irvine. HIGHEB-GBADE SCHOOL. I would again urge the establishment of an intermediate school between the primary and technical work. A. school so established would enable a course of instruction to be given upon the most modern lines to all scholars now in the Seventh Standard, particularly in the city and suburban schools. Manual and domestic instruction, chemistry, physics and mathematics, and commercial subjects could by this means be more practically dealt with. Some such scheme of an intermediate school is an urgent necessity in this city, for a very large percentage of children will otherwise proceed to work at a time when additional training provided by such a school would be of exceptional advantage. TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. Central Technical School. The number of students in attendance at the several classes of the school was as follows : First quarter, 942; second quarter, 1,037; third quarter, 948; fourth quarter, 826. The total number of entries was greater by 338 than that for 1901. ' Country Technical Classes. Instruction in drawing was given during the year at Pahiatua, Masterton, and Carterton. EBPOETS UPON CLASSES. Art Section. The work generally in these classes has been considerably strengthened by the appointment of Mr. Herdman-Smith, late of the Bath School of Art, England, to the design and modelling sections of the Art School. The present room used for modelling purposes is totally unsuited to the work, and it is hoped that additional accommodation will shortly be available. The advantages of modelling are slowly being recognised as a means of obtaining a knowledge of form, without which success is unattainable. Black-and-white work for illustrative purposes has been a prominent feature of the school's work during the year. Mr. S. Begg, the celebrated black-and-white artist, very kindly presented the school with two important examples of his work. Design has again formed an important feature, the instruction now being under Mr. HerdmanSmith. Many important pieces of decorative work in stencilled hangings, covers, panels for furniture, and illustrated work have been executed during the year. Metal Bepousse and Leather-embossing have also been successfully established; the results exhibited at the Technical School Exhibition speak for themselves. Wood-carving is now under Mr. Fraser, of the Heriot-Watt College, Edinburgh, who succeeded the late Mr. Barrett. Modelling and Carving are now worked in conjunction with each other, students having Wednesday set aside for that purpose. Plane and Solid Geometry and Model-drawing have, as usual, been very largely attended throughout the year. The course of work has been revised to meet more closely the trade requirements. Engineering Section. Mechanical Drawing and Machine-construction continue to attract large numbers of students, an assistant being provided for the junior section of the work. The additional models provided by the Education Department have greatly assisted the work of this section. Practical Mechanics and Steam have been placed in charge of Mr. W. S. MeKenzie, Whitworth Scholar, who has also revised the course of instruction throughout the Mechanical Engineering Sections. Mr. MeKenzie is now in charge of this branch of the school's work. Accommodation for the practical mechanic's work is urgent. I regret that the laboratory course cannot at present be provided. This is a matter of urgent necessity, and it is to be hoped that the necessary extension will be made without delay. Electric Light and Poiver Distribution is now a recognised feature of the school's course. The apparatus supplied by the Education Department, under the Technical Instruction Act, has enabled us to return that so kindly lent by the Electrical Syndicate. This class is only in temporary accommodation. It would greatly assist the work if a permanent room could be provided. Architectural Section. Building-construction classes have suffered considerably from want of accommodation, the classes being overcrowded. The Industrial Hall, rented at the beginning of the year, was found inadequate to the requirements. The classes have now been placed in the large hall of the Education Board. Additional apparatus has been provided by the Department, which places the classes in a strong position.

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Carpentry and Joinery are now under the instruction of Mr. Alexander Graham, in place of Mr. Low, who resigned in June. The number of trade apprentices has increased, and an advanced class has been established on behalf of the trade only. Plumbing, Theory and Practice, continues to attract large numbers of students, the classes being well attended throughout. The resignation of Mr. Haynes (theory instructor) in the early part of the year was followed by the appointment of Mr. Barter, of Sydney, who resigned at the end of the following quarter. Mr. A. Parton was appointed to the temporary charge of the class until the end of December. The course of work is now undergoing revision, and it is hoped to establish a scheme of work in theory and practice suitable to the requirements of the trade. Mr. Eeed, of Sydney, who holds high qualifications, is now in charge of both theory and practice. Owing to the large number in attendance the workshop is quite inadequate ; the ventilation also leaves much to be desired. The City Council has declined to contribute towards the cost of the plumbing classes unless represented upon the Board of Management. General and Commercial Classes. Mathematics. —This class, now under the instruction of Mr. Gifford, M.A., has made progress upon last year's work. It has now been deemed advisable to separate the work into three distinct sections—elementary, advanced, and practical mathematics—thus insuring a more thorough course of instruction. Book-keeping. —The numbers have very considerably increased upon the previous year. Several of the students presented themselves for the Institute of Accountants' examination, two of whom headed the list of the students' section. The advanced class established during the year has meet with success. Shorthand and Typewriting. —All classes have proved successful, and good work has been done throughout. Many of the students have left the school to take up permanent positions in various city offices. Students have the advantage of dealing with the office correspondence daily. In connection with the examinations I should like to see a Colonial Board of Examiners appointed by the Government for the control of this work. Arithmetic. —This class has considerably increased in number during the year. It is highly essential that all students requiring a technical training should be well grounded; it is therefore a pleasure to see the steady increase, which means greater efficiency in the more advanced and special instruction to follow. Latin and English. —These classes have been continued as formerly, with gratifying success in the Matriculation and Civil Service Examinations. Wellington College and Girls' High School. —ln the former institution the work of drawing and woodwork has been continued as formerly. It is still held out of school hours, and considered an extra in the upper forms. The headmaster is, however, desirous of removing this restriction, ,and it is hoped that this work may shortly be considered a part of the ordinary school course within school hours and without extra payment. The Girls' High School classes in drawing and brushwork have continued, as during the previous year, within school hours and without extra payment; and, although the time allowed is short, nevertheless it is a beginning in the right direction, and I hope later to see an excellent course of lessons developed in the various sections of the work throughout the school, with a reasonable amount of time at our disposal for the carrying-out of such a course. Arts and Grafts Guild. In connection with the Art Department of the school the Guild has done much useful work. The repousse, embossed leather, art needlework, stained glass, photography, and the architectural sections have all done good work. Lectures were delivered by Mr. T. L. Mills upon " Black-and-white Drawing as applied to the Prees " ; " Eeproduction by Photo-Lithography," by Mr. W. Palmer ; and upon " Gesso Work," by Mr. Herdman-Smith; whilst the Architectural Section has read papers fortnightly, and finally paid a visit to Christchurch during the Christmas holidays under the guidance of Messrs. McKay and Lawrence, where the section was well received by a number of the local architects, and escorted to various places of architectural interest. A sum of £18 was subscribed by local Wellington architects towards the object of the Guild work, which is allied to the ordinary class instruction of the school. The work of the Photographic Section during the year has been very successful. Demonstrations in various branches of photography have been given at the monthly meetings, and the competitions have been keenly contested. Although the membership of the section is somewhat small, a large number of prints have been entered for each competition, and the quality of the work was very favourably commented upon by the judges. The Art Needlework Section under Mrs. Tripe has also met with considerable success, as shown by the work exhibited at the recent exhibition, when some very excellent articles of workmanship were displayed. At the annual meeting in October the following passage appears in the report of the Committee : " Profiting by the experience gained during the last two years, it is evident that a further change must be made in the direction of consolidating the work of the Guild by making lifework, still life, design, repousse, modelling, carving, and stained class adjuncts of the ordinary work of the school, thus leaving architecture, needlework, and photography as the Guild subjects."

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LOCAL EXAMINATIONS IN PLUMBING. The Board of Control is constituted as follows : J. E. Blair, Chairman of the Board of Education; A. D. Eiley, Director for Technical Instruction; E. S, Eounthwaite, City Engineer; E. A. Barry, Eepresentative of the Journeymen Plumbers ; J. F. Adams, Eepresentative of the Master Plumbers. The Board has met several times during the year and dealt with matters affecting the conduct of examinations and other subjects connected with the general work of sanitary classes conducted by the school. There can be no question of the value of such an advisory body in connection with this very important work. EXAMINATIONS. The usual examinations have been held during the year. In the higher-grade work there has been a considerable diminution of candidates, practically only those who found it necessary to present themselves for teaching or trade certificates coming forward. Wherever possible, students have been dissuaded from taking these examinations unless certificates are especially required. The number of certificates issued in all grades since the school was established in 1886 is 53,652, subdivided as follows: Primary or first grade, 44,750; intermediate or second grade, 4,857; higher or third grade, 1,605; South Kensington, 2,280; and the City and Guilds of London, 159. Second Grade (Local). —The total number of papers taken was 393, the subjects of examination being freehand drawing, geometry, perspective, model-drawing, memory drawing, light and shade, and brushwork. Of the 274 candidates examined, 212 passed. Of these, 49 obtained " excellent," and 49 " good." Third Grade (Local). —The total number of papers taken was 124. Of the 90 candidates examined, 84 passed ; of these, 9 obtained " excellent" and 18 " good." Board of Education, South Kensington. The school has again recorded considerable success in the National Art Competition under the above Board, Miss Kimbell having been awarded a National Bronze Medal and Miss Evatt a National Book Prize for the painting of an interior. The results of the personal examinations held under the above Board have not yet been received; the delay in this matter is a serious objection to the examination under this department. The constant alterations in the syllabus, of which we receive no intimation until the month the works are required to be forwarded, is a further objection. I would urge the adoption of a colonial examination in all branches of technical and art work, and a colonial national competition of art works, on the lines of the present English competitions. By this means the schools will be brought closer into touch with each other, the results will be quickly obtained, and greater efficiency secured. Free Studentships. Five of these studentships, which are available for two years, are offered by the Industrial Association, and six by the Education Board. They were awarded on the results of examinations in the following subjects : Plumbing, carpentry, mechanical engineering, building-construction, wood-carving, drawing, and painting. LIBBABY. The number of volumes contained in the library is as follows : Fine arts, 425 ; architecture and building-construction, 226 ; mechanical, 273 ; general, 521: making a total of 1,445 volumes— 140 more than last year. The number of works from the lending branch taken out by the students during the year was 1,088. The library is much valued by all sections of students. The space set apart for readers is too small, and the space for works exhausted. Another objectionable feature is that the office and library being combined leads to serious interruption of the office duties. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION ACT. The financial position of the school has considerably improved, owing to the conditions of working under the above Act. Although the balance-sheet shows a credit balance of £341 9s. 2d., there is included in the receipts the sum of £433 from the previous year's working, leaving a debit balance of £92. Against this a sum of £89 ss. has since been paid in; and for the first time in the school's existence the expenditure has been met with the exception of £2 15s. This has not come about without careful management and the obtaining of funds from every available source. It is easy enough to work an institution successfully when plenty of funds are available, but the present conditions are a constant source of anxiety to the managers. The apparatus of the school has been considerably increased during the year, with a correspondingly increased efficiency in the class-work generally. EXTENSION OF WOBK. Increased accommodation is an urgent necessity, and I sincerely hope that the City Council will, now that the Board has decided to come under the "associated classes" section of the Technical Instruction Act, see its way to assist with the necessary grant of land and additional funds. During the past year, and more especially during the present first quarter of 1903, I found considerable difficulty in accommodating the number of students enrolled. In addition to this, urgent workshop accommodation is required on behalf of the mechanical engineering, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, and pattern-making ; and class-rooms for electricity, building-construction, casting, lithography and photography, practical mechanics, commercial work, painting and decorating, &c. The library, owing to want of accommodation, cannot be properly arranged, and is overcrowded, whilst the office arrangements are most inconvenient.

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WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL. The special committee of the Council set up to consider what steps may be taken to assist the cause of technical education has met the representatives of the Board's Technical Instruction Committee and the Industrial Association representatives during the year. The contributions of the respective bodies have now been fixed, and the number of representatives allotted by the Minister. It is anticipated that the new arrangement will lead to increased activity in the technical work of this district. WELLINGTON INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION. The committee appointed by the above association has visited the classes during the year, and has contributed a sum of £25 towards the funds of the school. The association, as stated above, has a representative upon the joint committee set up to deal with the question of the school's extension and its management. The free studentships given on behalf of the association have been continued as formerly. In conclusion, my thanks are due to all persons who have so generously contributed to the successful year's work, either by contributions or loans; and to the honorary examiners for their services to the cause of technical instruction. Abthue D. Eiley, Director for Technical Instruction. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. Receipts. £ s. d. ■ Expenditure. £ s. d. Fees received .. .. .. .. 1,321 15 11 , Salaries .. .. .. .. 2,72114 9 Government capitation .. .. .. 1,768 11 0 j Model fees .. .. .. .. 53 10 0 Government grants .. .. .. 1,053 510 Printing and advertising . . .. 75 119 Government subsidies on voluntary oontri- Examination and prizes .. .. 50 16 9 butions .. .. .. .. 68 15 0 Apparatus .. .. .. .. 311 2 9 Voluntary contributions .. . 43 0 0 Material ■ .. .. .. .. 277 411 Sundry receipts .. .. .. 241 13 1 ! Buildings .. .. .. .. 141 8 2 Travelling-expenses (cookery) .. .. 29 13 0 : Travelling .. .. .. .. 82 10 0 Cleaning and lighting .. .. .. 317 3 1 Sundries .. .. .. .. 154 2 6 £4,526 13 10 £4,185 4 8 Credit balance, £341 9s. 2d. To give a clearer view of the finances of the r>ast year, the capitation due for the December quarter of 1901 (£433 10s.), paid in January, 1902, should be allowed for, and credit taken for £89 ss. due for 1902, but received this year. This shows a deficit of £2 15s. 10d. on the year's work. EbPOKT 08 , THE MaNAGBES OF THE MaSTBRTON TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION. The managers desire to place on record their appreciation of the liberality of the Trust Lands Trustees, who have again voted £100 in aid of the technical classes. While, however, voting this sum, which has for several years past been the sum received annually from the Trust, the members of that body expressed the hope that the managers of the Technical School would not find it necessary to call up the whole amount. In this hope the Trustees have not been disappointed. A glance at the balance-sheet will show that the total contribution received from the Trust during the year ending the 31st December last amounted to £33 6s. Bd. In thus foregoing for the present the remaining two-thirds of the grant made by the Trust, the managers are not merely losing the sum of £66 13s. 4d., but also the Government subsidy of £1 for £1 as well, which represents a total reduction of £133 6s. Bd. in the revenue for the year. The thanks of the managers are also due to the Education Department for the liberal manner in which the school has been treated during the past year. Not only have all capitation claims been promptly met, but grants have also been obtained from the Department in aid of the cost of special apparatus ordered from London, and also in aid of converting the building into its present form, thereby rendering it fitted for temporary use as a technical school. In addition to the grants thus mentioned, the Education Department has also, at its own cost, sent up a collection of about fifty framed examples of students' works. These exhibits have been placed in the rooms of our institution and cannot fail to prove a valuable object-lesson to students and others interested in the subjects which they illustrate. The matter of securing a suitable site for the purposes of a technical school is one of the most important that will have to be dealt with in the near future, and, in the opinion of your managers, the sooner the matter is definitely settled the better it will be in the interests of technical education. Not only is the scope of the work of the classes hampered owing to the unsuitability of the present building, but it must also be borne in mind that the building itself occupies its present site on sufferance, and that the Government have the power to request at any time its immediate removal. Owing chiefly to the indefatigable efforts of Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.H.E., the Masterton Trust Lands Empowering Bill passed through Parliament last session. This Bill empowers the Trustees, after receiving the sanction of the voters, to set apart a site for the purpose of a technical school, and, seeing now that the Trustees have decided to take the poll on the question in the month of April next, it behoves the subscribers to this association to use every effort in their power to secure a favourable result. During the year three sessions were held, and classes were held in the following subjects: Painting, drawing, book-keeping, shorthand, woodwork, matriculation, and Civil Service subjects. At the request of the instructor, the classes in painting and drawing are being carried on for a fourth term of ten weeks ending at the close of the current month.

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The painting and drawing classes were under the charge of Mr. George E. Irvine. The average number of pupils on the roll was fifty-seven, while the average attendance at the classes was forty. Several of the pupils sat for the South Kensington Art Examinations in June last, but up to the present the results have not been received. Several more are now preparingfor the same examinations this year, which will most probably be held in June next. At the close of the third term Mr. Irvine successfully held an exhibition of the work done by his pupils during the year. The book-keeping class, under the tuition of Mr. P. G. Magnusson, had an average roll for the three terms of ten, while the average attendance for the same period was eight. This subject is a most useful one, particularly to those desirous of qualifying themselves for mercantile pursuits, and should therefore receive a great measure of support. The shorthand class was taught by Mr. Eobert Carpenter. Owing to the impossibility of securing a competent instructor in Pitman's system, Gregg's light-line was introduced and Mr. Carpenter appointed instructor. The class, however, dwindled away until, at the close of the second term, the managers decided, owing to the lack of interest shown by the pupils, to discontinue the work for the remainder of the year. The Civil Service and matriculation class was carried on under the direction of Mr. A. N. Burns. The average roll-number was eight, and the average attendance six. This class was formed with the object of affording greater facilities to students preparing for the Civil Service and Matriculation Examinations than they have hitherto been able to obtain, and on that account should receive considerable support during the coming year. The wood-working class, under the direction of Mr. D. Christian, was successfully carried on for three sessions. The average roll number was eight, and the average attendance of pupils six. Notwithstanding the fact that the work was carried on in a shed totally unsuited for the purpose, being badly lighted, draughty, and altogether too small, good progress was made, so that at the end of the year many of the pupils were able to show very creditable results. The managers desire to express their hearty thanks to Messrs. McHattie and McLeod, who very kindly made very valuable donations of timber for the use of the pupils working in this class. The balance-sheet shows the receipts for the year to have amounted to £364 2s. Bd., the expenditure for the same period being £280 3s. 3d., thus leaving a credit balance of £83 19s. 5d., a result which your committee confidently feel you will regard as satisfactory. With the increased facilities which a well-constructed and properly equipped building would afford, the scope of the work could be greatly increased and strengthened, and classes established and successfully carried on in subjects which with the present means at disposal your managers find it is absolutely, at this time, impossible for them to think of inaugurating. In conclusion, your managers take this opportunity of again specially thanking Mr. A. W. Hogg for his untiring efforts on behalf of the Masterton Technical School, and express the hope that the time is not far distant when technical instruction in Masterton will be carried on in a building worthy of the town and district. E. Feist, Chairman. Statement of Accounts for the Year ending the 31st December, .1902. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from year 1901 .. .. .. 5 9 7 Salaries for year 1902 .. .. .. 221 11 6 Class fees for 1902 .. .. .. 77 4 0 Printing and advertising .. .. .. 12 11 6 Rent for use of rooms .. .. .. 6 2 6 Commission paid colleotor of subscriptions .. 13 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 8 11 0 Lighting and warming rooms—gas account.. 8 S 4 First instalment Trust grant, 1902.. .. 33 6 8 Insurance premium . .. .. 019 0 Capitation on account of classes, 1901 .. 103 10 10 Material for use of classes .. .. 13 & 8 Capitation on account of classes, 1902 .. 35 19 6 Bent of shed for woodwork olass .. .. 13 0 0 Government grants— Bank charges and oheque-book .. .. 012 6 In aid of buildings .. .. .. 25 10 11 Imprest Account — In aid of apparatus .. .. .. 16 3 6 Postages .. .. .. .. 0 7 5 Subsidy on voluntary contributions .. 52 4 2 Stationery .. .. .. .. 018 7 Cleaning rooms .. .. .. 6 3 0 Petty accounts.. .. .. .. 16 9 Credit balance, 31st December, 1902 .. 83 19 5 £364 2 8 £364 2 8 N. D. Bunting, Treasurer.

HAWKB'S BAY. Extract pbom the Eepobt op the Inspector of Schools. There has been much activity shown by teachers in some of the subjects under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act, but I feel it necessary to reserve my judgment for the present as to the benefits conferred upon the standard children. The drawing classes that are carried on by Mr. Anderson and his assistant are excellent, and the scope of this class of work might easily be widened were it not for the doubt that exists as to what subject to leave out from the class subjects under the standard regulations. In the case of preparatory classes there is no difficulty in the way, and the grants for the supply of kindergarten apparatus and brush drawing have assisted in a marked manner to create interest in the teaching of manual subjects in the infant-schools. Equally satisfactory results might be expected in the ease of standard children, but teachers are averse to the increase of school subjects, and I fear the progress will be delayed until a more definite syllabus of instruction has been issued whereby alternate subjects may be taught. If Eegulation 29 of the standards of instruction could be widened, school classes under the Act would become general in the schools of my district.

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The establishment of a technical school has been a means of creating interest in art and science work among the teachers throughout the district, and their attendance (optional) at the Wednesday classes in Gisborne and the Saturday classes in Dannevirke and Napier sufficiently testifies to their earnestness and to their desire to prepare subjects that will be of value to them in the training of their pupils. Beport op the Mastee op the Napier Technical School. The following report deals with the work of the technical classes held at Napier and Gisborne during 1902. The following classes have been carried on since the Board's schools reopened on the sth February of this year. Napier. — Special Saturday classes for teachers, at which instruction is given in design, principles of ornament, and colour. One hour is devoted to each subject. The total number of attendances registered for the first quarter was 677, showing that from the first the class has been greatly appreciated. A second hour's instruction was given during the quarter in perspective as applied to modeldrawing, but, as many of the teachers had attended the previous course held during the fourth quarter of 1901, the attendance registered was comparatively small, the total being 141. Both classes were continued through the second quarter and are still in operation, in order to give the teachers an opportunity of gaining experience, and of applying practically the rules given them during the first quarter. The attendance for the second quarter was—for design 457, for perspective 127. The falling-off is entirely owing to the winter season, many of the teachers living in remote country districts, which makes their attendance impossible during the winter months. On the completion of the course in perspective instruction was given in light and shade from the cast and model-drawing. A class for model-drawing and light and shade was also held for teachers at the Training School. The total attendance for the first quarter was 185, and for the second quarter 176. Evening Classes for Painting and Draiving. —These classes have been continued on the same lines as those of last year. The fee charged is 10s. per quarter, but a reduction of 2s. 6d. is made for scholars attending public schools. The subjects of instruction are : Model, scale, geometrical, and mechanical drawing, painting in sepia and in monochrome, still life, &c. Four hours' instruction per week was given, and the total attendance for the first quarter was 448, and for the second 372. Most of the students are young, several of them not having yet left school. A system of scholarships providing for six months' free tuition has been established in connection with the evening classes at the Technical School; these scholarships, ten in number, have been distributed proportionately among the town schools. Saturday Afternoon Class. —Instruction is given in this class, which is for advanced students, in still life, painting, and sketching from nature. The class is small, but the students are enthusiastic and good results are obtained. Napier Main School. —lnstruction was given during the year in elementary design and colour to Standard VI.; the results were highly satisfactory. A similar class was held at the Hastings District School. Napier High School. —lnstruction was given during the year in model and perspective drawing, and woodwork. The programme of instruction in woodwork is based entirely on the exercises issued by the Department. The progress made has been decidedly satisfactory. I would, however, like to see more drawing in connection with the work ; but the time given to the subject does not allow of it. Gisborne. —Classes similar to those already described as " Special Saturday classes for teachers " at Napier were held at Gisborne every Wednesday, and have from their commencement in March met with the keenest appreciation ; most, if not all, of the teachers in the district within a possible radius attended the classes. Gisborne District High School. —A three-years course of work has been drawn up and will be submitted for the approval of the Department. The course embraces model-drawing, plane and solid geometry, isometric and scale drawing, design, and the principles of colour. On the whole, the scope of the work has greatly increased this year. Teachers realise the necessity of qualifying themselves in technical subjects, but the need of proper accommodation for our classes is greatly felt, especially in such subjects as light and shade, for which the gas-lighting of the building we use as a technical school is anything but satisfactory. It is, further, impossible to hold day classes, as the building is partly occupied during daytime by pupils from the Training School. In conclusion, I have to say that the total amount granted by the Department for apparatus for the schools of Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay for the present year was £74 19s. 4d.; a grant of £18 19s. was also made to the Technical School for casts and models. These are the only grants we have received for apparatus since technical classes were first established in Napier in 1899. E. N. Anderson.

MARLBOROUGH. EXTHACT PROM EePORT OP THE EDUCATION BOARD. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Up to the present time no public interest has been evinced in the direction of manual and technical education in this district, such as has been shown in many other parts of the colony by the establishment of associated technical classes, either by independent associations or in conjunction with the Education Boards. Perhaps the almost entire absence of manufacturing industries in a community exclusively occupied in agricultural or pastoral pursuits may partly account for this apparent apathy. The Board has not as yet made any

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attempt to promote the movement in its primary schools, being of the opinion that until the adoption of the long-promised revision of the standard syllabus, which was announced in the Minister's last report as being " shortly to be gazetted," it would be injudicious to press upon its teachers the addition of anything whatever to the work demanded by the existing syllabus. Although no application has been made to the Department for assistance in promoting the objects of the Manual and Technical Instruction Act, yet means have been provided by the Board out of its ordinary revenue to enable such teachers as voluntarily elected to make a beginning in this direction by supplying them with the means of introducing plasticine-modelling into these schools; and the supplies of kindergarten materials have been increased and distributed to such teachers as have included those methods of hand and eye training in their course of instruction. Judging from the Inspector's report for the past year, the results of the year's work in the ordinary subjects of the syllabus do not appear to have suffered by the introduction of this class of work, but rather the contrary; and should the promised revision of the syllabus and the further simplification of the regulations under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act be accomplished, the Board may find it possible to avail itself of the provisions of the same without detriment to the ordinary work of the primary school. EXTEACT FROM EbPOET OP THE INSPECTOR OP SCHOOLS. Handwork. —Without any "flourish of trumpets," a considerable amount of valuable work in this direction has been undertaken at many of our schools. No application has been made to the Department for any assistance under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act. The amounts granted under the regulations are so small, and the formalities to be observed, the returns required, and the conditions generally so exacting and vexatious, that the game is hardly worth the candle. Perhaps when the simplification of the regulations, promised in the Minister's last annual report, is accomplished it may be found desirable to extend this portion of the work by taking advantage of the Government grant. Early in the year a supply of plasticine and modelling-boards was obtained and distributed amongst the teachers who expressed a desire to take up this subject; and in all cases the results have been very satisfactory. Admirable specimens of the work were exhibited at all the schools that have undertaken this branch of handwork. Perhaps the best work was to be found in the Blenheim Infant Department, Blenheim Girls', and Eenwick Schools. At the Blenheim Girls' School some original modelling was executed in my presence from the children's own designs; but in every case I was more than satisfied with the progress made. It is, moreover, worthy of mention that in the schools that have taken up modelling there was no falling-off in the quality of the ordinary school-work, but rather the contrary. No doubt the energy and enthusiasm which prompted the teachers to voluntarily undertake this additional work has been operative throughout the whole school course ; and perhaps, with the scholars, the close attention and observation required for this form of handwork may have reacted upon the other branches of their school-work. The value of this and other forms of handwork by far exceeds, in my humble opinion, that of object lessons without objects and elementary science without apparatus or experiment. Modelling is not the only form of handwork to be found in our schools. Paperfolding, weaving, bead-work, &c, are carried on at some of our country schools, and the earlier •kindergarten " gifts " are also in use amongst the infant-classes.

NELSON. Extract from Eepoht of the Education Board. Technical Instruction. —Cooking classes have been held during portions of the year in Nelson, Westport, and Eeefton, under the able management of Miss M. Tendall (diplomee of the National Training School of Cookery, London), and a considerable number of teachers have attended her Saturday classes ; but, as it will be some considerable time before the teachers will be qualified to take up this subject in their regular school-work, it is hoped that the present capitation will be continued after the end of the present year, so that the Board will be able to retain Miss Tendall's services, and also secure the services of other qualified teachers in the other centres of the education district. Miss Tendall found the work undertaken by her last year too great a strain on her strength, and it will be necessary to employ other teachers for the outside districts. Handwork in various forms is gradually being introduced into many of the Board's schools, modelling in plasticine being the work apparently held in most favour by the teachers. EXTEACT FEOM EePOET OF THE INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS. The schools that presented some form of handwork for examination were very few in number, but we consider the work satisfactory so far as it has been attempted. The most important of our school technical classes were those for cookery conducted by Miss M. Tendall at Eeefton, Westport, and Nelson. We commend to the notice of our teachers some useful hints by the North Canterbury Inspectors, in their report for 1901, upon the value of handwork, especially in correlation with other subjects of the syllabus, such as science, arithmetic, geography, history, and drawing. By the Manual and Technical Instruction Act of 1902 school classes may now, if desired, be carried on after school hours, so that one of the chief difficulties in introducing a fresh subject—the necessary shortening of the school time for the ordinary curriculum—has thus been removed. During the year instruction classes for teachers in plasticine-modelling, ambulance, woodwork, cookery, physics, and drill have been carried on. Sewing in schools managed by sole male teachers now comes under the technical regulations. We would be pleased to see singing receive similar encouragement. Ambulance-work, a very useful study which we would like to see general, has been very successfully attempted by some of those teachers who recently received a course of training.

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WESTLAND. Extract peom Kbpokt of the Board op Education. Manual Instruction. —Handwork consisting of modelling in plasticine and folding and cutting exercises in paper has been introduced in all the larger schools and a number of smaller ones. This instruction has been confined in nearly every case to the preparatory classes and Standards I. and 11. The Board provided text-books for the teachers and the necessary material. To obtain a repayment of the cost, application is being made in accordance with the regulations of the Education Department. The special class for instruction in woodwork connected with the Kumara School, and under the direction of Mr. G. A. Bell, has continued in operation during the year, the number of pupils being eighteen. At the close of the year the Hokitika Committee made application for the establishment of a similar class in connection with the Hokitika High School, and the Board has decided to assist the Committee to obtain recognition of the class by the Education Department and to complete the other preliminary arrangements. EXTEACT PEOM REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS. Handwork has formed a prominent part of the course of the junior division of eleven of the larger schools, being confined in most cases to the preparatory classes and the Eirst Standard. The branches adopted have been chiefly modelling in plasticine and paper folding and cutting. In this subject, as in science, it is sometimes necessary to emphasize the need of regarding the instruction as a means of training, the manner of performing the exercises being more important than the material results. Woodwork Class, Kumara Public School. This class at the end of the year 1902 consisted of seventeen pupils. The average number on the roll at the end of the four quarters was eighteen. The class meets for one hour each afternoon after the close of the Kumara Primary School, and the instruction was given by Mr. G. A. Bell. The course consisted of exercises in woodwork and the construction of useful articles. The former part of the work is arranged to furnish by gradation for education in handwork, and has received special attention during the year. The instruction has been regular and effective, and the students have performed their exercises with diligence and thoroughness. Statement of Accounts for the Year ended 31st December, 1902. Receipts. & s. d. Expenditure. M s. d. Credit balance at beginning of year .. .. 0 0 8 Salary of Instructor .. .. 62 2 10 Capitation grants .. .. .. .. G2 2 10 Timber .. .. .. .. ..153 Fees of pupils .. .. .. .. 3 0 0 To balance on the 31st December, 1902 .. 311 5 Sale of furniture .. .. .. .. 1 16 0 £66 19 6 £66 19 6

north canterbury. Extract from Report of the Education Boaed. Manual and Technical Instruction. —The subject of manual and technical instruction has occupied a prominent position during the past year. Teachers in considerable numbers have attended tiie Saturday classes held at Ashburton and Christchurch. Public technical classes have also been started at Ashburton and Rangiora under the management of the local Technical Committees. At the Normal School, at the School of Domestic Instruction, and at Lyttelton and Leeston technical classes have continued in operation. At the date of this report the steps taken by the Christchurch Technical Classes Association promise developments on a larger scale than has hitherto been attempted. With the substantial contributions made by the several local bodies, augmented by the Government pound-for-pound subsidy, the association is now in a position to commence technical classes with every prospect of success. In regard to school classes, some headway has been made during the year, thirty-two schools having qualified for capitation with respect to classes already held; while for the present year about eighty schools will be represented. It is satisfactory to note that the returns required are gradually assuming a less complex form. It would be a matter for additional congratulation if the Minister could see his way to still further modify the requirements of his Department. So far it has not been soundly demonstrated why instruction in manual occupations should not follow more closely upon the lines on which ordinary primary subjects are conducted. The observance of minute detail in the matter of filling up returns, whether of particulars of classes or of work done, is no guarantee of efficiency, which is much more likely to be safeguarded by the influence of direct reports from the Board's Inspectors, or, if need be, from the Department's own officers, on the quality of the instruction given. The introduction of manual and technical instruction under the existing regulations has further added to the duties of the Board's office staff, which is now severely taxed in its efforts to keep pace with the ever-increasing work. Extract feom Report of the Inspectors op Schools. Handwork. —The progress made in handwork during the year is chiefly confined to the lower classes, the upper departments in general awaiting the issue of a revised syllabus and the adoption of some definite scheme of organization before venturing on a new departure. From our reports we find that clay-modelling is practised in thirty-nine schools or departments, brush drawing in forty-three, paper-folding in fifty-six, and other exercises of the ordinary kindergarten type —sticklaying, mat-weaving, peaswork, &c. —in fifty-nine A few exceptional forms of occupation in basket-weaving and wire-work are also included.

4—E. 5.

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The interest taken by the lady teachers in qualifying themselves to give instruction in occupations of the kind is beyond all praise. Large numbers of them have throughout the year given up their Saturdays to the work of preparation. Some hundred and fifty teachers are to be found attending brush drawing or other classes at the School of Arc ; Saturday classes in exercises of various forms have been in regular operation at the Normal School under the instruction of the head infant-mistress; and similar classes conducted in Ashburton by the infant-mistress of the West Christchurch School and the mistress of the Ashburton Borough School have entailed on the teachers even greater sacrifices, some coming regularly distances of fifteen and twenty miles to attend them. In the last two cases we have had an opportunity of inspecting the work done by way of examination at the close of the course, and could not but be greatly struck with the remarkable advance shown in a majority of the specimens. In the middle division of the schools a few examples of cardboard-modelling and, in the upper division, of chipcarving are the chief representatives of handwork as taught by teachers in school-time. To these is to be added, however, the vastly more important work done in several centres in woodwork and cooking under the direction of specially qualified instructors. Ashburton as a woodwork centre has proved notably successful, owing largely to the interest taken by the neighbouring headmasters in the work, and their ready co-operation in seeing to the execution of the necessary drawings and otherwise assisting. In Christchurch the cooking classes at the School of Domestic Instruction, which continue to be attended by large numbers from the city and suburban schools, excite most enthusiasm, and are evidently serving a very useful purpose. Many lady teachers are now qualified by attendance at cooking classes to act as assistant instructors, and when the special organization for this type of work is finally settled their services should prove very valuable. Eepoet on Manual-tbaining Classes. The school classes for woodwork at the Normal Schopl have kept up to the average. The discipline has been very good, and the work is satisfactory, while the drawing continues to be good, thanks to the good teaching in the Board's schools. The Lyttelton centre has done very well, and has more than justified its establishment. A centre has been established at Ashburton, three school classes and one evening class having been formed, each class numbering twenty pupils. The teachers attend with the school classes, two of which are held during school hours. Ashburton High School, the borough school, Hampstead, and Tinwald all attend at this centre. Considerable credit is due to the headmasters of the local schools and others for the way the classes are organized. The Leeston centre has not been quite as successful as in the past, but still is doing good work. During the year the whole of the classes have been inspected by Mr. Isaac, the Department's luspector of Technical Education. The tools are beginning to show a good deal of wear after five years' use. The teachers' Saturday classes at Christchurch have been well attended, and several teachers have sat for the City and Guilds of London examination, and have been successful; the Tuesday evening class has also continued to do good work. The woodwork classes for students at the Normal School have again been resumed. The training received should prove of great assistance to the students in the future. F. W. Sandfoed, Instructor. Ebport of the Sbceetaey, School of Domestic Instruction. The Committee, in presenting its ninth annual report of the School of Domestic Instruction, has pleasure in placing to the credit of the°association another year of successful industry. Of the subjects taught—cooking, dressmaking, and laundry-work—cooking continues to hold the foremost place, a large number of pupils having received throughout the year tuition of a practical character in this most important feature of household management. The classes are conducted on the principle of alternate demonstration and practice, and fall under two headings— adult or technical classes, for which the School of Domestic Instruction is recognised as the controlling authority, and school classes conducted for the Board of Education. The latter now occupy the most important position on the class time-table, and the capitation derived therefrom furnishes the greater part of the school income. The adult or technical classes are largely attended by teachers seeking to qualify as instructors, but apart from these a substantial number of other students is included, and this part of the school's activities is capable of much extension. The following is the record of attendance for the year:—

First Quarter. Number of Classes. First Second j Third Quarter. Quarter, i Quarter. Number of Attendants. Second Quarter. Third Quarter. Fourth Quarter. Fourth Quarter. Associated classes — Cookery Dressmaking Laundry-work School classes — Cookery Laundry-work ... 7 1 9 1 4 1 5 1 2 131 11 125 13 48 16 79 12 13 7 2 5 9 1 281 80 259 361 19

£.— 5.

In the earlier part of the year the school was threatened with a misfortune of grave, import in the resignation of our excellent and deservedly popular superintendent and principal teacher, Mrs. Gardner, on whose health and energies the ever-increasing burden of work with little relaxation was proving too great a strain. By way of relief some alteration was made in the term-arrange-ments which would afford a little more leisure, additional assistance was obtained, and the more exacting the Saturday work at the High School was, through the courtesy of the governing body of that institution, intrusted to a substitute, with the understanding that at the end of the year these duties should be relinquished, the Committee undertaking that no loss of emolument should thereby be sustained. The altered conditions, though open to considerable improvement in the measure of relief afforded, have happily proved successful in their object, and re-established health and vigour now justify, we are most happy to say, pleasurable anticipations of the continued enjoyment of her valuable services. For the future it is contemplated to revert to the threeterm arrangement in existence before the Technical Act of 1895, and this, as more in accordance with the usual school terms, should prove a further relief, enabling the teachers to obtain their legitimate holidays at reasonable intervals. At the close of May last an examination was held of a number of students, under the auspices of the City and Guilds of London Institute. The result, which has just come to hand, shows that seventeen were successful, six obtaining first-class and eleven second-class certificates. Towards the close of the year the usual examination in cooking for the Association's certificates was conducted by Mrs. E. D. Harman, who reports most favourably of the work submitted, both theoretical and practical. As the result of this examination twelve students obtained certificates in nlain cooking, while on the basis of a similar examination and efficient teaching practice a teacher's certificate is granted to Miss Edith Manning, the only candidate. The laundry classes, which were resumed only in the last quarter of the year, had a very good exhibition of work done, but it was not thought necessary to arrange for any special examination. In the dressmaking classes the Anglo-Parisian system has been adopted, and we have good reason to believe has been very successfully taught. The question of accommodation, which with every extension of the school's work becomes more pressing, has again occupied the attention of the Committee during the year, with, we regret to say, no material advance towards the provision of a suitable building. For cooking purposes spacious, lofty, and well-ventilated rooms are essential to comfort, better provision for storage and for the work of a laundry is needed, and to these requirements is to be added the need of greater facilities for reproducing in the work of instruction the conditions of an ordinary household, manifestly one of the most desirable objects to be kept in view. Report of Examiner. Mrs. E. D. Harman reports that she held the usual annual examination in plain cookery. The work of the students was uniformly good ; they were quick, neat, and orderly in the preparation and cooking of the dishes, and punctual in serving them at the allotted time. Eighteen students presented themselves; twelve passed very creditably, some of the theoretical as well as the practical .work being excellent. Statement of Accounts for the Year ending the 31st December, 1902. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ c. d. Balance from last year .. .. .. 17 410 Petty cash .. .. .. 45 0 0 Government grants— Salaries .. .. .. .. .. 242 18 3 Capitation .. .. .. .. 186 2 0 Cooking-material .. .. .. 174 8 0 Material .. .. .. .. 199 17 4 Rent .. .. .. .. 94 6 8 Rent .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 Gas .. .. .. .. 43 0 0 Board of Education grants—Capitation .. 177 5 0 Furniture .. .. .. 48 13 1 School fees .. .. •. 73 0 0 General expenses —Telephone, coal, postage, General fees .. .. .. .. 115 14 9 &c. .. .. .. .. .. 34 2 6 Admission, exhibit of works .. .. 8 0 0 Printing, advertising, stationery .. .. GlB 7 Discount ~ • • • • • • 010 9 Examination foes .. .. .. 2 2 0 Sales .. .. ■ ■ • • 68 1 3 Insurance .. .. .. .. 011 0 Bank charge for keeping accounts .. .. 0 10 0 Bank balance, 31st December £208 4 2 Less cheques outstanding 4 14 6 203 9 8 Cash in hand .. .. .. .. 0 6 3 £895 15 11 £895 15 11 O'Bbyen Hoaee, Honorary Treasurer. Extracts from the Eepoet op the Chaibman op the Board of Governobs of Canterbury College. School of Art. As compared with 1901, the number of students in attendance has been as follows : — 1901. First term —Morning, 29 ; afternoon, 2 ; evening, 135 ; Saturday, 62: total, 228 (including one extra attending nude-class only in morning). Second term—Morning, 28 ; afternoon, 3 ; evening, 123 ; Saturday, 81: total, 235 (including two extra attending nude-class only in morning). Third term —Morning, 26; afternoon, 1 ; evening, 186; Saturday, 170: total, 383. 1902. —First term —Morning, 27 ; afternoon, 1; evening, 203 ; Saturday, 138 : total, 369. Second term —Morning, 29 ; afternoon, 4 ; evening, 175 ; Saturday, 101: total, 309 (including three extra attending nude-class only in morning). Third term—Morning, 29 ; afternoon, 2 ; evening, 155; Saturday, 85: total, 273 (including four extra attending nude-class only in morning).

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Drawing and Painting. —The standard of work in the various branches has been more than maintained, especially in painting and drawing from the life and landscape. There is not so much work from still life, including painting from flowers, as in former years, the time being more occupied with modelling and applied art. The drawing from the nude figure is better than last year's work. Modelling, Casting, and Moulding. —This work has been much on the same lines as last year, most of the work being from ornament and the antique ; some of the advanced students have done some good busts from life. The moulding and casting show cleaner and more workmanlike results than hitherto. The young tradesmen to whom this class would benefit—such as plasterers, carvers, &c. —do not attend so largely as I would like. Wood and Stone Carving and Bepousse Work. —The average attendance lias been about the same as last year, the work being much of the same character, except in repousse, which has been a little more ambitious. Much more carving in high relief is now being done than formerly, and I am pleased to see an advance in the amount and character of original work, though still there is room for improvement in this respect, too many being content to copy their designs or rely for them on the instructor. Needlework. —A few who have studied design and drawing have turned their attention to this, amongst other branches of applied arc, and produced some good original pieces of lace-work. There is no branch of work in which, speaking generally, there is more bad copied work being done, the market being flooded with designs, and it would be of immense benefit if a class could be established restricted largely to original work, and led by a good needlewoman trained in art and design. I am not without hope that something may be attempted in this direction before long. Painters and Decorators' Work. —This class shows a further advance in attendance. It has now been established three years, the attendance being—l9oo, 18; 1901, 20; 1902, 23. If there is a further increase this year it will be necessary to appoint another instructor, as one man cannot efficiently cope with a large number doing such varied work. The increase is no doubt partially due to the better facilities now provided, whereby more advanced and valued work can be undertaken. All branches of the painter's business have been practised, and a high standard of workmanship has been attained. The interest taken by the Painters' Union and by Mr. Sey, one of the master painters, has been very helpful to this class. Decorative Designs. —Considering its important relation to the studies of a large number of students, the attendance, at least in the evening, and especially in the advanced section, has been anything but satisfactory. With about forty students taking applied art in one form or another there ought to be more than an average attendance of some half-dozen, and unless there is an improvement I shall be compelled tq recommend its discontinuance, and the work taken in some other way by trying to interweave it with the other work more intimately and directly. The students are strangely neglectful of what would be to their advantage in this work. Architecture and Building-construction. —This shows a pleasing contrast to the last class, and a still further advance in numbers, the average attendance for the last three years being— ■ 1900, 20; 1901, 39 ; 1902, 48. Both elementary and advanced sections have done good work. I hope this year to obtain a set of models, which is urgently needed for illustration of lectures and for use by the students. An interesting and instructive series of lectures was given on the History of Architecture, but not attended as it deserved to be. Practical Woodwork. —This class, intended principally for carpenters and joiners, was started the second term of last year, and is meant to co-ordinate with the classes in building-construction and geometry. The students have so far had to bring their own tools, which has proved an inconvenience, and deterred some from joining. Arrangements have been made to provide these, and a good class ought now to be built up. Geometry and Perspective. —There is again, a marked advance in attendance to record in these subjects, the average for the last three years being —1900, 27; 1901, 76; 1902, 96. The elementary class is again largely answerable for this success, and is doing really first-class work. Geometry and Pattern-drawing for Tinsmiths. —This class was started the second term of last year for the special application of geometry to tin and sheet-metal work. After an elementary course in solid and plane geometry, subjects are taken from every-day trade requirements, drawn on paper or direct on to cardboard, and then cut and built up in this material. The work has proved of great benefit to those attending, and it is hoped to take more advanced work this session. Manual Training Work. — Considering the importance now attached to this work by all foremost educationalists in its relation to primary-school work, the Government are rightly encouraging it here, and to this end the teachers throughout the colony are being urged and helped to qualify themselves in different subjects under this head. We have established classes in various branches, such as paper cutting mounting and weaving, free-arm work, cardboardmodelling, brushwork, and modelling in plasticine, &c. There has been a large attendance, especially in the two latter subjects, as many as 170 attending in one term. Examinations have been held, and certificates granted on the courses of work given. Scholarships (Canterbury Industrial Association). —Two scholarships were competed for last December, entitling the winners to two years' free tuition. Scholarships (Builders' Association). —Two are offered annually —one to those under twenty and over eighteen, and one to those under eighteen. The competition was held in December. Free Studentships. —The seven free studentships offered by the Board for annual competition on the past year's work have been awarded. State School Scholarships (Boys'). —An annual free studentship is given to boy in drawing in each school in the North Canterbury Educational District having over 170 pupils. The awards for 1902 were fourteen.

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State School Scholarships (Girls'). —The Board decided last year to offer ten scholarships for competition amongst the girls of the State schools in the district —six to schools having not less than 400 pupils on the roll, and four to those having less than 400. They entitle the winners to free tuition for one year in the morning class. The first competition was held last April, and eight awards were made. Prizes. —Prizes were competed for given by the following outside bodies : The Canterbury Society of Arts, the Wanganui Society of Arts and Crafts, the Wellington Society of Arts, and the Painters' Union, and also the Nicholson and other prizes. Local Examinations. —These were held in December. The results are as follows :—Secondgrade passes —Freehand, 65; model, 68; geometry, 7; perspective, 9; blackboard, 6. Full second-grade certificates, 5. Passes in other subjects: Brushwork—Advanced stage, 16; elementary stage, 74. Modelling in plasticine—Advanced stage, 6 ; elementary stage, 54. Modelling from cast in clay—Elementary antique, 1; elementary ornament, 2. First-grade geometry, 25; free-arm work for the standards, 4; cardboard and modelling, 2; tinsmiths' geometry and pattern-drawing, 5 ; applied geometry for builders, 2. Building-construction —First year, 14; second year, 8. Architecture — History and design, 4. Decorative design—Elementary, 8; advanced, 1. City and Guilds of London Institute Examinations. — Painters and decorators' works: Ordinary grade—First class, 1 ; second class, 1. Education Department of Great Britain (late Science and Art Department, South Kensington). — Examinations, 1901 (those for 1902 are not yet to hand) : Freehand—First class, 3 ; second class, 2. Model—First class, 1; second class, 5. Geometry—First class, 2 ; second class, 0. Perspective—First class, 0 ; second class, 1. Elementary Design—First class, 0 ; second class, 1. Painting ornament — First class, 0; second class, 1. Building-construction — First class, 1; second class, 1. Light and shade—First class, 0 ; second class, 3. I have again to thank my staff for their hearty co-operation in making the year's work a success. G. H. Elliott, Headmaster. School of Engineering, Elbcteicity, and Technical Science. New Buildings. —During the year the accommodation of the school has been increased nearly 100 per cent, by the addition of a new wing. Though use was made of this addition from the beginning of the session, the contract was not completed and the building finally taken over until June, and on the 27th of that month it was formally opened by the Chancellor of the University. This new wing, which is primarily intended to provide accommodation for the teaching of electrical engineering, electricity, and magnetism for the engineering, science, and arts degrees, is a twostoried building, covering a ground space of 80 ft. by 35 ft., and contains on the ground floor an electrical engineering laboratory, equipped with continuous, alternating, and polyphase current experimental plants, a test-room, an elementary electrical laboratory, and an advanced electrical laboratory ; these latter being provided with a fairly complete assortment of modern apparatus and instruments. Upstairs there is a lecture-room some 50ft. by 30 ft. The whole is lighted by electricity. Students. —During the year 189 students attended lectures, the hour attendances per week being 1,132f, an increase of 14 per cent, on the number of the previous year. There is a steady increase in the number of matriculated students taking the full course for the University degree of the associateship in engineering. These students, who this year numbered thirty-nine, materially swell the College classes in chemistry, physic, and mathematics, of which they constitute a proportion varying from 28 to 100 per cent, of the total number attending. Being drawn from all parts of New Zealand, they would, if taking an arts or science course, naturally attend the university college of their own district. Their presence at the School of Engineering is thus a distinct gain to Canterbury College. If the increase alluded to continues at its present rate it will be necessary to consider the advisability of providing still further accommodation, apparatus, and teaching-power, for even under existing conditions the resources of the department are heavily taxed. There may be some difficulty in obtaining suitable instructors, especially for the higher work ; for in engineering it is necessary that the teacher, in addition to having a thorough theoretical knowledge, shall have himself practised' for some considerable time in the subject taught. Should, however, the many electrical and engineering works foreshadowed in Christchurch be intrusted to qualified and competent men, it may be possible to follow the excellent American practice of obtaining part-time lecturers who are actively engaged in practising the subjects they teach. Arts and Science and Medical Students. —Ten college students taking the 8.A., B.Sc, or medical courses attended lectures and laboratory-work in electricity and magnetism at the School of Engineering. Results of Examinations. — University examinations, 1901: Twelve students passed in subjects of the first section of the first examination for the degree of B.Sc. in engineering, one completed his first examination, and five passed in subjects of the first section of the second examination. Associateship of the School of Engineering. —At the annual examination of 1902 the passes were —in electricity and magnetism, 10; freehand mechanical drawing, 8; descriptive geometry (advanced), 11; steam-engine (elementary), 6 ; mechanical drawing (for second year), 7 ; applied mechanics, 5 ; mechanics of machinery, 6 ; elementary strength of materials, 3 ; theory of workshop practice, 2; and advanced steam-engine, 2. Examination of Evening Students. —Of the students attending evening lectures 101 passed satisfactory examinations, and certificates were awarded as follows : First class —elementary steam, 3 ; elementary applied machanics, 1; elementary strength of materials, 2 ; mechanical drawing, Section 1., 7 ; mechanical drawing, Section 11., 5 ; freehand mechanical drawing, Sections I. and 11., 7 ; descriptive geometry and setting-out work, 17 ; locomotive and railway engineering 1;

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elementary electricity, 1; elementary electrical engineering, 2 ; advanced electricity, 1. Second class— elementary steam, 9 ; elementary applied mechanics, 7 ; elementary strength of materials,. 2 ; mechanical drawing, Section 1., 7; mechanical drawing, Section, 11., i; mechanical drawing, Section 111., 2 ; freehand mechanical drawing, 12; descriptive geometry and setting-out work, 5 ; strength of materials (advanced), 1 ; theory of workshop practice, 2 ; elementary electricity, 1 ; elementary electrical engineering, 2. Engineering Laboratory. —ln some degree, owing to the time occupied in organizing the new electrical department, the number of tests made during the year was comparatively small. They include the proof-testing of a derrick-cap, the testing of boiler-tubes and fencing-wire, the calibration of an electrical meter, and a few cement tests. B. J. Scott, Professor in Charge. Cheistchukch Boys' High School. The art and manual training of this school has been put on a sounder basis ; it has been better graded both as regards artistic and geometrical drawing, and the workshop classes have been placed under the sole direction of the drawing master, Mr. E. Thompson. Mr. S. Hurst Seager, who takes the geometrical drawing and design, wrote a short report on the art work, and a display of work done was given at the school in December.

SOUTH CANTEBBURY. EXTKACT FROM BePORT OP THE INSPECTORS OP SCHOOLS. Classes for the training of teachers in brush drawing, modelling in plasticine, and woodwork were held for a term of twelve lessons, Mr. W. Greene being instructor in brush drawing and modelling, and Mr. W. Parr in woodwork. The brushwork classes had a roll number of eightythree teachers of both sexes, and the modelling classes of seventy-seven, the attendance at the classes being well maintained throughout the course. There were forty-four men on the roll of the woodwork classes, but the attendance of several members was irregular. Though there is no fee for instruction and free railway travelling is granted to those attending the classes, many of the teachers are put to great inconvenience to be able to attend, and all exercise some self-denial in giving up their Saturday holiday for the sake of the classes. Under the Education Board as controlling authority, classes have been carried on by the Timaru and Waimate Technical Classes Associations, and negotiations are now in progress for the establishment of similar classes at Temuka, a former attempt in that centre not having met with sufficient support. Eeport of the Managers of the Timaru Technical Classes Association. At the annual meeting of subscribers, held on the 26th February, 1902, Messrs. James Craigie, J. S. Gibson, T. Hawkey, J. Boothroyd, G. A. Simmers, J. A. Johnson, and E. Holdgate were re-elected managers, and the Education Board reappointed Messrs. W. B. Howell and John Jackson as its representatives ; hence the managers were the same as for 1901. Mr. J. S. Gibson was elected chairman, which office he was, through ill health, compelled to resign. Mr. James ■Craigie then filled the chair for the re3t of the year. During the year ten meetings of managers have been held, the average attendance at which has been five. During the year classes were carried on for two terms, the first term extending from the 7th April to the 28th June, and the second from the 14th July to the 10th October. The following list shows what classes were carried on and the numbers in each class : Arithmetic, 15 first term and 5 second term ; book-keeping, 27 and 12 ; cookery, 17 and 10 ; drawing and carving, 14 and 12 ; dressmaking, senior and junior, 6 and 5, 15 and 10; English literature, 58 and 35 ; French, 8 and 5 ; mechanical drawing, 16 and 9 ; painting, drawing from life, and modelling from life, 9 and 9 ; shorthand, senior, 15 and 7 ; shorthand, junior, 16 and 15; vocal music, 42 and 29 : totals, 258 and 163. The number of individual pupils was 225 for the first term and 149 for the second, as compared with 368 for the only term of 1901. It was a matter for surprise that the entries for English, Latin, and mathematics did not warrant the carrying-on of these classes. The managers would here express their appreciation of the services rendered by the staff of teachers. Only four pupils failed to pay the fees, which are, it may be said, for such classes among the lowest in New Zealand. As was the case last year, the average attendance dropped off a good deal as the longer days approached. Your managers do not view with any great alarm the drop in attendance indicated by the foregoing figures ; they are satisfied that in a town of the size of Timaru the normal number of pupils must be from 150 to 200. Even those numbers indicate that a fair proportion of our eligible young people are benefiting. Further, the habit of attending these classes is one of slow growth. Your managers look forward to the time when attendance at such classes shall be the ordinary duty of all leaving the day schools to learn a trade; and if the present movement towards technical education is to result in permanent success there must be such a dovetailing of our systems, primary, secondary, and technical, that the one leads naturally to the other. It is a matter of question whether or not the expenditure on our manual and technical classes results in the benefit that might be expected, though it is undoubtedly preparing the way for better days educationally. During 1901 four managers obtained subscriptions from 173 persons, of whom five became life members, but for 1902 subscriptions were obtained from only fifty-nine persons. It is imperative that during 1903 there shall be devised some better system of collecting these subscriptions. The association cannot expect to carry on without financial help from our townsfolk. The Education Department subsidises these local subscriptions to the extent of £1 for £1. The managers would accord their hearty thanks to all who have subscribed to the funds of the association and also to the Timaru Borough Council, the Levels County Council, the Licensed Victuallers' Association, the South Canterbury Caledonian Society, and the A. and P. Society for their liberal donations.

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All the year your managers have had under consideration plans for a building suitable for the work of technical classes proper. No fewer than three sets of plans have been dealt with, and after much correspondence with the Department and a good deal of modification of original proposals the Department has agreed to grant this association the sum of £1,000 to provide a suitable building. Your managers feel that this sum will be hardly enough to secure the number of rooms wished for, and are asking the Department for an increased grant. It is hoped that within two months tenders for the new building will be invited. The Education Board, which acts as our controlling authority, has all along rendered us what help it could, and so have its officials. At the close of the work for 1902 your managers, thanks to the ladies connected with the classes, were able to hold a most successful social gathering. Specimens of the work done in various classes were placed on exhibition, and certificates of efficiency were presented to those pupils who had been successful in certain examinations instituted by the managers. Perhaps the time may come when to gain one of the association's certificates of efficiency may be a coveted honour. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 190.2. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance, 1901 .. .. .. .. 160 5 1 Salaries .. .. .. .. 205 14 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 32 2 6 Secretary and stamps .. .. .. 20 15 0 Pees .. .. .. .. ;. 114 5 0 Gas-fittings .. .. .. .. 7 5 0 Sales .. .. .. .. .. 161 Apparatus and material .. .. .. 25 16 6 Government grants— Stationery and printing .. .. .. 10 17 3 Subsidy on voluntary contributions .. 24 12 6 Janitorial expenses .. .. .. 11 10 0 Capitation .. .. .. 48 8 4 Gas .. .. .. .. .. 6 110 Grant for apparatus and material, 1901 .. 40 610 Fees returned .. .. .. .. 019 6 Grant for apparatus and material, 1902 .. 19 8 0 Hire of hall .. .. .. .. 0 5 0 Interest on deposit in Savings-Bank .. 1 17 6 Bank charge's and cheque-book .. .. 015 0 Auditor .. .. .. .. .. 0 10 6 Main School Committee—firing, &c. .. 216 0 Balance in Bank of New Zealand .. .. 97 8 3 Balance in Savings-Bank .. .. .. 51 17 6 £442 11 10 j £442 11 10 Audited and found correct.—Wμ. Ibwin. —Timaru, 17th February, 1903. G. Crawshaw, Secretary. Extract from Eeport on the Timaru High School. The woodwork classes in connection with the boys' school, which had been discontinued on account of the small number of boys desirous of taking this subject, were resumed under the direct control of the headmaster, the fee formerly charged for this class being abolished. Possibly owing to the abolition of this fee the class was largely attended, forty boys attending it. In the girls' school the class for cookery under Miss O'Brien was continued with a roll of twenty, and a new class for dressmaking, with Miss Fyfe as teacher, was begun. Only about ten pupils attended this class. An extra fee was charged for dressmaking, but the Board has decided to make both classes free in future. Swimming classes were started in connection with both schools, but owing to the phenomenal inclemency of the weather during the swimming season only four or five lessons were given.

OTAGO. Extract from Bepokt of the Education Board. Technical Instruction. —With the Government vote for the purpose the Board was enabled to establish and continue cookery classes for teachers, and at certain centres cookery schools have been instituted for the senior girls of the public schools, pupil-teachers, and such teachers as desire further instruction. Other similar classes are being set up. In the same localities carpentry classes are also formed for boys. Thus a solid basis of a certain amount of technical work is founded for our schools. There still remains the establishment of permanent tutoring in handwork in connection with the Training College. This the Board hopes to see accomplished during the present year. To prepare for handwork being generally taught in the schools the Board has passed a resolution to provide as soon as possible specially designed desks for infant-rooms. Eeference must here be made to the fact that the Board agreed, so far as responsibility is concerned, to take over the assets of the Dunedin Technical Classes' Association, and to assist in carrying on the classes as continuation and technical classes for the youth of the city. Under special regulations, since issued by the Minister of Education, a combined directorate now has them in charge. Extract from the Eepokt of the Inspectors of Schools. Handwork has been introduced into a few of the schools, and gives fair promise of success. By means of summer classes for the teachers of the outlying districts, Saturday classes for those at a distance from Dunedin but served by the railways, and evening classes for those in Dunedin and suburbs, preparation is being made for the general introduction of manual and technical instruction. The central cookery classes were a marked success. In these classes over 289 girls from the Sixth and Seventh Standards of the Dunedin and suburban schools went through a course of twenty two-hour lessons in the the theory and practice of plain cookery.

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Ebpobt of the Principal ob , the School of Art and Design, During the period over which this report extends—viz., from February to December—the number of students who received instruction was 387. This includes 49 teachers and pupilteachers, 20 students from the Training College, 79 students who attended the day classes, 177 students who attended the evening classes, and 62 teachers and pupil-teachers who attended the Saturday classes. The school was open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 5.45 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The following is a brief outline of the classes and the nature of the work pursued during the past session : — Freehand, Model-drawing, Light and Shade, and Modelling. — The work of these classes included drawing from models, from oasts of ornaments, from the antique, and from life ; modelling from casts, from nature, and from life. The general progress of the students was satisfactory, and the quality of the work higher than that of last year. There was, however, a tendency to carlessness, or want of interest in the execution of finished work. Plant-form, Design, and Painting. —The work of these classes comprised drawing plant-forms from nature, studying their growth and structure, and selecting the typical forms best adapted for decorative purposes. These studies were utilised for working out original designs for borders, panels, repeating-patterns, and to fit given shapes. Several very good designs, showing considerable artistic ability, were done during the session. Students of the painting class worked in monochrome from the flat and the cast, painting in colour from groups of still life, and flower and foliage from nature. The more advanced students worked from the antique and from life. A class for outdoor work was held once a week when the weather proved favourable. Teachers' and pupil-teachers' classes were held on Monday and Wednesday from 5.45 p.m. to 6.45 p.m., for freehand, model-drawing, and light and shade ; Tuesday and Thursday, for practical geometry and perspective ; and on Saturday morning, from 10 to 12, for the same subjects. The attendance was regular, and the standard of efficiency was maintained. At the pupil-teachers, annual examination, held in July, 22 passed m model-drawing (these having previously passed in freehand), 12 passed in geometrical drawing, and 9 in perspective. Students of the Training College attended on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 11 to 12. The work of those who had not previously studied drawing comprised freehand, modeldrawing, and practical geometry; and for those who had passed the prescribed pupil-teachers' examinations, drawing on the blackboard, light and shade from the cast,, and modelling. The students worked earnestly, and made good progress, the blackboard-work being especially good. Practical Plane and Solid Geometry, Building-construction, and Machine Construction and Draiuing. —Classes for these subjects were held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 7 to 9, and were conducted on the same lines as previously reported, the work being of the most useful kind connected with the occupations of the students. The Minister of Education sent for exhibition an interesting selection of work, from the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, consisting of worked examination papers in the various subjects of drawing, painting, and designing, finished studies in light and shade and in colour, design for textile fabric, and casts of modelled designs. These were exhibited for twentyseven days, from 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and attracted a large number of visitors. Examinations. —Fifty-seven passes were secured by students of the school at the Science and Art Examinations of the Board of Education, South Kensington, held in Dunedin in 1902. The results are as follows : —Practical plane and solid geometry—first class, 2 ; second class, 1. Machine-construction —first class, 2; second class, 3. Building-construction — first class, 2; second class, 3. Geometrical drawing—second class, 3. Perspective—first class, 1 ; second class, 4. Freehand —first class, 7; second class, 3. Model —first class, 7; second class, 2. Light and shade —first class, 3; second class, 4. Antique—first class, 1; second class, 2. Principles of ornament —second class, 1. Painting ornament—second class, 1. Drawing from life—second class, 2. Design—second class, 3. . Four works were accepted from as many students towards the completion of the requirements for the art-class teacher's certificate, also one work for the art master's certificate. One student, Mabel Brown, won a book prize at the national competition for a study in light and shade from the cast; while another, Oswald H. Trochon, obtained a full art-class teacher's certificate. The annual exhibition of students' work was held at the close of the session, and was largely attended. I have to thank the members of the staff for the earnest manner in which they performed their respective duties. David C. Hutton, Art Master, Principal. Kepokt of the Committee of the Dunedin Technical Classes Association. The following is the annual report for 1902 : — Your committee have much pleasure in presenting to members the fourteenth annual report. As was pointed out last year, the regulations under " The Manual and Technical Instruction Act, 1900," by limiting the number of managers to five somewhat hampered the working-power of the committee, and to overcome this source of weakness members, on the recommendation of your committee, again elected twelve, according to the old constitution of the association, and appointed from this committee the five managers legally required. In this way Messrs. D. E. White, D. E. Eunson, and G. Simpson, retiring by rotation, were elected, and Mr. J. F. Arnold, M.H.E., was elected in place of Mr. James Eobin (resigned). To comply with the regulations the following members of committee were reappointed managers: Messrs. A. Burt, D. E. White, G. M. Thomson, G. Simpson, and W. Cutten. Mr. Burt was afterwards re-elected president, and Mr. Eunson treasurer.

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Since the formation of the association, fourteen years ago, 5,355 students have passed through the classes. The following tabular statement gives the enrolments for each year :— 1889 ... 288 i 1896 ... ... ... 458 1890 ... 170 1897 ... .. ... 701 1891 ... 318 1898 ... ... ... 731 1892 ... 364 1899 ... ... ... 767 1893 ... 390 1900 ... ... ... 781 1894 ... 385 1901 ... ... ... 753 1895 ... 457 1902 ... ... ... 634 Owing to a change in the method of communicating results, your committee has no official intimation of the successes achieved by our students in the examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute, but according to reports in the daily Press the passes compare very favourably with those of previous years. In the last annual report was given a statement of the negotiations by which your committee were allowed to transfer £2,000 from the Building Fund to a fund for the purchase of the property on which the school stands. A further sum of £500 was required to effect this purchase. By the regulations greater inducements to carry on such classes were given to Education Boards than to outside associations like ours ; your committee therefore approached the Otago Education Board, and in consideration of receiving an advance to the above amount undertook to hand over the whole of their property. After several conferences between the two bodies the requisite amount was paid to your association, the purchase of the freehold was duly made, and the transfer of the whole property to the Board has quite recently been completed. Thus, after carrying on its work for fourteen years, the old Technical Classes Association has practically passed out of existence as an • independent body, and in doing so has transferred to the Board property worth, at a low estimate, at least £3,670. While these negotiations were proceeding new regulations were framed by the Education Department conferring upon the managers of associated classes, under a Board of Education as " controlling authority," the privileges which formerly Boards alone enjoyed. Your committee therefore approached the Otago Education Board, and expressed their willingness to carry on the classes as an association under the Board, a position which the latter body accepted. In order to give all the interested bodies due representation on the managing committee of the new associated classes, the Minister of Education decided that nine managers should be appointed, as follows: Four by the Education Board, three by the subscribers to the association, and two by the Dunedin City Council, that body having granted an annual donation of £50 to assist the work of the classes. During the past year, by permission of your committee, the Education Board utilised rooms in the buildings for carrying on teachers' and school classes in woodwork and in cookery. The large number of pupils and teachers thus receiving instruction is not, of course, included in the returns of our classes. The balance-sheet, giving particulars of receipts and expenditure, is herewith appended, and shows an apparent deficiency of £99 9s. lid., but donations and capitation amounting to £150, and properly belonging to the year's operations, have been paid to the association's account since the balance-sheet was made out. Thus the new organization starts practically with a credit balance. The thanks of the association are again due to the examiners for the large amount of gratuitous work so willingly performed, and to the Press for the ever ready assistance it has always rendered. The committee also desire to once more record their appreciation of the good work done by the teaching staff, and of the valuable assistance they have received from Mr. A. Marshall, the indefatigable superintendent. By the new constitution it is now the duty of the members to elect three out of the nine managers required for the ensuing year. The retiring committee would direct the attention of the new Board of Managers to the urgent necessity that exists for the establishment of practical classes in electrical engineering, the valuable plant imported for this purpose being still in store. Seeing that about one-half of the students in attendance at the classes reside in the suburban boroughs, the suggestion has been made that the Councils of these boroughs might very appropriately grant financial assistance to this work, as is already done by the Dunedin City Council, and thus become entitled to representation on the governing body. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended the 31st December, 1902. Receipts. & s. d. Expenditure.. £ s. d. Fees .. .. .. .. .. 478 14 6 Bank balance, 31st December, 1901 .. 42 15 6 Donations .. .. .. .. 72 19 6 Salaries .. .. .. .. 705 15 10 Government grants— Printing, advertising, &c. .. .. 58 0 8 Capitation on attendance .. .. 189 12 8 Materials .. .. .. .. 39 10 7 Subsidy on donations .. .. .. 143 6 0 Gas .. .. .. .. .. 36 5 2 Refund railway fares .. .. .. 4 6 6 Water and rates .. .. .. ' 14 4 0 For apparatus .. .. .. 3 9 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. 16 12 4 Interest .. .. .. • • 10 0 0 Repairs, &o. .. .. .. 20 16 0 Education Board .. .. .. 500 0 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 40 0 0 Fixed deposit matured .. .. .. 2,000 0 0 Law-costs .. .. .. .. 17 8 0 Bank overdraft, 31st December, 1902 .. 3 9 0 Architect .. .. .. .. 10 10 0 Unpresented cheques .. .. .. 96 011 Purchase of property .. .. ... 2,500 0 0 £3,501 18 1 £3,501 18 1 Examined and found correct. —C. Gkatbb, F.N.Z.A.A., Auditor.—Dunedin, 18th January, 1903.

5—E. 5.

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Report of the Superintendent on the Work of the Glasses carried on by the Association at Dunedin and Port Chalmers. The total number of students enrolled was 634, a decrease of 119 compared with the previous year. The failure of the classes at Port Chalmers is responsible for nearly half the falling-off, and although the decrease seems great it need not, in my opinion, be regarded as serious. The scope and importance of the work done are better shown by the subjoined statement, giving the subjects and number of classes taught: English (two classes), Latin, French (two classes), Maori, elocution (four classes), arithmetic (two classes), mathematics (two classes), penmanship and correspondence, commercial law, shorthand (three classes, Dunedin and Port Chalmers), typewriting (three classes, Dunedin and Port Chalmers), book-keeping (two classes), botany (held during the summer), chemistry (two classes), physics, heat and electricity (two classes), applied mechanics and steam, theory and principles of plumbing, plumbers' work, carpentry and joinery, tailors' cutting and fitting, dressmaking (two classes), wood-carving, wool-classing, cookery (three classes). Thus, although the support accorded the classes in engineering, drawing, arithmetic, mathematics, and wood-carving at' Port Chalmers, and that in painters' classes at Dunedin was so poor that these classes had to be abandoned, it will be seen from the foregoing list that the association carried on forty-one classes in twenty-four different subjects, and I have to add that twenty-nine teachers took part in the work during the year. There were, as usual, several changes in the teaching staff. At the beginning of the session Mr. W. B. Graham was placed in charge of the mathematics classes, Mr. H. McMillan having previously acted as temporary teacher; Mr. O. D. Flamank succeeded Mr. J. Park Smith as teacher of penmanship and correspondence; Mr. W. Given, M.A., was appointed teacher of chemistry in place of Mr. James Niven, M.A. ; Mr. James Simmers. M.A., took the position of teacher of physics vacated by Mr. C. O. Lillie, M.A.; and Mr. John Coutts was appointed teacher of tailors' cutting and fitting. It is worthy of public statement that each and every one of the above-mentioned retiring teachers served the association with more than usual ability and enthusiasm. Then, during the second quarter, Miss Kate Stewart, teacher of the dressmaking class for the past seven years, left for Wellington, and the thanks of the association are due to Miss Isabella Findlay for carrying on the work till the end of the year ; also to Mr. James Jeffery for undertaking the work of the junior English class in addition to that of his own. Mr. G. A. Hansard was added to the staff as teacher of the new class for Maori, and Mr. W. A. McNaught of that of the wool-classing. Eeviewing the work of the continuation subjects, I wish first to emphasize the fact that much of the time of students attending the English, arithmetic, and penmanship classes is taken up in again going over work previously done by them in their ordinary school course. The reason is apparent: scholars leaving school to enter the ranks of the workers allow a few years to pass before they enrol themselves as students of our school, consequently much has been forgotten, and the extent to which these students are afterwards hindered in their study of the technical subjects is apparent. The remedy seems obvious—strengthen the connection with the primary school by . granting free tuition in the three subjects mentioned to those students who enter our classes immediately after leaving school—that is, provided such students have passed through the higher standards of the public-school course. The class for junior English was large, but for the reason just noted the students varied considerably in attainments and ability. However, the senior class in the same subject was more satisfactory in this respect, and good, work was done; while the competition for Professor Gilray's prize of free tuition in his class at the University causes students to take extra interest in the work. Although the two divisions are still taken at the same time, the work of the Latin class was quite satisfactory; however, provided the attendance keeps up, the work will next year be taken in two separate classes. Considering the ability and enthusiasm of the teacher, I do not think that the French class gets anything like the support it merits. The elocution class was attended by thirtytwo pupils, and, in order that these might have every attention, the class was divided into six sections, and each taught on a separate night, the teacher practically working six nights a week. In arithmetic the senior class was a source of pleasure to the teacher, but for the reason already indicated the students of the junior class were, on the whole, rather a poor lot. This year a class for the teaching of Maori was opened, and before the end of the first quarter eighteen students were in regular attendance. This class proved a great success, and the credit of this is due to students and teacher alike. The attempt made to extend the scope of the work of the penmanship class by adding commercial correspondence has tended to limit the number entering the class, the reason being the amount of work first required to bring many of the students to the standard at which correspondence should begin. I have again to report that the commercial group—bookkeeping, typewriting, shorthand, and commercial law—are the best supported of our classes, and that the results attained are uniformly good. There was only a slight decrease in attendance at the classes for these subjects, except in the class for commercial law, in which the falling-off was most marked, and it is just possible that provision for a separate class in this subject may for a year or two be allowed to drop from the syllabus. A feature of the work in book-keeping and shorthand this year was the high standard reached by the senior classes in each of these subjects, the class for book-keeping being probably the best that has passed through our school, while two pupils of the shorthand class, by easily gaining certificates for writing 160 words per minute, proved the superiority of the work over that of former years, the highest speed for which certificates have previously been granted being 140 words per minute. The Port Chalmers class was again examined with the Dunedin class, and the results were exceedingly good. The greater proportion of the certificates for shorthand were marked " first class." It is possible, however, to have this striving after excellence in one subject leading to the neglect of the kindred subjects ; thus a quick

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shorthand-writer may perhaps be unable to spell his transcription, give a precis of the matter, or expand stated facts into a satisfactory letter. In the same way, something more than mechanical work is often required from the typist, and the same weakness in composition and spelling is sometimes apparent. Similarly.a knowledge of commercial arithmetic and, to some extent, of commercial law, is an advantage, if not essential, to a book-keeper. But in the majority of cases students will not attend instruction in these kindred subjects unless such subjects are grouped and treated as one. Next year, therefore, an attempt will be made to arrange the course in such a way that students will be induced to take up the study of kindred subjects. Of the classes for science, that for botany continues satisfactory, while that for chemistry showed a marked falling-off, and perhaps during the second quarter hardly justified the employment of two teachers. On the other hand, the attendance of students at the class for electricity was great enough to tax the capacity of a single teacher, and is a good indication of the demand for a practical class in this subject. In the classes for physics and chemistry the prizes of free tuition at the University granted by Professors Shand and Black respectively lead to remarkably keen and earnest work among the more advanced students. The class for applied mechanics may also be regarded as satisfactory, but appliances for demonstration are urgently required, and a strong effort should be made to obtain these before next session. To suit the requirements of students intending to sit for the City and Guilds of London examination, a special class in mechanical engineering was held during the summer. The results are not yet to hand. The next group of classes is known under the designation " trade classes." Owing to the assistance of master plumbers, expressed through their association, the theory class for plumbing was this year better attended, and, according to the examiner, the work of the practical class in the same subject is equal to, if it does not excel, that of any former year. The class for carpentry, although not large, was sufficient to tax the space at disposal for practical work, and the examiner specially commends the work done during the past year. The class for tailors' cutting and fitting was a small one, and when the class of work that is being done becomes known the attendance is sure to increase. Mr. John McDonald, who examined the class, reports that good progress has already been made. During the first quarter the attendance at the dressmaking class was so great that an extra class had to be formed, but during the second quarter the number of students was sufficient to form only one fair-sized class. Hitherto the class has not followed any system of cutting and fitting, but this year, by arrangement between the teacher and the patentee, a trial was made of the " Frisco system," and the results are such as to justify giving the system a further trial next year. The teacher suggests that a sewing-machine should be procured for the use of students attending the class, and the suggestion certainly has much to recommend it. A class for instruction in wool-classing was carried on during the year, and is likely to become permanent. Through the courtesy of the wool-brokers, ample wool for the practical instruction of the students was provided, and by the end of the year the wool-sorting branch of the subject was mastered. The class for wood-carving continues to be rather large for a single teacher to manage, and probably the best solution of the difficulty is to divide the class and charge the more advanced pupils a higher fee. Next year an attempt will be made to carry on a class specially for apprentices of the carpentry and furniture trades. In all three cookery classes practical work is done, and the classes were fairly well attended, students coming in regularly every week from such distant places as Balclutha and Lawrence. Very few of the students sat for the certificate examination, but several candidates are preparing for the examination held annually by the Education Department of England. The result of the year's work, taken as a whole, may be regarded as entirely satisfactory ; indeed, in many classes it was probably of a higher standard than that done in former years. During the past year there were fewer applications than usual for remission of fees; a few students, however, have not yet paid, and should not require to be reminded. The examiners, many of whom undertake the work at great inconvenience to themselves, are again entitled to the thanks of the association. The various members of the staff have been regular in attendance and diligent in the discharge of their duties. I have to thank them for assistance rendered. Angus Mabshall, Superintendent.

SOUTHLAND. Extract feom Ebpobt of the Education Boabd. Training of Teachers. —The Board in its last report acknowledged receipt from the Government of a special grant of £150 for the training of its teaching staff in the various departments of kindergarten, manual, and technical work. This year a similar vote for this purpose was placed at the Board's disposal. Special Saturday classes for the instruction of teachers in these subjects were held in Invercargill and Gore throughout the year. To enable students from all parts of the district accessible to the railway system to attend, free passes were issued. A large majority of the Board's staff of teachers took advantage of the concession offered of gaining some practical knowledge of the various subjects above enumerated—a knowledge that, judging by the spirit of the times, seems now to be an indispensable adjunct to the teacher's stock-in-trade. The fact that so many of the Board's staff of teachers are willing, and indeed in many cases anxious, to sacrifice their statutory weekly holiday to equip themselves more fully for their life's work speaks volumes for their earnestness and enthusiasm. EXTBACT FBOM EePOBT OF THE InSPBCTOBS OF SCHOOLS. Manual Training. —Great progress was made in this branch of school-work during the year In almost all the infant departments some form of handwork was successfully taken up, and in several schools, notably the South (Standards I. to IV.) and Middle (Standards I. to VI.), the upper classes did work of capital quality. In this district manual training is now beyond the

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apologetic and experimental stage. Should any be still sceptical as to the value of this new departure as a means of elementary training, they would do well to study the proceedings of the educational section of the last meeting of the British Association. Said Professor Armstrong : " For a long time past we have been drifting away from the practical, and those who are acquainted with the work of the school, especially the elementary school, are aghast at the influence they are exercising in hindering the development of practical ability." So Professor Dewar, president of the association, in an address on " Education and Progress " : " Mental habits are formed for good or for evil long before men go to the technical schools. We have to begin at the beginning :we have to train the population from the first to think correctly and logically, to deal at first hand with facts, and to evolve, each one to evolve for himself, the solution of the problem put before him, instead of learning by rote the solution given by somebody else." And Professor Perry was so much impressed by the fatuity of much of the present-day methods that he evoked a conflagration or an earthquake to wreck the existing system of education, so that the whole business might be reconstructed on consistent and simple lines. The names of Perry, Armstrong, and Dewar are names to conjure with in education and science, so that we may take heart of grace when we reflect that we have committed ourselves to a policy in accordance with which our young people will be trained on the principles advocated in the educational section of the British Association. We sincerely hope that the Board will adopt our suggestion regarding the institution of midsummer classes for the benefit of teachers in remote parts of the district who have not hitherto had the opportunity of attending special classes. The further suggestion may be made here that, at the end of 1904, there should be held in Invercargill an exhibition of manual work, which might also include competitions in other departments of school-work, such as mental arithmetic, drill, singing, and recitation. Such an exhibition would do a great deal to stimulate educational activity amongst us. PvEPORT OF THE DIIIECTOK OF TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. Central Technical and Continuation Glasses. Classes and, Teachers. —The technical and continuation classes held during the winter months in Invercargill have fully maintained their usefulness and popularity. The total number of students enrolled for the first term was 273, a decrease of 11 compared with the previous year ; but in the second term the number enrolled was 205, an increase of 56 over the corresponding term of last year. There were 26 classes placed on the syllabus—s in art subjects, 13 in scientific and technical subjects, and Bin literary and commercial subjects. Of these classes 7 failed to proceed for lack of students, and 19 were established, one more than last year. The classes which were carried on were much the same as those held the previous year, except that it was found impossible to establish the chemistry class. On the other hand, a class for singing was successfully inaugurated. The most successful classes were those for book-keeping (junior and senior), singing, mechanical drawing, and cookery. The dressmaking class commenced with a roll number of 20, but in the second term it fell away to 8. The photography, laundry, and mathematics classes were carried on for one term only, but all the other classes were successfully conducted through a second session. Two of the classes —viz., cookery and shorthand —were continued for a third term. An effort was made during the year to establish a class in the principles of sanitary plumbing, a subject of vital interest and concern to the inhabitants of the town in general, and especially so to those engaged in the craft. A sufficient number of students, however, was not found to justify the class making a commencement, so the effort was reluctantly abandoned for the session. There is reason to hope that this year the class will be inaugurated, and that this most important subject will receive the attention it deserves, for undoubtedly there is room for improvement in the sanitary plumbing practised at present in this town. I can only speak in terms of highest praise of the interest and enthusiasm shown by the teachers as a whole in the conduct of their classes. To their zeal as much as to anything else is due the success of the year's operations in this department of technical education. Exhibition of Work. —As in former years, an exhibition of the work of students in the art and manual classes was held at the close of the second term. Many of the exhibits were of a very high order, and were most favourably commented on by competent judges. At the close of the exhibition, and on the conjoint invitation of the High School and Education Boards, a number of prominent citizens were invited to partake of a supper, all the dishes at which were prepared by students attending the two cookery classes, the students themselves acting as waitresses. Examinations. —The value of the classes as a means of advancement to those eager to succeed in life is being more widely recognised. Several students have taken advantage of the facilities offered by the classes to prepare themselves for the examinations held under the Board of Education, London, in science and art subjects, and under the City and Guilds of London Institute in technical subjects. These examinations are held locally in the months of May and June, and last year 14 candidates presented themselves for examination under the former department—viz., 9 in machine-construction and drawing, 2 in freehand drawing, 2 in modeldrawing, and lin drawing in light and shade. Under the City and Guilds of London department there was one candidate for plain cookery (Mrs. Turner), who succeeded in .passing. The results of the Board of Education Department examination have not yet been received. As time goes on, these examinations will be more fully taken advantage of. It is, indeed, the aim of the classes to work up to the standard requirements of these two departments, and to encourage the students to sit for the examinations, as the certificates from both bodies are of world-wide value. In order to stimulate the students in the art and scientific classes to. more determined effort, and at the same time to give them an idea of the character and quality of the work expected of them in the examinations, the Education Department in Wellington procured from the Home

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authorities an assortment of the best works executed at these examinations by students in different technical schools in Great Britain, illustrative of the various subjects in which examinations are held. These works were in due course forwarded to Invercargill, and were placed on view in the Board's room. The exhibition was visited by quite a number of those interested in such works, and doubtless the full benefit of the Department's thoughtfulness will in time be reaped. Buildings —The work has been somewhat hampered by the want of suitable buildings in which to carry on the classes, as was the case last year ; "but this drawback will soon be a thing of the past, as a promise has been given by the Department that a sum of £2,500 will be granted to erect buildings sufficient for present requirements. Accordingly a first contract has been entered into to erect two class-rooms for woodwork and cookery, these rooms being most urgently required in view of the extension of these branches of education in the town schools. The buildings are now approaching completion, and a larger structure for art and class purposes will be tendered for shortly. When these buildings are completed, the difficulties that now exist in carrying on the work of technical instruction will be considerably lessened. Gore, Mataura, &c, Technical and Continuation Classes. Last year I had to report that classes were held at fourteen centres in all. This year classes were held only at seven centres —viz., Gore, Mataura, Queenstown, Orepuki, Glenorchy, Pahia, and Wild Bush—owing principally to the fact that no students were found anxious to join a class in the other centres. With the exception of the classes held at Gore and Mataura, the work covered was principally that required for Standard V. and Standard VI. At Gore, dressmaking, book-keeping, and shorthand were the subjects taught, the roll numbers for the two terms being 50 and 28 respectively; while at Mataura dressmaking and singing were the only classes which met with sufficient support, the roll numbers for the two terms being 33 and 25 respectively. The work at Gore is also hindered by the want of suitable buildings. The school is too far removed from the centre, and great difficulty was experienced in finding convenient rooms elsewhere. Eventually a room in the Athenaeum was secured, which, though small, met the requirements for the time being. More commodious premises are in view for the coming year, during which it is hoped to enlist the co-operation of the Borough Council in securing a suitable central site on which permanent buildings may be erected worthy of the growing importance of the town. The classes at Mataura paid all claims and left a small credit balance wherewith to commence next year's operations. The Gore classes, however, were barely self-supporting. This is accounted for by the fact that, according to the Manual and Technical Instruction Act, all classes held in country centres having less than 2,000 inhabitants may, with the approval of the Minister, receive an addition of one-half to the statutory rate of capitation. Mataura is entitled to receive this extra capitation, and has benefited accordingly, but Gore, having outgrown the limit, has to be contented with the receipt of the statutory capitation only. It has consolation, however, in this, that its claim as a centre to special treatment in the matter of erecting and equipping suitable class-rooms, will receive most favourable consideration from the Education Department. An effort will be made in the coming year to establish technical classes in other of the larger centres, especially where district high schools are situated, if suitable teachers and a sufficient number of students are forthcoming. Manual Instruction in Schools. I have a most encouraging report to present in regard to the progress made in this branch of education during the year. Last year, although quite a number of schools in the district had done a little in the way of introducing hand and eye work into their programme of studies, only nine schools, with a total of 1,355 children in attendance at the classes, had carried on the work during the whole year so as to enable them to earn capitation. This year the number of schools entitled to receive capitation was increased to 39, with an attendance at the classes of 3,638 scholars ; and this number would have been much greater but for the fact that the necessary material —brushes for brushwork, knives for cardboard-work, &c. —to enable several of the classes to begin could not be procured in sufficient quantity in the colony, thus causing delay. The progress made has been " principally in the direction of introducing into the work of the preparatory classes, and into the lower standard classes, exercises based on kindergarten methods." In connection with the larger schools more advanced subjects have been carried on—viz., woodwork and cookery for the boys and girls respectively in the upper standards of the town schools, while cardboard-modelling and first aid have also found a place in the upper standards in a few of the other schools. That the work will grow and develop there is not the least doubt. Teachers are already beginning to realise the value of the introduction of handwork in their schools, as the children who have been thus trained in the preparatory classes are found to be quicker and more intelligent when they pass into the higher standards, for the reason that there has been developed within them the " regular and easy co-ordination of hand and eye and brain " that leads them to thoroughly comprehend the why and the wherefore of their daily tasks. It is not likely, however, that many teachers, however much they may desire to do so, will be able to introduce this work into the higher standards until the Department issues the new standard syllabus which has been promised. With the advent of the new syllabus, however, it is safe to say that handwork classes will be found in every school in Southland. As it is, next year will show a still further increase in the number of schools that have introduced hand and. eye training into their programme of work. During the year a large supply of permanent and non-permanent material was obtained, and has been distributed amongst the schools where classes are in operation. The cost of this material is fully met by capitation and other grants.

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The work of organizing the classes is now well in hand, and in future more time will be available to perfect the methods adopted of issuing and receiving the forms wherewith to collect the information necessary to have the classes recognised by the Department, and to collect the capitation grants. Teachers' Training Classes. A second grant of £150 from the Education Department enabled the teachers' training classes to be continued as time and circumstances permitted. At the Invercargill centre, cookery and dress-cutting classes for females, with roll numbers of 72 and 70 respectively, and a woodwork class for males, with a roll number of 36, were conducted on Saturdays. At the examinations under the City and Guilds of London Institute held in June, 22 teachers sat for the manual training in woodwork examination —20 for the first year, and 2 for the final. Of this number, 13 succeeded in passing the first year's examination, and 1 the final. Those who passed the first year's examination intend going up for the final in June next, and about twenty others are preparing for the first year's examination which is held at the same time. The class in dress-cutting was conducted for a term of twelve weeks. At the close an examination was held. The examination was both practical and written. Twenty-eight teachers sat for the examination and 25 passed, having gained over 60 per cent, of the possible number of marks. The students in the cookery class are preparing for the plain-cookery examination under the City and Guilds of London Institute. Over twenty teachers have signified their intention of presenting themselves for examination. At Gore classes were established for the benefit of the teachers near the centre in paper-work, plasticine-modelling, and brush work. The classes were attended by 35 teachers in all. It is proposed to establish classes in woodwork and cookery as soon as arrangements can be completed, a suitable building having been secured. As the teachers in the Lakes District are practically shut out from the benefits derivable from attendance at these training classes, Mr. Isaac, Organizing Inspector, when visiting Southland was induced to extend his visit to Queenstown for the purpose of meeting teachers in that district. Nine teachers met this gentleman, who gave a series of demonstration lessons in paper-folding, brushwork, and plasticine-modelling extending over two days. The teachers entered enthusiastically into the work, and, as the number was limited, the benefits derived from individual superintendence was correspondingly greater than would have been the case in a larger class. It is proposed to again visit the Lakes during the coming winter, and further aid the teachers in that locality. There are still teachers in charge of schools situated in remote localities, and too far removed from the railway to enable them to attend the classes established either in Invercargill or Gore. For the benefit of such it is proposed to hold a summer school in Invercargill towards the end of the year, where they will receive all the assistance possible to enable them to come into line with their fellow-teachers more favourably situated. The Saturday training classes undoubtedly impose an additional strain on the teachers, but the strain is temporary only. Our educational system is in a transition stage, and it would be impossible to stay the whole educational machinery in order that teachers might have the necessary time to prepare themselves for the proper discharge of the new duties involved in the change. The Education Department, wisely realising this, is not unduly hurrying the introduction of manual-training classes into the ordinary school-work, but is giving every opportunity to teachers to study the new methods without rush or needless worry. There is no doubt, however, that in a short time proficiency in any one or more of the new manual-training subjects will, other things being equal, secure promotion to teachers so qualified. Inspection. Mr. E. C. Isaac, Organizing Inspector of Manual and Technical Instruction, visited Invercargill at the end of June, and inspected the classes in operation in connection with the Technical School, and in the town schools as well as in those schools adjacent to the city. In order to enable as many teachers as possible to meet him, arrangements were made to hold a special gathering on a Saturday, when there was a large attendance. In the morning Mr. Isaac met with the male teachers in the Technical School, where he gave an exceedingly interesting lecturette and lesson in woodwork. In the afternoon he met the teachers of both sexes in the Central School, where he gave a series of demonstration lessons on paper folding and mounting, which were much enjoyed. He also visited Gore on the following Saturday, and met the teachers in that centre, and gave demonstration lessons in paper-folding and plasticine-modelling. Full advantage was taken of his visit by every one concerned to gain all the information possible in regard to the better working of the various classes, and I have to acknowledge with thanks many useful hints received during his stay. Finance. The finances are in a thoroughly sound condition, as the balance-sheet appended hereto will show. The total receipts from ail sources, including a balance from last year, was £1,174 18s. 4d., and the expenditure amounted to £948 2s. Id., leaving a credit balance of £226 16s. 3d. In the expenditure is included the sum of £200 paid out on account of the new Technical School, which will be refunded later on, while the sum of about £73 is still expected to be received as capitation on certain classes. These adjustments will really leave the account in credit about £500. Against this, however, there is to be placed the credit balance on certain ear-marked accounts, about £80 ; administration expenses, say, £75 ; and the whole cost of the supplies for the year to enable the classes to carry on, say, £125. The position, however, is very satisfactory.

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Balance-sheet for the Year ending the 31st March, 1903. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from last year .. .. 163 12 9 i Central Account — Central Account — Advertising and printing .. .. 212 9 Students' fees .. .. .. 201 7 9 Apparatus .. .. .. .. 28 10 2 Capitation earned .. ... .. 95 16 11 Salaries .. .. .. .. 228 6 9 Apparatus-refund .. .. .'. 21 5 1 Material .. .. .. .. 10 12 8 Material-refund .. .. .. 19 8 6 Rent .. .. .. .. 10 0 Rent-refund .. .. .. .. 2 0 0 Janitor . . .. .. .. 12 0 0 Donation, South School .. .. 2 0 0 Central Building Account —Payments made 200 0 0 Schools Standard Account —Capitation .. 125 0 8 Schools Standard Account .. .. 45 11 7 Schools Technical Account— , Schools Technical Account— Capitation .. .. .. .. 58 0 0 Salaries .. .. .. .. 38 15 0 Permanent apparatus.. .. .. 13 8 0 Apparatus .. .. .. .. 7 0 6 Permanent Material Account .. .. 199 17 1 Material .. .. .. .. 0 17 10 Gore Technical Account — Permanent Material Account .. .. 171 1 2 Pees .. .. .. .. 31 0 0 Gore Technical Account — Capitation .. .. .. .. 918 6 Salaries .. .. .. .. 35 11 0 Rent-refund .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Rent .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Matanra Technical Account— Janitor .. .. .. .. 310 0 Pees .. .. .. .. 19 5 0 Advertising, &c. .. .. . . 313 6 Capitation .. .. .. .. 13 7 4 Mataura Technical Account — Rent-refund .. .. .. .. 10 0 Salaries .. .. .. .. 24 110 Teachers' Training Account - Rent .. .. .. .. 10 0 Grant .. .. .. .. 150 9 0 Teachers' fares .. .. .. 12 6 Material-refund .. .. .. 37 3 0 Printing .. . . .. .. 10 0 Country Continuation Classes Account— Teachers' Training Account Capitation .. .. .. .. 6 7 6 Material .. .. .. .. 23 6 1 Salaries .. . . .. .. 67 8 6 Queenstown examinations .. .. 5 7 7 Gore examinations .. .. .. 214 0 Janitor '.. .. .. .. 146 Apparatus .. .. .. .. 117 6 Country Continuation Classes Account .. 6 7 6 Balance, credit .. .. .. 226 16 3 £1,174 18 4 £1,174 18 4 Concluding Remarks. In conclusion, I must express my deep sense of indebtedness to Inspectors Hendry and Braik. The whole success of the school-work has been entirely dependent on their deep-rooted conviction chat the introduction of manual training into the schools of the district would be entirely for the benefit of the children and the community at large. The teachers also readily responded to the call made upon them, and the result aimed at by the Inspectors has thus been largely achieved. I have also to thank the Secretary (Mr. Neill) for help and counsel, which has materially assisted me in the prosecution of my duties. I must also record my thanks to the Secretary for Education and to the officials of the Education Department for the ever-ready help they have given in the work of establishing the new education in this district. And to the members of the Board I can only say that I shall endeavour to do my best in the position in which they have placed me. W. A. MoCaw, Director of Technical Instruction. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,800 copies) £25 16a.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3. Price, Is ]

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