EDUCATION: MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. [In continuation of E.-5, 1905.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1906 Session II, E-05

E.—s

Session 11. 1906. NEW- ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. [In continuation of E.-5, 1905.]

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

No. 1. EXTRACT FROM THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Satisfactory progress continues to be made by controlling authorities in the various education districts in respect of matters connected with manual and technical instruction. In several centres in which more or less adequate provision for instruction was already made, the work of elaborating and extending facilities for efficient instruction adapted to the varying needs of the community has proceeded vigorously throughout the year with the assistance of Government grants. The efforts thus made have resulted in a marked improvement, not only in the range and character of the instruction, but also in the efficiency of the accommodation and equipment for classes. It is true that much remains to be done, yet it may be said that the larger technical and art schools are, as far as available funds and other circumstances will allow, slowly but surely becoming institutions worthy of the important work for which they are designed. During the year provision has also been made by the Government for the erection and equipment of buildings in several centres which hitherto have been without any adequate facilities for manual and technical instruction, and in which a well-grounded demand for such instruction has been manifested. On the whole it may be said that good use has been made of the facilities provided; especially has this been so in the case of the central schools for the instruction of school-children in cookery and woodwork, which are now in operation in several education districts. A feature of the year's work has been the successful establishment in certain centres of day technical classes. The formation of these classes is the direct outcome of the provision made by the Government for free technical education. There is little doubt that these classes will have a distinctly beneficial effect on the work of the evening classes, if only for the reason that graded courses of work rather than isolated classes are an important feature of them. The sooner those in charge of technical classes are able to see their way to break away altogether from the idea of the class for this or that subject, and to substitute therefor the idea of graded courses adapted to this or that industry or pursuit, the sooner will the technical schools be in a position to fulfil their proper functions to a greater extent than is now possible. It is gratifying to note that in spite of the many real difficulties in the way the efforts now being made in this direction have not been altogether without avail. In the larger centres, especially, not a little has been accomplished in the way of providing more or less complete courses in mechanical and electrical engineering, and in plumbing and other subjects connected with the building trade. There are signs, too, that employers are beginning to realise here, as they are realising in the Old Country, that it is to their advantage to encourage their employees to avail themselves of the opportunities now being provided for systematic instruction in the principles that underlie the various trades and industries, and that those who have received such instruction compare not unfavourably with those who have not. To the realisation of these important facts is probably due the increased interest that many local bodies and associations are now taking in the institutions devoted to technical instruction. Further evidence of this interest is to be found in the steadily increasing amounts paid by the Government by way of subsidies on voluntary contributions to technical classes. I—E. 5,

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The number of technical, continuation, and school classes recognised during the year under the regulations for manual and technical instruction was 3,945, as against 2,599 for the previous year. Of the classes for 1905, 3,041 were classes for instruction in various forms of handwork in connection with over 850 primary and secondary schools, while 904 were special, associated, or college classes for instruction in various subjects of science, art, and technology. Technical classes were held at about fifty-five different places. As regards school classes, the subjects of cookery for girls and woodwork for boys are receiving considerable attention. During the year 192 cookery classes and 177 woodwork classes were in operation, while at the technological examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute thirty-one public-school teachers passed the examination in cooltery and fifty that in woodwork. There is still only one education district in which school classes for dairying have been carried on. It is to be hoped that the movement now in progress in various parts of the colony in the direction of providing facilities for instruction in subjects pertaining to agricultural and pastoral pursuits will accelerate the establishment in other districts of classes for instruction in a subject that has such an important bearing on the welfare of the community at large. In this connection it is pleasing to be able to record a considerable increase in the number of classes in connection with public schools for practical instruction in elementary agriculture. During the year 102 classes in ten education districts were recognised as against forty-seven in six districts in the previous year. Several Education Boards have also taken steps to appoint special instructors in agriculture, whose chief work at first, at all events, will be the training of teachers and the supervision of the practical instruction in the schools. Education Boards have been enabled by means of Government grants to continue to arrange for special training classes for teachers in the various forms of handwork suitable for public schools. On the whole the arrangements made have been satisfactory, and the classes weil and regularly attended. The curriculum of the training colleges in the four large centres also provides for training in handwork. •Over 1,000 persons qualified for free instruction at technical schools under the regulations. This number, which is greater by 200 than that for 1904, will, it is anticipated, be nearly doubled in 1906. Under these regulations it is possible for pupils at the conclusion of their public-school course to receive free technical instruction for five years. They are thus enabled to proceed without a break from the primary school through a fairly complete technical course with advantage both to themselves and to their instructors. The total expenditure by the Government on manual and technical instruction for 1905 was £34,775 10s. lid. The details are as follows: Capitation on all classes, £18,216 9s. 3d.; grants for buildings and equipment, £9,115 ss. lOd.; grants for material for class use, £514 19s. Id. : subsidies on voluntary contributions, £1,443 Bs. 6d.; technical training of teachers, £1,900; railway fares of instructors and students, £466 13s. lid.; expenses in connection with the examinations of the Board of Education, South Kensington, and of the City and Guilds of London Institute, £461 6s. 7d.; inspection, £984 6s. 9d.; scholarships and free places, £1,633 12s. Bd. : sundries, £39 Bs. 4d. The sum of £125 14s. was recovered by way of examination fees and from sale of material used at examinations, leaving a net expenditure of £34,649 16s. lid.

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Table A.—Manual and Technical Instruction, 1905.— Special, Associated, and College Classes.

Subjects of Instruction, and Average Attendance. Payments up to 31st December, 1905. School or Classes. ea 3 s si Is o 2 s « S csemS Ph 1 a o a a IK 1 H a III o 11 en Ii J 8 ffi C r *3 ill a P a. 5 ■o c 5 ill Co g H ■a o p H oa O § a II 33S.S 9.0.0 c3 §o§o o Willi -J. 1 a> "bo a 11 a o a EC a ■si eo a iil 1 ii 11 Iil 3 si H Capitation. 1 o re 1 3 IB O — Grants for Buildings, Furniture, and Apparatus. Grants for Material. Pound-for-Pouud Subsidy on Voluniary ContribuI Auckland Education Board — Technical School, Auckland Technical classes, Onehung i .. „ Dargavilie Thames „ Whangarei Continuation classes, Orere " Elam " School of Art Taranaki Education Board — Technical classes, New Plymouth » Stratford Wanganni Education BoardTechnical School, Wanganui .. Palmerston North • Hawera Technical classes, Waverley Hunterville .. . Marton Wellington Education Board — Technical School, Wellington) Technical classes, Wellington j.. , Masterton .. . Carter ton Pahiatua . Greytown Petone Technical Classes Association Masterton Technical Classes Association .. Hawke's Bay Education Board — Technical Schooi, Napier Technical classes, Hastings „ Dannevirke .. Board of Governors, Gisborne High SchoolTechnical classes Marlborough Education Board — Technical classes, Blenheim Havelock „ Okaramio .. „ Canvastown Continuation classes, Saratoga Nelson Education Board — Technical classes, Nelson , Westport » Reefton Grey Education Board — Technical classes, Greymouth 90 8 14 30 83 50 15 18, 14 14 9 17 30 ' * j I 41 '20 12 7 : : 29 2 20 33 1 5 12 ■• •• 21 48 , 75 .. 14 : '.'. 6 83 .. 19! .. 43! .. 48) 16 257 6 84 271 79 107 1 5 59) 81 J 1 34 164 26 '.'. i 42 1 .. 19 987 31 121 472! 315; 502 £ s. d. 995 1 5 125 6 3 £ s. d. 39 8 3 ■' 118 10 3 £ s. d. 1,936 16 11 14 15 0 521 18 0 I 500 0 0 £ s. d. 62 13 1 0 17 0 £ s. d. 9 8 0 •" ~26 j 220 9 9 17 394J 32 76 •• ■• •• 1 ■' ! 11 '2 d 492 3 6 i 26 4 3 150 0 0 .. I . i •• ...... 13 13 d 12 5 ! I 16! .. 13! .. 26 12 25i 69! ■28 31 170! 170 49 13 6 32 15 6 45 6 0 120 14 0 16 12 1 9 16 6 40 10 0 •• ... .. •■ 10 5 •■ i •• I I ' 53 4 6 59 10 12 1 3 2 48; 34 22 30 4 30 16 12 9 2 20 9 4 18 19 I 36; .. 250 349] 8 .. 15 I .. I 888' 7l! 141 121 10 ; 15! 555 12 7 109 6 0 31 9 6 9 16 6 2 18 10 4 8 2 37 1 6 i 532 12 4 1 16 3 2 8 0 2 7 0 1 •-. 4 '5 8 12 10 .. i .. "l2j .. 32 58 • • ! •• I - •' •■ ! •• .. "■ i •• I * * J " * 5 ! 10 I "' I i ! 69 .. •• I ■• I .. .. .. 271 29 64 29 47 80 6 53 23 34 i 63 18 .. 990 18ll .. !137 17 .. 2,135i 17 44 52 5 12,094 5 9 32 7 3 20 18 3 48 8 11 17 5 2 14 9 77 7 3 91 9 3 824 2 11 1,068 11 6 138 1 3 125 0 0 113 1 2 5 1 41 .. 1 .. J .. I •■ I "l3 •■ * • 1 .. 5 j 19 '1st ! •■ ! id"o 0 1" •• ! '.'. J '5 1 i i ■• •• I •• •• •• I •• J "5 14 12 • • I ii]:: 7 31 20 25 55 I 157| 61 6 0 •• I 30 0 0 119 1 6 "•18 "9 •• I .. .. 12 '23 19 6 • • .. i.. 1 8 27 5 9 7 7 28 .. 16 18 12J 140 80 317; 14 89| ! 166 17 11 7 2 7 68 1 0 8 19 6 144 5 6 0 15 0 44 0 0 18 17 5 "l6 22 "ioj:: •• ! 16 9"3 10 .. 1 10 10 5 41 .. 10 5 26 .. 97 26 17 9 115 0 4 4 8 0 51 12 0 • • I 6 13 5 13 1 1 4 252 163 6 .. 163 415 6 9 26 35 11 4 0 7 9 15 10 10 ■■ .. .. 1 ■• 9 '.'. •• 9 "9 8 • ■ 10 0 I 0 18 4 " 'I •• I ■■ 15 7 1 9 12 12 19 8 6 36 .. 31 13 56j , 182 .. or 19 377 134 24 55 3 3 31 1 0 8 10 3 1,172 9 6 f • .. .. 85 So 24 28 16 0 • • ■• •• • • ■• .. 24 * * I ..! ... ..! .. !.. 25 25] 11 7 6 156 0 0

Table A.—Manual and Technical Instruction, 1905— continued.

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Subjects of Instruction and Average Attendance. Payments up to 31st December, 1905. I IIP •S ! a'S 2 o School or Classes. 3 ■s 55 — en <D O ft o a" a S g o a M I §§ 3 ft 1 s * si Qβ '. S O Am ill 11 a g5 II O tic ga IS S a Cβ br. > i> z O c 5-1 o o a o a • Jo lilt SI fl So§o o to ■a Sisa pi got3 r/: a a°a Qβ 'Eβ 55 .2=3 !£ Sj| a la a a.5 B gStS :g»gSg Capitation. a Grants (or Buildings, Furiiture, and Apparatus. Grants for Material. Pound-for-Pound Subsidy on Voluntary Contributions. o o 64 j 6?j 279 I ' I Westlaud Education Board — Technical classes, Hokitika „ Kumara Board of Governors, Canterbury College — School of Art, Ghristehureh School of Engineering, Christchurch School of,Domestic Instruction, Christchurch North Canterbury Education Board — Christchurch Technical Classes Association Techniral classes, Normal School, Ghristchurch Technical classes, Ashburfcon .. „ „ Kaiapoi Leeston and Doyleston „ Southbridge „ Iiincoln Continuation clasees, West Christchurch School Lyttelton associated classes Rangiora „ South Canterbury Education Board — Timaru Technical Classes Association .. Waimate „ „ Temuka „ „ Technical classes, Timaru „ Waimate Otago Education Board — School of Art, Dunedin Technical School, Dunedin Technical classes, Dunedin » Port Chalmers Oamaru Technical Classes Association .. Technical classes, Kaitangata .. „ Mosgiel „ Outram Miltoa Southland Education Board — Technical School, lnvercargill .. Technical classes, Gore „ Mataura Country continuation classes 4 1 I 47 20 £ s. d. 67 11 16 0 19 63 3 9 J & s. d. £ p. (1. 262 3 9 £ s. d. ! £ s. d. 1 I •• 10 •• i f - ' .. ! 213 53 47 52 i 24 79 36 45; 31 481 427 2 3 5091 530 4 1 130! 117 10 6 7 18 1 13 1 1 49 40 9 '■ i 130 135 11 8j .. .. •■ ■• ! I . 10 26 .. 157! 99 .. 325 226 13 0 76 67 9 9 370 13 6 174 16 6 11 5 7 17 3 18 ' I •' i 15 .. .. 45 31 '' I .. i 5 0 0 27 10 0 '.'. 5 0 0 .. I I ! 32 29 17 10J ...... .. ] 120' .. , .. I 37 24 16 0 46 62 11 4 37 67 14 6 19 10 12 3 I 10 6 18 0 j 120 35 4 6 1 i 4 4 2 1 4 .. -.. I .. . . J . . 5 9 14 i _ ., .. .. .. . * " i ' * ■ I .. i "' -i •• •• i ] • * I ". ■■ ' ' :! . t 20 0 0 4 0 0 59 8 6 170 13 0 48 17 7 162 5 8 10 0 0 ■ 38 53! 38 28 4 0 53 49 0 3 209 238 14 1 374 139 0 3 161 236 14 4 153 1741 396 394 8 3 1,054 455 18 1 143 116 4 8 4 13 0 303 152 18 7 12 13 4 0 16 31 10 9 15 14 5 0 19 16 6 3 3 3 i ■"" 'I " I •■ •• ! ..,..!.. "I ..... .. ■ ... 16 19 10 4 3 4 • ' i 26 27 14 ■ 13 13 14 31 39 77! .. j 96| 9 ... 17 241 14! .. 7 49J .. .. .. 498 273 '.'. .. 124| 40! •• 12 .. .. 1 13 16 4 16 3 11 9 15 8 102 16 6 69 2 6 36 5 6 15 .. I " i ■■ "s 14 17 •■ ...1.. .. •• .1 i 153 .. I ■• .. I .. . 5 169 .. .. .. J .. .. I 54 53 7 158 58 14 86 I 13 " 6 ' 42 :: 72 46 27; 22 iiJ 21 '.'. 500 0 0 68 9 1 65 0 3 25 0 0 38 9 6 2 0 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 110 8 0 34 4 6 32 10 0 10 0 286 8 3 ■' I 2"o 8 " "ll •-■ ! 46 80 ■ • • .. I .. ! .. 1 .. •• i . . ! ■ 53 10 0 70 0 0 20 1 1 1 2 .. .. i ! • • "io| j 10 1051 • - 14 .. ] .. I .. .. ! •■ '< 1 16 15 19 \ :■: ' ■ I :: .. .. • • i ■■ •• I •• - I ... .. .. i ■• ■■ I ! .. ■ .. i .. .. • -I .. .. J ■• .. 52 131 .. •• 34 5 8 ., 8 is! 13 16 | 27 " 16 7 I 60! » 58 73 112 50 539 307 16 6 130 43 6 6 11 6 10 31 40 8 1 33 8 11 6 15 ... .. •• " "I ! •• I .. •■ 1 •• i**j .. i 40 3539 1641 15 ••I • • i ! .. i • . .. I ..i 1 '' .. •• •• ■ ■ Totals j 904 ,444 311 I 88 431 168 2291 208 377 2 20 286 331 i I 216 234 i 1,308 40 i 971 I _ 13,49919,146 7 4 1443 8 -6 1,444 231 J895 514 1633 12 8 8,102 12 10 514 19 1 ... . 1 I

8.—5.

Table B.—Manual and Technical Instruction, 1905.—School Classes.

Table C.—Summaby of Expenditure by Government on Manual and Technical Instbuction fob the Year ending 31st December, 1905. £ s. d. Capitation .. ~ .. .. .. .. ....... .. .. 18,216 9 3 Subsidy of £1 for £1 on contributions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,443.8.6 Grants — £ s. d. Buildings and apparatus .. .. .. .. .. .-. 9,115 5 10 Class material .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 514 19 1 9,630 4 11 Training of teachersAuckland Education Board .. .. .. .. .. 250 0 0 Taranaki „ .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Wellington „ .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Hawke's Bay „ .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 Marlborough . .. .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 Nelson ' , .. .. .. .. .. 125 0 0 Grey . .. .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 North Canterbury , .. .. .. .. .. 325 0 0 South Canterbury „ .. .. .. .. .. 125 0 0 Otago „ .. .. .. .. .. 325 0 0 Southland „ .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 1,900 0 0 Railway fares of instructors of training-olasses -<-. -■-.-■ .. .. .. .. 423 3 11 „ students attending registered classes.. ".': . .. .. .. .. 43 10 0 Expenses in connection with examinations— Soienoe and Art, Board of Eduoation, South Kensington .. .. .. 21115 10 City and Guilds of London Institute .. .. .. .. .. 249 10 9 461 6 7 Inspectors— Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 725 0 0 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 259 6 9 —,- 984 6 9 Scholarships .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,633 12 8 Speimens of wood-carving .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 9 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 19 4 £34,775 10 11 Less recoveries (examination fees, £121 10s.; proceeds of sale of material used at examination, £4 4a.) .. • • .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 125 14 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £34,619 16 11

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Tapxe B.—Manual at 'ec: [KIi :al Tnstri ICTION. Ii )5.—Sc [OOL 'LASSES. Subj icts Df I istr ICtir oac in and 1 :h Subji rnmber of ict. llasses ii Payrner 31st Decei its up to nb.ar, 1905. Controlling Authority. o o A o a: O u rZJ a y'3 o H o ■c a W >. !h +3 a aj a -4 3 a S ' a § ; s~,c — M 5f«-s Odfl > ca ca a rd la ! ca a ■5P 'cq as © o 3o cio p a si a to CQ CD q 6 r-l 2 43 "3 o >> a ca a CO H S"3 .2-* fl bu S -r a — i 3 a ca OS fl o ia c3 Capitation. Grants for liuildinga, Furniture, and Apparatus. SQ rifl o o o M 'rH Q O M U o na o o >. n re a © a o o CO r^ fl <a o PQ CJ) a . a? is r mi .2 fl w "3 o EH Education Board, Auckland Board of Governors, High School, Thames Board of Governors, High School, Wha' garei Education Board, Taranaki Board of Governors, High School, New Plymouth Education Board, Wanganui Board of Governors, High School, Palmerston North Education Board, Wellington Board of Governors, Wellington Boys' and Girls' Colleges— Girls' College Education Board, Hawke's Bay .. Education Board, Marlborough .. Board of Governors, High School, Blenheim Education Board, Nelson Board of Governors, Nelson Colleges— Bo\s' College Girls' College Education Board, Grey.. Education Board, Westland Eaucation Board, North Canterbury Board of Governors, Canterbury CollegeBoys'High School .. Girls'High School .. Board of Governors, Ashburton High S ihool Education Board, South Canterbury Board of Governors, Timaru High Sohools— Boys'High School .. Girls'High School .. Education Board, Otago Board of Governors, Otago High . Schools — Girls' High School Education Board, Southland Board of Governors, Southland High Sohools —■ Boys' High School Girls' High Schools £ s. d. £ s. d. ation Board, Auckland ,.1108 270 18 81 68 .. 16i 70 3.. 1 7i 1 46.. 1 5821,846 4 8 182 0 0 H isl /!„„„,,„„,.„ Q„V,cr,l I 1 110 A 10! 270 18 81 6S 1 li 71 ro 3 2 7 1 46 1 582 4 1 i of Governors, High School, 1 1 1 .. .. 2.. ,. .. 4 ames 3 of Governors, High School, 1 -1 .... 1 al lfl.rcra.rfii -1 1 2 la'garei ;ation Board, Taranaki .. 43 85 17 18 .. 1 13 2 .. 8 3 10 2 .. 3 .. 157 361 6 6 49 9 8 i of Governors, High School, 1 .. 2 .... 1 ..j 3 17 3 4 w Plymouth 43 1 85 17 2 18 1 1 13 2 3 3 10 2 3 157 3 Wily M1UULU lation Board, Wanganui .. 95 122 99 25 6 3 31 10 3.. 1 17 1 4 .. .. 322; 884 2 10 97 0 11 d of Governors, High School, 1 .. .... 2....... 2 5 3 12! 81 10 0 Imp.rshnn North 95 1 122 99 25 6 2 3 31 10 2 3 5 1 17 1 4 322 12! 3 unerscon worth iation Board, Wellington ..104 204 25 71 24 1 19 .. 2 .. 1 14 1 .... 1 363|l,210 18 7 37 9 1 d of Governors, Wellington 104 204 25 71 2-1 1 19 1 14. 1 1 3631 B r c cl -J LA UL vjuvri ii i.iii1ij;ijuii Boys' and Girls' Colleges— rls'College .. .. 1 .. 4 .. .. .. ... 4 .. .. 8\ 32 8 6 ■ ation Board, Hawke's Bay .. 35 45 8 19 18 16 5 21 1 8 .. 4 2j 1 .... 148j 423 13 8 100 13 8 •ation Board, Marlborough .. 16 31 .. 5 6 .. 3 2 4| 51 28 3 4 16 3 5 n 1.1 n ... tt:.-u a,.u~,.i -i a c c 1 35 1G 1 45 31 4 8 19 5 18 6 16 '5 3 2i 1 8 4 4 2 2 4 I i 8 ! 148, 51: 6 i '2 d of Governors, High School, 1 .. 4 2 .. ..[ 6 enbfiim enneim jation Board, Nelson ..44 67 7 6 2 3 14 1 171 10 .... 127 447 15 9 60 13 6 d of Governors, Nelson Col67 7 6 14 1 IT 10 127 44 2 !( 31 ir c. c; C; ir re leges— us'College .. .. 1 16 16 8 rls'College .. .. 1 3 33 69 15 0 3ation Board, Grey.. .. 3: 14 i .. 'l ■ 14 .. 21 3 0 ;ation Board, Westland .. 8 15 .. .. 2 .. 2 ] ' 2!) 36 5 0 9 13 6 nation Board, North Canter- 110 229 2 17 12l li 28 24 1 .. 25 .. .. 339,1,071 13 ry ! ! d of Governors. Canterbury 1 1 3; 8 110 14 15 229 3 2| 12 "2 28 i 24 33 14 20 339 2 17 1 1 25 a 01 ijovernors, uanierDury Collegers'High School .. .. 1 ! 3.. 1 4 23 5 0 9 1110 rls'High School .. .. 1 .. 3 .. 2 2 2 3 .. 1 1.. .. 14| 43 13 3 5 0 0 -d of Governors, Ashburton 1 2 .. 2 .. .. 4| 40 10 0 iffh R ihnol 1' 1 1 3 "2 2 2 3 1 2 '3 1 i 4 2 c 11 rr Igh OJhOOL sation Board, South Canter- 50 79! 7 13 8 2 17 9 2.. 4 2 1 2.. .. 136| 330 11 2 75 9 0 rl nf flnvfirnnrs. Timarn TTic/h 50 79 7 13 8 17 4 2 1 2 136 1 r( £ 0; ir IC r( c d ot uovernors, nmaru tfugn Schools— iys'High School .. .. 1 .. ... I 2 1.. .. 3| 42 0 0 44 10 2 rls'High School .. .. 1 .... .. 1 2 4 7 39 5 0 cation Board, Otago .. 82 96: 3 3 23 .. 24 22 1.. .. 24 2 3.. 14 2151,130 13 1 264 3 11 -d of Governors, Otago High CV..1.4I0 1 1 82 '96 3 8 1 23 2 24 2 22 i 24 "2 1 '3 ii 3' 7 215 i Schools — rls' High School .. .. 1 ..; ..;.. 3 3 cation Board, Southland ..138 330! 14 I 3.3 6 22 32 7 1 2 447 817 10 0 39 11 4 1 138 33 3 6 3 447 330 ii 22 32 7 i ~2 — ,._ — — — : — ..— — _ _.... .. —. —. — „ — -d of Governors. Southland I "a or ijovernors, oou&ruauu High Sohools— . . . o; ii iys' High School .. .. 1 .-...-1 2 1 2 .. .. 5 18 10 0 .. - iris' High Schools .. .. 1 .. 2 .. 4 3 .. 2 1 .. .. 12 56 19 4 1 1 2 "i 3 2 2 1 5 12 Totals Totals .. .. 8521,587 211 291192 57 204177 2122 26102 36 96 3 163,0419,070 1 111,012 13 0 852 1,587 211 291 192 57 204 177 11 22 26 102 36 96 3 16 3,041 1 Table C. —Summary of Expenditure by Government on Manual and Technical Instruction for the Year ending 31st December, 1905. £ s. d. Capitation .. ., .. .. .. .. ...... .. .. 18,216 9 3 Subsidy of £1 for £1 on contributions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,443.8.6 Grants— £ s. d. Buildings and apparatus .. .. .. .. .. .-. 9,115 5 10 Class material .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 514 19 1 9,630 4 11 Training of teachersAuckland Education Board .. .. .. .. .. 250 0 0 Taranaki „ .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Wellington „ .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Hawke's Bay „ .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 Marlborough . .. .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 Nelson ' „ .. .. .. .. .. 125 0 0 Grey . .. .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 North Canterbury „ .. .. .. .. .. 325 0 0 South Canterbury „ .. .. .. .. .. 125 0 0 Otago „ .. .. .. .. .. 325 0 0 Southland „ .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 1,900 0 0 Railway fares of instructors of training-olasses ,. .. .. .. .. 423 8 11 „ students attending registered classes.. .: .. .. .. ... 43 10 0 Expenses in connection with examinations— Soienoe and Art, Board of Eduoation, South Kensington .. .. .. 21115 10 City and Guilds of London Institute .. .. .. .. .. 249 10 9 461 6 7 Inspectors— Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 725 0 0 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 259 6 9 —,- 984 6 9 Scholarships .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,633 12 8 Sue imens of wood-carving .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 9 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 19 4 £34,775 10 11 Less recoveries (examination fees, £121 10s.; proceeds of sale of material used at examination, £4 4s.) .. • • .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 125 14 0 Total .. .. .. ,. .. .. .. £34,649 i6 11

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Table D.—Receipts and Expenditure by Education Boards as Controlling Authorities of School Classes on Maintenance of Classes for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905 (exclusive of Expenditure out of Special Grants for Buildings, Equipment, etc.).

Education District. Subjects of Instruction. Auckland. Taranaki. Wanganui. Wellington. Receipts. Expenditure. I Receipts. n ve l " Receipts. JExpenditure. Receipts. Elementary handwork Needlework Elementary physiology Swimming and lifesaving Cookery Woodwork Dairy-work.. Dressmaking Elementary science .. Elementary agriculture Elementary physical measurements £ s. a. 397 9 5 90 11 9 11 0 0 8 10 0 £ s. d. 942 R 7 81 11 9 £ s. d. 211 18 9 46 13 0 5 17 6 £ s. d. 101 3 8 54 12 6 £ s. d. 257 2 3 118 12 3 £ s. d. 384 7 3 123 13 6 4 10 0 15 17 6 £ s. d. 547 2 0 92 10 6 .11 7 6 £ s. d. 395 11 6 91 10 6 14 3 141 13 9 10 Ti 6 485 14 0 790 9 6 775 4 2 1,166 9 5 9 6 8 6 13 3 3 1 11 9 8 10J 139 1 0 212 10 0 170 6 0! 292 12 2: i ! 437 5 0 486 16 0 60 0 0 15"2 2 13 10 6 6 7 4 74 10 0 4 3 2 30 18 0 3 2 6 20 8 0 122 9 4 3' 2 6| 34 2 10; 92 6 101 I 6 io 0 9 14 9 98 18 10 7 6 2 f5 17 2 48 4 2 7 10 0 7 10 0 7 17 2 1,846 4 8 3,136 0 4 861 6 6 203 8 ljj '884 2 10 1,120 18 7 1,210 18 7 1,074 6 11 Educatii >n District. Subjects of Instruction. Hawke's Bay. Marlborough. el son. Grey. Westland. „ . . Expendi- T,„„ a! „i_ Expendi- ■R 0 „„ iv .t 0 Expendi- Re- Expen- Tj..-,.„ f _ ExpendiReceipts. t ' ure Receipts.' Receipts. t ' ure | Receipts. Elementary handwork Needlework Elementary phvsiologv 3vvimming and lifesaving Uookery Woodwork .. Dairy-work Dressmaking Elememary science .. Elementary agriculture Elementary physical measurements £ s. d. 155 8 1 27 0 0 12 12 6 £ s. d. 159 8 9 27 0 0 8 15 0 £ s. d. 4 0 4 7 14 3 1 8 9 £ s. d. £ s. d. 22 15 0 100 19 3 7 14 3114 8 6 2 15 6 35 7 6 11 9 0 £ s. d 93 19 10 119 18 6 17 5 0 5 18 9 £ s. d. £ s. d. 19 8 I £ s. d. £ s. d. 16 3 6 1 8 7 0 111 0 59 17 0 65 8 9 215 17 0 119 2 9 140 5 0 17 6 6 '.'. 28 0 0 156 11 4 0 5 6 10 2 611 8 11 8 8 0 8 8 0 79 0 9 3 17 6 20 9 1 133 6 6 5 8 0 19 13 3 15 6 0 23 10 3 2 15 7J I . 1417 9 2 19 8 36 5 028 3 11 423 13 8] |688 11 8 28 3 4 36 0 4:447 ]5 9^ I i I Educat: ion District. North Canterbury. South Canterbury. I Subjects of Instruction. itago. Southland. Receipts. | | =•"**• | | \ \ *°* \ jSre^ Elementary handwork Needlework Elementary physiology Swimming and life-saving .. Cookery Woodwork Dairy-work Dressmaking Elementary science Elementary agriculture Elementary physical measurements . £ s. d 354 7 1 187 19 9 £ s. f. 267 4 3 188 7 9 £ s. d 104 4 2 106 1 6 £ s. d. 84 9 3 106 5 0 £ s. d 134 6 9 146 17 9 11 2 6 13 17 6 192 0 0 259 14 8 £ s d. 83 15 10 190 5 3 £ s. d 373 10 3 239 12 3 8 17 6 £ s. d. 157 4 0 239 12 3 81 7 6 294 6 11 143 0 0 81 8 6 294 6 11 142 4 1 6 12 6 47 5 0 29 15 6 2 16 9 219 15 2 120 0 5 110 6 279 13 6 250 15 9 113 io 0 71 5 0 124 li 8 55 17 1 2 io 0 2 io 0 15 10 0 8 2 6 13 0 0 15 15 0 1 19 3 103 17 1 41 9 2 21 13 0 7 10 0 7 10 0 13 2 6 237i-3 11 135 0 0 10 15 0 5 5 0 7 4 9 1,071 1 3 983 11 6 330 11 2 562 4 1 1,130 13 1 962 16 6J J817 10 0 611 7 9

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Board of Education, South Kensington.—Art and Science Examinations, 1905. ["C" represents candidates; "P" passes.]

City and Guilds of London Institute.— Technological Examinations, 1905. ["C" represents candidates; "P" passes.]

Subjects of Examination. Ar la C. ickod. Thames. IWangaI nui. Palmerston N. ] Wellington. [Master - ton. Napier G-rev- Christmouth, church. D ec anlin. Inv( ?; Totals. cargill. P. C. P. C. P. C. P. C. P. C. P. C. P. C. P. C P. c. ! p. I C. P. C. P. ArtFreehand drawing .. Model drawing Geometrical drawing Perspective drawing Blackboard-drawing .. ... Drawing in light and shade.. Memory drawing of plant-form Drawing common objects from memory Drawing from life Painting from still life Painting ornament Principles of ornament Design Anatomy Drawing from the antique Modelling the head.. Modelling design .. Architecture Students' works Science— Practical plane and solid geometry .. Machine construction and drawing .. Building construction and drawing .. Mathematics Applied mechanics.. St am Practical mathematics Theoretical inorganic chemistry Practical inorganio chemistry Magnetism and electrioity Botany Physiography Human physiology .. Hygiene 58 41 18 3 33 5 1 48 20 10 3 4 5 1 9 6 5 4 2 8 5 5 1 2 4 1 *2 4 5 1 2 8 1 1 3 3 3 3 4 3 5 3 2 2 4 3 *2 3 3 1 2 4 8 5 3 2 1 3 2 lj 7 1 4 7 2 4 i l l o 0 6 0 i 6 o 3j 2 ''! 2 4 2 4 3 X 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 i 0 0 6 1 2 3 1 2 " 1 1 1 1 0 2 3 0 2 i i l 0 46 30 5 7 1 8 4 8 5 2 4 •2 1 1 2 5 36 12 4 5 0 6 4 *3 1 0 8 2 1 1 2 2 5! 1 s: 2 li o 2 0 i o " '.'. ..j .. 138 99 31 14 39 33 10 5 9 21 4 4 14 6 2 4 1 3 19 100 48 22 1,0 7 22 10 3 9 7 2 1 9 5 2 2 0 2 7 i 6 10 4 3 i I 24 7 4 4 3 2i 7 3 4 8 l 3 5 1 1 "i 3 1 2 4 1 1 1 1 3 1 i i 1 1 2 i i 2 0 0 •• 2 •• 2 2 2 1 1 2 "6 5 8 9 1 4 1 1 1 3 6 9 1 2 1 i 1 ::[:: 8 35 28 7 10 7 3 5 1 19 1 1 1 1 5 29 24 6 6 7 3 4 1 15 1 1 1 1 4 4 9 7 5 3 "i - j " •• i i i 1 1 1 ..! '' I I i i 17 3 • •! ! •■ i l Totals .. 200 133 9 7 42 25 20 17 57 43 30 2 2;! 19 6 3 18 13 157 107 533 372 _ _J

Subjects of Examination. TS a 3 3 u 3 ■4 C. P. to 8 e3 GAP. T3 h o M hi C. P. C. P 3 a 3 2 H C. P. 6fl □ . 5 a ■32 t# C. P. o & g in a C. P. u Q ft C. P o EC X o 3 .3 a a-S .3 3 > O H Q S C. P. C P. C. P. C. P. I "3 o En C. P. Plumbers'work (preliminary) .. 15 Principles of plumbing (ordinary) .. 8 (honours) .. 2 Plumbers' work, pract'cal (honours) 2 „ ( irdinary) .. 9 „ (honours) .. 2 Carpentry and joinery (preliminary) 10 Carp ntry and joinery (ordinary) .. 1 Cabinet-making (ordinary) .. 1 Mechancat engineering (ordinary), 3 Part I Mechan ; cal engineering (ordinary), 1 Part II Elec rio light and power (preliminary) 2 „ „ (ordinary) Wiremen's work .. .. .. .. Electr c light and power (honours) Telegraphy and telephony (ordinary) Telegraphy (honours) Gas manufactuie (ordinary) „ (honours) Rail-carriage building (odinary) .. Painters' and decorators' work (ordinary) Flour-millii g (ordinary) .. Woodwork, first year .. .. 3! Woodwork, final .. .. 9! Piain cookery .. .. 9 Totals .. .. 77 15| 8 2 2 : 9 2| 10 .1 1 3 12 7 1 1 9 2 7 1 1 2 6 .1 1 2 6 1 1 "a| • •i 5 2 4 2 'i o 1 2 1 1 i 15 19 3 3 19 2 1(1 5 1 5 12 18 2 1 15 2 7 4 1 3 2 1 2 2 I 2 i ' 'I i | 1| 1 2 2 8 •8 1 2 . • 2 1 2, 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i l i i i i i i i 8 5 1 2 1 2 I 1 1 1 6 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i i 1 i i • • l 1 1 24 26 40 1 24 26 31 ••I i 3 X 6 3 |.. .. 1 1 k 1 3 1 3 3 l; 1 l 2 9 1 2 5 i2 12 9 li 9 11 3 2 11 3 2 6 ••I i , 66 1 1 15 13 14 12 3 _ 3| 8 5 1 1 14 9 12 12 27 25 17 12 198 165 •Abn :e medi was laim idb; 'hai tea stucti mt.

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No. 2. REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. Sir, — We have the honour to report as follows on the state and progress of manual and technical instruction in the colony during the year ending the 31st December, 1905 :—- A. Manual Instruction. The number of schools, primary and secondary, in which manual instruction in one form or another is given continues to increase. Classes were recognised during the year in connection with over 850 schools, as against 725 schools in 1904. The total number of classes for all subjects was 3,041, an increase of over 1,000. Details of the number of classes in the several education districts, and of the subjects of instruction, are given in the table on page 5. Of the various forms of manual instruction taken up, elemental-}- handwork, comprising chiefly modelling, brush drawing, bricklaying, paper and cardboard work, and free-arm drawing may be said to be most closely connected with the general work of the school. The tendency in the past on the part of many teachers to regard the various branches of handwork as isolated subjects is, it is gratifying to note, becoming less noticeable —due, no doubt, not only to a better appreciation of the underlying principles, but also to the experience gained in the endeavour to utilise both methods and materials as aids to the teaching of other subjects of the curriculum. It is also apparent that, whereas a few years ago considerable attention was being given to certain forms of handwork which at the best could only be regarded in the light of interesting occupations, teachers are now confining themselves almost entirely to the branches of handwork enumerated above, for the reason that these have been found by experience to offer more and better opportunities for correlation. Modelling in plasticine or clay is taken in a large number of schools, and a considerable amount of useful work is being done, especially in connection with the teaching of geography. It is suggested that work in modelling might with advantage be correlated in the case of the higher classes with nature-study. The modelling of natural objects within the range of the capacity of the class would not only assist pupils in memorising their forms, but also tend to encourage and foster habits of accurate observation. In the lower classes the work in modelling should, it is considered, be confined chiefly to the designing of simple borders and patterns, employing only the simplest elements, such as " balls " and " strings " and shapes based on the various geometrical figures and simple natural objects with which the children are already familiar. With the view of encouraging habits of accuracy, some forms at least should be drawn, cut out, and shaped to given dimensions, and then arranged in definite positions, the distances being judged by eye. The work will also afford opportunities for the introduction of simple lessons on the elementary principles of design, such as repetition, alternation, balance, &c. The value of paper-work as an aid, in combination with drawing, to the teaching of elementary arithmetic and elementary geometrical notions, and as providing opportunities for exercises in oral composition, is being recognised by an increasing number of teachers. Paper-work is now being taught in the lower classes in a large number of schools with excellent results. Less attention is, with advantage, being given to the folding of objects, and more to correlation, in the directions indicated above. Bricklaying is also increasing in favour as teachers realise the possibilities of this branch of handwork. A course in bricklaying affords excellent training in habits of observation and accuracy, and provides opportunities for practice in oral composition, in drawing plans and elevations, and in elementary mensuration. Cardboard-work, when not confined, as is too often the case, to the making of objects of which no use is afterwards made, is also found to be of considerable assistance in teaching geometrical and freehand drawing. This branch of handwork is being taken up in the higher classes of an increasing number of schools, and in many cases excellent courses of work are being carried out. An example of the kind of work recommended may not be out of place. The form of a given geometrical solid is analysed, and the pupils are encouraged to discover the best method of constructing the solid out of cardboard; the " net " of the model is then carefully set out in cardboard, and the construction of the model proceeded with. A dimensioned freehand sketch of the finished model is then made, and the plan, elevation, and perhaps an isometric view, drawn to scale. The area of each face and the total surface-area of the model are next calculated, and the relation between the number of faces, edges, and angles noted. It will be at once seen that, treated in this way, carboard-work can be made to be of considerable educational value. In some districts training-classes in cardboard-work, on lines similar to those indicated above, have been arranged for teachers, with the result that there are now quite a number of school classes working on these lines. Brush drawing is being taught in a large number of schools. The character of the work generally may be said to show a distinct advance on that of previous years, especially where opportunities for courses of training have been provided for teachers. Hitherto the work has too often been confined entirely to the making of brush impressions, and of borders and patterns based thereon: now in quite a number of schools, in addition to work of this kind, the pupils are taught to draw directly with the brush, in outline and in mass, representations of natural objects, and to adapt the forms of objects to the purposes of elementary design. Speaking generally, it may be said that there is evidence not only of improvement in the character of the handwork done in the schools, but also of a better appreciation of the relation of handwork to other subjects of the syllabus—due, no doubt, to experience gained in the class-room on the one hand, and to the special courses of training provided on the other. As regards what may be termed the more special branches of handwork, such as cookery, woodwork, &c, there has been a considerable increase in the number of classes in the various education districts. Cookery or woodwork, and in most cases both these subjects, are now being taught in nearly every education district of the colony, generally on the central system, which, though

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-lot an ideal system, appears to be working satisfactorily. The cost of the special buildings and equipment necessary for teaching these subjects appears to be prohibitive so far as individual schools are concerned. During the year 192 cookery and 177 woodwork classes were held in connection with primary and secondary schools. It seems necessary again to emphasize the remarks made in former reports in respect of instruction in cookery. While the practical work in cookery in most cases leaves little to be desired, the true aim of a course of instruction in cookery does not seem always to be fully realised by instructors. Greater advantage might, it is considered, be taken of opportunities for experimental work by the pupils, with the object, say, of testing and of demonstrating the principles underlying the rules laid down for this or that method of cooking, or of examining the properties and the behaviour under various conditions of different foods and food-constituents, &c. To work of this 'kind might well be added suitable experiments in elementary chemistry and physics in so far as these subjects have a bearing on the preparation of food, and also in the elementary physiology of digestion. A course in cookery that included work of the kind indicated, in addition to practice in the preparation and cooking of food and in culinary operations generally, would, it is thought, be found to be of greater value from the point of view of the all-round training of the child than a course the aim of which was simply to teach children how to cook. The instruction in woodwork is, on the whole, good and systematic. In some cases, however, greater attention requires to be given to the correlation of the drawing with the practical work at the bench. The exercises worked by the pupils should be set out from drawings made by the pupils. The pupils might also with advantage be encouraged to make freehand sketches of the tools and of the various exercises, models, and objects worked or made at the bench, and to utilise such sketches in the preparation of working-drawings. The importance of demonstration lessons on the various tools is also sometimes overlooked. It is reasonable to suppose that a boy, to whom the construction and purpose of a tool and the operations for which it is designed have been carefully demonstrated, will more easily master the use of that tool than the boy in whose hands the tool is placed without any previous demonstration. The difficulties attending the use by young boys of measuring, testing, or cutting instruments make it necessary to employ every method known to the instructor to lessen them, and authorities on this subject both in Europe and America emphasize the value of the demonstration lesson as an important means to this end. In addition to demonstration lessons of the kind indicated, a course in woodwork should, it is considered, include lessons on the growth, felling, and drying, and the general characters and properties of the principal timbers commonly used in the colony. The educational value of a course in woodwork would certainly not be lessened if greater prominence were given to' instruction in drawing, and to lessons and demonstrations on tools and timbers, even though the time for practical work at the bench were necessarily somewhat curtailed thereby. There is a marked improvement in the method of instruction in many of the classes for dressmaking and advanced needlework, which subjects are being taken up in an increasing number of schools. The number of classes recognised during the year was fifty-seven, as against eighteen for 1904. The work of many of the classes shows that it is not impossible to teach these subjects, and to teach them well, without the assistance of mechanical aids, such as special charts, due regard being had to the end in view, which is, or should be, the all-round training of the child. For the true test of the value of a course of instruction in dressmaking, or, indeed, in any form of manual instruction, is not so much the excellence or otherwise of the finished article as the character of the operations and methods involved in its production. There has been considerable activity displayed in the matter of instruction in elementary agriculture. In several education districts special instructors have been appointed to train the teachers and to supervise the instruction in the schools. The result has been a considerable increase in the number of recognised classes for this subject. The number of classes recognised during 1905 was 102, against forty-seven for the previous year. It is, of course, too early yet to form an accurate opinion of the value of the work, yet there is little doubt that its effect on the general work of the school will be other than helpful. Most of the teachers who have already taken up the work are working on sound lines, and with a little more experience and training should produce excellent results. Practical work by the pupils themselves is insisted on in every case, generally in connection with school gardens comprising plots for general and experimental purposes. In a few cases, in addition to outdoor work, experimental work is carried on in the school laboratory. In most cases the pupils keep notes of the various operations and experiments. Most of the classes are in connection with country schools, but it is hoped that before long it will be found possible for some at least of the town schools to take up the work with the view of.encouraging young people to turn their attention to rural pursuits as a means of earning a livelihood. Elementary physical measurements —a subject recently added to the list of subjects prescribed for school classes—has been taken up in a few schools. The number of classes recognised during the year was sixteen. The number will, however, be greatly increased in 1906. In several districts training-classes in this subject have been established with the view of enabling teachers to take up the work in their schools. In the unavoidable absence of facilities in the way of specially equipped laboratories in connection with public schools, it is not possible for much to be done in the way of individual practical work in chemistry or in the various branches of physics, but it is possible to take the pupils through an elementary course in physical measurements on lines similar to those set forth in the public-school syllabus. Such a course can be effectively carried out in the ordinary class-room at a comparatively small outlay in the shape of fittings and apparatus. It is needless to enlarge on the value of the work of this kind as compared with the method of teaching science from text-books with occasional demonstrations by the teacher, or on its relation to other subjects of the school course. It is admitted that to take a large class through even an elementary course in practical science entails a very considerable amount of preparation and of work *2-E, 5,

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on the part of the trained teacher, but vye venture to express the opinion that the results amply justify the time and labour so spent. We believe that the establishment of these classes will do much to make the teaching of science in public schools of greater educational value than it has been in the past. Reviewing the work of the school classes recognised under the regulations for manual and technical instruction as a whole, it may be said that there are signs of an increasing tendency to concentrate attention on those branches of handwork which lend themselves most readily to correlation, of a better appreciation of the place of handwork, and a general improvement in methods of instruction. B. Technical Instruction. Details of the work of the various technical and art schools and classes for the year 1905 will be found in the reports of the controlling authorities thereof, attached to this report. The number of recognised classes for instruction in technological, science, art, and commercial subjects, and the average attendance at each, are given in the tables on pages 3 and 4. There are now over twenty schools, equipped in a more or less complete manner, in which instruction is given in various subjects recognised under the Regulations for Manual and Technical Instruction. In addition to these schools, classes were also held in about thirty other places in such buildings as were available for the purpose. These classes in several cases are extensions of those held in connection with the technical schools in the larger centres, and are conducted as far as possible on similar lines, and often by the same instructors. This arrangement is, we think, a good one, and will, it is to be hoped, be extended as opportunities arise. The jrear's operations have been marked by a general and increasing demand for facilities for manual and technical instruction not only in the large centres of population, but also in country districts. These demands have been, and are being, met as far as available funds and local circumstances and conditions allow. Provision has been made for additions in the shape of both buildings and equipment in the case of several of the larger technical schools, with the view of improving and extending facilities for instruction in those subjects that have a direct bearing on local industries and trades. It is true that a good deal yet remains to be done before the larger centres of population can be said to be fully provided for in this respect; at the same time it will probably be conceded by those who are directly concerned with and interested in the cause of technical education that progress must necessarily be gradual in view of certain factors and considerations intimately connected with the development of an effective system of technical instruction. The expenditure of large sums of money on the erection of large and elaborately equipped technical schools will not of itself call such a sj'stem into being. Such schools are more than likely to be and to remain technical schools in name only unless they receive the recognition and sympathy of employers of labour, and unless it be made plainer to the employee than it is to-day that it is worth his while to spend his time and money on acquiring a wider knowledge of the principles and practice of his trade or craft than is possible in the workshop of his employer. During the year buildings for manual and technical instruction have been erected or added to at Auckland, Whangarei, Thames, Wanganui, and Nelson, while grants have been made to controlling authorities for the erection of buildings or of additions to existing buildings at Auckland, Wanganui, Wellington, Masterton, Blenheim, Greymouth, Hokitika, Christehurch, Temuka, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Grants have also been made for the provision of or additions to necessary furniture, fittings, and apparatus for classes in various parts of the colony. The expenditure by the Government under all heads for the year ending the 3lst December, 1905, was £34,600, as against £27,317 for the previous year. The number of recognised classes was 904, an increase of 306. These figures cannot be regarded as other than satisfactory, as indicating the increased interest taken in and the attention given to the work. In last year's report reference was made to the difficulty of inducing students to take up definite courses of work rather than isolated classes. The difficulty still exists, but there are signs, especially in the larger centres, that the continued efforts of those in charge of technical classes are meeting with more success than heretofore. The regulations providing for free technical education have no doubt been of considerable assistance in this respect. Under these regulations, which, it may be mentioned, are being taken advantage of by a considerable number of persons, day classes have been successfully established in connection with certain of the larger technical schools. The pupils attending these classes come direct from the primary school. The distinctive feature of the classes is insistence on definite courses of study. The establishment of these da)' classes has also had a beneficial effect on the finances of the schools with which they are connected, enabling the evening classes, the maintenance of most of which is a costly matter, to be conducted in a more satisfactory and effective manner. In addition to the free pupils in attendance at day classes several controlling authorities and managers of technical classes have admitted free pupils to evening classes, with satisfactory results. During the year over 1,000 persons were receiving free technical education, and this number will probably be considerably increased during 1906. There appears to be considerable diversity of opinion as to the subjects that should be included in definite courses of work suited to various trades and industries. A perusal of the various courses of instruction set forth in the syllabuses of the more important technical schools in the Old Country shows very marked variations. There appears, however, to be a general consensus of opinion as to what may be regarded as fundamental requirements. Every student in attendance at a technical school, no matter what the nature of his occupation may be, must receive instruction in elementary mathematics, elementary practical science, one or more branches of drawing, and, in addition, must go through a systematic course of instruction in the nature and properties of the materials he uses in his daily work. Much more may be added according to the capabilities and aims of the individual, and the facilities offered by the school he attends, but he must receive instruction up to a certain point in essentials. ..::: '

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In many of the technical schools of the colony more or less complete courses of instruction have been arranged for suited to the requirements of those engaged in the plumbing trade, with excellent results. It is to be hoped that it will before long be found possible to provide similar courses suited to other equally important trades and industries. The efforts that have been and are being made by the technical-school authorities in the large centres to accomplish something in this direction have not, it is to be regretted, met with the success they deserve. The chief difficulty is to secure the attendance of the students, Regular attendance at evening classes necessarily entails considerable sacrifice on the part of the persons in regular work during the day, and it is not surprising that young workmen hesitate to enter on a course of study under such conditions. Then, again, there is the pecuniar}' aspect of the case. It seems that the workman who has added to his stock of general and special knowledge, and has qualified himself to perform his daily task more efficiently, has no pecuniary advantage over the apprentice or workman who follows the traditions of his trade and is contented to work by rule of thumb, and leave principles to others. The ideal condition would, of course, be that general and expert knowledge should be acquired for its own sake, without reference to any pecuniary advantage that may accrue therefrom; but, as ideal conditions have not yet been reached, it would appear advisable for employers of labour to look into this question from their own standpoint. The opinion would probably be arrived at that pecuniary advantage would accrue to employers if they encouraged their workmen and apprentices to attend systematic courses of instruction at the local technical school, and at the same time offered some pecuniary advantage not only to those who gained certain certificates awarded on the results of approved examinations, but also to those whose conduct, perseverance, and progress in the workshop singled them out from their fellows. It may be remarked that this matter is now attracting considerable attention in other parts of the world. For example, an elaborate scheme on the lines indicated has been drawn up by a committee of the North-east Coast Institute of Engineers (England), and, as this scheme may be regarded as typical of the attitude which very many employers are taking up towards technical education, it may not be out of place to quote part of the scheme in so far as the proposals relate to evening classes. " In starting apprentices preference will be given to those who bring the best certificates of conduct and character and the highest school-leaving certificate. The age of starting should be from fifteen to sixteen years. At the end of September in each year apprentices will be awarded marks as follows: For each approved examination passed during the year, 20 marks; for timekeeping, a maximum of 40 marks; for good conduct, perseverance, and progress in the workshop, a maximum of 40 marks. Marks for time-keeping will be deducted at the rate of one mark for every three hours lost, but no deduction shall be made for special leave or for sickness, if certified by a doctor. Conduct marks will be awarded quarterly by the chief foreman of departments on the following scale: Very good, 30 marks; fair, 20 marks; moderate, 10 marks. An apprentice obtaining 60 marks will have the sum of 6d. added to his weekly rate of paj' for the'ensuing year, and for marks in excess of 60 his rate will be proportionately increased. For example, an apprentice who in oue year passed in two science subjects at an evening science school will be entitled to 40 marks; for very good time-keeping, 40 marks; and for general good conduct, &c, a maximum of 40 marks: total for the year, 120 marks. This will entitle him to an increase of Is. per week on his rate of pay, say, from the Ist October for one year, but payment under this scheme will cease on the termination of apprenticeship or on dismissal. Should an apprentice obtain, say, 30 marks for time-keeping and 40 marks for good conduct, &c.,_his rate of pay would be increased 7d. per week, and so on. No jmyment under the scheme will be made to apprentices obtaining less than 60 marks, and apprentices who fail to obtain any marks for time-keeping, good conduct, <fee, will be subject to dismissal. Apprentices commencing their apprenticeship between the Ist October and the 31st March will be entitled to half rates for their first year. Promotion in the workshop will depend upon marks obtained. Should an apprentice during the first three years of his time have shown marked ability at the evening classes, and obtained maximum marks for time-keeping, &c, he may, at the discretion of his employer, be allowed to spend his fourth or fifth year at college day classes, the fees for which will be paid by his employer. At least one vacancy per annum in the drawing-office will be filled by an apprentice obtaining the highest marks under the above scheme." The Great Western Railway Company has adopted a similar but less elaborate scheme at the Swindon Works. In a notice issued from the engineer's office all apprentices were informed that they were expected to acquire a knowledge of science and drawing, and the stibjects to which special attention is drawn are practical mathematics, practical mechanics, geometrical and machine drawing, heat, electricity, and chemistry. Those who have had no previous scientific training are recommended to attend the preliminary group, which is provided for students between fourteen and sixteen years of a g e - They are further advised to follow this up b} r attending the engineering course, wEich is intended for those between sixteen and twenty-one years of age. The work of the first two years of the latter course covers the ground upon which scholarships are awarded to apprentices between seventeen and eighteen years of age. The holders of these scholarships will pursue their studies in the subjects mentioned above at the day technical school on two afternoons a week. They receive their wages as if they were at the works, and the company pays the fees. The number of scholarships is limited to thirty at any one time, and this number is distributed over fifteen first-year, nine second-year, and six third-year students. Students who distinguish themselves will be allowed to spend part of the last year in the drawing-office. The London and South-western, and the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Companies have also realised the value of theoretical instruction, and the former company has selected by examination seventy-four apprentices in the locomotive department to attend classes at the Battersea Polytechnic on two mornings a week, the class fees being paid by the company, and wages paid in full.

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The foregoing are typical examples of the encouragement which employers are giving theii apprentices to attend courses of technical instruction. They also serve to show that employers ol skilled labour are awakening to the fact that the day of " rule of thumb " methods in the workshop has passed, and also that better work, yielding higher percentage of profit, is done when the knowledge of the principles underlying the particular craft is not confined to one or two highlypaid experts in the drawing-office, but is distributed among the craftsmen in the workshops. While it may not be possible for employers of labour in a young country like ours to arrange schemes for the benefit of apprentices similar to those arranged by large and wealthy corporations in the Old Country, yet it may be possible for them to take an increased interest in the young mechanics in their employ, and offer them some inducement to avail themselves of the facilities provided in the local technical classes for making them more intelligent and therefore, it is to be hoped, more expert mechanics. Little, if anything, would be added to the cost of production, as the trained mechanic should be able to work more rapidly, as well as more accurately, than the mechanic who has not received special instruction in a technical school. The following extracts from the recently published report of the section of the Education Committee of the London County Council appointed to consider the question of apprenticeships are here given as having a bearing on the problem of industrial training. Dealing with the lack of technical training in London, the report states that, while it is impossible to obtain figures, there is every reason to believe that the number of boys who enter a skilled trade on leaving school is steadily decreasing. The high wages a lad can earn as an errand-boy, or district messenger, or van-boy, or in other occupations confined to youths, are more attractive than the low wages associated with an industrial training. Earning looms larger in his imagination than the laborious and less remunerative learning. In consequence, he finds himself at the age of twenty without any particular occupation, and drifts into the army of casual labourers. Even if, on leaving school, he obtains employment in a workshop, his prospects may not be materially improved. As an errand-boy running in and out of the workshop, if possessed of an aptitude and sharpness, he may in a haphazard fashion pick up a smattering of the trade. If he is taken into the shop as a learner He has little chance of getting an all-round training. He is frequently out of work, and even when employed seldom learns more than a single operation. It is thus possible for a boy to be at one branch of trade for a few months only, and when bad trade intervenes he is thrown out of employment, and frequently finds himself at twenty years of age without a definite knowledge of any craft whatever, and he swells the ranks of the unemployed. We have it on the authority of foremen, employers, apprentices, and parents that very little opportunity exists even in big houses for a boy to learn his trade thoroughly; indeed, we have had students who have been in the workshop as apprentices for three or four years who could not make a small drawer, and in many cases who could not square up true or make the usual simple joints; and in woodworking trades their knowledge of drawing when they come to us is practically nil. It is a rare thing to find a young workman who can attack any branch of his trade successfully. It frequently occurs that, in consequence of extensive subdivision of labour and excessive competition, a man or boy is set to do one thing — e.g., music-stools, overmantels, chair-legs, sideboards —all the time. It is true the man or boy becomes skilled in one direction, but correspondingly narrow in a true appreciation of his trade. It is also of frequent occurrence that a master who has a job on hand which is slightly out of the usual run finds it impossible to put it in the hands of his usual staff. Moreover, when work of delicate design and construction has to be made from specified drawings, it is extremely difficult to obtain men who can proceed with the work on their own responsibility. Not only do these remarks apply to the wood crafts generally, but they apply with equal force to such work as upholstery, to metal-work, and to carving. In connection with the latter subject, it is a rare thing indeed for carvers to design a carcase in the rough, and then to see whether the proposed carved portion is in harmony with the whole, whether the said carving be too much in relief, too flat, too expansive, or altogether out of character with the general work. It is notorious that good polishers and furniture-decorators are exceedingly rare, and many a high-class manufacturer has his goods spoiled on account of bad polish and decorative treatment. Regarding the value of evening classes as a means of industrial training, the report states that a better knowledge of the operations and principles connected with any skilled trade may be acquired by attending evening classes held in schools or technical institutes. Hitherto in England this has been the generally recognised method of supplementing the training of the workshop. In that department, at least, this country is without a rival. Judged whether by the number of students, the variety of classes, or the equipment of the institutions, England stands easily first in the provision of instruction for those who attend when the day's work is over. In spite, however, of this fact it is very doubtful whether the majority of employers fully realise what is being done, or avail themselves as much as they might of the advantages offered to their employees. Here and there individual employers, by offering facilities for attendance and rewards for the completion of satisfactory courses, have done much to promote the work of the evening classes, and there is reason to believe that others, if their attention were called to what is the common practice elsewhere, would be willing to do the same. Perhaps the simplest and most common method of co-operation is that in which the employer or employing firm pays the technical-institute or evening-school fees of those employees who take classes or courses approved by the employer as suited to the circumstances of the special industry concerned. A report as to the attendance and progress of students thus assisted is generally required. Prizes are not infrequently offered by employers to students who pass with success the examinations of the Board of Education or of the City and Guilds of London Institute, of the Society of Arts, or of other recognised examining bodies. In one of the best-thought-out schemes of this kind the prize increased in value with each year of the student's evening-school course. In certain cases students who have passed successfully through a course of study approved by the employer become thereby entitled to a rise of wages, which would not otherwise be granted. In

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several instances the usual annual increase in the rate of wages of an apprentice is made partly dependent either on regularity of attendance at approved evening classes or on passing certain approved examinations. Again, the recognition of increased efficiency may be marked by preference in selection for posts carrying greater remuneration or greater chances of promotion. Thus engineering firms not infrequently offer encouragement to students who show marked excellence in their technical studies by transferring them from one section of the workshops to another or to the drawing-office, so that they may enjoy opportunities of obtaining wider trade experience. More varied in form and more subject to local and trade conditions are the concessions in the matter of working-hours which some firms find it in their power to make. This is a form of encouragement which perhaps would not at first sight have suggested itself as very probable, and a note of some of the methods of affording it' which have, in practice, been found compatible with economy of production in trade workshops is likely to be no less valuable than interesting. There are already numerous examples of students attending approved evening classes being allowed, without loss of pay, some reduction on the ordinary hours of work. Thus some firms allow employees to leave the works on two or three days in the week at an hour which enables them to attend evening classes with some degree of comfort in the way of obtaining meals and changing workingclothes. Treating of the best methods of promoting day classes, the committee, in alluding to the 11 part-time " system and the trade school, reports that in the " part-time " system the boy or girl spends a portion of the day iv the workshop, and the remainder in the day technical school. It is probable that this system admits of considerable development. Many reasons serve to justify this sanguine expectation. One of the War Office regulations for Woolwich Arsenal insists that all the "trade lads" there employed shall have leave with pay one afternoon per week during the first three years of their training, in order that they may attend the special class which is organized for them at the Woolwich Polytechnic. Failure to attend the class during the hours for which leave is given entails loss of pay. Trade lads are not required to work overtime during these three years. The London and South-western Railway Company allows all its apprentices at the Nine Elms Works to attend classes during working-hours. Students are divided into two groups, and each group attends classes at the Battersea Polytechnic on two mornings a week from 8 to 9.30. Various firms of printers have arranged for their employees to attend afternoon classes in letterpress printing. The apprenticeships for girls arranged by the Council, with the financial assistance of the Merchant Taylors' Company, which are tenable at the establishment of Messrs. Debenham and Freebody, are likewise awarded on the condition that the apprentices spend one or two afternoons a week at suitable classes.' The Council has given aid to allow of " part-time " attendance of this sort. At the instance of some of the principal employers in the silversmiths' trade the Council has for some years awarded small bursaries to a number of their apprentices who attend special classes for silver workers at the L.C.C. Central School of Arts and Crafts and the Northampton Institute on Saturday mornings from January to June. These bursaries, which are intended to cover the travelling-expenses and Joss of wages of the apprentices, consist of free tuition and a money payment of 2s. 6d. for each morning's attendance. The Advisory Committee of the L.C.C. Shoreditch Technical Institute circularised a large number of employers in the neighbourhood of the Institute in order to discover whether the employers would be willing to allow their lads to be released from work to attend classes one or two mornings or afternoons a week. "We gave the replies," says the committee, " very careful consideration, and were gratified by the manner in which the proposals were received, in many cases often amounting to enthusiasm. Many of the employers looked beyond their immediate interests, and considered the position from a broad educational and economic standpoint." The answers, of course, varied considerably, but were on the whole very satisfactory. It would appear that a majority of employers would be willing to make concessions of this character. Some of them suggested that the Council should arrange that the masters should not suffer pecuniary loss, due to the absence of the apprentices during a part of the day. The case of the silversmith apprentices would supply a precedent for action of this kind. The Advisory Committee, in summing up the report, passed the following resolution: "That it is desirable to establish day classes for apprentices, and that a trial is warranted by the nature of the replies received to the circular letter sent to employers on the subject; further, that to insure the complete success of any scheme having the above object, it is eminently desirable that a system of small bursaries should be established in order to recoup apprentices on account of deductions in wages which their employers might make for loss of time." The Committee goes on to say,— "We agree in general with the resolution of the Advisory Committee. The scheme appears a singularly hopeful one; it has, moreover, the peculiar advantage that work at the bench will go on side by side with instruction at the school, and, further, that the students will come fresh to the classes. But we are of opinion that, before offering bursaries of this kind, the inquiry among employers which we have already suggested should first be completed. Before establishing a system of this kind we ought to determine carefully what proportion of the time of the apprentice should be spent at the technical institute. This would probably vary with the different trades, and it is quite possible that in some cases —as, indeed, one employer himself suggested—a true ' half-time ' arrangement might be established. The employer would then have two sets of apprentices, one set present in the morning and the other set in the afternoon. At the school the course of instruction given to the one set in the morning could be repeated in the afternoon to the other. A plan of this kind promises obvious advantages. "We have further considered whether this ' part-time ' system might be applied not only in the case of those who are already in the trade, but also in the case of children about to leave school and looking out for some occupation. We have felt that the moment of leaving school is the

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critical period of a boy's life. The case of the London boy is a particularly difficult one. It is so fatally easy for him to drift into some employment which, while the initial wages are high, offers no prospect in tEe future, and leads him inevitably, when a man, into the ranks of the unskilled labourer, the casual worker, and the unemployed. It is so hard for him or for his parents to discover, even if such be their wish, a satisfactory way of entering a skilled trade. We have given special attention to this problem, and feel that, in some cases at any rate, a modification of the ' part-time ' system might indicate the road to the -desired goal. The boy and girl about to leave school (for there is every reason to include girls) would be informed that they might compete for industrial scholarships which would carry with them a small bursary and free tuition at approved day classes, provided that they could obtain employment in one of certain specified skilled trades. It is probable that many parents, provided that they were assured that their child were taught a trade thoroughly, would be willing to sacrifice the advantage of immediate large earnings for the sake of the better opening in life which the receipt of the smaller earnings at the outset would afford. It is no doubt true that many of the poorer parents would be unable to forego the larger earnings. In cases of this kirfd it is possible that the Council would be willing to increase the bursary in order to enable the child to take the more favourable, though, for the time being, less remunerative, situation. Such a course would not differ in kind from the procedure adopted in the award of the Junior County Council Scholarships. Here, under certain conditions, a maintenance grant is added to the free tuition, in order to induce the parent to allow the child to remain longer at school. The underlying principle is in each case the same. It is to the advantage of the community to supplement the earnings of the parent in order that in the person of the child it may obtain a more useful, because better trained and instructed, citizen. '' The ' part-time ' system, however, can never be regarded as alone sufficient to secure an open door into the skilled trades for the children as they leave school. We can never consider satisfactory a state of affairs in which for two or three years boys enter the ranks of such unpromising, though at first highly paid, occupations as that of the van-boy, the errand-boy, or the district messenger, without some adequate provision for their future. During these years the habits of study acquired in the elementary schools will too often have disappeared, and are not easily revived. Further, if a boy is to wait two or three years before he enters a trade, it is probable that in the majority of cases he will never enter it at all. He has grown accustomed to comparatively high wages, and will rarely reconcile himself to the considerable reduction which any sort of industrial training necessarily involves. The boy must be caught in the net of some skilled trade as he leaves school, or he will never be caught at all. For this and other reasons which will appear later, we think that an organized system of day trade schools should be gradually developed. ' The trade school,' as one of the pioneers of the movement has said, ' is to take the place of apprenticeship, as we understand it, and in the substitution to abolish the drudgery and waste of the latter in the earnest and economical instruction of the former.' The trade school in different countries has assumed a great variety of forms. From the provision of a two-years course to boys as they leave school up to the supply of technical instruction reaching a university standard there has been an infinity of gradations. But in general the underlying principles of the school are identical. The student devotes his whole time to the work of the institution. If he has already entered the workshop, he leaves it for a year or more in order to take up the course of instruction. ' Parttime ' pupils may be found, but the object of the school is to provide a carefully thought-out system of training for those who are able to avail themselves of its advantages untrammelled by the necessity of attendance at the factory. There are two sides to the education provided by the trade school. There is first the theoretical instruction in the scientific principles on which the particular industry is founded; with this are frequently associated classes which enable the student to continue his general education. There is, in the second place, the specialised teaching given in the workshop of the school. Here the student learns the use of the tools and the machinery required in the trade in question, and carries out the actual operations of manufacture under the guidance of skilled instructors. It will be seen that a training of this kind is particularly well adapted for those who will in the future be foremen and managers of industrial undertakings. Where the courses of instruction attain university level, the schools supply just that sort of environment calculated to develop the qualities which the ' captains of industry ' ought to possess." The report concludes as follows: "We may perhaps be allowed to essay the task of presenting in a single picture the kinds of training which will take the place of the old indentured apprenticeships — a training which the Council should endeavour, as the years go by, to call into being. Ignoring .details and passing over the transition period,; we may look forward to see realised some such system as that outlined below. The boy, as he leaves the ordinary elementary school, will have offered him, provided he possess the required ability, the choice of two distinct courses of instruction which will assure him an all-round training in a skilled trade. There will be on the one hand the ' part-time ' system, in which he will spend a portion of the week in the workshops and the remainder in the day technical school, and on the other there will be evening classes, which a better co-operation with the employers will render more effective and less interrupted by the working of long hours in the factory. In certain cases scholarships carrying free tuition and a maintenance grant will be awarded to day students to compensate for the small earnings received during the years of training. Other scholarships of less value will be allowed to some of the evening students in order to encourage regularity of attendance. But it is probable that the growing intelligence of the employer will cause him to insist that apprentices who do not attend the day classes must be present at the evening school. From this class of student will be drawn the skilled worker of the future, whose ability is not sufficient to raise him, as a rule, to any of the higher positions of the industrial world. The boy, as he leaves the higher elementary school, will be able to enter the day trade school, eitEer by paying the fees himself or by winning one of the scholarships, which will carry with it free tuition and a maintenance grant tenable for two or three years. With this stream of boys coming from the higher elementary school will mingle another stream of boys who, "having won

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Junior County Council Scholarships and completed their course at the secondary school, have competed for one of the trade scholarships, either from choice or from inability to win an intermediate scholarship. From this class of student will be drawn the future foremen and managers of industrial undertakings. Finally a development of the Senior County Council Scholarships will make it possible not only for the intermediate scholars but also for certain of the holders of trade scholarships to proceed for the highest technological instruction in the engineering, electrical, chemical, or other industries, to the university. From these will be drawn, we may hope, the future inventor, the future managers of large businesses, and the future ' captains of industry.' A somewhat less elaborate system will afford similar facilities for girls. It is probable that many years will elapse before a complete ladder of industrial scholarships will be constructed. But if the Londoner is to hold his own with the rest of England, and if England herself is to maintain her high position in the industrial world, the formation of a graduated system of technical training must be regarded as one of the most crying needs of the day, and one of the most urgent duties of the Council." The foregoing extracts should, it is considered, suffice to indicate the nature of some of the more important factors and considerations already alluded to as being intimately connected with the development of an effective system of technical instruction. Reviewing the work of the classes in operation in the colony during the year as a whole, we have to report that the classes for instruction in the various branches of pure and applied art have done good and, in some cases, excellent work. Applied art is receiving more attention than heretofore, and there are indications that courses of instruction in the various branches thereof will in the near future form an important feature of the curriculum of the larger art schools of the colony. Classes for instruction in plumbing continue to be well attended. The programmes of work in the majority of cases have been well arranged and well carried out. There is an increasing demand for instruction in mechanical and electrical engineering. The authorities of some of the larger technical schools have been enabled, by the help of Government grants, to erect and equip workshops and laboratories, with the result that a number of really good classes for instruction in these subjects are now in operation. Reference to Table A will show that there has been a very large attendance, compared with the attendance at classes for other subjects, at classes for instruction in commercial subjects—and in this connection it may be mentioned that a large proportion of the students attending these classes are holders of free places. It is also noticeable that classes for commercial instruction appear to be as much in demand in country districts as in the larger centres of population. It is recognised that every one should have an elementary general knowledge of business methods whatever his or her occupation maj' be, and for this reason instruction in commercial subjects should form part of the curriculum of every technical school. It is to be feared, however, that in the case of a large number of students the only classes they attend are those for commercial instruction. This not altogether desirable state of affairs may be accounted for by the fact that such classes are easily arranged for and maintained. They do not require special accommodation, and can therefore be conducted in rooms that would be quite unsuitable for classes for such subjects as carpentry, cookery, &c. In the case of free pupils just fresh from the primary school, the fact that instruction in commercial subjects is of a more literary character, and therefore more familiar to them, may perhaps have something to do with the choice that most of them make. It is to be hoped that this anomaly will become less pronounced as the work of organization proceeds in the various districts. Already it is less noticeable where controlling authorities have taken the very necessary steps of placing technical instruction in their districts in the hands of properly qualified directors, instead of leaving the matter, as it is too often the case, almost entirely in the hands of the instructors of the classes, the natural result of which is that while the work of individual classes is often of a high quality the work as a whole lacks unity and coherence, due to the absence of a guiding hand. Little progress has been made in the matter of instruction in agriculture, except in so far as arrangements for the training of public-school teachers is concerned. Nor is this a matter for surprise. The successful inauguration in country districts of technical classes for instruction in agricultural and pastoral pursuits will, unless we are greatly mistaken, not eventuate as a general thing for some time to come. The first step has been taken in some districts in the appointment of special instructors to train the teachers and to supervise the work in the primary schools. It is from the pupils who have received instruction in elementary agriculture in the primary schools that the students for the technical classes for agriculture, that are to be, will be drawn. It seems again necessary to call attention to the desirability of making the instruction in connection with the adult classes in dressmaking more truly technical. The introduction into the classes of special systems involving the use of patent charts has to a large extent superseded the older and, we venture to affirm, better methods of drafting patterns. The systems referred to may be more expeditious, and persons may by means of them be saved a considerable amount of time and trouble; but as a means of education (and in the case of classes working under the Regulations for Manual and Technical Instruction this is an important consideration) the value of them is, we think, open to question. The following account of the dressmaking course in connection with the municipal technical schools in Paris is given for the information of those interested in this matter. The students are divided into three sections—first-year students, second-year students, and third-year students. (a.) The Training in Groundwork. —(1.) The acquirement of technical skill: A very careful training is given to every student in the general basis of fine needlework and machining. In each year certain exercises in needlework and machining are given, of increasing difficulty. Each student has a dossier in which each exercise, as it reaches the required standard, finds a place. Every girl, no matter what needle trade she will ultimately follow, can do all sorts of delicate

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fancy stitches and drawn-thread work for decorative purposes; she is taught all kinds of tucking, pleating, kilting, and ruching in the most delicate and varied materials; she learns to make buttonholes, loops, to case bones, to braid, to embroider, to machine and stitch in intricate ways, to make sections of garments in order to practise difficult processes— i.e., collars, cuffs, parts of skirts. To each exercise the scholar attaches a label explaining the process performed. In one school a dossier of the best specimens done by different members of the class is kept. A record of the high standard of skill and very various exercises is preserved, and a student is much encouraged when one of her exercises is preserved in the dossier of the class. The application of these exercises is made to practical dressmaking afterwards. (2.) Measuring, cutting-out, and fitting: Part of the first year's course is to learn to take measurements, and to draw to scale and measure; afterwards to cut out and fit from these measurements. One of the first exercises in this branch of work is that a girl is taught to make a tight-fitting bodice and sleeve and skirt. In the second and third year students model in leno on half-size or full-size models or on customers. Models of arms are used for sleeves. The teaching to measure and cut out from measurements is essential to this latter system, because accuracy and the position and directions of seams is thus learned. Very little work is done on small models; nearly all is for actual people, and the full-sized models are padded to represent the figure of the customer. From the outset the student cuts out and fits everything she makes. (3.) The ability to design, copy, adapt, and create: Every pupil makes drawings of her work. While she is learning to draw to scale and measure, she makes drawings of her plans with explanatory notes; she is taught to sketch the dresses in the workroom. She goes, note-book in hand, to the dressmaking establishments to sketch the models shown there or in shop-windows. She learns to sketch a design for a costume for a customer. A third-year student is expected to design a costume and execute a part in various-coloured lenos, showing the scheme of colour, style, and trimming; a maker of lingerie designs-original models and garniture; an embroiderer designs and often paints her own drawings for execution—she is taught to see subjects for embroidery in tapestries, carving, and friezes—she invents her stitches and decorations for trimmings; the artificial-florist reproduces faithfully and minutely real flowers, and invents plumes et choses de fantaisie which, are a necessary adjunct to her trade; the milliner creates new modes. Customers are encouraged to bring old garments to be remade and adapted; and any work that has not been sold is unpicked and made to suit the new fashions of the year. (b.) The Execution of an Entire New Piece of Work. —From the moment a girl enters the school this principle is put into practice. The student cuts out and completes everything, whether it is an exercise or a costume. An interesting instance was seen in a piece of work near completion of a third-year student. A ball-dress of white lace for a customer was being made. ' The student, under the teacher's care, had designed, cut, and fitted the dress, and was engaged in completing a beautiful piece of embroidery which she had herself designed. In this way thorough craftswomen and artists are made. All this was having an effect on the students' bearing—there was a zest and eagerness in the way they were working, and the work appeared to reach a remarkably high level of excellence. Attention is particularly directed to the importance attached to drawing to scale, measuring, and freehand sketching. The Art and Science Examinations of the Board of Education, South Kensington, and the Technological Examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute, were conducted as usual by the Department. The results, which are given on page 7, may be summarised as follows: Of 583 candidates who sat for the Art and Science Examinations 372 passed; 19 students' works were sent Home for examination in connection with art certificates, and of these 7 were accepted by the examiners. One hundred and ninety-eight candidates sat for the examinations of the Institute, of whom 165 passed, a bronze medal being gained by a Thames student. At the Institute's examinations for teachers in cookery and woodwork, 31 teachers passed in cookery and 50 in woodwork. Examinations were held at fifteen centres. M. H. Browne, E. C. Isaac, Inspectors of Technical Instruction. The Inspector-General of Schools, Wellington.

No. 3. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE SEVERAL EDUCATION DISTRICTS.

AUCKLAND. Extract from the Report op the Education Board. Manual and Technical Instruction. —There has been an enormous development and extension of classes during the year. Manual-training schools have been established at the Thames and at Whangarei, the residents having responded most liberally to the appeal for local voluntary contributions thereto. A grant of £4,000 has been obtained towards building a technical college for Auckland, and it is hoped that suitable accommodation may be provided at no distant date. The Board has engaged a special teacher of agriculture, whose duty it will be to instruct the teachers and to organize a plan of providing instruction throughout the district.

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Extract prom the Report op the Chief Inspector of Schools. In most schools drawing is of satisfactory quality. In many of the larger ones the making of patterns and designs, in part original, both in pencil and in brushwork, receives much attention. The units disposed radially or otherwise in the design are necessarily on a small scale, and the completion of the whole often occupies three or more weeks. Too exclusive attention to this type of work is not desirable. Larger figures with freer curves, balanced or other, will give at least equal facility in using the pencil and brush, as well as afford a pleasing variety in the exercises. In the smaller schools little has been done to give a training in the principles of design. In very few schools does drawing from objects or from nature receive adequate attention; this—the ultimate object of all training in drawing—should be practised in at least the two highest standard classes. It is important that all original designs should be plainly marked as such in pupils' drawing-books. Brushwork has now been widely taken up, and is much more popular than pencil drawing. Where it has been practised for a considerable time a large amount of excellent work is generally produced. The capable direction of Messrs. Wallace and Cockburn has proved of great advantage in connection with this branch of drawing. Creditable work has, however, been found at various schools—Dargaville, for instance—that have not benefited by expert advice and direction. Definite steps have now been taken to begin in country schools a practical and experimental course of study in elementary agriculture. An expert to direct the training of teachers in this department, and to further organize the schemes of work to be undertaken, is soon to be appointed by the Board, and fruitful development may be looked for. I hope that he will also aid us by arranging suggestive courses of lessons in nature-study. Some form of handwork is now taught in a large number of the smaller schools, as well as in all the larger ones. The new centres for teaching woodwork and cookery recently opened at the Thames and at Whangarei have been much appreciated in these districts. Closer supervision of pupils travelling by rail to and from some of the centres is urgently needed, and head teachers should make it a point of honour with their pupils to behave quietly and decorously on these journeys. This is a matter that cannot be too stronglj' impressed on all concerned. The handwork taught in the primer and lower standard classes is in general carefully done, and it is to some extent co-ordinated with drawing. But it is far from easy to judge of its educative value from the occasional lessons and the finished articles seen by the Inspectors, though teachers generally speak favourably of it. Brush drawing, referred to above, is frequently taken up in the Standard I class, and a continuous course of work follows on this beginning. Extract from the Report of the Director of Technical Education. The year 1905 was undoubtedly a record one as regards the progress of manual training and technical education in the Auckland District, not only by reason of the fact that the number of students receiving instruction showed a considerable increase over previous years, but because of the marked change in the attitude of the public towards these important branches of education. The past session was the third since the establishment by the Board of a Department of Manual Training and Technical Education, and the work carried on had reached a sufficiently advanced stage for the public to be able to judge somewhat of its value to the community, whilst the exhibition of students' work held at the beginning of the year no doubt did much to arouse general interest. As in previous reports, I propose to deal with the various branches of my Department under their several headings. Handwork in Public, Schools. —Very considerable progress was made in the introduction of handwork into the public schools during the past year, the average attendance having advanced from 10,330 in the previous year to 13,341 —an increase of 29 per cent. The improvement made in drawing and brushwork in the Auckland city and suburban schools under the guidance of "Mr. Harry Wallace, the Board's Chief Art Instructor, had been so marked that the Board decided to send " Home " for another art master, who would give instruction to the country teachers, and visit their schools to help and advise them in the teaching of art subjects. As a result, Mr. Francis C. J. Cockburn, of the Halifax Higher Grade School, was appointed, and arrived in Auckland in July last. Until Christmas he was located in the Thames district, where very good progress was made under his direction, although the attendance at the special teachers' classes was not altogether satisfactory. At the commencement of the present year he was transferred to the Waikato district, and will shortly take up a three months' residence at the Northern Wairon. Cookery and Woodwork Classes in Primary Schools. —These classes continued to do excellent work at the Newton, Newmarket, and Ponsonb}- Manual-training Schools. Largely owing to tho public-spiritedness of the inhabitants, similar schools were built and equipped during the year at Thames and at Whangarei, and work was commenced in them in August and September respectively. Dr. Garnet, Educational Adviser to the London County Council Educational Committee, again lent the Board valuable assistance in selecting teachers in England for these new schools. Miss Joan Sutherland-Smith, cookery instructor to the Rugby School Board, and Mr. Joseph E. Dangerfield, of the Northampton Polytechnic, London, were appointed as cookery and woodwork instructors respectively at Thames, whilst Miss Beatrice M. Walden, cookery instructor at St. John's and St. Agnes' Schools, Kennington, London, and Mr. David Grant, woodwork instructor at the Mowlem Street School, London, were appointed to similar positions at Whangarei. At the end of the year Mrs. Buckeridge (nee Twentyman) resigned her position as cookery instructor at Newton Manual-training School, on account of ill health. To fill this vacancy, Miss SutherlandSmith was transferred from Thames, and Miss J. Millington, cookery instructor under the Wellington (New Zealand) Education Board, was appointed in her place. The number of girls in average attendance at the cookery classes at the five manual-training schools was 1,170, and the number of boys at the woodwork 1,605. In July last the Auckland centres had been in operation for a period 3—E. 5.

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of two years, and examinations in cookery and woodwork respectively were held for those pupils who had received two years' training, and who were about to leave school. Sixty-one presented themselves for the examination in woodwork, of which number forty-two passed, whilst in cookery eighteen out of the twenty girls who entered were successful. It is hoped that the certificates awarded as the result of passing these examinations, which will now be held annually, will be of value to the pupils in helping them to obtain employment. Moves have also been made at Hamilton and at Cambridge towards the establishment of manual-training schools. At Hamilton a sum of over £200 has already been collected, and a somewhat less sum has also been raised at Cambridge. Nothing has been more pleasing to me during my three years and a half stay in the colony than the practical enthusiasm shown bj- the country districts of Thames, Whangarei, Hamilton, and Cambridge in the cause of manual training and technical education. The people in these districts, having come to the conclusion that schools such as had previously been established in Auckland would prove beneficial in their midsts, showed their wholeheartedness in the matter by subscribing freely. The Training of Teachers in Art, Cookery, and Woodwork. —As in the previous year, classes for teachers in art, cookery, and woodwork were conducted in Auckland, whilst classes in these subjects were also held for the Thames teachers after the opening of the manual-training school in August. At Whangarei, too, cookery and woodwork classes were conducted at the new manualtraining school during the last few months of the year. As this was the third year in which cookery and woodwork classes had been held for Auckland teachers, the number attending was somewhat smaller than in previous years, but the work done was in every way as satisfactory, and the results obtained in the City and Guilds Examinations were very creditable. The Auckland art classes continued to be as popular as ever, and were attended by an even larger number of teachers. It is satisfactory to be able to report that many of the teachers were not content with an elementary knowledge of such subjects as freehand, model, blackboard, and brush drawing, but still continued to attend classes in these subjects and also to take up drawing of plant-form and advanced model-drawing. The number of teachers who attended the Auckland classes, together with, the local examination results, are shown in Table Bon page 14. At Thames, sixtythree teachers attended the art classes, twenty-two the woodwork, and twenty-five the cookery. Except that the attendance wa3 somewhat irregular, satisfactory work was done in all these classes. At Whangarei, nineteen teachers attended for cookery and eighteen for woodwork. Technical and Continuation Classes in Country Districts. —The evening technical and continuation classes, established at Thames in 1904, were continued in 1905, whilst similar classes were inaugurated at Whangarei, Dargaville, and Onehunga. At Thames the following subjects were taken up: English, commercial arithmetic, typewriting, shorthand, book-keeping, practical mathematics, cookery, dressmaking, art, woodwork, building-construction, trade drawing, and carpentry and joinery. The total number of entries was 790, as compared with 466 in the previous year. Almost the whole of the pupils were attending as junior technical scholars. Speaking generally, Very satisfactory work was done, but it is to be regretted that so few students presented themselves at the examinations at the end of the year. I wish to pay special tribute to the zeal and enthusiasm shown by the local superintendent, Mr. W. H. P. Marsdon, the headmaster of the Kaueranga School, who has spared neither time nor energy to make the new movement at Thames the great success that it undoubtedly is. Previous to the establishment of the Manual-training and Technical School at AVhangarei in September last, evening classes were inaugurated in June in the following subjects: Shorthand, book-keeping, typewriting, English literature, commercial correspondence, practical mathematics, commercial arithmetic, botany, and German. A class was also held to enable pupils whose elementary education was deficient, and who had not yet passed the Sixth Standard, to become qualified to do so. When the Manual-training and Technical School opened, evening and afternoon classes were also held in cookery, dressmaking, drawing, woodwork, wood-carving, and carpentry and joinery. The total number of class entries during the year was 4-30. Considering that the population of. Whangarei is only about 2,000, this number may be looked upon as being eminently satisfactory. To my mind, the most remarkable feature in connection with these classes was the fact that no less than fifty-two students entered for the English literature class under Mr. W. H. Rhys. English literature is, unfortunately, not often a popular subject in country districts, and the fact that so many of the Whangarei students took up this subject shows, I think, that there must have been something exceptional in instructor and students alike. The most unsatisfactory feature in connection with the Whangarei classes was the horticultural class, which had to be disbanded on account of lack of students lam sure that this subject is of far more value to the inhabitants of Whangarei than subjects such as shorthand, typewriting, or German. Mr. N. R. McKenzie, the headmaster of the public school, acted as local superintendent, and showed great earnestness in carrying out his duties. In March, evening classes were inaugurated at Dargaville in book-keeping, commercial arithmetic, English, shorthand, typewriting, Latin, drawing, and painting. These classes were conducted at the public school, the headmaster of which, Mr. E. M. Ormiston, acted as local superintendent. The total number of entries in all classes was 186, but the attendance, which at no time could be characterized as regular, fell off very considerably towards the end of the year. Good work was done in some classes by those students who were in earnest, but as a whole the work of the classes was scarcely satisfactory, in spite of the energy shown by the teachers and by the local superintendent. At Onehunga, evening classes in dressmaking, book-keeping, and trade drawing were held, the total number of entries being forty-four. Except in the dressmaking class, in which there were twenty-seven students, the entries were not sufficient to warrant classes being continued another year,

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Agricultural Education and Nature-study. —During the year the Board decided to initiate the scheme of agricultural education submitted by me in May, 1904. According to this scheme, the foundation of agricultural education was to be laid in the primary schools in the form of "nature-study," in which school gardens would be a leading feature. The Board decided to advertise in England, in Canada, and in the colony for an instructor who would be able to conduct courses of instruction in nature-study for teachers who would, in turn, introduce the work into their own schools. The salary offered was £400 per annum, and of the thirty-seven applicants, Mr. Vincent W. Jackson, 8.A., of the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, was selected. Mr. Jackson is due to arrive here shortly, when he will commence work by giving instruction to teachers at approved centres. I look upon the introduction of this branch of education as being one of the most important movements that has taken place during my stay in the colony, and one that will, lam sure, be fraught with far-reaching results. The Board is to be heartily congratulated'on having taken this step. The exhibition of handwork done by pupils attending the manual-training and primary schools, and of work done in the various evening technical classes, was again held at the Auckland Technical School at the beginning of the present year. The exhibition, which was opened by His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, Lord Plunket, created even more interest than the previous one. As I have previously mentioned, I am convinced that these exhibitions have done a great deal to educate the public as to the kind of work that is being done in our technical and manual-training schools. A summer school was held in Auckland in January of this year. The school, which was under the direction of the Board's art specialists, Messrs. Harry Wallace and F. C. J. Cockburn, assisted by Miss Eleanor Kendon and Mr. H. Bruce Wallace, was open for a fortnight for teachers living in the backblocks, who could not otherwise get the advantage of instruction in freehand, blackboard, model, and brush drawing. Upwards of 160 teachers were in attendance, and their enthusiasm and regularity of attendance resulted in excellent work being done. Auckland Technical School. As in previous years, the work was carried out under very great difficulties. In addition to the hired building in Rutland Street, the Newton Manual-training School, a portion of the Wellesley Street public school, and the machine-shop and smithy were utilised for evening technical classes. Even under these circumstances, it was impossible to find accommodation for all the students applying for admission, nearly two hundred being turned away. At the beginning of last session a most important decision was come to by the Board regarding the admission of students to the Technical School. It was resolved that no student should be admitted who had not passed the Sixth Standard of a public school, or some' equivalent examination, except in the case of students over twenty-one years of age. The reason for this step was that previously a considerable number of students had attended the school whose elementary education was not sufficiently advanced to allow them to profit by the instruction provided. In order that no hardship should be inflicted upon any students by permanently keeping them out of the school, evening continuation classes were established at the Newmarket, Ponsonby, and Wellesley Street Public Schools, at which such students could attend and receive an education equivalent to that obtained in the Sixth Standard of a public school. Except at Newmarket, where only four students enrolled, these classes proved a great success, and at the end of the year, at the examination held by the Chief Inspector of Schools, sixteen obtained Standard VI certificates of proficiency, and seven certificates of competency. It is now possible in Auckland for all boys and girls, no matter how defective their education may be, to attend evening classes, which will eventually qualify them to attend the Technical School for a period of five years free of charge. In June and July last a considerable number of our students sat for the Examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute, and of the London Board of Education. The total number of passes in both examinations was 142, as against 108 for the previous year. The plumbing students were again very successful—in fact, a larger number of passes were obtained by the Auckland Technical School than by any of the large technical schools in London. One student passed with first-class honours, and was awarded the Full Technological Certificate in Plumbers' Work. This certificate is considered to be the highest that can be obtained in plumbing, and it is the first that has ever been gained by an Auckland student. In model and freehand drawing examinations, the teachers of the public schools made an excellent show. These examinations are now of a very high standard, and seeing that the teachers only received a year's preparation for them of one evening per week the result reflects the highest credit upon students and instructor alike. The following is a brief account of each department of the school: — Building Trades Department. —The work done in this department was again very successful. Instruction was given in building-construction, carpentry and joinery, practical mathematics, drawing for carpenters, and practical geometry. It is gratifying to note that, with one exception, the whole of the students who passed the first year's course entered for the second. The majority of the new students also entered for the full course. The carpentry and joinery, particularly of the second-year students, calls for special comment, and the Board is to be congratulated on having such a successful teacher as Mr. Trendall for this important subject. The buildingconstruction classes were also very successful, two students having obtained first classes in the advanced stage of the London Board of Education Examination. For the diploma in carpentry and joinery, six students were successful in the first year's course, and four in the second. Cabinetmaking Department. —The subjects taught in this department were theory and practice of carpentry, drawing for cabinetmakers, practical mathematics, perspective, practical geometry, elementary design, and principles of ornament. As in previous years, the number of students actually engaged in cabinetmaking who attended the classes was very small, the majority being in attendance to learn "woodwork for amateurs" rather than cabinetmaking. For the diploma in cabinetmaking, one student obtained the first year's certificate, and two the second.

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Commercial Department. —This department, in point of numbers, continues to be the most satisfactory one. It would appear that there is a far greater desire for clerkship in Auckland than for a trade. Instruction was given in the following subjects: Commercial arithmetic, commercial geography, commercial correspondence, typewriting, shorthand, French, book-keeping, and English. It is disappointing to find that in this department the majority of students are satisfied with a one-year's course, comparatively few continuing for a second year. For the diploma in commerce, five students completed the first year's course, and one the second. Domestic Department. —Classes in dressmaking, plain cookery, high-class cookery, and millinery were held in this department. The latter subject was introduced for the first time, and became so popular that an afternoon as well as an evening class was held. A larger number of students attended the dressmaking classes than in any previous year. The work done was of a very high character, and was most favourably commented upon by those who visited the exhibition at the end of the session. Electrical Engineering Department. —The subjects taught in this department included the following: Magnetism and electricity, electric lighting and power-distribution, practical mathematics, machine construction and drawing, steam, applied mechanics, and workshop practice. For the first time students in this department received practical instruction in turning, fitting, &'c., in the workshop erected at the beginning of the year. The chief drawback to this department is that there is at the present time very little opening in electrical engineering in Auckland, hence comparatively few of the students are engaged in the trade. For the diploma, four students obtained the full first year's certificate and three the second. Mechanical Engineering Department. —ln addition to machine construction and drawing, practical mathematics, practical geometry, applied mechanics and steam, all of which subjects were taught the previous year, turning and fitting, practical smithing, and drawing for smiths were introduced into last year's curriculum. The weakness in mathematics, as in previous years, was again apparent. This subject is a most important one to mechanical engineers, seeing that it is the basis of so many others. Four students were successful in passing the full first year's examination for the diploma in mechanical engineering, whilst one obtained a third-year certificate. Plumbing Department. —ln this department instruction was given in practical mathematics, drawing for plumbers, physics and chemistry, and theory and practice of plumbing. As in previous years, this was amongst the most successful departments of the school, and the brillant success of the Auckland students in the " Home" examinations has been a source of general satisfaction. For the diploma in plumbing, six students passed the first year's examination, one the second, and three the third. Art Department. —ln addition to the art classes for teachers, held on four evenings of the week, and on Saturday mornings, special classes in drawing for painters, monumental masons, cabinetmakers, architects, and others were held. Considerable enthusiasm was shown by the majority of the students, and some first-class work was turned out. Photographic Department. —A class in the theory and practice of photography was inaugurated, but the number of students attending (twelve) was very small, and most of these evinced very little interest in the work, so that the class could not in any way be considered a success. Tailoring and Cutting Department. —A class in tailoring and cutting was inaugurated, but the number of enrolments was very few. The Board were fortunate in obtaining as instructor Mr. F. College, late instructor of the London Tailor and Cutter Academy, and, although the number in attendance was small, the progress made was very satisfactory. To sum up, during the year great improvement was shown in most of the work at the Technical School. The earnestness of the students was more marked, and the attendance was much more regular. The percentage of students in attendance who had little interest in their work was much smaller than in any previous year. One of the most disappointing features in connection with the evening classes was the lack of interest shown in the students by the majority of their employers. In many cases, masters employing a large number of men did not even take the trouble to point out to their employees that it would be to their advantage to attend technical classes. I am fully convinced that, if employers here would only use their influence with their workpeople to get them to avail themselves of the opportunities now offered at the Technical School, they would find it would be to their advantage. I hope the time is not far distant when legislation will make it compulsory for all apprentices to attend a technical school two or three half-days per week, as is done in some parts of the Continent of Europe. Exclusive of teachers, the number of individual students enrolled was 517, as against 312 of the previous session, whilst the number of class entries increased from 796 to 1,388. Including the teachers, the number of individuals was 791 (637 last year), and the total number of class entries increased from 1,709 to 2,401. The number of examination-papers worked by students other than teachers was 636, of which 458, or over 72 per cent., obtained passes, compared with 285 passes out of 407 papers worked last year. The future of technical education in Auckland at the present time looks more hopeful than it has ever done before. What appeared to be an insurmountable difficulty, regarding the provision of a sufficiently large site for a new Technical College, has been overcome, the City Council having provided nearly an acre of land for in an excellent position. The Government has earmarked a sum of £4,000 as an initial grant towards the new building, and the trustees of the Auckland Savings-bank have generously promised to make a donation of £10,000 for the same object, provided the Government passes the necessary legislation to enable them to do so. In my report of two years ago there appears the following: " There seems very little prospect of money for building and equipment being forthcoming, unless-the Auckland Savings-bank generously comes to the rescue." It is very gratifying to note that the thought then expressed has eventuated

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in such a satisfactory manner. Several citizens have promised substantial donations towards the new building, and a public subscription-list will shortly be opened. It is hoped in this manner that at least £3,000 will be raised locally. There thus seems a fair prospect of the £30,000 necessary for an up-to-date Technical College worthy of the city being provided during the next few months. Although Auckland is so far away from the larger centres of civilisation, it is satisfactory to learn from numerous travellers from different parts of the world, who have visited our schools, that we are keeping well in the van of educational progress, and I fully believe that when the city is provided with a modern technical college our educational facilities will be second to no other town of the same size in the British Empire—-in fact, some of the reforms that have been introduced here during the last year or two are still in the " discussion stage " at " Home." In conclusion, I beg to tender my appreciation to the Board for the progressive spirit it has always shown in the development of manual training and technical education. To my colleagues, also, I wish to express my sincere thanks for their loyalty, earnestness, and enthusiasm. George George, F.1.C., F.CS-, Director of Technical Education and Manual Training. Summary of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year 1905. Auckland Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 927 19 8 Balance .. .. .. .. 2,007 2 7 Capitation on technical scholars .. .. 39 8 3 Salaries .. .. .. .. 1,103 9 0 Buildings .. .. .. 289 0 0 Office expenses .. .. .. .. 40 6 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus.. .. 1,597 16 11 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 68 2 5 Material .. .. .. .. 62 13 1 Lighting, &c. .. .. .. .. 76 12 8 Sudsidies on contributions .. .. 9 8 0 Insurance, &c. .. .. .. .. 10 10 9 Fees .. .. .. .. 579 16 0 Material .. .. .. 165 3 9 Contributions .. .. .. .. 78 18 6 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 9 16 Rents .. .. .. .. .. 13 10 0 Contracts, &c. .. .*. .. 209 0 2 Balance .. .. .. .. 1,498 9 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 1,407 10 1 £5,096 19 5 £5,096 19 5 Thames Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance .. .. .. .. 2 14 0 Salaries .. .. .. 536 17 7 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 125 6 3 Office expenses .. .. .. .. 5 7 5 Capitation on ttchnical scholars .. .. 118 10 3 Advertising, &o. ... .. .. 4 7 3 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 21 18 0 Lighting, &c. .. .. .. .. 8 7 9 Material .. .. .. .. 0 17 0 Material .. .. .. .. 4 5 2 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 42 4 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 27 6 0 Contributions .. .. .. .. 4 0 0 Balance .. .. .. 271 1 8 £586 11 2 £586 11 2 Whangabei Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Fees .. .. .. .. .. 68 11 0 Salaries .. .. .. .. 86 0 0 Balance .. .. .. .. 17 9 0 £86 0 0 £86 0 0 Onehunga Classes. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 14 15 0 Salaries .. .. .. .. 40 19 2 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 37 12 6 Balanoe .. .. .. .. 11 8 4 £52 7 6 £52 7 6 Vincent B. Rice, Secretary to Controlling Authority. Extract from the Report of the Director, " Elam " School op Art. The usual classes in the departments of freehand and model drawing, geometry, perspective, light and shade, monochrome painting, modelling, still-life painting, drawing and painting from the antique and from life have been held throughout the year, and have been well attended. There have been rather fewer advanced students this year than usual, a considerable number of those who have been doing good work for the past year or so having had to give up this work, probably to take up something more remunerative. I much regret that there are no scholarships in the school, which would enable a really talented and hardworking student to continue his studies for a few years until he was able to make a living with his art-work. It has several times happened that a really clever student has had to give up art-work for something more remunerative after spending some years at it, and doing excellent work. The average student does not stay as long as I could wish at the school, but I have little fault to find with the progress made by any of them while here. The evening classes as usual have had the largest attendances throughout the year,

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and wMh our improved lighting we have been able to have some excellent work done in black and white. The number of registered attendances for the year was 36,986, which is rather less than that of 1904, the difference being chiefly in the term just closed. lam inclined to believe that the comparatively poor attendance during the last term has been caused by the wilful absence of some of the younger pupils without the knowledge of their parents. Several instances of this have recently come before me, and I propose again to ask the parents to inspect from time to time the registers of attendance kept at the school. As more room in the Art Gallery buildings is not at present available for our work, I have arranged for the use of rooms in the immediate vicinity, and for an expert teacher for additional classes in modelling and woodcarving, for which subjects I expect a good attendance in 1906. In conclusion, I wish to thank the staff of the school for the good and willing work they have done during the past year. E. W. Patton, Director. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending S Ist December, 1905. Receipts. £. s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 175 15 5 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 683 6 8 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 491 14 6 Office expenses (including salaries, sta Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 26 4 3 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 96 16 10 Subsidies on contributions .. .. 150 0 0 Advertising and printing.. .. ... 42 2 i Fees .. .. .. .. .. 22 3 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 20 17 4 The trustees for the Elam School of Art .. 241 6 3 Insurance and repairs ... .. .. 017 5 Material .. .. .. .. 9 16 7 Life models .. .. .. .. 12 17 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 69 15 11 Balance .. .. .. 170 13 4 £1,107 3 11 £1,107 3 11 Sam. Jackson, Chairman ) , ~r B. W. Payton, Secretary ( of Ma ™gers.

TARANAKI. Extract from the Report op the Education Board. Manned Instruction. —Elementary handwork was undertaken at thirty-one schools, and sewing under the Manual Regulations in thirteen schools. In addition to the above, manual work as defined by clauses 22 to 27 of the Regulations for Manual and Technical Instruction was recognised in twenty-seven cases, the subjects embracing woodwork, botany, dairying, physiography, advanced needlework, ambulance, elementary agriculture, swimming, and life-awing. Technical Instruction. —Classes continue to be held at Stratford and New Plymouth, and are doing good work. During the year the Board applied for a manual-training centre and Technical School for New Plymouth. The plans were approved, and a grant of £3,500 for a brick building has been notified. At the time of meeting tenders are being called. Training classes for teachers were held at Stratford and New Plymouth, the principal subject of instruction being agriculture, theoretical and practical. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. The progress made in handwork deserves more than a passing notice. The number of schools in which it is undertaken is increasing; but a far more pleasing feature is the teachers' recognition of its value as a method of teaching, and the decreasing number who look upon it as introducing new subjects. The difficulties and misconceptions inseparable from the introduction of new ideas are being overcome, and some of those who displayed at least .no sympathy are now its strongest advocates. In the lower classes it has produced a very marked beneficial effect upon the development of the intelligence, and in all classes concrete teaching through handwork enables some of the work to be taught, and taught with ease, a standard or two before it is required by the syllabus. In drawing and arithmetic this is particularly noticeable, and the general intelligence developed reacts more or less on the school-work. The schemes of work formulated by teachers show greater coherence and more systematic treatment from Preparatory to Standard VI, are better graduated, and dovetail better into the ordinary school subjects. Brushwork is not so generally taught as formerly, and we believe that as good, if not better, educational results can be obtained by means of blackboard drawing co-ordinated with freehand. Carton and cardboard work are now undertaken more extensively than formerly, and are being well used as improved methods of teaching much of the drawing, especially scale drawing with instruments, object-drawing, plane and solid geometrical drawing, and model-drawing. Though these subjects were prescribed before handwork in its present form was so well recognised, it was very evident to any one who had to deal with pupils after they left school that the results could not be called satisfactory; and we are satisfied that the new methods will produce much better training during school life, and in after life will be found of practical benefit to many of those taking up a trade or profession. In some cases we find that teachers make many models, but do not use them to the best advantage. As far as is possible carton or cardboard work should proceed side by side with the geometrical drawing; and, when finished, the objects should be used for object-drawing, elementary solid geometry,

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model-drawing, and so on. It will be found that a comparatively small number of models judiciously used in this way will produce the best educational results. We find that geometrical drawing is still taught on the old methods, and not applied to exercises requiring a grasp of geometrical principles. To be of any value the geometry must be applied to the construction of designs, patterns, plans, geometrical solids, and so on. For the ordinary school geometry we desire to bring under the notice of teachers " Preliminary Geometry," by Rawdon Roberts (Blackie and Sons, Is.), and for more advanced exercises " Geometrical Drawing and Design," by J. H. Spanton (Macmillan and Co.). Classes in more advanced handwork, including elementary agriculture, woodwork, botany, ambulance, dressmaking, swimming, science, &c, were recognised in twenty-one cases. At the Stratford District High Shool, where a centre consisting of rooms for science, woodwork,-dairying, and for general purposes was established two years ago, pupils undertake a wide range of subjects, including woodwork, 2 classes; botany, 2; dressmaking, 1; science, 3; and dairying, 2. In dairying, in addition to classes for pupils of the school, during the winter holidays classes of a fortnight's duration were held for pupils from neighbouring schools, and were well attended. We cannot speak too highly of the way the staff have put their hearts into the work, and we believe that, as time goes on, their efforts will be more and more appreciated by the general public. As we have received numerous inquiries as to the programme of work for dairying, it is evident that the desire for instruction in dairying is spreading; and for general information we here give the course which has been adopted : 1. Composition of milk—Water, fats, albuminoids, ash. Variation in quality in different breeds of cattle. 2. Structure of udder; milk-secretion; effect of cow's physical condition : variation in quality during period of lactation, colostrum, variation during one milking; importance of complete removal of milk; retention of milk; regularity and time of milking; methods of milking—wet and milking; treatment of cows, benefits of gentle handling and kind treatment. 3. Importance of cleanliness in the animal, in the byre, in utensils, in the dairy; means of securing cleanliness; washing prior .to milking; the byre, site and structure; the utensils, material and methods of cleaning; bacteria; effect of temperature on germination and fermentation; sterilisation; pasteurisation; absorption of odours, &c, by milk. 4. The keeping of milk, cooling, stirring, aeration; mixing milk of successive milkings; carriage of milk to the factory; the dairy—site, structure, ventilation, and temperature. 5. Testing cows for the purpose of securing a good milking-herd; breed of milking-cows; importance of good pasture and water; flavours and odours due to feeding—remedies; winter feeding; rugging; breeding; effect of age on lactation. 6. Separation of cream; shallowpan and deep-setting systems; effects of dilution and temperature; the separator; skim-milk testing. 7. Ripening of cream; over-ripening; effect of temperature; testing starters and cultures; Wisconsin curd-test. 8. Churning and butter-making; effects of temperature; kind of agitation; effect of agitation; washing and working; salting; packing; defects in butter. 9. By-products of dairy; buttermilk; feeding animals on skim-milk; precautions in using separator-milk for animals; substitutes for removed fats. 10. Milk-supply; cleanliness, &c, as above; delivery in uniform quality; legal standard of quality; adulteration and detection. 11. Common diseases in milking-cows. The practical work in connection with the above includes instruction in actual milking. Defective and efficient milking are shown. The milk drawn under different conditions of cleanliness, feeding, stages in any milking, &c, are examined by the microscope, by the lactometer, by the Babcock tester, and by its keeping-qualities, fermentation and sterilisation are shown, and elementary notions of bacteriology taught. The effects of aeration, cooling, &c, are shown by contrast with other samples not so treated, and their effects in the factory tests are demonstrated. Normal milk, cream, and skim-milk are submitted to tests. Milk is passed through a hand-separator, and the churn and the butter-maker are used to make butter in small quantities. Each pupil keeps his own samples, numbering them, noting the conditions (cleanliness, temperature, condition of milking, &c), and noting the results. The primary object of the course is to teach the pupil how to deal with the milk from the time it is grass to the time it reaches the factory—for the success of the dairying industry depends upon the condition in which the factory receives the milk. At the end of the two-years' course an idea of the best methods of butter-making is given. Two cows are available for the use of the classes, and the Stratford Dairy Factory has been associated with the Technical School. Pupils visit the factory in order to watch the several processes of treatment, the testing, <fee. The course is intended to extend over two years. Pupils are encouraged to bring milk from home, and test it in order to gain information which may lead to more efficient milking, to the better selection of stock, and so on. In this way it is hoped that the knowledge gained at the school will be carried to the homes, and be of general benefit to a most important industry. It may not be out of place to describe one of the last lessons seen. A cow was brought in, its udder was well washed, and it was milked b}' one of the pupils. As the milking proceeded the milk was put into bottles with numbered labels attached, and thus were obtained samples of milk from the first drawn to the strippings. These were then tested by the Babcock tester, and the columns of butter-fat in the test-bottles showed in a most striking way the value of thorough and complete milking. The percentages of butter-fat were then computed, and graphs were drawn showing the improvement in the quality of the milk and its increased value as the milking proceeded. Of the practical value of such instruction in a dairying district there can be but one opinion ; but we go farther and say that as an educational subject dairying is a valuable means of teaching many scientific principles, and is no mean substitute for a special course in science. A very casual glance at the programme above outlined will convince one that many of the fundamental principles of physiology, agriculture, and general science are taught through the milk as the medium.

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905. New Plymouth. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance .. .. .. .. 28 7 7 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 83 3 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 812 0 Office expenses (including salaries, stationery, Buildings .. .. .. .. 2 2 6 &c.) .. .. .. .. .. 218 2 Material .. .. ~ .. 713 11 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 11 11 10 Fees • • • • • • • • .. 101 10 10 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 4 7 0 Balance.. .. .. .. .. 50 14 5 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 04 6 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 576 Examinations, &o. .. .. .. 010 0 - Material for class use .. .. .. 32 3 6 Rebates on fees .. .. .. 11 5 0 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 8 5 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 39 5 3 £199 1 3 £199 1 3 Stratford. £ s. d. £ s . d. Balance.. .. .. .. 40 16 1 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 112 1 4 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 32 15 6 Office expenses (including salaries, stationery, Building} .. .. .. .. 112 6 &c.) .. .. .. .. .. 11 18 11 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 10 9 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 814 2 Material .. .. .. .. 916 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 6 510 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 39 0 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 113 9 Pees .. .. .. .. 67 12 6 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 112 6 Voluntary contributions .." .. .. 5 4 6 Material .. .. .. .. 5 19 0 Rebates on fees .. .. .. .. 4 0 6 Caretaker .. .. .. 20 0 0 Petty cash .. .. .. .. 0 7 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 0 7 6 , Improvement to grounds .. .. .. 6 17 6 Balance .. .. .. 27 8 7 £207 6 7 £207 6 7 W. B. Spenceb, Director.

WANGANUI. Extract from the Report op the Education Board. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Mr. Ritchings Grant gave instruction in woodwork to the pupils in the upper classes at the three schools in Palmerston North, the Wanganui and Hawera District High Schools, and, by arrangement with the Board of Governors, at the Palmerston North High School. Cookery classes were conducted at the same centres by Miss Mollison, the classes in Wanganui being held in a room at the Technical School, for the erection of which a grant was received from the Government. The classes at Hawera were carried on as during the previous year at considerable disadvantage in the science room. Other classes were held during the year as follows: Kindergarten, &c, at 89 schools; elementary agriculture at 14, chemistry at 2, ambulance work at 1, chip carving at 1, perspective at 2, swimming and life-saving at 3, advanced plain needlework at 1, and dressmaking at 2. Instruction in needlework was given during the year at 38 schools in charge of male teachers, the average attendance at which did not exceed 40. Owing, doubtless, to the low rate of capitation difficulty was found in some cases in obtaining suitable teachers. The Technical School at Wanganui was largely attended during the yeav owing to the provision in the regulations for free instruction to holders of Junior Technical Scholarships. So great was the attendance at the classes in some subjects that the Board was compelled to erect three classrooms. Suitable provision was made for the plumbing classes by the erection of a workshop, for which a grant was received. Cookery classes were held in the room built for the school classes. As showing the benefit derived from the provision in the regulations for the technical scholarships, it may be stated that the additional capitation earned under these regulations by junior technical scholars exceeded £300. The classes at Palmerston North Technical School were fairly attended, the largest being the Saturday classes for teachers. These classes had a larger attendance at Hawera than the ordinary art classes, which were but poorly attended. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. The appointment of a special instructor in nature-study is a step in the right direction. In a rural district it is of the first importance that the teaching should give special and direct prominence to a subject which bears so directly upon the life work of so many people. In appointing a man who has had a large and varied experience as a teacher, and also an intimate scientific knowledge of plant and insect life, the Board has acted wisely, and we anticipate for Mr. J. Grant a useful career in this new department. His will be to a large extent the work of the pioneer, and we will watch with more than ordinary interest the developments that result from his efforts.

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Not the least important event of our school year was the exhibition of school-work done under the Manual and Technical Regulations. This was held in the Technical School, Wanganui, towards the close of the year. The schools of the district were closed a week earlier than usual to give to all the fullest opportunity of visiting the exhibition. Arrangements were made with the Railway Department whereby scholars were allowed to travel at school-excursion rates. Teachers were allowed to come in free by using the tickets provided by the Education Department. The citizens of Wanganui, with characteristic enthusiasm, undertook to billet scholars who could not conveniently make the visit in one day. The undertaking was on the whole successful. Something like a hundred schools sent in exhibits, and from very many of these exhibits were sent for various classes. The amount of work sent in, and the quality of most of it, was an evidence of the whole-hearted enthusiasm evinced by -teachers in the movement. A very large number of schools availed themselves of the opportunity thus offered for seeing what was being done in manual and technical work throughout the district. Special trains were run from all parts of the district, and during the week the crowd of visiting scholars and teachers gave quite an animated appearance to the town. About a hundred and fifty children of outlying schools availed themselves of the hospitality of the Wanganui townsfolk, and stayed for one or more nights. Needless to say these will long remember the exhibition. The testimony of teachers on every side was that the work shown was of the nature of a revelation. Extract from the Report of the Director of Manual and Technical Instruction. Indications were not lacking during the closing term of 1904 that enthusiasm for definite instruction in commercial and technical work was growing in Wanganui. This, in a great measure, was due to the inauguration of free classes, but also to the increased interest taken in the school by the whole of the community. Our accommodation was taxed from the very commencement of the year, and it soon became evident that something must be done if we were to retain the students. The thanks of the Committee are due to the managers of St, Paul's Presbyterian Church, who kindly allowed us the use of their hall and class-room. The students are to be complimented for enduring great inconveniences for some six months. In the meantime efforts were made to induce the Department to make a grant for new lecture-rooms, but without success. However, in May the Board decided to build out of the Rees bequest and their own funds, and in July three new rooms capable of accommodating 100 students were added to the buildings. At the same time, the wood-carving and modelling class-room was extended by 12 ft. towards the Avenue. In May the plumbing and cookery rooms were completed, and have been much appreciated by the students in each section. New classes have been formed during the year in dressmaking, millinery, cookery, domestic science, painting and decorating, telegraphy and telephony, French, Latin, commercial correspondence, and horticulture, with varying degrees of success. As the school has grown the need for a reference library has been keenly felt. To supply this need a concert was held in July, the net profit from which was £44 os. 6d. This has been subsidised by the Department, and consequently the sum of £88 Is. is being spent in providing the nucleus of such a library. Both instructors and students worked most harmoniously for the success of the effort. In December an exhibition of work, both school and technical, was held. This was a splendid success in every way, nearly six thousand scholars and parents passing through the exhibition during the fortnight it was open. To teachers the work was an inspiration, whilst it also won the admiration of parents, who were delighted to find that their children were being taught in so practical a manner. The work done in the school, on the whole, has been good, but now that proper accommodation has been provided better results may be looked for. It is hoped that during the coming year many more of the students will present themselves for the examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute and of the Board of Education, South Kensington. Has not the time now come for the Education Department to institute a colonial system of examinations in all technical subjects, say, in three grades —junior, intermediate, and senior? Such examinations would undoubtedly become very popular, provided that the certificates and diplomas granted were recognised by the trades in all parts of the colony. Courses of study should be mapped out by competent authorities for at least a four-years course, examinations being held at the end of the second, third, and fourth years, and a diploma granted on the completion of the course, provided that the examinations had been satisfactorily passed. The number of students in the art section has been well maintained, and much good work has been done. There appears to be a growing demand for a separate class in applied design. An expert should be engaged to take charge of it. Workshops for engineering and carpentry and joinery are needed to supplement the theoretical instruction given in the machine-construction and building-construction classes. As usual, the work of the wood-carving and modelling classes has been of a very good quality, and reflects great credit on the instructors. It is hoped that in the future students will take a course of instruction in practical design, and so qualify themselves to originate their own designs. A domestic section has been added during the year, and the success which has attended the different classes encourages the hope that 1906 will see this the most popular side of the school for girls and young women. The whole of the credit is due to the excellent instruction that is being provided and the eager willingness of the students to learn. The cookery exhibit at the Wanganui Agricultural Show proved that the students are receiving instruction in the best methods of serving, as well as of cooking, common " every-day " dishes. ' The commercial section is the most popular side of the school, and since better accommodation has been provided good work ha*s been done. Three of the students from the advanced book-keep-ing and commercial law classes presented themselves at the recent examination held under the 4—E. 5.

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auspices of the New Zealand Accountants and Auditors' Association. One gained a fellowship, and the other two associateships. Difficulty has been experienced in accommodating fifty students for typewriting with five machines. Arrangements will be made to overcome this in 1906. In the new plumbing room, which is much appreciated by the men, a much better class of work is being done, and commendable interest is being shown by both instructors and students, which will lead to greater success in the different examinations. The painting and decorating class was a success from its inauguration. This is greatly due to the interest that the instructor takes, both in and out of his class. Some of the work done in graining and sign-writing, considering the short time the class has been opened, is excellent. During the last term a class in telegraphy and telephony was opened for the purpose of enabling telegraphists to prepare for the Government and City and Guilds examinations in these subjects. The character of tho instruction given' cannot have failed to be beneficial to the students. In this section greater regularity of attendance is necessary if the best results are to be obtained. The class for magnetism and electricity has again been very popular, but lack of mathematical training is a hindrance to many of the students, who should also attend the mathematical and elementary trigonometry classes. In these latter classes very good work is being done. This also applies to the French and Latin classes. The complsory classes, English and arithmetic, for junior technical scholars have been much disorganized on account of the many changes of class-rooms, but now, under the able teaching at our command, and fixed classes, better results will no doubt follow. Courses of study have now been mapped out for both commercial and technical students. The horticulture class, held during the last term, has been very popular, and great interest has been shown both in the theoretical and practical lessons. Mr. Laird very kindly allowed the class to use his nursery gardens for the practical work. With regard to the future the prospects are exceedingly bright. The past year has been necessarily experimental, but now that experience has taught on what lines success lies, consolidation of effort will make for greater proficiency in every branch of our work. But no matter what efforts are put forth by the management and staff, the ideal will not be attained until each student takes up some defined course of study for a period of at least two—preferably four —years. Our great difficulty is to get students to remain long enough to gain the full benefit from their studies. Many appear to think that two or three quarters are quite sufficient to enable them to become proficient in some branch of study. We hope that this will soon be remedied. Finally, our thanks are due to those who have done so much towards the success of the school, to the donors of prizes and scholarships, to the staff, who have worked together splendidly, and to the students who have behaved so well. The Press of Wanganui has always been open to us to give greater prominence to the different branches of our school-work, and has undoubtedly done much to create a widespread interest in, and enthusiasm for, technical work. A. Varney. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hawera, Waverley, and Hunterville. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 713 11 7 Salaries of instructors and travelling-ex-Capitation on technical scholarships .. 37 1 6 penses .. .. .. 1,545 15 9 Buildings .. .. .. .. 379 17 0 Office expenses (including salaries, staMa'ierial .. .. .. .. 6 113 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 10 17 8 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 9 4 0 Advertising and printing .. .. 27 5 9 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 657 2 4 Lighting and heating and cleaning .. 88 16 7 Voluntary contributions .. .. 79 0 6 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 59 19 6 Transfer from Raes bequest .. .. 350 0 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 34 15 0 Refund of amount overpaid for repairs .. 10 1 9 Examinations, &o. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Examination fees .. .. .. 17 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 41 11 6 Sale of material .. .. .. 21 2 6 Prizes .. .. .. .. 1112 11 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 885 0 0 Scholarships .. .. . .. 36 17 6 Sundries .. .. .. .. 42 1 2 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &c.) .. 1,062 311 Architect, &c. .. .. .. .. 52 7 8 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 130 15 5 £3,149 19 11 £3,149 19 11 W. J. Carson, Secretary to Controlling Authority.

WELLINGTON. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Capitation was earned by 110 schools in 1905 as compared with 96 in 1904. The subjects most widely taught were brushwork and plasticine modelling; but classes were also recognised in elementary agriculture, 12; dressmaking, 1; chemistry, 2; first aid and ambulance, 1; swimming, 1; botany, 1; physics, 1; cookery, Wellington and Wairarapa centres. The last-mentioned subject has been satisfactorily taught by the instructors in Wellington, and in various Wairarapa centres, from Pahiatua in the north to Featherston in the south. The work at Masterton should be conducted in much more pleasant conditions in the fine new cookery room just approaching completion; and it is hoped in time to provide, in all the growing centres of the Wairarapa, appliances more in keeping with requirements. Application has been made for a grant for a cookery room at Levin, and in the proposed new technical buildings at

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Petone provision will be made for instruction in cookery. Woodwork has not hitherto formed a subject of instruction in our schools, but a room now being fitted up at the Normal School will serve for pupils attending schools in the north end of the town, and the Board hopes shortly to be provided with the means to establish a woodwork and cookery centre at South Wellington. Before the close of the year the Board, in conjunction with the Technical Education Board, appointed as instructor in elementary agriculture Mr. W. C. Davies, of Mauriceville West, the excellence of whose work in this department of school instruction has been widely recognised. Printed suggestions for a two-years course in nature-study and agriculture, drawn up by the Inspectors and the instructor, have been supplied to teachers, many of whom evince a keen interest in the subject. As soon as possible arrangements will be completed for the systematic instruction of teachers in Saturday classes at different centres, taking them in turn. In this, the latest of the Board's enterprises, very wide interest has been aroused outside purely educational circles. Extract prom the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. In 1905, 110 schools obtained capitation under the regulations for manual and technical instruction. The great majority of the schools have taken brushwork and plasticine-modelling, and with some excellent results. We frequently see specimens of modelling and original design with the brush that would be no disgrace to a professional artist. Provision has already been made at Thorndon for classes in woodwork. We have recommended the Board to apply to the Department for a grant for another centre in South Wellington, and before the close of the year we hope to see similar centres in the Wairarapa. A few of the larger schools with laboratory accommodation have taken up chemistry, and are doing highly creditable work. Those schools taking up elementary practical physics are working on the lines of Sexton and Sharman's text-book, but with only moderate results so far. The number of schools in which instruction is given in elementary agricultural knowledge, combined with cottage - gardening, is steadily increasing. The recent appointment as agricultural expert of Mr. W. C. Davies, whose work at Mauriceville West has given him quite a colonial reputation, will now insure for this subject a treatment in some degree adequate to its importance to an agricultural community. In addition to giving instruction to school-classes, Mr. Davies will organize Saturday classes for teachers at one or more of the chief centres, and as soon as the laboratories can be fitted up and the grounds put in order, the work will be in full swing. With the exception of needlework, which forms part of the ordinary school course, the only subject in domestic economy receiving special treatment is cookery. The usual classes for the city and suburban schools have been satisfactorily conducted by Mrs. Neeley, at Newtown and the Terrace; and similar classes have been conducted at twelve centres in the Wairarapa by Miss Millington. Teachers' Saturday classes for instruction in drawing and handwork (including cookery) were held in Wellington, Masterton, and Pahiatua during the past year. As the training-college course will include work of this kind, a Saturday class in nature-study and elementary agriculture would, at a centre like Masterton, be of great advantage to our country teachers. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the Slst December, 1905, in respect of Special Classes conducted by the Education Board at Carterton. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 36 17 2 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 65 0 0 Capitation on classes .. .. • • 48 811 Office expenses (including salaries, staSubsidies on voluntary contributions .. 15 0 0 tionery, &c. .. .. .. .. 10 1 0 Pees .. .. •• •• •• 22 15 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 312 6 Voluntary contributions.. .. .. 15 0 0 Lighting and heating .. ... .. 2 4 6 Bank charges .. .. .. .. 0 10 0 Material for olass use ~ .. .. 11 10 11 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 45 2 2 £138 1 1 £138 1 1 Extract prom the Report of the Director of the Wellington Technical School. General. —The syllabus of work in the school was considerably rearranged as compared with 1904. Many evening classes were altered so as to admit of students taking both theory and practice on the same evening, with a view to including more complete courses in the several departments, and to separating more conveniently the advanced from the elementary students. It was found necessary in consequence to prolong the hours of tuition from two to two hours and a half in the evenings. These alterations proved to be of some advantage, and have been continued during the present year. The ordinary day classes in art subjects and in commerce and dresscutting and dressmaking were continued during the year. In addition to the ordinary day classes, special classes for junior technical scholars were arranged in the following branches: Art and art trades, commerce, mechanical and electrical engineering, carpentry and joinery. Attendance. —The attendance in evening classes was far from regular, the best attendances being obtained in classes conducted with a view to specific trade or professional examinations. The attendance at the ordinary day classes was very fair, and at the special classes for junior technical scholars very good. Art Classes. —The work done was on the whole fair, though the instructors were seriously handicapped by the nomadic habits of the students, few of whom seriously attempt a complete and satisfactory course in any one direction. Saturday classes for teachers were continued as in 1904. The school also provided teachers for Wellington College and Girls' High School in art subjects.

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, Painting and Decorating. —An attempt was made, with slight success, to persuade students to make a systematic study of their work and to attend classes in design, modelling, and other cognate subjects. The floating character of the trade militates against good work being done in the classes. Building-construction and Carpentry and Joinery. —Some little improvement was shown in the character of the work done, but the unsuitability of the rooms used was a considerable drawback. A greater proportion of ihe students showed a desire to take complete Courses. Plumbing. —The plumbing classes are on a satisfactory footing, notwithstanding lack of suitable accommodation. These classes are the only trade classes in the school that are On a really sound basis, and in which really good work was done. With the inclusion of a satisfactory experimental course, and the erection and equipment of suitable workshops, the plumbing classes should be a considerable success. Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. —A great difficulty still exists in persuading students to take complete courses of study. The absence of suitable workshops and laboratories, and the apparent indifference of the trade to sound training in the science of engineering, prevent the possibility of satisfactory work being done. It is hoped that some of these difficulties will be at least partially remedied during the present year. /Continuation Classes. —These classes were well attended, well taught, and fairly successful during the year 1905. The percentage of failures in examinations was small, in book-keeping especially; all candidates were successful, the class preserving its record of former years. Dressmaking and Dresscutting. —These classes were largely handicapped by lack of accommodation. Tailors' Cutting. —This class was continued during the year, and good work was done. Special Day Courses for Junior Technical Scholars. —These courses were designed to form a preparatory training for boys desiring to enter various trades, and also for both boys and girls wishing to enter commercial houses. The classes were excellent!}' attended, and fair work was done. It is hoped that these courses will form a suitable training-ground for future evening and advanced day students, and that the work of the school will be gradually improved as the training of the students becomes more continuous, more systematic, and more highly organized. W. S. La Trobe, M.A. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending, Slst December, 1905, in respect of the Associated Glasses conducted at, the Wellington Technical School. .... ;... Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 2,140 9 9 Balance at beginning of year .. .. 194 10 11 Capitation on technical scholarships .. 801 11 11 Salaries of instructors, office expenses (inBuildings .. .. .. .. 1,000 0 0 eluding salaries, stationary, &o.) .. 3,793-15 7 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 10 0 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 114 7 2 Material .. .. .. 138 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 208- 0 6 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 125 0 0 Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 64 3 4 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 1,649 5 9 Material for class use .. .-'.' .. 247 14 .2 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 125 0 0 Library .... .. ... .. 26 2 2 Rent from Victoria College .. .. 97 10 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. 108 9 7 Training of teachers .. .. .. 140 0 0 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &c.) .. 1,084 4 6 Wellington Colleges .. .. ... 120 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 363.15 4 Sundries .. .. .. .. 77 10 6 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 219 4 8 £6,424 7 11 £6,424 7 11 William Allan, Chairman ) , ,„- W. S. La TSobe, Secretary) ° f M&a^^- _" ;, " Extract from thji. Report of the Managers of the Petone Technical School. The Managers, in submitting the report of another year's work at the Petone Technical School, desire to express their satisfaction at the progress made by the institution, and the increasing appreciation shown by the young men and women in the district in the facilities afforded for increasing their education along those lines which will be of practical service to them in their several callings in life. The Managers feel satisfied that good work has been done by the students in all the classes. During the year that begins on the sth February next the students will require to pass an examination conducted by the Education Department. It will be seen from the number of pupils attending the different classes that the school has made substantial progress during the past year. At the close of the year 1904 there was an attendance of 83 students. At the close oi 1905 the number is 107. The following is a description of the classes, and a list of the numbers attending each: — Continuation classes for Civil Service and matriculation: Number of students—Mathematics 16, English 11, Latin 6. Carpentry and building-construction: Number of students, 11. Dressmaking and cutting: Number of students, 15. Mechanical drawing and machine-construction: Number of students, 15. Art class (drawing and painting) : Number of students, 18. Commercial classes (shorthand and typewriting): Number of students, 15. The Wellington Education Board has now completed plans of a new two-storied building for technical classes. Provision is made for five large rooms —two in the lower and three in the upper story. The Education Department is to be asked to grant the sum necessary for its erection, and alternate tenders for erecting the same in wood or brick are to be called. This building will supply at once the needs of the District High and Technical Schools. Provision is also made in the building for,an up-to-date cookery-class room. As the Managers have been requested to start a class for the study of magnetism and electricity, it has been decided to arrange for such a class should a sufficient number of students apply. During last session fourteen students obtained " free

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places " in the school, having presented certificates of proficiency pass in the Sixth Standard,. We would express our thanks to the various industries and local bodies who liave*so generously assisted lis in the past, and, in view of the greater expense we must of necessity incur this year in going into our new building, would again appeal to them for a continuation of their support. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905, in respect of Associated Classes conducted at the Petone Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 205 3 6 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 203 16 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 77 7 3 Office expenses (including salaries, staKent .. .. .. .. .. 51 11 0 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 13 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 11- 1 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 18 4 6 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 30 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. ..997 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 122 5 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 616 3 Voluntary contributions.. .. .. 30 0 0 Reno .. .. .. .. ■ ... 38 5 0 Refund for gas-consumption .. .. 110 Material for class use .. .. .. 45 1 10" Caretaker .. .. .. .. 10 18 0 Kefund of fees to free pupils .. .. 10 10 0 Bank commission aud cheque-books .. 014 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 183 10 7 £528 8 9 £528 8 9 Alexander Thomson, Chairman i , ~ J. G. Castle, Secretary | of Man agers. Extract from* the Report of the Managers of the Masterton Technical School. The Managers desire to take this opportunity of expressing their appreciation of the valuable assistance rendered to the Technical School by the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees, who again voted the sum of £100 in aid of the technical classes. Largely ow r ing to the valuable help thus rendered by the Trust, the Managers have been enabled not only to carry on the work on the lines of previous years, but have also been enabled to enlarge the scope of its programme. The thanks of the Managers are also due to the Education Department for the liberal manner in which the school has been dealt with during the past year. In addition to the usual capitationpayments and subsidies on voluntary contributions, grants amounting in all to over £40 have been paid by the Department in aid of apparatus, material, &c, required in connection with the working of the classes. Owing, however, to the fact that the grants as above indicated were not remitted to the school's banking account till early in January, the respective items do not appear in the accompanying statement of receipts and expenditure for the period ending the 31st December last. Early in the year an intimation was received from the Masterton Chamber of Commerce.stating that they were prepared to offer to students attending the technical classes prizes (a) for regular attendance and (b) for diligence and merit. Accompanying the offer was a scheme under the conditions of which the proposed prizes were to be allotted. The Managers gladly accepted the generous offer of the Chamber, and as a result prizes were awarded as follows: Attendance— first class (missed no attendances), 5; second class (missed not more than five attendances), 21. Prizes for diligence and merit to tlie number of eighteen have been allotted on the results of examinations held by the Managers in the respective classes. Taken on the whole the prize scheme has proved an incentive to regular attendance and steady work on the part of the pupils, and the Managers wish to avail themselves of the present opportunity of again thanking the Chamber of Commerce for the interest and support they have given to this institution during the past year. .Free students under the Junior Technical Scholarship Regulations were admitted to the classes for the first time this year, and the special capitation earned by these pupils amounted to the sum of £12 4s. This amount would have been considerably greater only that the claim on eight of the students was disallowed, owing to non-compliance with the regulations in respect of attendance at the two compulsory subjects, English and arithmetic. During the year three terms were held, and in all fifteen classes were established in the following subjects: Drawing, painting, modelling, dressmaking, plumbing, woodworking, magnetism and electricity, wood-carving, English and arithmetic, Civil Service subjects, shorthand, bookkeeping, and typewriting. The attendance at the classes during the year was satisfactory, the figures for the three terms being as follows: Average number of pupils on the rolls, 186; whilst the average number attending was 134. Two new classes were established during the year in dressmaking and electricity and magnetism respectively. In connection with the class in electricity and magnetism it may be noted that at an examination held at the close of the year's work, the examiner appointed by the Managers expressed himself as being highly satisfied with the creditable nature of the practical work done by the pupils. Profiting by the experience gained last year, when a most successful exhibition of pupils' work was held at the close of the year's instruction, the Managers propose to hold a similar exhibition in March next, immediately prior to the opening of the classes for the year. The Managers consider that an exhibition of this nature is the very best advertisement that the school can have, and one that will be the means of enlisting the support and sympathies of people who might otherwise be unaware of the existence of this institution. The Managers, in their report last'year, referred to the uncertain nature of the tenure of the present site of the Technical School. Unfortunately, no improvement in this respect has yet been made, and, as far as can at present be seen, no improvement is likely to be made until some workable scheme is devised for the inauguration of a local building fund. The receipts for the year ending the 31st December last amounted to £478 13s. 5d., while the expenditure for the same period was £561 18s. 9d., thus showing a deficiency of £83 ss. 4d. This, however, does not by any means show the true financial position, as no less than five grants from the Education Department, all in respect of the period ending the

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31st December, 1905, were not remitted to the school's bank account until early in January, and consequently could not be included in the statement now submitted, and which is required in this form by the Education Department. In conclusion, the Managers consider that they are justified in regarding the past year as one of the most successful that the school has yet experienced, and they express the hope that the public may now be induced to take a greater interest in matters connected with the Technical School, and give it the support and encouragement to which it is so justly entitled. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 10 8.7 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 406 19 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 91 9 3 Office expenses, stationery, &c. .. .. 41 13 2 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 119 1 6 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 13 7 0 Fees .. .. .. .. 130 5 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 25 110 Voluntary contributions.. .. .. 119 1 6 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 012 8 Rent for use of room .. .. .. 112 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 17 10 0 Refund for gas used .... .. .. 110 Examinations .. .. .. .. 10 17 3 Plumbers' examination expenses, refund .. 417 3 Material for class use .. .. .. 318 10 Electrical apparatus .. .. - .. 017 4 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 13 15 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 83 5 4 Cartage .. .. .. .. 115 2 Bank charges, 10s. ; interest, £1 ss. 6d. .. 115 6 Furniture, fittings, apparatus, &o. .. 23 9 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. 14 4 £561 18 9 £561 18 9 Edwin Feist, Chairman of Managers. N. D. Bunting, Secretary and Treasurer.

HAWKE'S BAY. Extract from the Report of the Education Boapb. Technical Education. —The work shows an advance on the work of 1904. Classes in woodwork, dressmaking, and cookery are being carried on throughout the district by special instructors, who devote their whole time to the work, with every promise of good results. The Department is to be thanked for the liberal grants for fitting up cookery rooms at Napier and Hastings. The Board has purchased a site on which to erect a technical school at Napier. The plans for the proposed building will be submitted for the Department's approval, and it is hoped that the coming year will see the classes in Napier enjoying the advantage of suitable accommodation. Teachers' Saturday Glasses. —These classes are carried on in Dannevirke, Gisborne, and Napier in subjects of drawing, dressmaking, woodwork, and cookery, and are well attended. A teachers' winter class was taken during the holidays to allow of teachers in outlying- districts who, on account of distance, were unable to attend the weekly Saturday classes. Some sixty-five students attended over a two-weeks course of instruction. The work taken was similar to the programme set down for the Saturday classes, and the teachers returned home well pleased with the training they had received. Extract from the Report op the Inspector of Schools. Science-work.— lnstruction under the manual and technical regulations of the Act has made satisfactory progress. Cooking classes and dressmaking classes for girls, and woodwork classes for boys, have been established at Napier, Hastings, and Gisborne; and for dressmaking only in Taradale, Waipawa, and Waipukurau. The employment of special instructors in the subjects named is working well, and the classes will be extended to include Dannevirke, Woodville, and other places as soon as the necessary arangements can be made. Of the three kinds of classes named, dressmaking has hitherto been the most popular, as the mothers of the girls appeared to realise at once the practical advantages to be derived from this form of instruction. The country schools in some cases are receiving instruction in elementary agriculture from some of the more experienced teachers, but it is hoped that the benefits will be much widened now that there is an instructor available qualified to deal in a practical manner with this subject. As an example of the kind of work being done in the school gardens, the following is quoted from a master's memorandum: " Matawhero School Garden, 1905:—Planted 401b. 'Up to date' potatoes. Sprayed four times, following the instructions in the Government pamphlet by Mr. Kirk. Dug out 600 lb. of eating-potatoes, and not an unsound ono in all. The boys did all the work of planting, hoeing, moulding, &c. The ground had been trenched and limed, and superphosphates had been applied when planting. Memo.: Every garden in the neighbourhood was affected by the Irish blight except the school garden." This surely is a practical way of training lads to adopt scientific methods. It is impossible for lads so trained not to appreciate the method adopted in the school garden as against the absence of method in the home garden, and practical good must be the outcome of such training. Then, again, the Chairman of a School Committee remarked to me in a recent visit that his son grew better tomatoes in the school garden than he himself could grow in his own garden. But the reason was simple—the methods had been different, as in the case at Matawhero. Examples such as these are quoted to illustrate the possibilities of the school garden in the furtherance of agricultural science where practical and competent teachers are available. The time spent in the gardens is small, and certainly does not stay the progress of the children in other directions. But skilful teachers are necessary, and if such are to become available for technical training and instruction in the more important centres, there must be pecuniary attractions provided at least equal to what are offered to teaohers in th© towns.

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Winter School. —The winter school which was held in Napier in July was much appreciated by teachers. The lectures given by Messrs. Kirk, Hamilton, Gilruth, Dinwiddie, Caughley, Watson, Smith, and Dr. Kennedy were inspiring and practical in their relation to school life and training. A request has come from the Poverty Bay teachers asking for a winter school at Gisborne during the midwinter vacation. Although the cost of carrying out a course of instruction for the benefit of teachers is somewhat heavy, the benefit to education is lasting, and of great advantage to the district. Perhaps the Board may see fit to accede to the application of the teachers from Poverty Bay. Extract from Report on Certain Special Classes. Napier Classes.— -The plumbing class was carried on through the year by Mr. Pickering (Sanitary Inspector for the Napier Borough Council) as instructor. Through the Napier Borough Council requiring that local plumbers must attend these classes the attendance has been very good. Efforts were made to induce the Hastings Borough Council to encourage and assist plumbers from that town to attend the Napier classes, but they have not done so as yet. The usual examination was held during the year, with satisfactory results. Applications for the next examination have been received from plumbers in Dannevirke and Pahiatua, so the class is evidently well thought of outside of Napier. At the end of the year's working a balance of £33 3s. lOd. was shown. A continuation class in English and arithmetic was also started during the year. The attendance was not very good; but, as the class is only new, improvement may come later on. The granting of Junior Technical Scholarships was not successful. The requirements of the Department's regulations are exacting, and students in some cases did not appreciate their scholarship sufficiently to attend the class regularly. The class for shorthand and typewriting continues to be well attended, and the interest keeps up. Pupils were successful in their examinations. At the end of the year it was found necessary to discontinue the typewriting class, as the instructor did not consider he was justified in supplying the machines, the Department having intimated that no further grants would be made on account of typewriters. A class for cookery was also started, and was well attended. However, as the year was advanced before the necessary room was fitted up the class could only run for a few months. The capitation and fees received put the class in a good financial state. The dressmaking class under Mrs. Thomas is doing well. During the first six months of instruction students' fees amounted to £30. The working-expenses of classes of this kind are small, and the work taken by students is most useful. The classes under Mr. Anderson's instruction are reported upon bj' him in the attached report. The Board wish to place on record its appreciation of the pioneer work done by Mr. Anderson and his assistant, Mr. Collins, in the carrying-on of technical work in this district. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Collins resigned their positions under this Board. Dannevirke Classes. —-Special classes are carried on in plumbing, dressmaking, drawing and painting, book-keeping, shorthand, and typewriting, the classes being supervised by a committee representing public bodies in the town. The instructors send in reports of classes to the Board for its information. Saturday classes for teachers in drawing were also carried on. The Dannevirke Borough and Waipawa County Council have assisted the classes by grants-in-aid. Hastings Classes classes were held in woodwork and shorthand, and were well attended. Through the instructor of the woodwork class leaving Hastings the class had to be discontinued. This is to be regretted, as the class was one for the instruction of artisans, and the work taken was most favourably reported upon by the Department's Inspector of Technical Schools. In regard to the whole district the year's work is in advance of that for 1904. There is a great advance in the number of recognised school and special classes. The arrangement between the Board and the Gisborne High School Board of Governors, by -which special instructors in dressmaking and cookery should teach alternately in each centre for six months, has given satisfaction. Napier at present is suffering from the want of proper accommodation for its classes, but this it is hoped will soon be remedied, as the Board has purchased a site for a school, and application is being made to the Department for a grant to erect a building. Also in Dannevirke and Waipawa centres efforts are being made to erect schools, and if the Board are successful in securing the necessary grants for this purpose, the district will then be in a position to hold its own with other places. There will then be four centres equally distant from each other with well-equipped manual and technical schools, and the needs of this district should be satisfied for some time to come. Extract prom the Report of the Director of the Napier Technical School. The number of students registered and the total hour-attendances were as follows: Art classes, 59 students, 4,510 hour-attendances; school woodwork classes (four), 96 students, 5,164 hourattendances; teachers' winter classes (drawing and woodwork), 65 students, 1,324 hour-attend-ances. Generally speaking, the quality of work has improved. The oldest and most popular classes in the school are the art classes, which for seven years have been well attended, some of the present students having studied in them continuously almost from their establishment, with highly satisfactory results. Sixteen certificates were obtained during the year in connection with the Science and Art Examinations of the Board of Education, South Kensington, including two firstclass certificates for painting from still life. The teachers' classes were carried on successfullythroughout the year, and on the whole were well attended. A course of instruction based on the drawing requirements of the new syllabus was given at the regular Saturday classes, and also at the special course for country teachers at midwinter. Many of the teachers have taken a special interest in design and plant-form, and have made more than ordinary progress in the more

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advanced stages of the subject. The woodwork classes for male teachers were well attended up to the date of the City and Guilds Examinations, the time being spent in preparation for the final examination iti connection with which, out of the five candidates presented, three were successful in obtaining passes. This class was of necessity small, owing to the limited number of young male teachers residing within convenient distance. School woodwork classes were carried on continuously throughout the year for the senior boys of the local schools. A systematic course of instruction was given, based on Wake's and Barter's manuals. The classes were much appreciated! though, as in the case of all the other classes, the work was impeded for the want of suitable accommodation. A similar course in woodwork was given at the Hastings School for the three upper standards. An effort was made during the year by the students and instructors of the Art Department to raise funds, by means of a bazaar, towards the purchase of a suitable site for a Technical School. So far as their efforts were concerned, the undertaking proved highly successful, and resulted in net proceeds amounting to £387 being handed over to the Education Board. R. N. Anderson, Director. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Napier.. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of >ear .. .. 37 1 3 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 348 9 3 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 114 12 7 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 17 7 3 Cai itation on technical scholarships .. 7 8 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 6 16 Buildings .. .. .. 97 10 0 Rant .. .. .. .. .. 97 10 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 46 15 6 Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 6 0 0 Material .. .. .. 18 17 5 Material for class use .. .. 37 12 7 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 231 4 8 Cleaning .. .. .. ... 10 6 0" Transfer from school fund .. .. 25 0 0 Transfer to school fund .. .. .. 2 3 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. 0 6 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 28 2 9 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 25 3 7 £578 15 11 £578 15 11 Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Dannevirke. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 86 5 2 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 48 9 9 Captation on classes .. .. 53 3 6 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 5 12 6 Buildings .. .. .. ■ ■• 39 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 3 2 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 5 0 0 Rent .. .. .. .. 39 0 0 Material .. .. .. .. 14 15 10 Material for class use .. .. .. 23 13 5 Sundries .. .. .. .. 15 9 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 10 0 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 67 0 7 £198 4 6 £198 4 6 G. T. Fannin, Secretary. Extract prom the Report of the Technical Classes conducted by the Gisborne High School Board of Governors. School classes were carried on in cookery and woodwork for the first half of the year, and dressmaking and woodwork for the latter half. Pupils from the Gisborne, Mangapapa, Matawhero, and Patutahi Schools attended the classes for the first six months, and, in addition to these, pupils from the following schools attended for the last six months: Makauri, Ormond, Wairangaahika, Kaiteratahi, Te Karaka, Te Arai, and Maraetaha. The pupils all appeared to fully appreciate the privilege of attending the classes, aud good work was done, as testified to by the reports of the teachers of the various schools. The Department allowed the pupils of the country schools to attend the classes on one day a fortnight, taking two lessons on the same day, an arrangement which worked very well, and which we hope to see continued. The continuation classes in English, book-keeping, and shorthand were poorly attended, but the latter improved somewhat in the second quarter. In the English class, three pupils sat for a certificate of proficiency, but as the papers covered a wider course than they were prepared for they failed in some of the subjects; they intend to sit again if the class is continued. The plumbing class w-as disappointing, very few pupils offering, and was carried on for only two quarters. It seems a pity that so few of the youths engaged in this business should show a desire to take advantage of this class, by attending which, they could qualify for a certificate of merit, as in other places; those who did attend took a keen interest in the work. The amateur class in woodwork was also disappointing, but those who did attend did good work. At the close of the session an exhibition of the work done by both the school and adult classes in woodwork was held, and the visitors were highly pleased with the work done. Early in the year the various builders were written to, drawing their attention to the fact of the Technical School being in operation, and offering to get a class for the youths engaged in the carpentry trade, but the proposal met with no response. Adult classes in cookery were carried on with much success durino- the first half of the year. Our thanks are due to the staff of the gas company for their kind assistance, which greatly helped to make the classes a success. The dressmaking classes for girls under eighteen were very successful, and were well attended. At the close of the session an exhibition of the work done by these classes, and also the school classes, was held, when some excellent work was shown, and the visitors expressed themselves highly pleased w-ith the progress made. . Mr. Isaac, Technical Inspector, visited the school in December, and expressed himself satisfied with what was being done. He advised having a range put in the cookery room, and arrangements are being made to give effect to his recommendation.

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Donations to the funds were received from the Borough Council, gas company, W. J. Cox and Co., and Mr. A. Gillman, which, together with the Government subsidy, was of very material help. In addition Messrs. A. Parnell and Co. donated prizes of tools for competition amongst the pupils of the woodwork class. We desire to appeal to the parents of boys and girls to assist us by having them attend some class. We hope to see a greater interest taken next year, and that new classes may be formed. Our thanks are due to the various teachers of the classes for their attention, sometimes under depressing conditions. Classes for teachers on Saturdays in woodwork, and in cookery and dressmaking, have been held during the year, and were fairly well attended. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Gisborne. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 12 13 3 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 243 13 0 Capitation an clashes .. .. .. 81 9 3 Office expenses (including salaries, stationF irniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 115 0 4 cry, &a.) .. .. .. .. 2 0 0 Material .. .. .. .. 4 8 0 Advertising and printing .. .. 18 7 6 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 51 11 10 Lighting ant heating .. .. .. 23 6 4 F-ies .. .. .. .. .. 95 19 3 Material for class use .. .. .. 42 311 V luntary contributions .. .. 54 2 0 Caretaker and cleaning .. .. 28 12 3 Sales .. .. .. .. .. 390 I'oach fares to and from classes .. .. 20 10 0 Grant by Education Board of Hawke's Bay Sundries .. .. .. .. 0 17 6 towards s ilary of instructor of teachers' Architect, &o. .. .. .. .. 13 10 0 c ok-ry dais .. .. .. .. 25 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 263 0 0 High School Board advances .. .. 62 16 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 11 18 1 Transfer from Secondary Account, High Suhool .. .. .. 161 9 8 £667 18 7 £667 18 7 W. Morgan, Secretary.

MARLBOROUGH. Extract from the Report op the Education Board. After some unsuccessful attempts to obtain a suitable site for the Technical School, it was ultimately resolved to erect the same on the north-western corner of the Borough School grounds, and a contract for the erection of the building was let at the end of the year. Under the" energetic management of Mr. Strachan, the Board's Inspector, a winter school for teachers was organized, and set to work during the winter holidays. This was attended by nearly all the teachers of public schools in the district, and by several teachers of private schools. The Department's assistance in granting railway passes, as well as substantial aid of a pecuniary character, is gratefully acknowledged, and more especially for giving us the personal assistance of the Inspector General and of Mr. Isaac, the Organizing Inspector. Saturday classes for teachers have been held during the year at Havelock and Blenheim; the latter were well attended by all the teachers along the line of railway, and by not a few from less favoured localities. The good effect of these classes is beginning to show itself in the ordinary work, of the schools, and the Board has to thank the Inspector for the energy and perseverance with which he organized and followed them up. Extract from the Report of the Inspector of School*. During the inspection visits it was frequently observed that teachers were hampered in their efforts to cope with the latest modifications of the syllabus by not knowing exactly where to begin Geography Course A, or nature-study, or how to correlate handwork with other subjects. Singing also was a source of trouble to those members of the staff who had not had the advantage of training. As many of the teachers are situated in remote localities where they have little opportunity to compare notes, and where they cannot well attend Saturday classes, it was thought best to organize a winter school. The Department generously granted railway facilities, material, and capitation, thus removing financial difficulties. Messrs. Hogben, Isaac, Strong, and Sturrock, and Miss Ellerbeck lent valuable aid, the subjects treated being the mathematical geography of the new syllabus, plasticine-modelling, and carton-work, science for country schools, singing, brush and blackboard drawing, chemistry, and history. A week in July was given to this work, and almost every teacher in the district was present, both from public and private schools. There is no doubt that the gathering succeeded in securing the objects desired, and enabled the teachers to attack their work with new spirit. I expect the results to show more clearly in 1906 than in 1905. Brush drawing has made considerable progress. Both nature-study drawing and design are cultivated, and progress and freedom may be expected in 1906. Model-drawing shows improvement, the teachers' Saturday class evidently bearing good fruit. Teachers' Instruction Classes in Drawing. —Miss Brown continued with success the Saturday class in brush drawing that had been instituted in 1904. Miss Ellerbeck was afterwards specially retained, and taught Saturday classes in brush, blackboard, nature-study, and model drawing. She was also employed in showing some of the teachers in their own schools how to practically adapt the subjects to the children. Handwork. —The number of schools employing handwork during 1905 was twenty-nine, as compared with eighteen during 1904. Four of the six private schools examined also included handwork in the subjects taught. The means adopted were brush drawing, crayon drawing, paper--s—B. 5.

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weaving, card-pricking, brick and tablet designing, modelling in plasticine, carton-work, gardening, ambulance, cookery, and in one small school wood-carving—using the birds of the neighbourhood as models. The school gardens increased from six to seventeen during the year. In these, experiments are made in raising numerous kinds of flowers and vegetables. Technical and continuation classes were carried on in Canvastown. There were special teachers' classes in ambulance (Blenheim and Havelock), brush, blackboard, nature-study, and model drawing (Blenheim). At the close of the ambulance lectures in Blenheim, twenty-four candidates sat at the examination for the certificates of St. John's Ambulance Association, and twenty-two succeeded in passing. The doctor examining referred to the average attainment in terms of high praise. From observation of the daily papers it appears that this class work has time and again been put to practical use by members of the classes in cases of cuts, fractures, and fits occurring in up-country places, on the football field, and by the sea-shore. School cookery classes were initiated at Fairhall, and others followed at Okaramio and Marlboroughtown. These have been very successful. A grant has been made for the building and equipment of woodwork and cookery rooms at Blenheim. The work of building is delayed through difficulty in obtaining bricks and timber. The nucleus of a library for the assistance of teachers desiring to refer to publications on handwork is formed at the Board's office. This was initiated by setting aside £o from the grant for the instruction of teachers. An attempt is being made to arrange for an instructor skilled in showing how agriculture may be made a means of education, and in order to obtain some financial assistance the local bodies have been met in conference. Local authorities in other parts of the world, notably in the United States and in England, have taken a large view of their responsibilities in this matter. The interest taken in handwork is complex: it is due—(l.) To the attempt to culitvate faculties that have been hitherto neglected, but which should, in a complete scheme of education, be considered. Professor Rosenkrantz says, "What appears to be negligence, rudeness, immorality, foolishness, or oddity may arise from some real needs of the youth which, in their development, have taken a wrong direction." Sometimes the scheme of education had, by taking too narrow a view, not given such pupils scope for employing their surplus energy. They had always been called on to understand, but never to act. Professor Robertson, of Canada, referring to rural schools and the effect of manual training on " bad " boys, remarks that " these are simply boys with a form of energy that must find expression, and.if not led into good channels will break out into erratic ones that are denominated ' bad.' It (handwork) satisfies the boy." (2.) The other braintracks may be stimulated by manual training. Sequin began the education of the idiot by training the hand-movements, and of these he selected for the first lessons those that were most fundamental—grasping, supporting, letting go, throwing, catching—and leading up generally by some admirable teaching tact to the accessory; correlation of eye and hand in natural exercises called forth the pupil's interest. Strangely, after two years' education on this plan, the general mentality of the boy whom he describes had also improved to a degree that was marvellous even to teachers. The stimulation of the evolutionary levels in their natural order, through the hand-training, had strengthened them also for the discharge of mental functions. (3.) By handwork the pupil may be drawn towards employments requiring the use of the hand. A person with little facility in reading avoids reading. If the inclination for handwork is roused, a sympathy will be felt for those pursuits that require the use of the hand, and the better class of boy may be retained for the country instead of drifting to the town. As the farming industry is the backbone of a country's wealth, the educationist cannot neglect this aspects We require, in New Zealand, the correlation of agricultural work through the primary to high schools, thence to agricultural colleges and to the agricultural faculties at the university.

NELSON. Extract from the Report op the Education Board. Technical School. —During the year a technical school has been erected in Nelson, consisting of woodwork and plumbers' workrooms, a cookery room (used also for dressmaking), an art room, a room for architectual drawing and mechanical drawing, and two rooms for continuation classes. One session has been held, and the attendance tended to prove that the school supplied an actual need. The following is a list of the classes held, and the number of pupils on the roll of each: Mechanical drawing, 15 pupils; architectural drawing, 19; woodwork, 26; dressmaking, 29; plumbing, 13; freehand drawing from casts and in light and shade, 36; modelling, 1 ; cookery, 18; wood-carving, 11; mathematics, 4. The above were all technical classes. The following continuation classes were also held: English, 33 pupils; arithmetic, 33; shorthand, 33; book-keep-ing, 25. The following teachers' classes have been held in the Nelson Technical School or in connection therewith, viz.: Woodwork, cookery, vocal music, drawing, physiography, dressmaking. Teachers' classes in drawing of various kinds have been held in Westport, and at Reefton in modelling in plasticine, in drawing, and in brushwork. Handwork was taught in thirty-eight of the public schools of the district, including most of the larger ones. It is a matter for regret that no understanding has yet been arrived at to enable the Board to erect a building at Westport that would be suitable for both a school of mines and a technical school. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors op Schools. Handwork.— Various branches of handwork were taken up in thirty-nine different schools— one-third of this number being schools below grade 4—the subjects embracing plasticine-modelling, elementary physiology, swimming, brush drawing, bricklaying, and free-arm drawing. The handwork itself was usually executed in a satisfactory manner, though we should like to see in some of

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the divisions a fuller application wherever possible to other subjects in the school course—such, for example, as a greater use made of plasticine-modelling in connection with the geography and drawing lessons. In addition to the above, the school classes in cookery have been continued at Westport, Reefton, aud Toi Toi Valley; dressmaking classes have been carried on at Reefton and Westport, and woodwork at Reefton; while towards the end of the year new classes in cookery were started at Richmond and Wakefield. During the year new regulations for manual and technical instruction were brought into force. So far as school classes are concerned the changes introduced seem of advantage, and consist—(l) in arranging the subjects into three divisions corresponding to three groups of the Standard classes—Preparatory to Standard 11, Standards 111 and IV, and V and above; (2) a less complex method of paying capitation by the adoption of a uniform rate for each group of classes; (3) more favourable working-conditions as regards the duration of certain classes, and number of pupils that can attend; (4) special grants in aid of material are done aw-ay with—in their place advance payments may be made, while the rate of capitation for the first year of recognition of a class is higher than in subsequent years. Fifteen schools this year have taken needlework under the above regulations. Special classes for the training of teachers were again conducted at Nelson and Westport, and for the first time at Reefton, the subjects comprising model, brush, and blackboard drawing, plasticine-modelling,. woodwork, cookery, vocal music, physiography, and dressmakiug. The attendance at these classes was only fair. We shall endeavour, if possible, during the coming year to arrange classes for teachers in such parts of the district as we have not yet been able to reach, though this is a difficult matter on account of the inadequate means of communication, which prevent teachers from being readily brought together. Technical School. —Since our last report it is gratifying to be able to record the completion of the building of the Technical School in Nelson, and the establishment of classes under a most efficient staff of teachers. In all fourteen technical and nine continuation classes were in operation at the close of the year, a total of 275 students being enrolled. The satisfactory attendance of so many at the classes would seem to fully justify the setting-up of this school, and we are sure that, as time goes on, this branch of our modern educational equipment will prove of ever-increasing usefulness and benefit to the youth of the community. In this connection it seems a matter of surprise to us that nowhere in our country school districts have the local Committees seen fit to institute "continuation" classes under the Act—that is, classes in which instruction is given in the ordinary public-school subjects above Standard IV, or other subjects of general or commercial education. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905, in respect of Special Classes conducted at the Nelson Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes ... .. .. 31 10 9 Balance at beginning of year .. .. 63 2 Buildii gs .. .. .. .. 1,124 10 0 Salaries of instructors .. .. 160 2 8 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 47 19 6 Office expenses (including salaries, staFe ( ,s .. .. .. .. .. 63 6 0 tioneiy, &c.) .. .. .. 7 0 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 465 5 9 Advertising and printing .. .. 619 6 Lighting, heating, and wages .. .. 914 5 Material for class use .. .. .. 610 0 Refund scholarship deposits .. .. 7 17 6 Contracts (new buildiugs, additions, &0.).. 1,124 10 0 Architect, &c. .. .. .. .. 57 17 9 Furniiure, fittings, and apparatus .. 335 19 4 Transfer of title .. .. .. 9 17 8 £1,732 12 0 £1,732 12 0

GREY. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Technical Instruction. —Saturday classes for teachers were established during the year, and a course of work in physical measurements was taken. In August the Board received authority to erect a woodwork and a cookery room as portion of a technical-school building. Tenders were called, and the rooms will be ready shortly. Four schools took a branch of handwork as part of the year's syllabus.

WESTLAND. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Manual and Technical Instruction. —During the year the following classes, recognised specially by the Education Department, have been in force: (1.) A teachers' instruction class in cartonwork correlated with geometrical drawing; the average attendance during the six months of the existence of the class was 17. (2.) One special class and one school class in woodwork; the roll was respectively 29 and 26. (3.) Three special classes and one school class in cookery; the total number in attendance was 95. (4.) Seven school classes in handwork were in force in the larger schools, and two sewing classes with an extra instructor in the schools under a male sole teacher. In addition, the junior pupils of a considerable number of schools received practical instruction in handwork. With the aid of a special grant from the Education Department a technical-school building has been erected in Hokitika, and has already been utilised for cookery classes. The room to be devoted to practical work in science will be available during the present year.

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Extract from the Report of the Inspector op Schools. The higher education of the pupils beyond the Sixth Standard has embodied technical education to a very small extent. This is confined to the connection of a few boys with a woodwork class and of girls with a cookery class. The reason for this is that the industries requiring technical training are comparatively few in Westland, and the great majority of children who remain at school after the primary course is concluded do so for the purpose of obtaining general education or more especially of securing a pass for examinations leading to appointments in the Civil Service, in the schools, or in offices connected with legal or other professions. The demand must be supplied, and a technical day-school would receive hardly any support. It is hoped, however, that, now a building for the purposes of technical education has been provided, it will be possible to establish in one centre useful evening classes, in connection with which effective practical instruction in science and geometrical drawing may prove of sufficient service to secure a satisfactory attendance. A suggestion has been made also to introduce, both by inclusion in the curriculum of country schools and by the institution of evening classes, practical instruction in agricultural science. The scope for this is at present not wide, but if a beginning is made the interest in this form of education will, without doubt, increase. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905, in respect of Special Classes conducted in Westland. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d Balance at beginning of year .. .. 89 14 7 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 32 17 6 Ctpitation on classes .. .. .. 74 19 9 Office expenses (including salaries, staFees .. .. .. .. 610 6 tionery, &c ) .. .. .. 010 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 19 12 4 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 2 .6 3 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 915 6 Examina ions, &c. .. .. .. 2 0 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 718 4 Capitation handed to Kumara School Commiitee .. .. .. .. .. 63 3 9 Fares of teachors .. .. .. .. 58 14 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 13 11 4 £190 17 2 £190 17 2

NORTH CANTERBURY. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Manual and Technical Instruction.— Speaking generally, the interest in manual and technical instruction has been sustained during the year at the several centres where either associated or special classes are carried on. Towards the end of the year an associated Board of Managers was formed at Akaroa for the purpose of establishing technical classes. Early in the year a special committee was set up to consider whether it was practicable and desirable for the Board to carry on the Christehurch technical classes. The committee's report emphasized the necessity of appointing a Director, and recommended that another effort should be made to obtain the co-operation of the several local bodies, with the view of appointing a Board of Managers and raising annually by way of contribution and subsidy a sum sufficient to allow of the classes being continued on a more satisfactory basis. The action taken by the Board on the committee's recommendations and the personal representations made by Mr. Hight and Mr. Russell, the members of the Board who interviewed the local bodies interested, were entirely successful, and the classes were formally taken over by the new Board of Managers in November, 1905. The generous contribution made by the Christchurch City Council, the support of other local bodies, and the appointment of a Director to personally supervise and control the classes encourage the belief that technical instruction in Christehurch will shortly be developed on sound lines, providing valuable opportunities for apprentices to acquire a sound knowledge of the principles underlying their respective trades and occupations. In response to numerous requests, and after ascertaining that a large number of teachers were desirous of receiving instruction in the subject, the Board has recently agreed to the appointment of an instructor in agriculture, one of whose principal duties will be to conduct theoretical and practical classes. The matter will form the subject of further reference in the Board's report for this present year. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. \ In some parts of the colony there is at present a movement in the direction of bringing naturestudy in its economic aspect into greater prominence among the subjects taught. We freely acknowledge the importance of agriculture as a national industry, and we do not ignore the close correlation existing among all branches of knowledge, but we do think that effort and time will be largely wasted in the attempt to superimpose upon the routine of the elementary school any technical agricultural instruction worthy of the name. The unity of nature is the aspect most prominent in early life, and an attempt to present it to young children as a series of thought-tight compartments will only result in their coming to regard the study as a set task. The immature brain will become a modified lumber-room for the technicalities which on occasion may be repeated in a more or less parrot-like fashion, but which will find no permanent lodgment in the mind of the child who is the victim of a well-meant attempt. The primary school is not the place for technical instruction, nor have its senior pupils attained such an age as will enable them to specialise with profit. Its function is to bestow a general training and to cultivate such mental alertness as will enable

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its deserving pupils to proceed, if so desired, to the more advanced work of a secondary school, where a further course of two or three years may enable them to take up work on special technical lines at the age of sixteen or seventeen—the lowest limit approved by the best authorities. The nature-study lesson will, necessarily, to some extent take cognisance of the economic bearing of simple facts observable in plant and animal life. In this direction, and in the encouragement of cottagegardening as its ancillary occupation, we are convinced the primary school will render most effective service. Extract from the Report on the Classes conducted by the Christchurch Technical Classes Association. Owing to the resignation, in October, 1904, of the Managers who were elected by the contributing bodies, the control of the classes became vested in the North Canterbury Board of Education, who continued them during the year 1905. During that time efforts were made to place the classes on a more permanent basis, resulting in many public bodies interested in technical education agreeing to contribute towards their maintenance. New Managers were appointed in November, Owing to the uncertainty of the classes being continued a gradual falling-off in the number of students was experienced, and some classes were closed in consequence. During the year the following classes were carried on : Continuation classes for English, arithmetic, mensuration, algebra, commercial arithmetic, correspondence, and geometrical drawing—total entries, 807 ; commercial classes for typewriting, shorthand, and book-keeping —total entries, 684; technical classes for plumbing, dress-cutting, tailoring, carpentry, and coachbuilding—total entries, 274. The prospects of the coming year are more encouraging, by the renewed interest of the public bodies, the appointment of a duly qualified Director, the granting of a site for the permanent buildings by the North Canterbury Board of Education, and the Government grant of £3,000 towards the cost of the necessary buildings. Attached hereto is a statement of receipts and expenditure for the year. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905, in respect of Classes conducted by the Christchurch Technical Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ c. d. Balance at bpginning of year .. .. 91 19 1 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 548 0 6 Capitation on classes .. .. .. "226 13 0 Office expenses (including salaries, staCapitation on technical scholarships .. 370 13 6 tionery, &c ) .. .. .. 211 6 9 R»nt ~ .. .. .. .. 173 4 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 56 17 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. ... 112 6 Lighting, heating, and cleaning .. .. 89 2 7 Material .. .. .. 13 11 9 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 710 0 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 156 1 6 Rent .. .. .. .. 178 4 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 75 19 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 10 13 0 Sales .. .'. .. .. .. 012 3 Fees refunded .. .. .. .. 110 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 7 2 9 £1,110 6 "7 £1.110 6 7 T. Garrard, Secretary. Extract from the Report on the Classes conducted by the Lyttelton Technical Classes Association. During the year ended the 31st December, 1905, classes were held for instruction in woodwork, cookery, and dressmaking. In the woodwork and cookery divisions the instruction was practicall}- reduced to school classes, the attendance at the adult divisions having fallen off to such an extent that it became necessary to discontinue holding them. The dressmaking classes, too, at which the attendance was well maintained during the previous year, showed a marked tendency in a like direction, and the fact is becoming most apparent that it is impossible, in a town with the population limited to the extent of that of Lyttelton, to maintain classes of this nature for adults for any great length of time. Good work is unquestionably being done in the school woodwork and cookery classes, in which the pupils take considerable interest in their work and make satisfactory progress. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905, in respect of the Classes conducted by the Lyttelton Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 29 5 1 Salaries pf instructors .. .. .. 68 15 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 48 9 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 3 8 3 Bent .. .. .. .. 40 0 0 Rent .. .. .. .. 40 0 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 10 0 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 510 7 Fees .. .. .. .. 13 10 0 Cleaning .. .. .. .. 5 10 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 10 0 0 Bank fee .. .. .. .. 010 0 Incidentals .. .. .. .. 011 7 Balanoe at end of year .. .. .. 27 7 8 £151 4 1 £151 4 1 G. A. Lewin, Hon. Secretary.

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Extract from the Report on the Classes conducted by the Rangiora Technical Classes Association. The Managers have much pleasure in reporting that a keen interest is still being taken in the subjects taught—namely, cookery and dressmaking. The attendance at all the classes is excellent, and very satisfactory results are being obtained. It is proposed to start a class for shorthand and typewriting next term if a sufficient number of pupils can be obtained, also a woodwork class for the public-school boys in May next, if arrangements for a suitable building can be made. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905, in respect of the Glasses conducted by the Bangiora Technical Glasses Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 18 2 3 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 65 0 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 47 13 3 Office expeuses (including salaries, stationery, Rent .. .. .. .. .. 400 &c.) .. .. .. .. .. 013 3 Fees .. .. .. .. 25 8 9 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 119 2 Sales .. .. .. .. .. 0 5 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 10 0 Reut .. .. .. .. .. 400 Material for class use .. .. .. 0 7 6 Education Board allowance to instructor .. 6 15 0 Care aker .. .. .. .. 9 0 0 Bank charges, &o. .. .. .. 0 12 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 6 2 4 £95 9 3 £95 9 3 James Marshall, Hon. Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the School of Domestic Instruction. The Managers have to report another year's successful work. The attendance at both school and associated classes for cookery and dressmaking has been satisfactory. Laundry classes have not been held during the year owing to the lack of accommodation. Demonstration classes open to the public at a small charge have been given during the year, and the attendance has been large. Much more useful work may be done in this direction with better accommodation. The attendance at the various classes was as follows: Associated classes—first term 173, second term 130, third term 131; teachers' classes, 36; school classes —St. Alban's 63, Sydenham 53, West Christchurch 90, East Christchurch 101, Richmond 78, Waltham 54, Woolston 34, Normal School 59. Though the school has established for itself " a name," it has not been successful in acquiring " a habitation." The premises in which the work has been carried on during the year were taken temporarily whilst negotiations with the Government were pending, which it was hoped would result in the school securing a permanent home. But for inexplicable reasons nothing resulted. The Managers, fully aware of the drawbacks arising from unsuitable buildings and change of location, have taken on themselves the responsibility of renting, on a five-years lease, at a rent of £200 per annum, part of a building now in course of erection at the north-west corner of Worcester and Manchester Streets. The rooms will be built and fitted for the accommodation of the school, and it is hoped will prove in every way suitable. There will, at all events, be some security of tenure, and the position is all that can be desired. The Managers are convinced that the usefulness of the school may be extended. At present they are unable to offer any inducement to more proficient pupils to take up teaching as a profession, though there is a constant demand for teachers. It can scarcely be.expected that girls or women will give their services for two or three years without remuneration; and at present the school does not provide sufficient employment for teachers under training. Application has been made to the Education Department to provide scholarships, but without success. In several of the cities of Europe companies have been formed for the supply of cooked meals to private families. The plan has proved successful, and the financial results satisfactory. There is at present a demand for some such work in Christchurch, which could be supplied by the school, and so the necessary employment and experience would be provided for advanced pupils. Mrs. R. D. Harman held the usual examination for certificates during the past year, and twelve pupils were successful. The examiner reported as follows : " The arrangements for the work were all most complete, all ingredients and utensils in readiness. Of course, as the class was a large one, the practical tests had to be simple, but the work was well and neatly done, quite up to the usual high standard of the school. The candidates showed great method and aptitude in commencing work, accuracy in weighing, measuring, and proportioning the quantities of material, flavouring, &c, required for the dishes. The appearance and general quality of the cookery was good, the dishing-up and garnishing being neat and tasteful. Good method and orderliness was displayed in the scullery-work. The written papers were excellent, the questions being answered most scientifically, and in a manner which showed the thoroughness of the teaching received." It is hoped that during the present year lectures will be given on the chemistry of cooking, hygiene, domestic sanitation, &c. The Managers again have much pleasure in according their best thanks to the members of the staff for their faithful services during the year. With regard to the statement of accounts, it will be noticed that, whilst the earnings of the school in grants, fees, and sales have been increased, the totals of receipts and expenditure and the credit balance are smaller. The reason is that certain grants from the Government and the North Canterbury Education Board for capitation on school classes, towards rent and outlay on apparatus and utensils, were not received when the accounts were closed on the 31st December, 1905. The school accounts for material for the months of November and December (say, £60) are still unpaid. When these have been met, the financial condition of the school will be better than at the beginning of last year.

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Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905, in respect of Associated Classes conducted by the Managers of the Christchurch School of Domestic Instruction. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 113 17 3 Salaries of instructors" .. .. .. 371 15 6 Capitation on olasses .. .. .. 117 10 6 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 10 6 9 Material .. .. .. .. 135 11 8 Lighting and healing .. .. .. 33 9 3 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 188 J5 3 Rent .. .. .. .. 88 3 4 Sales .. .. .. .. 77 8 3 Material for class use .. .. .. 125 16 1 Rent .. .. .. .. 14 0 0 Telephone, fuel, special instruction to staff .. 30 4 5 Board of Education capitation on sohool Petty cash, &o. .. .. .. 30 0 0 classes ... .. .. .. 182 IS 10 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 49 16 10 B ink charges, &c. .. .. .. 0 17 6 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 89 10 1 £829 19 9 £829 19 9 C. M. Gray, Chairman. Extract from the Report of the Chairman of the Board of Governors op Canterbury College. School of Art. As compared with 1904, the numbers in attendance were: 1904:—First term 252, second term 275, third term 293; 1905—first term 283, second term 298, third term 306. This shows an increase of sixty-six on the previous year, the increase being mainly in the afternoon and evening classes. Drawing and painting: Instruction has been given in drawing and painting from life, still life, landscape from nature, and drawing from the antique. A number of new casts have been obtained for use in this department. Modelling, moulding, and casting was carried on as in previous years, being attended by painting students as well as those taking applied art. Professor Lanteri's casts were obtained for this department, giving a bust in three stages for modelling. Applied art-work : The classes in this department have been larger than in previous years, especially in repousse and carving. The class in plant-form and its relation to design was very well attended. Painters and decorators' work: The judges appointed by the Painters' Union state the work in this section has greatly improved, most particularly in writing. The stencilling was also of a high order, and the judges had considerable difficulty in awarding the prizes. A written decorated panel was considered worthy of a special prize. Decorative design was taken in the morning and also in the evening, and was worked in conjunction with the other classes as much as possible. The tinsmiths' geometry class was not held, there not being enough applications to make a class worth starting. Geometry and perspective: The classes in these subjects were well attended, and the work has been of a very practical nature. Instruction to teachers and pupil-teachers has been the same as last year. The work was in accordance with the syllabus of the Education Department for teachers' certificates. Architecture and building-construction: The students of the architectural class have shown a great deal of interest in their work throughout the year, and have put in some very creditable work. The studentship has been won by a young student who has widened his desire to succeed, and has submitted some good work. The advanced building-con-struction class has had fewer students this year, the reason being that the students from the elementary class of the previous year did not come for the advanced course. The elementary class this year has been under another teacher, and has been well attended, with very good results. The Stateschool scholarships for boys and girls were awarded to fourteen boys and eleven girls. Their attendance was good and their work satisfactory. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Students'fees .. .. .. .. 619 15 0 Balance at Ist January, 1905 .. .. 319 2 4 Grant from Museum, Library, and School Salaries .. .. .. .. 1,093 0 0 of Technical Science Endowment Fund .. 500 0 0 Subsidies to life classes .. .. .. 36 10 0 Government grant for technical instruction 427 2 3 Insurance .. .. .. .. 12 10 4 Government grant for apparatus .. .. 7 18 1 Contribution towards expenses of Registrar's Government grant for material .. .. 13 1 1 office .. .. .. .. 40 0 0 Examination fees .. .. .. 115 0 Gas .. .. .. .. .. 50 6 4 Sales .. .. .. .. .. 106 Repairs .. .. .. .. 17 5 9 Special prizes .. .. .. .. 6 4 0 Advertising .. .. .. .. 22 9 0 Balance .. .. .. 173 7 2 Printing, stationery, &c. .. .. 22 14 9 Fuel .. .. .. .. .. 12 19 3 General expenses .. .. .. 33 6 6 Apparatus, &c. .. ... .. .. 60 5 0 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 2 2 0 Books for school library .. .. .. 4 14 11 Intere-t on current account .. .. 5 7 2 Special prizes .. .. .. .. 6 4 0 Expenses connected with appointment of Director .. .. ~ .. 11 5 9 £1,750 3 1 £1,750 3 1

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School of Engineering. During the year 1905, 172 students attended lectures, the hour-attendances per week amounting to 1,353. Forty-five students were taking the full courses for the University degree, or the associateship of the school; six college students attended lectures in electricity and magnetism. Besults of Examinations. —At the University examinations in 1904, 10 students passed part of the first examination and 5 completed the first examination; 5 students passed part of the second examination, and 5 completed their final examination for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Associateship of the School of Engineering. —Three students passed the final examination for the Associateship in Mechanical Engineering of the School of Engineering and Electricity, and one student that for the Associateship in Electrical Engineering. The passes in these courses in the subjects taught in the School of Engineering were: In freehand mechanical drawing, 5; advanced descriptive geometry, 7; mechanical drawing (advanced —second year), 4; steam-engine (elementary), 8; steam-engine (intermediate), 11; steam-engine (advanced), 4; elementary applied mechanics, 1 ; applied mechanics, 9 ; mechanics of machinery, 6 ; hydraulics and pneumatics, 9 ; strength of materials (elementary), 6; strength of materials (intermediate), 4; strength of materials (advanced), 3; theory of workshop practice, 3; surveying (elementary), 1; electricity and magnetism, 4; advanced electricity, 2; electrical engineering (intermediate), 1; electrical engineering (advanced), 1; mechanical drawing and designing, 2; mechanical drawing and designing (electrical), 1. Evening Students. —One hundred and nineteen certificates were obtained by students attending evening lectures, who passed in the following subjects at the annual examinations: First class — Freehand, mechanical drawing, 6 ; descriptive geometry and setting out work, 7 ; mechanical drawing, Section I, 6; mechanical drawing, Section 11, 6; mechanical drawing, Section 111, 1; the steam-engine (elementary), 7 ; elementary applied mechanics, 2 ; strength of materials (elementary), 2; elementary electricity, 4; elementary electrical engineering, 2. Second-class—Freehand mechanical drawing, 14; descriptive geometry and setting out work, 9; mechanical drawing, Section I, 12; mechanical drawing, Section 11, 8; mechanical drawing, Section 111, 1; elementary steam-engine, 8 ; elementary applied mechanics, 6; strength of materials (elementary), 6; elementary electricity, 7 ; elementary electrical engineering, 5. Positions occupied by Past Students. —A large proportion of past students are in satisfactory positions, the nature of which is indicated by the accompanying list, which also shows the class of student from which, the occupiers are drawn. Many pass directly into remunerative employment on leaving college, but it must be recognised that this can be by no means universal, nor is it desirable that it should be so. It is the function of the school to supply such technical training as will be useful to the engineer in the work of his profession—in fact, to provide him with the " tools of his trade"; and a period of probation and practice in the use of these tools under professional guidance is necessary before he can be considered sufficiently experienced to undertake responsible work. Lecturers and assistants in colleges or technical schools, &c, 12; practising or employed as engineers in charge of departments, districts, or undertakings, 14; electrical engineers, 5; assistant engineers, 16; managers of works, &c, 5; chief draughtsmen, 3; draughtsmen or surveyors, 50; assistant draughtsmen, 11; engineers on sea-going vessels, 48; engineers in freezing, pumping, and electric light, &c, works, 9; shop foremen, 18; engineers on dredges, &c, 14; leading hands and patternmakers, 15; locomotive-drivers, traction-engine drivers, &c, 14; in business on own account, 17; managers of small businesses, 4; New Zealand Telegraph Department, 4. Annual Grant. —The annual grant of £1,500 made by the Government for the first time this year has enabled considerable additions to be made to buildings and apparatus, and also the work of the school to be subdivided and specialised with satisfactory results. Courses in Engineering. —At present nine distinct courses in engineering are open to students. Six of these are day courses, providing the instruction necessary for taking the University degree of Bachelor of Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil Engineering, and for obtaining the Associateship of the School of Engineering in these branches. Three are evening courses — (a) a four-years course for apprentices in mechanical engineering; (b) a three-years course which, with concurrent shop-work, qualifies, by arrangement with the Marine Department, for a third-class marine engineer's certificate; (c) a four-years course for apprentices in electrical engineering. Additions to Buildings. —During the year the erection of a large hydraulics laboratory was approved of by the Board of Governors and its construction begun; a small workshop was built; and an excellent photometric room and two instrument-rooms constructed in the previously waste space of the roof of the existing building. A small lecturer's room was formed in the old stair-well, and a transformer gallery erected in the electrical engineering laboratory. Apparatus. —The professor in charge having been authorised to expend £900 on plant during his visit to Europe, the following arrived during the year, and were set up in the various laboratories: A 100-ton compression and bending machine with pump, and a complete set of Marten's mirror extensometers ; a 10-horse-power, a 2'3-horse-power, and a J-horse-power electric motor; a spherical head for 50-ton testing-machine; an Izod's pendulum impact testing-machine; a singlelever testing-machine; a Rosenhaim's improved calorimeter and cup micrometer; a pressurerecordin"- gauge, a tachometer, and a separating calorimeter ; two flash-point testers for heavy oils, viscosity apparatus, an Orsat's collector, &c, for tests of flue-gases, and a Bourdon ring; a Junker's calorimeter; a simplex indicator; furnaces for heat treatment of steel, a pyrometer, lecture-table apparatus for illustrating torsion, an air-pump, a mercurial barometer and four galvanometers, apparatus illustrating Boyle's law, a Quintenz balance, an overhead traveller, small balances, apparatus for demonstrating revo.lving field formed by 2- and 3-phase currents, four resistance boxes, an electrically driven tuning-fork, an induction coil, a spherometer, and gyroscope; four voltmeters, a wattmeter, six ammeters, and an electric tachometer; a potentiometer, two meter

41

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bridges, a universal-reading microscope, a pair of ordinary-reading microscopes, six ball-bearing pulleys, and apparatus for obtaining the mechanical equivalent of heat; a Pentane lamp; a microscope; a demonstration lantern; Professor Hele-Shaws' stream-line apparatus; apparatus for experiments on deflection of columns; helical-springs torsion, Young's modulus, experimental worm-wheel, experimental arch, fluid-tanks, spouting-tanks, experimental weirs, a gas-engine model, apparatus for illustrating the latent heat of steam, indicator models, a complete set of folding planes and models for the teaching of solid geometry from G. Cussons, Manchester; a set of Professor Wiener's geometrical models. In addition to the above the following apparatus has been designed in the School of Engineering and manufactured locally: An impact testing-machine; a copper bath for heat-treatment of steel-test specimens; a bath for heat-treatment of cement; two sets of water gear for brake-horse-power tests; switchboards, terminal board, plugboards; two model armatures for experimental work; and two parabolic mirrors. An omnimeter has been purchased for the field class in surveying. The Westinghouse Brake Company presented the school with a compound Westinghouse steam air-compressor, which will be installed in the new hydraulics laboratory, and full-sized sectional models of the standard Westinghouse steam air-pump, combined quick-acting brake set, and the driver's brake valve. A large, number of tests were made in the engineering laboratory on materials submitted by cement-manufacturers, brick and tile manufacturers, and also on oils, cast iron, trolley-wires, bolts, steel plates, &c. Gratifying acknowledgments of the utility of this section of the school in assisting the industries of the country have been received from those for whom investigations have been carried out. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at Ist January, 1905 .. .. 756 17 6 Salaries .. .. .. .. 2,034 13 4 Contributions from Museum, Library, and Instruction in surveying .. .. 107 12 6 School of Technical Science Endow- Rent of building (College) .. .. 193 18 4 merit Fund .. .. .. 500 0 0 Exhibitions .. .. .. ..- 40 0 0 Contribution towards salary of lecturer on Contribution towards expenses of Registrar's electrical engineering .. .. 150 0 0 Office .. .. .. .. 60 0 0 Contribution towards expenses of Electrical Gas and electric lighting .. .. 84 4 11 Laboratory .. .. .. 150 0 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. 37 13 8 Grants from Superior Education Reserves Printing and stationery.. .. .. 39 19 3 (Collegt-)— Advertising .. .. .. .. 19 3 9 For scholarships and maintenance .. 590 0 0 Fuel (coal and gas) .. .. .. 14 2 5 Towards salary of lecturer on electrical Laboratory stores .. .. .. 26 8 7 engineering .. .. .. 150 0 0 Cleaning machinery .. .. .. 135 16 2 Towards expenses of Electrical Labora- Experimental work and apparatus (applied tories .. ~ .. 150 0 0 mechanios and mechanical engineering) 154 9 4 Students' fees .. .. .. .. 944 1 0 Experimental work and apparatus (eleoStudents'fines.. .. .. .. 011 0 tricky and Electrical Engineering Government grant for technical instruction 37112 1 Laboratory) .. .. .. 145 8 3 Testing fees .. .. .. .. 51 9 0 Stores and chemicals (Electrical EngineerGovernment grant for specialisation in ing Laboratory) .. .. .. 18 15 5 engineering .. .. .. 1,500 0 0 Upkeep of plant, general repairs to maInterest .. .. .. .. 22 16 6 chinery .. .. .. .. 117 3 6 Fee for certificate of associateship .. 110 General expenses .. .. .. 35 14 9 Balance .. .. .. 41 6 0 -Apparatus—Pass and Honours Electrioal Laboratories .. .. .. 1,005 5 9 Expenses of appointment of lecturer and demonstrator in electric engineering (including rassage-money) .. .. 118 3 11 Apparatus (£1,500 vote) .. .. 472 16 3 New building (Hydraulic Laboratory) .. 489 6 6 Professor Scott—share of testing-fees .. 28 17 6 £5,379 14 1 £5,379 14 1 Robt. J. Scott, M.1.C.E., Professor in Charge.

SOUTH CANTERBURY. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Mechanical and Technical Instruction. —The number of schools taking up this work continues to increase; and, indeed, there are few schools in the district in which some of the subjects provided for in the Act are not successfully taught. The amount of capitation earned during the year by the various primary schools amounted in the aggregate to about £550. The newly appointed teacher of cookery took up her duties in February, and her classes have been well attended and successfully conducted. At the end of the year a teacher of woodwork was appointed to commence duties early in 1906. Arrangements have been made for the teaching of the subjects of cookery and woodwork to the upper classes of eight of the larger schools, and the number will be gradually increased. Classes for the training of teachers in manual and technical subjects were conducted at Timaru and Waimate, those at the former place being well attended. Twelve teachers passed the City and Guilds first-year examination in woodwork, and intend sitting for the final examination during 1906. Seventeen others passed the St. John's Ambulance Association examination for first aid. During the week before Christmas a summer school for the instruction of teachers in cardboard modelling and geology was held, nearly all the teachers in the district attending. The former class was taught by Mr. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Schools, assisted by Mr. Clarke, of Stratford; the latter class by Dr. Marshall, of the Otago University. The attendance at these classes was good, the teachers took a keen interest in their work, and the instruction must result 6—E. 5,

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in increased efficiency in the schools. The " associated classes "at Timaru, Waimate, and Temuka continue to do good work in their districts. Classes are formed in shorthand, book-keeping, typewriting, English, arithmetic, and other commercial subjects; but when the teaching is good, the classes in which the greatest interest is taken are those in the more technical subjects, such as plumbing, carpentry, cookery, dress-cutting, &c. Efforts are being made to increase the number and efficiency of these more technical classes. A pleasing feature in connection with the Timaru classes is the increasing interest taken in the plumbing and carpentry classes by the master builders. If employers generally would follow this example and encourage their apprentices to attend eveningclasses, and were to take a hand in helping to increase the efficiency of the classes by giving financial help and practical suggestions, the success of the technical schools would be assured. During the year the Government made a grant of £1;000 for the Temuka Technical School building, and it is expected to be ready for use in a few weeks. A grant of £200 was also made for enlarging the building for plumbing and woodwork in Timaru. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. Some form of handwork was taken up in thirty-eight schools, the favourite exercises being plasticine-modelling and paper-folding in the lower classes, and brushwork in the upper. As a result of the instruction given by Mr. Isaac at the summer class for teachers, more time will be given to carton-work during the present year. At the Timaru public schools and at the Waimate and Temuka District High Schools classes in cookery and woodwork were most successfully conducted; and in several schools instruction in swimming was given. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Timaru Technical Classes Association. During the year 238 students were enrolled, as against 310 last year. This falling-off is partly accounted for by the fact that this year the conditions enabling pupils to attend classes free were much more difficult than previously. During the coming session the conditions will be such that a very large increase in the number of free places may be expected. There were nineteen classes placed on the syllabus. With the exception of the classes in senior book-keeping, painting, and drawing from life, all the classes were successfully carried on, while classes in drawing from life and electrical engineering were established during the second term. At the request of the pupils, the plumbing and shorthand classes were continued for a third term. The following shows the numbers attending the various classes in each term:" Plumbing, 18, 14, 12; woodwork (A), 21, 12; woodwork (B), 23, 15; architectural drawing, 25, 5; cookery (A), 12, 12; cookery (B), 9, 10; dressmaking, 17, 13; wood-carving, 8, 8; drawing, 11, 7; senior shorthand, 13, 9, 8; junior shorthand, 22, 22, 10; book-keeping, 22, 10; commercial correspondence, 17, 9; typewriting, 20, 16; English, 10, 10; arithmetic, 18, 15; electrical engineering, 15; drawing from life, 5. In order that the public might have an opportunity of seeing what was being done in the school, samples of the work of the various classes were exhibited at the close of the session. Although the exhibition was too crowded to permit of a satisfactory examination of the exhibits, still, the Managers believe that many were astonished at the quality and variety of the work shown. During the year the Managers applied to the Education Department for a grant to enable the grounds surrounding the school to be made more convenient and sightly. A grant of £100 was received, and this has been expended in asphalting the paths, erecting the retaining-walls, and the handsome front fence On the new plumbing class commencing work it was found that the workshop was much too small, and as the carpenters' shop was also overcrowded the Department was approached with a view to having these enlarged. The resulting grant of £200 has enabled the Managers to place another story over the workshops. The Association has now convenient, commodious, and well-equipped shops for plumbers and carpenters; and also a small lecture-room for theory classes. The Managers desire to place on record the prompt attention of the Central Department to all applications and claims made during the year. The thanks of the Association are due to those local bodies and citizens who contributed to the funds, and the Managers once again desire to draw the attention of members to the fact that but for these voluntary contributions and the subsidies thereon a considerable loss would be shown. The number of subscribers was seventy-one, an increase of sixteen on last year. The Association is also indebted to the examiners for the gratuitous work so willingly performed, and to the Press for the ever-ready assistance it has always rendered. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905, in respect of the Classes conducted by the Timaru Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. 238 14 1 Balance at beginning of year .. .. 49 6 6 Capitation on technical scholarships .. 59 8 6 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 259 14 0 Buildings .. .. ■. • • 104 10 0 Office expenses (including salaries, stationFurniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 66 3 0 cry, &c.) .. .. .. .. 60 111 Material .. .. .. .. 13 16 4 Advertising and printing .. .. 10 16 6 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 102 16 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 13 19 6 Fees .. .. .. •• •• 137 15 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 4 6 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. 64 18 0 Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 0 8 3 Sales .. .. .. •• •• 118 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 44 16 3 Proceeds of exhibition .. .. .. 7 0 0 Fees refunded .. .. .. .. 619 0 Interest .. .. • • • • 0 2 1 Exhibition expenses .. .. .. 615 10 Bank commission and interest .. .. 2 5 6 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &o.) .. 97 11 0 Architect, &o. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .75 13 11 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 159 7 4 £797 1 6 £797 1 6 G, Crawshaw, Secretary.

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Extract frOm the Report of the Managers of the Temuka Technical Classes Association. The past session, the most successful in the short history of the Association, has been marked by a distinct progress in the work which has now been carried on in Temuka for three years. Formerly our classes provided principally a continuation of the work which is carried on in the public schools, but last year marked the inauguration—in a small way, it is true —of technical classes in the true sense of the word. These classes were carried on under conditions which greatly militated against the success aimed at, but nevertheless fair results were obtained, and during the coming session, with better facilities in accommodation, apparatus, and teaching staff, definite courses of technical instruction for pupils in the district should be put on a thoroughly sound basis. A great difficulty which the Association has had to labour under in the past has been the obtaining of certificated instructors. Tho inability to procure these is a drawback under which all small associations such as ours labour, but it is satisfactory to know that it will be largely overcome during the coming session by the various technical bodies in South Canterbury co-operating with the Education Board in the procuring of well-trained teachers. In March last, the Temuka Odd Fellows' Hall was leased at a rental of £25 per annum, and equipped for the teaching of cookery and woodwork. Later in the year, the long-promised grant for a technical school was passed by the Government, and the Education Board received a sum of £1,435, £1,000 of which was to build science, cookery, and woodwork rooms, and the remainder to erect and equip a highschool room. Plans were prepared by the Board's architect, a tender accepted, and the buildings are now on a fair way to completion. Plans of fittings on the most approved modern lines have been prepared, and science apparatus, for which the Department has authorised a grant of £123, ordered from the Old Country, so that, with the apparatus already in the Association's possession, the building, when complete, will be as up to date as any in the South Island. The following classes were held during the session : At Temuka—cookery, 2 classes, average 30; commercial work, 2 classes, average 29; dressmaking, 2 classes, average 32; woodwork, 1 class, average, 19: wool-classing, average, 6. At Geraldine —dressmaking, 2 classes, average 41; commercial class, average 15. At Pleasant Point—dressmaking, 2 classes, average 29. A photography class, average 15, was also held at Temuka during the first quarter, but was discontinued owing to the difficulty of obtaining an instructor. It will thus be seen that the classes have been well attended during the session, there being an average of 210 pupils a week at the three centres. The pupils, too, appear to be of a better stamp, and more in earnest over their work, than those of previous years. The financial position of the Association is sound, the balance-sheet showing a credit of £118 10s. Bd., though through having to close this on the 31st December our position is made rather brighter than it really is, several liabilities having yet to be met. The thanks of the Association are due to the Temuka Borough Council, Temuka Road Board, the District High School Committee, and private subscribers for valuable financial assistance; also to the Education Department, Wellington, for the ready and courteous way in which it has met our requirements, and to the officials of the controlling authority for willing assistance rendered. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905, in respect of the Classes conducted by the Temuka Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 42 3 9 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 184 10 0 Capitation on olasses .. .. .. 236 14 4 Office expenses (including salaries, stationRent .. .. .. .. •• 350 cry, &c.) .. .. .. 56 0 9 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 71 0 6 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 219 6 Material .. .. .. .. 915 8 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 11 1 4 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 36 5 6 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 2 7 0 Pees .. .. .. •• 49 18 6 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 210 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 36 5 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 11 14 5 Grant from Education Board .. .. 7 10 0 Cartage.. .. .. .. .. 2 0 0 Sundry receipts .. .. .. .. 15 4 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 20 14 0 Travelling-expenses, &c, of instructors .. 8 5 0 Bank charges, exchange, &c. .. .. 116 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 75 3 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 115 16 8 £494 4 1 £494 4 1 G. W. Abmitage, Chairman) . Mana „ erq Alf. A. Hintz, Secretary )ot Mana g ers - Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Waimate Technical Classes Association. There has been again a steady increase in the numbers attending the classes as a whole, and the public are commencing to appreciate the value of these classes not only to young women and youths, but also to those who from various reasons did not receive a great amount of education in their young days. The purely technical classes are much better attended than the continuation classes, probably because they do not savour so much of " school." Throughout the year classes have been conducted in the following subjects: Chemistry (12), English (38), arithmetic (40), mensuration (17), cookery (40), woodwork (44), shorthand (92), typewriting (98), book-keeping (98), dressmaking (37), wool-classing (23), wood-carving (20), painting (24). The numbers in brackets show the roll-number of each class. Owing to the departure of Mr. Wood and the consequent lack of interest in the subject, the chemistry class was discontinued during the second quarter. Wool-classing also was continued for one quarter only. This proved a most useful class to the small farmers, and was on the whole well attended. The woodwork class did some splendid work, and proved most useful and instructive. It is the intention of the Managers to open the

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1906 session with a display of the pupils' work, and they are sure that the public will be. surprised at the tangible proof of the good work being done in the school. The Managers regret that it was found impossible for various reasons to conduct any examinations at the end of last year, but they hope that next year there will be a number of pupils entering for the City and Guilds of London Institute Examination. Financially the classes are quite sound, and the thanks of the Managers are due to those who have so generously assisted the classes. The accompanying balance-sheet shows the position of the finaiices. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December , 1905, in respect of the Classes conducted by the Waimate Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Bilance at beginning of year .. .. 015 6 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 180 9 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 138 16 9 Office expenses (including salaries, stationery, Furniture, fittings, and apparatus.. .. 43 17 7 &c.) .. .. .. .. 29 13 8 Material .. .. .. .. 16 311 Advertising and printing .. .. 13 11 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 69 1 9 Lighting and beating .. .. .. 12 8 0 Fees, &o. .. .. .. 36 17 9 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 312 6 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 56 12 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 46 7 7 Balance at end of year .. .. ... 16 14 10 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &c.) .. 11 15 9 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus.. .. 81 2 7 £379 0 1 £379 0 1 A. S. Morrison, Chairman j { Mana „ ers J. E. Hutchinson, Secretary) °

OTAGO. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Manned and Technical Instruction. —During 1905 there were ninety-two schools in which instruction in handwork of some kind or other was given. As this is just about the number of schools in the district that are taught by more than one teacher, it is evident that nearly all the schools that might fairly be expected to undertake this work are devoting at least some portion of time to it. In many of the schools that are taught by only one teacher great difficulty must naturally be experienced in devoting to manual and technical subjects the time necessary to qualify . for capitation, or indeed to devote any time at all to them. There are in the district about 128 of such schools, and this is about the number in which, so far, no work of this nature has been undertaken. In 1904 the number of pupils receiving instruction in handwork was 6,027, or 31 per cent.; during the last year the number rose to 10,010, or 52 per cent. Of the ninety-two schools in which the instruction was carried on, sixty-seven devoted to the subjects the time necessary to qualify for the Government capitation grant. In the previous year the number of such schools was fifty-four, so that during the year just closed the list of capitation-earning schools has increased by thirteen; and not only so, but in most of these schools the range of the instruction has been much extended. In many cases all the classes now participate in the instruction, where formerly only the infants and Standards I and II did so. The Board's aim is that in all schools above grade 4 some subjects of handwork or science shall be taken by each standard class. The subjects most favoured by the teachers of this district appear to be: Paper-work for classes below Standard III; brush drawing, modelling in carton, cardboard, and plasticine, for classes in Standard 111 and higher standards. In the large schools the handwork subjects taker, by Standards V and VI are woodwork, cookery, physical measurements, elementary physiology, and first aid, and elementary agriculture. It is apparent that for many years to come agriculture must be the chief pursuit of a very large number of the inhabitants of this colony, and it is gratifying that a marked extension in the instruction in the subject of elementary agriculture is noticeable throughout the district, there being at the end of last year thirty-four schools in various parts of the district in which such instruction was being carried on, each school having connected with it a suitably equipped cottage-garden where the practical work is done. The Inspectors report that the instruction given is of a very practical and educative character. The Board is of opinion that in consideration of the very great importance of this subject, and the large number of schools now giving instruction in it, the time has arrived when a specialist in agricultural subjects should be appointed. Instruction in paper-work, brush-drawing, carton, cardboard, plasticine, or clay modelling (sufficient to qualify for the Government capitation grant) was given in 33 schools, agricultural chemistry in I, ' elementary physiology and first aid in 2, swimming in 4, woodwork in 21, cookery in 22, and elementary agriculture in 34. During the year cookery and woodwork classes were established at Kaitangata School, and a cookery class was commenced at Mosgiel District High School. Special teachers of needlework were employed in twenty-four schools, having an average attendance below forty-one, and taught by male teachers. Special classes for instruction of teachers in woodwork and cookery were held during the year. Six of the Board's female teachers sat for the London City and Guilds Examination in plain cookery, five of them obtaining first-class certificates, and one a second-class, certificate. Nine of the Board's male teachers presented themselves for the London City and Guilds Final Examination in Woodwork, five of them obtaining first-class and three second-class certificates. The Saturday classes at the Dunedin School of Art in drawing, elementary designing, brushwork, and cardboard and clay modelling have been largely taken advantage of by country teachers and pupil-teachers.

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Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. Handwork is practised in most of the larger and in a considerable number of the smaller schools. It is liked by the children, and would be by the teachers if their classes could be reduced to manageable size—say, to thirty pupils at most for this kind of work. It is work that grows upon pupils and teachers, and the pity is that it should have to be carried on under circumstances so chilling to enthusiasm. Since the issue of the revised regulations for manual and technical instruction, we have inaugurated in the city and suburbs and some of the larger towns classes for physical measurements, and added largely to the number of country schools giving instruction and practice in elementary agriculture, departments of work which, if we may judge from experience, are going to prove highly successful. Gardening, including the study of plant and insect life, has for some years been a conspicuous feature in the work of some of our country schools, and the results given below, besides being interesting in themselves, show that the economic side of the work is not disregarded. Research of this kind is of great educational value, for it embraces the cardinal principles of the methods of science—(1) a statement of the purpose for which the experiments are performed here, to test the capacity of the soil for the growth of selected plants under certain conditions; and (2) the systematic observation and reasoning that come from measurement and record. It is a training in observation, in reasoning, in arithmetic, sometimes in drawing, and always in composition of the most useful kind —namely, the accurate expression of personal experience, an exercise that is of comparatively greater practical value than essaywriting about nothing in particular. We have nothing but praise for the enthusiasm with which our country teachers have entered upon this department of work. At present every application for the establishment of a handwork class has to be referred to Wellington for sanction. This causes what seems to us unnecessary correspondence and delay. The Board is in a better position to judge as to the suitableness of any kind of work for a particular school and locality than is the Department, and ought, we think, to be invested with power to say Yea or Nay to every application for the establishment of a class. Before closing our report of this class of work, we wish to say that in our opinion the district is inadequately provided with means for instruction in manual and technical work. In 1903 one of our number wrote for the information of the Board an account of what had been done in some of the northern districts, and by implication suggested what should be done here. Since then a good deal has been achieved in the direction suggested; but we are still working with an inadequate equipment of kitchens and workshops, and are still without a day technical school for the city and suburbs, and without a trained director of technical instruction.

Results of Crops grown in a School Garden, 1904. — Potatoes; soil virgin; no manure. For heaviest crop at one root, and heaviest potato, see plot 16.

The following crops had a dressing of bonedust at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre, and also a dressing of farmyard manure : —

The soil is of good quality, and the aspect most favourable—a steep northern slope. It would be. invidious to name the school, for several others did work of similar kind but of'less range and completeness. The results were worked out by the pupils under the supervision of their teacher. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Dunedin Technical Classes Association. The associated bodies in each case re-elected the retiring members. The Board of Management was therefore composed of Messrs. A. Burt, D. R. Eunson, A. Marshall, 8.A., and D. R. White, M.A. (elected by the Otago Education Board), Messrs. J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., A. Sligo, and G. M. Thomson, F.L.S. (appointed by members of the Association), and Crs. T. R. Christie,and

»lot.| Kind. Kate in Tons of Yield per Acre. Observations. PlOt.: Kind. Rate in Tons of Yield per Acre. Observations. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Sutton's Abundance .. Sutton's Dwarf Early Sutton's Supreme British Queen Up to Date Magnum Bonum Hampshire Abundance Kind not known Derwent Findlay's Bruce Peach Blossom 34-165 13-563 33-251 10-728 14-900 15-298 20-354 19-555 6-353 22-216 13-038 Very early. 12 13 14 15 Blue Skerry Barr's Early Champion .. Skerry Up to Date .. .. 15-298 .. 15-464 .. 20-861 .. 14-817 .. 21-152 Imported last season. Imp >rted last season. Planted 29th Nov. Heavie.-t crop at one root, lljlb. ; heaviest potato, lib. 12 oz. 16 Poor sample. Very poor sample.

'lot. Kind. Rate in Tons of Roots per Acre. Rate in Tons of Toils per Acre. Plot. Kind. Rate in Tons of Roots per Acre. Rate in Tons of Tops per Acre. 17 18 19 20 21 22 Parsnips .. Carrot —Altringham * Carrot —White Belgian Artichokes Mangolds—Long Red Mangolds—Orange Globe 15-978 8-317 5-991 10-642 18-391 22-877 23 24 25 26 27 t Mangolds—Golden Tankard Turnips— Swede (Elephant) Swede (Champion) Purple-top Yellow Green-top Yellow 43-764 31-375 14-101 17-028 15-565 12-803 8-891 11-573 14-106 10-042 * A large -pi ■oportion rai to seed. t Choked by plants on each side.

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T. Scott (representing the Dunedin City Council). Mr. Burt was re-elected chairman, and Mr. Eunson hon. treasurer. As in previous years changes in the teaching stafi were necessitated by the promotion of teachers to positions distant from Dunedin. Thus it was that the services of Miss E. Lilly Wilson, Messrs. W. Gibson, W. L. Harrison, M.A., J. R. Rutherford, M.A., and W. F. Watters, 8.A., were lost to the Association. To fill the vacancies on the staff the following appointments were made: Mr. Oliver Duff (intermediate English), Mr. William Rodger (Latin), Mr. Charles Young (mathematics), Mr. Walter Graham (practical mathematics), Mr. J. A. Fitzgerald (commercial arithmetic), Mr. Robert A. Farquharson, B.Sc. (physics), Miss R. Wilson (assistant cookery). Owing to the crowded state of several classes a few temporary additions to the staff were also made. Dr. Marshall was engaged for a special term, and conducted a very successful class for the instruction of teachers in elementary geology. The numbers enrolled for all the classes with which the Association was connected were: At Dunedin 722, at Mosgiel 20, at Outram 17, at Milton 25, and at Oamaru 291. The enrolment, compared with previous years, shows a falling-off. This is, however, partly explained by the fact that the want of accommodation prevented our making provision for the usual classes in tailoring, Maori, practical electricity, elocution, and several classes suggested for the first time. In so far as the work of the classes is concerned, the operations of the year have been very carefully summarised by the superintendent in his annual report. Of the 54 classes carried on in the Dunedin Technical School 13 were continuation classes, 19 were commercial, and 22 were technical, a pleasing feature being the preponderance of technical subjects taught. At Oamaru classes were opened by a local committee acting in the name of the Dunedin Technical Association, and as soon as the necessary formalities were complied with the various associated bodies of the Oamaru district elected managers, and connection with our Association thereupon ceased. The classes were carried to a successful issue, and we have now only to express the wish that the good work thus entered upon may prosper and expand. Since the last annual meeting the Board of Management has been able to make a great forward step, the erection of a very large addition to the present buildings having been commenced in November last. The contractor (Mr. F. W. Lyders) has, unfortunately, been somewhat delayed by the prevailing bad weather, and this delay will probably necessitate the postponement of the opening of the classes for the forthcoming session. In this new portion much-needed provision is made for the requirements of the trade and technical classes, special rooms being provided for plumbing, carpentry, tailoring, dressmaking, painters' and decorators' art, shorthand, typewriting, and cookery. There are also fine laboratories for chemistry and physics, a cell-room, and a dynamo-room. The furnishings and fittings for these large rooms will entail a very considerable outlay, and while, no doubt, part of this will be met by Government grants, assistance from local bodies will also be required. In the Education Act provision exists whereby Corporations and other local bodies are empowered to make contributions in aid of technical-school work and buildings. The Managers, therefore, during the year approached several of the municipalities of the city district. The Dunedin City Council unhesitatingly voted £200, North-east Valley agreed to give £50, Roslyn £50, and the Maori Hill Council undertook to subsidise £1 for £1 on local subscriptions, and the residents of that district at once made a liberal response. Some of the other municipalities have not as yet been approached, but in view of the large number of pupils that come from these suburbs to attend our classes it is hoped that they will this year make some contribution to the funds of the Association. A copy of the statement of receipts and expenditure is herewith appended, and shows the credit balance to be just over £10. It is to be noted, however, that various Government grants and allowances have come to hand since the end of the financial year. The Education Department, it should be mentioned, has again given every consideration to our applications, and met them in fair spirit. By their careful work and valuable reports, the honorary examiners have contributed in no small measure to the work and reputation of our school, and they are again tendered hearty thanks for assistance so freely given. Several of the professors at the University, we wish to remind members, very considerately grant free tuition to the scholars leading in specified classes, and they certainly deserve mention for such concessions. Nor should we, in concluding a review of the undertakings and progress of the year, omit acknowledgement of the services of the energetic superintendent and his able and loyal staff. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905. Receipts, £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Bank balance, 31st Deoember, 1904 .. 104 4 3 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 1,012 15 0 Capitation on classes .. .. ■. 623 6 6 Office expenses (salaries, stationery, &c.) .. 132 10 0 Capitation on technical scholarships .. 184 18 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 58 10 6 Buildings (rent).. .. .. •• 55 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 35 17 8 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 0 010 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 38 3 1 Railway fares t. .. •• ■• 33 710 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 510 Subsidies on voluntary subscriptions .. 256 8 3 Material for classes .. .. .. 50 13 5 Pees .. .. .. •• .. 356 17 6 Water-rates .. .. .. .. 7 2 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 295 3 6 Railway fares refunded .. .. .. 17 710 Sundry sales .. .. .. .. 14 16 0 Government grants refunded to Oamaru Contractor's deposit .. • • • ■ 152 13 0 Association .. .. .. .. 98 3 9 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &o.) .. 500 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 89 10 0 Balance .. .. .. .. 11 6 5 £2,057 0 8 £2,057 0 8 Extract from the Report of the Superintendent. At Dunedin, owing to the limited accommodation at our disposal, the number of classes had to be reduced, and those for practical electricity, elocution, and tailor's cutting were allowed to lapse for the year. Expecting that intending students at Port Chalmers would have a more suitable time train-service, I did not make arrangements for continuing the classes at that place.

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Dressmaking classes were again held at Mosgiel, and new classes in the same subject were established at Outram and at Milton. During the year the technical classes at Oamaru, twenty-two in number, were inaugurated in the name of the Dunedin Technical Association ; but the local provisional committee afterwards became the Board of Management, and the detailed account of those classes will therefore appear separately. The number of students enrolled was as follows: At Dunedin, 722; at Mosgiel, 20; at Outram, 17: at Milton, 25; at Oamaru, 291. The following list of classes and attendances indicates the extent and nature of the work undertaken (the first number indicates the attendances for the first quarter, the second those for the second quarter) : English, senior (two classes), 34, 20; English, intermediate (two classes), 106, 84: English, junior (two classes), 112, 90; Maori (one quarter only), 10; French, junior, 18, 16; French, senior, 7, 7; Latin, senior, 25, 23; Latin, junior, 15, 12; mathematics, junior, 32, 22; mathematics, senior, 20, 13; commercial arithmetic, junior, 61,62; commercial arithmetic, intermediate (two classes), 81, 95; commercial arithmetic, senior, 55, 46; typewriting (four classes), 99, 107 ; shorthand, junior (two classes), 53, 51; shorthand, senior (two classes), 38, 32; shorthand, advanced (two classes), 31, 22; commercial correspondence, senior, 41, 36; commercial correspondence, junior, 48, 44; book-keeping, senior, 34, 27 ; book-keeping, junior, 67, 41; commercial law, 11, 8; physics (heat and electricity), 21, 14; chemistry, 36, 27; geology (special session for teachers), 36; botany (special session for teachers), 8; botany class (now in session), 16; painters' work, 18, 10; theory of plumbing, 13, 9; practical plumbing, 18, 19; practical mathematics, senior, 6, 6; practical mathematics, junior, 22, 19; mechanical engineering, senior, 12, 10; mechanical engineering, junior, 14, 8; carpentry, 12, 13; wood-carving, senior, 3, 5; wood-carving, junior, 31, 26; dressmaking (five classes), 124, 74; cookery (three classes), 44, 36; dressmaking (Milton), 22, 18; dressmaking (Outram), 17, 16; dressmaking (Mosgiel), 13, 20. The large attendances at the classes for English and arithmetic are accounted for by the fact that English or some other language, and arithmetic or mathematics, are subjects that must be taken by all pupils granted free tuition under the scholarship regulations. Of these scholars 209 entered at the beginning of the session, and 53 were admitted when the classes opened for the second term. This represents a decrease in the number of such pupils, but their attendance was more regular, and in the majority of cases their work was more satisfactory than in previous years. Doubtless this improvement is to some extent owing to the new arrangement whereby parents become responsible for the fees of those who attend so irregularly that the capitation grant for their attendance is lost to the school. Although a number of these sholarship-holders do little more than attend, yet the majority take every advantage of the excellent opportunities offering. Each of these pupils attends for instruction in four subjects on the average, and compliance with the regulations thus involves their spending eight hours per week of their evenings in the school. Upon those regularly engaged during the day this may be regarded as somewhat exacting and rather a strain, but it is nevertheless a good training in persistency of application. It seems to me, however, that the proper solution of the difficultj r is to gradually extend the scope of our work by the establishment of day classes, and so give the younger pupils the benefit of, say, two years' training before they enter employment. The syllabus of work for the senior English class was designed to meet the requirements of those who purpose sitting for the examination for the teacher's C certificate or for that for the Civil Service. But the programme thus drawn up proved rather exacting for students who were attending the class merely for general improvement in literature, and it has been decided to hereafter somewhat lighten the work of this division. The requirements for the above-mentioned examinations will then be met by making the course a two-years one. The difference in the attainments of pupils attending the other classes for English was considerable, and so rendered the work rather uneven. This is not likely to occur again to the same extent, for on the completion of the buildings now in course of erection the increased accommodation at our disposal will permit of a classification of the students according to attainments and ability, and a subdivision of the classes to meet their requirements. The amount of set work prescribed by regulation is rather more than can be conveniently covered in two quarters, and at the same time permit of justice being done to that important branch of the subject—composition. The good work that followed the subdivision of the classes for Latin, French, and elementary mathematics continues, and pupils from these classes are in the habit of proceeding to the University Matriculation Examination. The study of Maori was not this year very enthusiastically taken up; the class languished and was ultimately closed. The commercial subjects have again been a conspicuous success and source of pleasure. With the exception of commercial law, these subjects have been so eagerly sought after that some difficulty was experiencd in making provision for the various sections of these classes. The progress of most of the pupils has been pronounced, and regarding the results of the final examination the examiners all comment favourably on the serviceable quality of the work. Mr. Brown remarks that commercial men generally do not realise the high standard of proficiency that is attained by our senior students of book-keeping, while Messrs. S. M. Park and M. Cohen, our examiners for commercial correspondence, probably actuated b} r the same belief, suggest that, for the information of those interested, samples of the work done by pupils under examination pressure be exhibited at the meeting usually held for the distribution of certificates. The examination results as published in the certificate-lists is an index of Mr. Rossbotham's opinion of the teaching of shorthand. The science classes should, theoretically and according to the modern tendency in education, be liberally and consistently supported, yet they are on the whole very indifferently patronised. The chemistry class, I am pleased to state, has, since the appointment of the present teacher, Mr. Bruce, been a conspicuous success, the large amount of time given to practical work being a marked feature of the teaching. A special class for instruction in geology suited to the requirements of teachers was successfully conducted by Dr. Marshall, and evoked a considerable amount of enthusiasm among the thirty-two adults who attended the course. The comparative failure "of the other classes for science is in large measure due to the frequent change of teachers, a change necessitated by the promotion of teachers to positions outside the district,

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The work of the technical classes does not call for lengthened remark. Although the painters' class shows a falling-off for the second quarter, the work, according to the examiners, is creditable to pupils and teacher alike. This year the class for the theory of plumbing was made free to ■students attending for instruction in the practical part of the subject, but few took advantage of this concession, and it now seems to me expedient to make attendance at theory a compulsory part of the course. The classes for practical mathematics this year, under the direction of Mr. Graham, are in a different condition from those formed last year, and now more than justify their existence. Intending students of plumbing, carpentry, and mechanical engineering should realise the importance of first covering the well-arranged programme in practical mathematics before entering upon the study of the subjects mentioned. The teacher of wood-carving had more beginners than he could conveniently manage in one class, and several of the less keen, taking advantage of this, did not do satisfactory work. Next year provision will be made for additional classes, and a special effort made to attract others than amateurs. The dressmaking classes are again numerically strong, the system, of instruction followed evidently being of a popular kind. Other classes not specially mentioned may be assumed to be doing satisfactory work. For many years now the professors of chemistry, physics, and English at the University have very considerately granted free tuition in their classes to the students heading our lists in each of these subjects respectively. This year Gustav J. J. Feil secures Professor Black's prize, William Martin Dr. Shand's, while Mary E. Pearce and Doris I. Clayton divide that of Professor Gilray. These professors deserve sincere thanks for thus encouraging our students. The honorary examiners have again given considerable time and attention to a careful estimate of the work set before them, and the Association is deeply indebted to them for the concise yet valuable reports that they furnish. On the whole the behaviour of pupils has been satisfactory. In the junior classes there are at times a number of idlers, but these generally disappear long before the end of the session. Formerly our classes were attended by many men and women bent on general culture and improvement, but with the advent of the free and younger pupils the number of these adults is gradually diminishing. The falling-away in the number of paying students was particularly noticeable during the second quarter. The teachers, who now number thirty-four, have as a body been most attentive to their duties, and this has contributed not a little to the success that has attended our efforts. Angus Marshall, Superintendent. Extract from the Report of the Principal of the School of Art and Design. During the period over which this reports extends —viz., from the 6th February to the 23rd December—the total number of students who received instruction was 406. This number includes 161 teachers and pupil-teachers, 62 students of the Training College, 80 students who attended the day classes, and 130 students who attended the evening classes. The school was open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 5.45 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 9.30 a.m. to 12 noon. The courses of instruction laid down in the programme of classes have been duly carried out, and the usual class examinations have been held. Owing to the large number of students who attended the day classes, great inconvenience has been suffered from the want of proper accommodation. This has been particularly the case in regard to the students who devoted their attention to blackboard drawing, model-drawing, and modelling. The rooms have been found quite inadequate for teaching these subjects, and there has been no available room for moulding and casting, consequently this part of the programme had to be left in abeyance. The courses of day and evening work have been very similar to those of last year, and consisted of freehand and model drawing, drawing in light and shade, modelling, drawing plant-form from nature, design, drawing the figure from the antique and from life, painting groups from still life, geometrical drawing, perspective, practical plane and solid geometry, building-construction, and machine construction and drawing. Students of the Training College received special instruction in blackboard drawing, cardboard modelling, and modelling in clay, and a course of brushwork was arranged for teachers who attended the Saturday classes. This will be very useful to the majority of those who have done the work. The work of the students in the various classes excelled that of the previous year, and their conduct and diligence have been most satisfactory. At the pupil-teachers' annual examination held in July, six passed in model-drawing, twenty-five passed in geometrical drawing, and twenty-two passed in perspective. The number of students who passed at the South Kensington Science and Art Examinations were as follows: Freehand drawing in outline, 36; perspective, 5; drawing in light and shade, 6; painting from still life, 1 ; anatomy, 2; drawing from the antique, 1 ; modelling from life, 1; building-construction, Stage I, 6; building-construction, Stage 11, 3; model drawing, 12; geometrical drawing, 4; memory drawing of plant-form, 4; drawing from life, 3 ; architecture, 2; design, 3; practical plane and solid geometry, 3 ; machine construction and drawing, Stage I, 3 ; machine construction and drawing, Stage 11, 3. Two works were accepted for the Art Class Teachers' Certificate—viz., one sheet of geometrical problems and one sheet of model-drawing (shaded). The usual exhibition of the work of the students was held at the end of January, and was fairly well attended. I desire to thank my assistants for their efforts to further the well-being of the school. David C. Hutton, Principal. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Oamaru Technical Classes Association. The Managers, in submitting their first annual report, do so believing that the work of the past year will commend itself to those most interested in the results of what has been undertaken. As the subscribers are aware, there was experienced very considerable difficulty in getting the classes launched, and, as it was, a start was not made until what must be considered, from the technical-education point of view, rather late in the year. It is intended to commence the first

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term of the next session several weeks earlier—viz., about the end of March—except for the plumbing, which has already begun, the idea being to allow of three eleven-week terms in this subject. It is unnecesary to recapitulate here the steps which led up to the foundation of the Association. Suffice it to remind the subscribers that the real beginning dates from the 10th April, 1905, when Mr. Angus Marshall, Superintendent of the Dunedin Technical Classes, kindly visited Oamaru for the purpose, and put things in train. At that meeting a provisional committee, consisting of His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. T. Wiliamson, Dewar, J. Mitchell, J. Blyth, R. Mahan, R. Milligan, W. H. Frith, Scoon, and Archdeacon Gould was appointed, and these gentlemen, with Mr. Marshall's invaluable assistance, inaugurated the Oamaru classes. At a subsequent meeting, held later on in the year, the following Managers were appointed in accordance with the Departmental regulations: Messrs. T. Williamson, Scoon, Lucas, and Archdeacon Gould (elected by the subscribers), Dr. McAdam and Mr. Mahan (Borough Council representatives), Mr. J. Blyth (nominated by the Waitaki County Council), and Mr. James Mitchell (Otago Education Board). Mr. Williamson was elected Chairman, and Mr. Scoon Hon. Secretary. In September last, on Mr. Scoon finding it impossible to continue to act as secretary, Mr. Mahan acted in that capacity pro tern, until last month Mr. Harold F. S. King was appointed permanent secretary. The Managers consider that the report would be incomplete without a special reference to the great services rendered to the Association by Mr. Angus Marshall, Superintendent of the Dunedin Technical Classes. Without his valuable assistance, ungrudgingly given, it is possible that the Oamaru classes could not have been started last year; it is quite certain, at any rate, that a large proportion of the credit due for their initiation and success rightly belongs to Mr. Marshall, and the Managers gladly place on record their real appreciation of all he has done for the Association. They also desire to lay particular stress on the good work done by Mr. Scoon, who shares with Mr. Marshall much of the credit due for starting and carrying on It will doubtless be recognised that during the past year the Association labourtsfiyWllepvl disadvantages, inasmuch as there was no suitable building in had to be spread over several different rooms, wherever, in fa« 7, _; to be able to state, however, that the Education DepartmenS\h^\l^*rfaftt(£3©?Jtos\ o ld ]Eustomhouse building in Tyne Street will be handed over to the ispjac&tef by the Benevolent Trustees, which, we understand, will be in time \vjj£& meantime we shall have to make the best arrangements possible. A R_X^*^ In regard to the results of the past year's working, from an educat?r3oWpsßfiTof view, it will be seen from the Hon. Superintendent's report that instruction was given in the following subjects : Arithmetic, dressmaking, drawing, cookery, English, plumbing, shorthand, typewriting, penmanship and correspondence, wood - carving, mathematics, book-keeping, and Latin. In almost every instance the report received was both gratifying and encouraging. The work done .was, generally speaking, excellent, and this was in great measure due to the very capable instruction given by the various teachers, and the individual attention paid to pupils. The wood-carving and drawing classes have been cut out of the syllabus for the coming session, and classes in carpentering and commercial law inserted instead. The two latter subjects will, it is thought, prove very popular and useful. At the close of last session a very satisfactory exhibition of practical work in connection with the various classes was held in the Middle School, and visited by a large number of the public, who showed a gratifying interest in every section. Special mention may be made of the refreshments, which were prepared by the teachers and students of the cookery class, and reflected the greatest credit on all. As far as the financial position of the Association is concerned, it will be observed from the accompanying balance-sheet that the receipts from all sources were £515 155., and the total expenditure £491 14s. Id., leaving a credit balance at the end of the year of £24 os. lid. This, we think, cannot be considered as other than satisfactory in the circumstances, though the balance would necessarily be swallowed up by the expenses of starting the carpentering and country dressmaking classes, and other incidentals. We must also point out that there are liabilities of over £12 for plumbing material, (fee, still outstanding, so that the balance is very considerably reduced. The fact must also be borne in mind that possibly a big outlay faces us at the conclusion of the current year in connection with taking over the old Customhouse. Our sincere thanks are due to the subscribers to the Association, especially the Oamaru Borough Council, the Waitaki County Council, and the two life members, the Hon. George Jones and Dr. Don. We should like to see more of the latter, and also the public generally, becoming subscribers to and patrons of the work of the Association, in which every resident of the town and district should be interested, and will be, directly or indirectly, benefited. In conclusion, the hearty thanks of the Managers are due to all those who have in any way assisted during the year to further the work of the Association, especially to the supervising examiners, and to the local Press for the sympathetic co-operation and assistance it has extended. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year to the 12th February, 1906, in respect of the Classes conducted by the Oamaru Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 217 18 0 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 247 7 0 Buildings (rent) .. .. .. 25 0 0 Advertising and printing .. .. 19 12 3 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 81 011 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 11 3 6 Material .. .. •• .. 15 16 1 Insurance .. .. .. .. 0 16 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 53 10 0 Rent .. .. .. .. 34 8 0 ji ees .. .. .. 64 17 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 27 6 3 Voluntary contributions .. .. 54 15 0 Sundry accounts .. .. .. 21 14 6 Sundry receipts .. .. ■ • 217 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 129 6 7 Balance .. .. .. .. 24 0 11 £515 15 0 | £515 15 0 Thos. Williamson, Chairman. H. King, Secretary. 7--E. 5.

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Extract from the Report of the Hon. Superintendent. Although nominally initiated by the Dunedin Technical Association, the classes were from the first arranged for and entirely directed by the local provisional committee, and this committee took all responsibility and carried on till the Managers were duly appointed. Arrangements were made to open the session on the Ist May, and the number of students forthcoming were sufficient to enable twenty classes to begin operations. At the beginning of the second quarter two additional classes—one for Latin, the other for book-keeping—were formed, thus making twentytwo in all. During the year 90 male students and 201 female students, or a total of 291 pupils, were enrolled for instruction. The number of students entered for the various subjects for the two quarters is as follows: Continuation subjects—English, 51, 37; Latin, 7: commercial subjects— commercial arithmetic, 41, 34; commercial correspondence, 20, 10; book-keeping, 19; shorthand, (four classes), 53, 46; typewriting (four classes), 31, 30: technical subjects—cookery, 14, 9; drawing, 14, 6; dressmaking (five classes), 106, 95; plumbing, 17, 12; wood-carving, 11, 12. With regard to the effort made to establish further classes at mid-session, my opinion is that it is seldom advantageous to do so at such a time. Either other classes are drawn upon or the working of that new class itself is detrimentally affected in the following year. Under the scholarship regulations forty-tw r o scholars were granted free tuition, and, judging from the regularity of their attendance at class, and also from the number of certificates granted holders, I am of opinion that most of these free pupils have done very good work. Compliance with the scholarship regulations necessitated the attendance at English and arithmetic of the holders (forty-two) of free places. Consequently these classes were composed almost entirely of such pupils. But when it is recognised that the English class is for the study of selected works and for training and practice in composition rather than for mere formal grammar, greater numbers will avail themselves of the instruction offered. The same result will follow the continual teaching of arithmetic on practical lines. Latin is not likely to be sought by many of the Technical School pupils, and might without inconvenience be deleted from the list of subjects taught. With one exception, the classes for commercial subjects have been a marked success. In order that there may be no question regarding the ability of certificate-gainers in shorthand and typewriting, our Dunedin examiners in these subjects demand a high standard, no candidate making more than 2 per cent, of errors being granted a pass. Notwithstanding the stringency of the examination quite a number were successful, while those that failed all came near enough to feel keenly disappointed at their own want of success. Messrs. Rossbotham and Fraser report that the candidates sitting for shorthand g-ive evidence of having been well and carefully taught, while Mr. Cohen regards the typewriting as very creditable for a first year's work. The practical instruction given in book-keeping has also been favourably commented upon, and, the attendance having been consistent, one may well assume that the efforts of the teacher have been reciprocated by his pupils. The attendance at the class for instruction in plumbing was satisfactory. Although the want of furnaces and fires entailed a start being made in sheet-lead work rather than with joining, the work of the class as a whole was good, and gave evidence not only of the soundness of the instruction, but also of a desire on the part of the students to profit by the instruction. Plumbers should, and evidently do, realise that they may not always have such facilities for increasing their knowledge and efficiency, and they are therefore exhorted to take every advantage of the opportunities afforded by the class carried on in connection with the Technical School. The wood-carving class, although satisfactory from a numerical point of view, cannot be regarded as fulfilling its function unless supported by wood-men and wood-workers. There is no great objection to classes for amateurs, but to be conducive to success separate classes at lower rates should be provided for workmen. Summarising, I have only to state that, after making allowance for the difficulty of a first year's undertaking, the Managers have every reason to feel pleased with the success attending the formation of these technical classes. The appointment of a permanent Secretary, and the closer study of the regulations by the members of the teaching staff, would facilitate matters next year. Angus Marshall, Hon. Superintendent.

SOUTHLAND. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. The report of the Board's Director of Technical Instruction affords ample testimony to the success achieved by classes carried on during the year, and gives detailed information respecting the number of students in attendance, and other aspects of this department of the Board's operations. The completion of the new Technical School buildings, for which a special grant has been made by the Department, has now been undertaken, and this work, when completed, will greatly facilitate the prosecution of this branch of education. A contract, at £2,850, for the erection of the building, was entered into in August last, and the work is now (March) approaching completion. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. Instruction of Teachers. —The special grant of £150 made by the Department for the instruction of teachers was profitably spent. Two courses of lectures in botany and nature-study were delivered on consecutive Saturdays, at Invercargill and Gore respectively, by Mr. George M. Thomson. F.L.S., F.1.C., of Dunedin. At these classes there was a very large attendance of teachers and pupil-teachers from all parts of the district accessible by railway. The lectures? were most interesting and profitable, were much appreciated by the students, and will doubtless result in more effective treatment of these subjects in the various schools of the district. Classes in the subject of drawing—model and blackboard —under the charge of the late Mr. J. J. McLean, were also established, and carried on during the winter months, and much effective work was done.

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Manual and Technical. —The report of the Board's Director of Technical Instruction affords ample testimony to the success achieved by classes carried on during the year, and gives detailed information respecting the number of students in attendance, and other aspects of this department of the Board's operations. The completion of the new Technical School buildings, for which a special grant has been made by the Department, has now been undertaken, and this work, when completed, will greatly facilitate the prosecution of this branch of education. Extract from the Report of the Director of Technical Instruction. The work accomplished in the evening technical classes may fairly be described as satisfactory. The programme of work attempted-was somewhat in advance of former years, the attendance at the various classes reached the highest level yet attained, and the attention and diligence of the students were most commendable. As compared with last year the figures are: Number in attendance first term, 1904, 284; number in attendance second term, 222: 1905, first term, 423; second term, 397 —an increase of 139 and 175 respectively. This increase is partly, though not wholly, accounted for by the operation of the Free Technical Scholarship Regulations, under which any persons who have obtained the proficiency certificate of the Sixth Standard may receive free education in as many classes as they choose, provided they attend the English and the arithmetic or mathematics classes. These figures do not include two classes (cookery and painting) which were conducted during the third term. In these there were thirty-six students, thirty-five of whom were not in attendance at any of the classes held during the first or second terms. In all 263 individual students were enrolled during the year. The classes were carried on as formerly in the Board's offices, the Central School, and the High School. This division of interest is now, happily, a thing of the past, as the new Technical School —a contract for the erection of which, on the section adjoining the Board's offices, was let in August — will be ready for occupation in time to commence the work of 1906. In the plans provision was made for the erection of a plumber's workshop, and the students in the plumbing class will now receive practical instruction in the most necessary branches of sanitary science. The experiment was made of throwing all the classes—technical and continuation—open to the Junior Scholarship students, instead of the continuation classes only, as was the case last year. The result fully justified the step taken : 67 students took advantage of the Junior Technical Regulations —27 more than last year. Twelve of these students attended five classes each; 18 attended four classes each; and the other 37 attended three classes each —and all with such commendable regularity that 65 out of the 67 qualified for capitation. When the regulations regarding Junior and Senior Technical Scholarships become more widely known there should be a large accession to the numbers in all classes. The establishment of day classes under these regulations, on the lines suggested in my report of last year, is a matter worthy of careful consideration. At Mataura, where evening classes have been successfully conducted for several years past, the classes fell through this year through lack of students. At Gore—the largest centre between Invercargill and Dunedin—an effort was unsuccessfully made to establish technical and continuation classes. Inspectors Hendry and Braik and I convened a meeting there in the early part of the year, and we attended in person. A certain amount of enthusiam was aroused, and a local committee was formed to further the end in view; but so far nothing definite appears to have been done. There is not another town in New Zealand, of the relative size and importance of Gore, in which a Technical School does not exist. When one considers that the funds for the erection and equipment of technical-school buildings and for the free education of the young people of the community is provided by the State practically for nothing, it is a matter for regret that the people of Gore should be so apathetic in the matter of technical education. Continuation classes were conducted at Arrowtown, Greenhills, Koromiko, and Wendonside by the head teacher at these schools, with results undoubtedly beneficial to those in attendance. The various forms of hand and eye work that have been introduced into the schools during past years have now been thoroughly tested by the teachers, and the verdict is almost unreservedly in favour of the new form of education. In nearly every school in the district are to be found classes in paper-folding, plasticine modelling, cardboard modelling or brush drawing, each conveying to the mind of the pupil, when co-ordinated with drawing, instant graphic ideas in the principles sought to be applied, in a manner unattainable by other educational methods without much hard labour. In twenty of the larger schools advanced needlework was taught to the girls in the upper standards by the mistresses of these schools. In the classes the girls were taught how to draft and cut out simple garments, and by the aid of the Singer's sewing-machine the garments were completed and rendered fit for actual service. In two schools physiology and the principles of first aid were practically taught to the pupils; in one school the pupils were instructed in elementary agriculture; while in the Invercargill and suburban schools cookery and woodwork classes were conducted at the Central Technical School. The woodwork classes will, after this year, be established on a much more satisfactory basis than has hitherto been the case, as the Board has appointed a woodwork instructor to the sole control of these classes. A considerable number of teachers have applied to have elementary physical measurements and elementary agriculture classes recognised in connection with their schools, and their applications have been transmitted to the Education Department, who will advise in due course. Standard needlework classes were conducted by sewing-teachers, approved by the Board, in thirty-three schools where the sole teacher was a male. The claims for capitation on account of these classes have up to the present been made to the Department at the end of the year only, but next year it is proposed to make the claims halfyearly, in order that the mistresses may not be kept out of their just dues for such a lengthened period. The Department having intimated that the usual grant would be made for the training of teachers, arrangements were made with Mr. G. M. Thomson, F.1.C., F.L.S., of Dunedin, to conduct two classes in Invercargill and one class in Gore in botany and nature-study. These classes

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were well attended and were exceedingly popular. Classes were also held at both places in conjunction with the nature-study lessons, in cardboard modelling, and blackboard and model drawing. The cookery and woodwork classes were closed down after the examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute, which were held in May, because it seemed to be needless training teachers in subjects which were not likely to be recognised by the Department as applicable to the curriculum of ordinary schools. The following successes were obtained in connection with the technological examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute : Telegraphy and telephony, 1 first-class pass; plain cookery, 3 first-class and 3 second-class passes; woodwork —first year 3 passes, final 1 first- and 1 second-class pass. Successes at the examinations of the Board of Education, South Kensington, were —model-drawing, 1 first-class pass; freehand drawing, 1 second-class pass. The balance-sheet shows the funds to be in a satisfactory condition. Last year closed with a debit balance of £224 195.; for the present year there is a credit balance of £236 2s. 7d. Careful administration, however, will have to be practised next year, as the capitation payments on the schools standard classes have been very materially reduced. Mr. Hogben, the Inspector-General of Schools, during his visit to Invercargill in the month of May, met a large gathering of teachers in Ashley's Hall, when he delivered an exceedingly able and instructive lecture on the teaching of mathematical geography. Mr. Hogben received a very hearty vote of thanks from those present. In June, Mr. E. C. Isaac, Organizing Inspector of Manual and Technical Instruction, visited Invercargill on his annual tour of inspection of technical schools. He inspected all the central technical and continuation classes, and as many of the handwork classes in the town, country, and suburban schools as he could overtake in the time at his disposal. The Education Department has been most considerate in dealing with the various applications for grants and claims for capitation that have been made from time to time. No difference of any moment has occurred between this office and the Department throughout the year, and every claim has been fairly met. I have also to acknowledge with gratitude the consideration shown by the teachers and others concerned while engaged in carrying out the duties of my office. Balance-sheet for the Year ended 31st December, 1905. Receipts. £ s. d. I Expenditure. £ s. d. Central Aocount— Balance from year 1904 .. .. .. 224 19 0 Students' fees .. .. .. 106 6 6 Central Aooount— Capitation, special, and continuation Salaries .. .. .. .. 258 9 5 classes .. .. .. .. 145 0 9 Material and apparatus .. .. 32 2 8 Capitation, teaohers' training classes .. 206 2 3 Advertising and printing .. 18 11 3 Capitation, Junior Teohnioal Scholarships 110 8 0 Janitor and lighting .. .. .. 10 5 4 Grant for material .. .. .. 7 9 2 Furniture and fittings .. .. .. 3 5 6 Grant for rent .. .. .. 10 0 Rent of section .. .. .. 5 0 0 Grant for furniture and fittings .. 83 4 6 Rent of rooms .. .. 2 10 Donations for prize fund .. .. 119 0 Administration .. .. .. 25 0 0 Country Continuation Aooount — Country Continuation Account — Capitation earned .. .. .. 40 8 1 Capitation paid to teachers .. .. 40 8 0 Sohool Teohnioal Account— School Technical Account— . Capitation earned .. .. .. 204 7 6 Salaries .. .. 101 8 1 Refunds for material .. .. .. 35 7 6 Material .. .. .. .. 86 13 6 Grant for rent (Gore) .. .. .. 82 10 0 Sewing-maohines .. .. .. 30 0 0 Sohool Standard Account — Furniture and fittings.. .. .. 7 9 9 Capitation earned .. .. .. 373 10 3 Rent (Gore) .. .. .. .. 40 12 6 Capitation earned (needlework) .. .. 239 12 3 Janitor .. .. .. .. 2 4 0 Grant for apparatus .. .. .. 89 11 4 Prizes .. .. .. .. 2 2 0 Teaohers' Training Acoount— Administration .. .. .. 25 0 0 Government grant .. .. .. 150 0 0 Sohool Standard Account — Donations .. .. .. .. 58 17 6 Material .. .. .. 180 18 2 Refund for material .. .. .. 32 1 2 Needlework salaries .. .. .. 239 12 3 Building Account— Furniture and fittings .. .. .. 4 10 0 Rents received .. ~ .. 18 10 0 Administration .. .. .. 68 0 0 Proceeds of sale of old building .. .. 18 1 0 Teachers' Training Aocount— Mataura Technical Aocount— Salaries .. .. .. .. 150 2 6 Capitation earned (1904) .. .. 11 6 10 Instructors'expenses .. .. .. 12 9 10 Grant for rent .. .. .. 10 0 Material .. .. .. .. 811 0 Balanoe .. .. .. 106 5 2 Janitor .. .. .. .. 2 10 0 Building Aooount— Payments .. .. .. .. 375 0 0 Insurance and advertising .. .. 3 18 9 Furniture and fittings .. .. ~ 11 4 3 Mataura Technical Account— Printing and advertising .. .. 010 0 £1,972 18 9 £1,972 18 9 W. A. McCaw, Director of Technical Instruction. Approximate Oott of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (3,850 copies), £48 18s.

By Authority: John Mackay Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o6. Priet It- 3d.}