EDUCATION: MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION [In continuance of E.-5, 1914.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, E-05

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1915. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION [In continuance of E.-5, 1914.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellencyr

OOITTBITTS. Page Page 1. Extract from the Thirty-eighth Annual Re- 4. Tables relating to Manual and Teohnioal Inport of the Minister of Education (E.-l) 1 struction- continued. ■ ~, „, ~-,„... r. Science Examination of Board of Educa- . 2. Report of the Director of Education .. 9 turn, London, and Technological Exami8, Report of Inspectors of Manual and Technical nation of City and Guilds of London Instruction— Institute .. .. .. ..24 Elementary Handwork and Manual Inatruo- Staffs of Technical Schools and Classes .. 25 tion .. .. .. .. ..10 Technical Instruction .. ..13 Appendix: Manual and Technical Instruction in the several Education Districts— 4. Tables relating to Manual and Technical In- Auckland .. .. .. 27 struction— Taranaki .. .. .. 32 Elementary Handwork and Manual In- Wanganui .. .. .. 34 struction—Public Schools .. .. 17 Wellington .. .. .. 46 Manual Instruction in Secondary Schools.. 18 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. ...51 Technical Instruction—Special, Associated, Marlborough .. .. .. ..55 and College Classes .. .. .. 19 Nelson .. .. .. 56 Occupations of Students .. .. 22 Grey .. .. .. .. ..58 Grouped Courses .. .. ..22 Westland .. .. .. ... 59 Free Places at Technical Schools .. 23 North Canterbury .. .. ..60 Day Technical Schools .. .. .. 23 South Canterbury .. .. 72 Summary of Expenditure by Government on Otago.. .. .. ... .. 78 Manual and Technical Instruction .. 24 Southland .. .. .. 84 '.'■ i

No. 1. EXTEACT FROM THE THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. Elementary Handwork and Manual Instruction in Public Schools. Classes for elementary handwork were recognized under the Regulations for Manual Instruction in connection with 66 per cent., and for manual instruction in connection with 56 per cent., of the public schools. The percentages for the Various education districts Were as follows : — Percentage of Schools at which Instruction was given. Elementary Manual Handwork. Instruction. Auckland ... ... ... ... ... 53 43 Taranaki ... ... ... ... ... ... 60 61 Wanganui ... ... ... ... ... ... 95 78 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... ... 70 58 Hawke's Bay ... ... ... ... ... ... 73 65 Marlborough ... ... ... ... ... ... 42 18 Nelson ... ... ... ... ... ... 36 47 Grey ... ... ... ... ... ... 41 47 Westland ... ... ... ... ... ... •' 28 11 North Canterbury ... .-.. ... ... .'.. 47 62 South Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... 70 58 Otago ...' ... ... ... ... ... 95 75 Southland ... ... ... ... ... ... 95 68

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The total number of schools at which recognized classes were held was, for elementary handwork, 1,513, and, for manual instruction, 1,298. Payments by way of capitation and subsidies (£1 for £1) on voluntary contributions in money or kind, amounting in all to £31,830, were made during the year to Education Boards on account of classes for elementary handwork and manual instruction. The amount for the previous year was' £30,691. In addition, special grants totalling £2,033 in aid of buildings and equipment were made. New buildings or additions to buildings have been erected during the year, or are in course of erection, at Te Aroha, Dargaville, Te Kopuru, Feilding, and Palmerston South, while necessary equipment has been provided for classes at Te Aroha, Stratford, Rongotea, Kimbolton, Feilding, Greytown, Wellington, Oxford East, and Darfield. Of the various forms of handwork taken in the standard classes those that afford opportunities not only for useful manipulative exercises, but also for concrete illustrations of other subjects of the syllabus, continue to receive the most attention. Such forms include modelling in plasticine, and constructive work with, bricks, paper, and cardboard. The hand - and - eye training commenced in the Tower standards is continued in the higher standards through the medium of various forms of manual instruction. Of these, woodwork, cookery, and laundry-work continue to be taught on the central system and by special instructors. There are now over eighty fully equipped buildings for instruction in these subjects. Those in the larger centres take the form of special manual-training schools, while in the smaller centres accommodation is provided in the local technical school, secondary school, or district high school, as the case may be. During the year 507 classes for wood or iron work, and 782 classes for domestic subjects (cookery, • laundry-work, and dressmaking, associated in nearly every case with suitable instruction in domestic economy and hygiene) were held. Increasing attention still continues to be given to subjects bearing on the home, and there is evidence of a general advance in the methods of instruction adopted, due largely to the fact that the teaching staff is being gradually strengthened by the addition of teachers trained in accordance with modern ideas. Of the prospective teachers of domestic subjects who have taken advantage of the special bursaries provided by the Government in connection with the home-science courses at the Otago University, several, having completed the course for the diploma or the degree in home science, are now engaged in teaching. Compared with the previous year, the number of classes for domestic subjects shows an increase of 27 per cent. Instruction in elementary agriculture was given in 1,199 classes, as compared with 1,087 in the previous year. The instruction, which includes both observational and experimental work in connection with school gardens and plots, combined, in an increasing number of cases, with elementary dairy-work, is in most of the education districts supervised by special itinerant instructors. There are now nineteen of these instructors stationed in various parts of the Dominion. It is gratifying to note the continued interest taken in the work by School Committees, agricultural and pastoral associations, and by members of the farming community. In addition to numerous prizes offered for competition, contributions in money and kind to the value of about £500 have been received by Education Boards during the year. Such contributions carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1. Full courses bearing on rural life with, in the case of girls, a domestic trend were carried on during the year in connection with the secondary departments of 55 per cent, of the district high schools (sixty-two in number) as follows : —

District. Number of Schools. Number of Pupils. Capitation earned. Auckland Taranaki i 1 8 6 8 4 2 6 98 67 204 210 96 85 59 165 £ 615 471 1,168 1,328 726 550 359 1,085 Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay... North Canterbury South Canterbury Otago Totals 1914 ... i 3-1 984 £6,302 Totals 1913 ... 88 1,016 £6,434

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The special capitation paid to Education Boards on account of these courses amounted to £6-4 per pupil. The practical subjects included in the courses continue for the most part to be taught by visiting instructors. It is a matter for regret that even in the case of the science subjects recourse has still to be had to this method. In spite of the facilities for training now available, the supply of teachers having a practical acquaintance with laboratory methods continues to fall short of requirements. About 230 classes took courses in various branches of elementary science, chiefly elementary physics and chemistry. About 70 per cent, of the district high schools are now provided with facilities for laboratory-work. In a few schools where laboratories are not available useful courses in physical measurements, such as can be carried out under ordinary class-room conditions, have been successfully undertaken. The number of recognized classes for swimming and life-saving continues to increase slowly. During the year 254 classes were held, as against 233 for the previous year. Table Ja. — Capitation received and Expenditure by Education Boards in connection with Elementary Handwork and Manual Instruction in Public Schools during the Year ended 31st December, 1914 (exclusive op Expenditure out of Grants for Buildings and Equipment). Education District. Capitation. Expenditure, Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 6,439 8,104 Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. 1,326 1,266 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. 3,683 4,207 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. 3,769 4,793 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. .. 2,459 2,552 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 112 173 Nelson .. 924 1,291 Grey .. .. .. .. .. 414 492 Westland .. .. .. .. .. 26 72 North Canterbury.. .. .. .. .. 3,727 3,794 South Canterbury.. .. .. .. ..1,274 1,886 Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,334 4,024 Southland .. .. ' .. .. .. 2,873 2,333 Totals for 1914 .. .. .. ..£31,360 - £34,987 Totals for 1913 .. .. .. ..£30,174 £33,292 Manual Instruction in Secondary Schools. ■•* Recognized classes were carried on in connection with twenty-seven of the secondary schools (thirty in number) in receipt of Government grants. The subjects most generally taken up and the number of classes were as follows : — o , . , , T , ~ . Number of Classes. Subjects of Instruction. ,„.„ .p.. Free and instrumental drawing .. .. .. 25 41 Domestic subjects .. .. .. .. t . 61 62 Woodwork and ironwork .. .. .. .. 26 29 Experimental and natural science .. .. .. 215 240 Swimming and life-saving .. .. .. .. 28 30 Elementary agriculture and dairy-work .. .. 18 24 373 426 Capitation payments amounted to £1,765 (£4-1 per class) while special grants totalling £1,336 were made in aid of equipment. Necessary additions were made, chiefly in the way of apparatus for physics and chemistry, to the equipment for practical subjects in the case of Palmerston North, Napier, and Gisborne High Schools, Wellington Boys' College, Nelson Boys' and Girls' Colleges, Christchurch Boys' and Girls' High Schools, Waitaki Girls' High School, and Otago Boys' High School. The facilities for laboratory-work in the secondary schools are now in most cases very satisfactory, as is also the provision for practical work in woodwork and in domestic subjects where these are taken up. Domestic subjects, it is gratifying to note, are beginning to receive the attention and treatment their importance demands. Recognized classes for subjects bearing on rural pursuits were carried on at ten schools. In. some cases definite courses of agricultural instruction have been provided. These courses, though not yet, for various reasons, fully developed,

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appear to be proceeding on right lines, and should achieve the success they deserve, provided always that theyjreceive adequate support and encouragement at the hands of those in whose interests they have been established. Technical Instruction. The nature and variety of the facilities for instruction provided by the majority of the schools and classes may be taken as indicating that the authorities in whom is vested the control of technical education are proceeding on lines adapted to local requirements. Ifjjfurther evidence were needed it is to be found in the very satisfactory response on the part of the industrial and commercial sections of the community. In the past an outstanding feature has been the practical interest taken in the schools and classes by local bodies, industrial and agricultural organizations, and by individuals. It is gratifying to report that this interest is maintained. Voluntary contributions from the above sources totalled over £6,500 for the year. Such contributions, which carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1, form a welcome addition to the funds of the controlling bodies. Favourable consideration has been given by the Government to applications for grants in aid of necessary buildings and equipment. Grants for these purposes totalling £14,753 were distributed during the year. New or additional buildings have been erected or are in course of erection in connection with technical schools at Petone, Nelson, Temuka, Waimate, and Invercargill, while necessary equipment has been provided for classes at Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Petone, Greymouth, Christchurch (School of Art, School of Engineering, and Technical College), Ashburton, and Dunedin (School of Art and Technical. College). About sixty specially designed and well-equipped buildings are now available for purposes of technical instruction. In the smaller centres where special buildings have not yet been provided classes arc held in suitable rented buildings or in the local public schools. During the year classes were held at twenty-two such centres in the Wanganui District, at eighteen in the Taranaki District, at thirteen in the Otago District, and at eight in the Southland District. * Technical Glasses other than Glasses at Day Technical Schools. Classes were held at 138 centres, an increase of six. The status of the classes, their number, and the number of individual students in attendance, were as ■j- follows:—

" Special" classes — i.e., classes the controlling authority of which la an Education Board or the governing body of a secondary school—-continue to be the most numerous and the most widely distributed. Most of the classes in the smaller centres come under this heading. " Associated " classes— i.e., classes conducted by Managers representing bodies contributing to the funds of the classes—though held at a comparatively small number of centres, constitute most of the largest and best-equipped schools in the Dominion. In a few cases only do the Managers of associated classes conduct classes in more than one centre. " College " classes are conducted by the governing bodies of the University colleges, four in number, and include some classes not of university rank. The number of individual students in attendance during the year shows an increase of 4-7 per cent, in the case of special classes, of 10-5 per cent, in the case of associated classes, and of 27*4 in the case of college classes ; while the number for all classes shows an increase of 8-4 per cent. These figures cannot be regarded as other than satisfactory, in view of the disturbing influences arising out of the war.

Status. Numb Number ber c if Classes. Number of Students. L_ ' Special" classes ' Associated " classes ' College " classes Totals J • 1913. 903 540 183 1,626 1914. 94-0 621 170 1913. 1914. 8,523 8,942 5,951 6,651 732 1,009 1,731 15,206 16,602

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Some particulars as to the age, sex, and occupations of students are as follows : —

Summary of Occupations or Students. Number of Percentage Students. of Total. Clerical pursuits .. .. '.. .. .. 1,874 11-3 Professional pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 2,820 17-0 Students .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,179 131 " „ Domestic pursuits .. .. .. .. '.. 3,339 20-1 Agricultural pursuits .. .. .. .. .. 1,545 9-3 Various trades .. .. .. .. .. ..4,618 27-8 Other occupations not included in above .. .. .. 227 1-4 16,602 100-0 It is to be noted that of the total number of individual students nearly half were females ; and, further, that of the total number of students over seventeen years of age more than half were females. It is gratifying also to record that the number of students following agricultural pursuits shows an increase of 45 per cent, over the number for the previous year. A glance at the summary of occupations of students reveals the fact that the schools do in some measure meet the requirements of most sections of the community.

Table Jb. —Number of Classes held during 1914 in certain Subjects of Technical Instruction.

The demand for instruction in commercial subjects continues to be maintained. In addition to classes for higher commercial work at each of the four University colleges full courses of instruction, both elementary and advanced, are provided at all of the larger technical schools. Classes for mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering, in that order, continue to be well supported. The number of recognized classes in operation during the year was 150. As regards mechanical engineering, ten technical schools, including those in the four chief centres, are now provided with well-equipped workshops, and are able to offer fairly full courses, both elementary and advanced. Courses of university-rank in each of the three branches of engineering are provided at the School of Engineering in connection with Canterbury College, Christchurch. There has been a considerable increase in the number of classes for domestic subjects. During the year 339 classes were held, an increase of about 12 per cent. The subjects most in demand were cookery (including invalid and high-class cookery), home nursing, dressmaking and millinery. A number of classes have been carried on in country districts, the instruction in most cases being given by itinerant instructors sent out from central schools. The special courses in home science and domestic arts at the Otago University continue to meet with satisfactory support. Of the forty-seven students who attended during the year thirteen wero

Ago a Seventeen Ago anc Years of Under. Ovor Si Yoars iventccn sf Age. To: ;als. Males Females 1913. .. 3,190 .. 2,494 1914. 3,347 2,816 1914. 3,347 2,816 1913. 4,553 4,969 1914. 5,133 5,306 1913. 7,743 7,463 1914. 8,480 8,122 Totals .. 5,684 6,163 9,522 10,439 15,206 16,602

Subjects of Instruction. Number if Classes. » Commercial subjects Mathematics and science Mathematics and science applied to trades and industries Domestic science Art and art-crafts Continuation classes 1913. 268 118 408 299 314 219 1914. 277 153 432 339 295 235 Totals 1,626 1,731

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taking the course for the diploma and twelve that for the degree. Three students completed the former and one the latter course. Government bursaries were awarded to nineteen students who had signified their intention to qualify as teachers of domestic subjects. Seven of the students who have completed their courses are now engaged in teaching in various parts of the Dominion. With the view of affording special facilities for training in housecraft a hostel has been established in connection with the University. The number of students in residence is fifteen. The elementary and advanced courses in pure and applied art provided by the schools in the larger centres continue to attract a satisfactory number of students, many of whom show considerable promise. Classes having special reference to the application of art to industries are becoming increasingly popular. Some of the work of the students attending these craft classes gives evidence of originality and skill. That the instruction in art, generally, is on right lines is evidenced by the successes gained by students in connection with the National Competitions of the English Board of Education, referred to elsewhere. Controlling authorities and Managers of technical schools continue to provide facilities for instruction in subjects relating to rural pursuits, and it is gratifying to note that their efforts in this direction appear to be meeting with some success. During the year classes attended by over 1,500 students were held at over sixty centres. Instruction was given in wool sorting and classing, shearing, dairying, veterinary science, agriculture, and horticulture. The classes were, for the most part, taken by itinerant instructors at convenient centres, and, if the attendance and the voluntary contributions of the farmers are any criterion, they were fully appreciated. Table Jc.—Number op Students taking Group Courses op Instruction occupying not less than Four Hours a Week and Eighty Hours a Year. „ - T . ~ Number of Students. Course pi Instruction. . „.,, , „. . Elementary and higher commercial, and general (including 1,980 2,117 public examinations) Practical mathematics and science .. .. .. 105 97 Mathematics and science applied to trades and industries .. .1,149 1,378 Domestic science .. .. .. .. .. 401 583 Arts and art-crafts .. .. .. .. .. 655 646 Totals .. .. .. .. 4,290 4,821 ,jj Capitation in respect of group courses, as above, was earned by thirty-nine schools. About 29 per cent, of the students took such courses, the total number doing so being over five hundred more than in the previous year. The attendance of students at evening classes must be regarded as satisfactory, in view of the fact that attendance is for the most part voluntary. A gratifying feature is the number of students who find it worth while to attend on three or more evenings a week. Regulations requiring the attendance of young persons between the ages of fourteen and seventeen who are not otherwise receiving a suitable; education, or who are not specially exempted from attendance, were in operation in seven school districts in Wanganui, in two in Auckland, and in one in Hawke's Bay. The classes established under these regulations were attended by 436 students, of whom 256 were males. In the following table are given the number and sex of pupils receiving free education under the Regulations for Free Places :—

1913. 1914. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Female, Total. T . . ., (First year Junior free pupils | geoon^ year fFirst year Senior free pupils j Second year (Third year 840 471 341 190 73 506 264 276 131 79 1,346 735 617 321 152 847 555 374 247 95 510 365 306 208 77 1,357 920 680 455 172 Totals 1,915 1,256 3,171 2,118 1,466 3,584

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About one-fifth of the total number of students attending classes held free places as above. The. total number of junior free pupils was 2,277, and of senior free pupils 1,307. The figures for the previous year were 2,081 and 1,090 respectively. About 48 per cent, of the students who entered on junior free places in 1913 continued to attend in 1914. Of the total number of senior free pupils in their first year over 24 per cent, had completed two years at technical classes as junior free pupils. The remainder were admitted either from day technical schools, secondary schools, or district high schools. Capitation payments made during the year on account of free places amounted to £7,196, being at the rate of £2 a pupil. In addition to the students receiving free education under the Regulations for Free Places, scholarships or free places were awarded locally to 314 students. The following technical schools had roll numbers of 500 and over, exclusive of the day technical schools carried on in connection with some of them:— c , , Roll Number. kSchooL 1913. 1914. Auckland Technical College .. .. .. ..1,345 1,620 "• Wanganui Technical College .. .. .. '.. 666 741 Wellington Technical College .. .. .. ..1,180 1,119 Christchurch Technical College .. .. .. ..1,063 1,295 Dunedin Technical College .. .. .. ..1,055 1,195 Dunedin School of Art .. .. .. .. .. 685 617 Palmerston North Technical School .. .. .. .. 545 School of Art, Christehurch .. .. . . .. .. 544 Day Technical Schools. At these schools, which are of secondary grade, one or more of the following courses are provided : Industrial, commercial, domestic, agricultural, general, and art. The schools are under the same management as the technical schools of which they form part. The number of pupils in attendance during the years 1913 and 1914 was as follows : — Day Technical School. U ™ ber of P 'J^ Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. 343 397 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. ..180 185 Wellington .. .... .. .. ..251 285 Napier .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 84 79 Westport .. . . .. . . .. 10 14 Christchurch .. .. .. .. .. ..416 414 Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. 218 288 Invercargill .. .. .. . . .. 162 177 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 1,664 1,839 The total enrolment for the year, "which shows ah increase of 10-5 per cent., must be regarded as satisfactory, and indicates that the schools are meeting the needs of a number of young people who would not otherwise proceed to schools of secondary grade. The number of pupils taking up the various courses provided was as follows : —■ ~ Number of Pupils. m , . Cwrse - Males. Females. Total - Industrial .. .. .. .. . . 470 .. 470 Commercial .. .. .. .. ..252 640 892 Domestic .. .. .. .. .... 313 313 Agricultural .. .. .. .. 91 .. 91 General .. .. .. .. .. ..46 23 69 Art 1 3 4 Totals .. .. .. ..860 979 1,839 Nearly 50 per cent, of the pupils took commercial courses, industrial courses being taken by 25-5 per cent., and domestic courses by 17 per cent. Courses in agriculture were taken by ninety-one pupils, as compared with seventy-seven pupils last year. Seven of the eight schools offered industrial, commercial, and domestic courses ; in addition, five schools offered an agricultural course, and one an art course, while one school (Westport) offered an engineering course only. Capitation payments totalled £19,890, being at the rate of £10-8 per pupil.

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Following are some particulars regarding free pupils : —

Of the total number of pupils in attendance 91 per cent, were receiving free education under the Regulations for Free Places. Junior free places were 1,495 pupils, and senior free places by 179 pupils. 48 per cent, of the junior free pupils who entered in 1913 continued to attend in 1914, while about 25 per cent." of the pupils who completed the second year of their junior free places in 1913 qualified for and were admitted to senior free places in 1914. Of the pupils who left the day technical schools on the completion of their junior free places 12 per cent, qualified for senior free places and were admitted to evening classes. Most of these pupils left to take up employment. General. The following is a summary for 1914 of receipts (exclusive of grants for buildings, equipment, rent, and material) and of expenditure under certain heads in respect of " special" and " associated " classes (including, in each case, day technical schools) : — RECEIPTS. Special Associated Classes. Classes. £ £ Capitation on attendances and free places .. .. 18,001 25,305 Voluntary contributions and subsidies thereon .. .. 2,428 8,850 Students* fees .. .. .. .. .. 4,019 5,284 Sundry receipts .. .. .. .. .. 4,100 7,7.1.7 Totals for 1914 .. .. .. .. £28,548 £47,156 Totals for 1913 .. .. .. .. £27,438 £38,642 Expenditure. Administration .. .. .. .. . 5,518 5,316 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. ..19,093 26,208 Sundry expenses .. • .. .. •.. .. 759 1,368 Totals for 1914 .. .. .. .. £25,370 £32,892 Totals for 1913 .. .. .. .. £24,960 £27,781 The total cost of administration was about 19 per cent, of the total receipts in the case of "special" classes, and about 11 per cent, in the case of "associated" classes. It must be remembered, however, that the former are held at a much greater number of small centres than are the latter. The receipts and expenditure in respect of buildings, equipment, rent, and material for class use were as follows :— SPECIAL CLASSES. Receipt;-. Expenditure. £ £ Buildings and equipment .. .. ..5,494 3,877 Rent and material .. .. .. 1,199 2,191 Totals .. .. .. .. .. £6,693 £6,068 Associated Classes. Receipts. Expenditure. £ £ Buildings and equipment .. .. .. .. 8,891 22,735 Rent and material .. .. .. .. ..1,636 3,747 Totals .. .. .. .. .. £10,527 £26,482

1913. 1914. • Males. Females. Total. Males. Fomales. Total. T • , ., (First year .. J unior free pupils i a -\ r r (Second year (First year .. Senior free pupils -j Second year (Third year 404 207 50 12 3 464 265 86 14 2 868 472 136 26 5 465 238 57 13 1 489 303 91 16 1 954 541 148 29 2 Totals 676 831 1,507 774 900 1,674

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Thus, in the case of " special " classes the total receipts amounted to £35,241 and the expenditure to £31,438, while for " associated " classes the total receipts and the total expenditure were £57,683 and £59,374 respectively. ■ The following is a summary of the expenditure by the Government on manual and technical instruction during the year ended the 31st March, 1915 :— Manual instruction— £ £ Capitation on classes .. .. .. .. .. 32,007 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. .. .. * 193 Grants for buildings, equipment, rent, &c. .. .. .. 3,205 35,405 Technical instruction— Capitation— Day technical schools .. .. .. .. 18,854 Other classes (including free places) .. .. .. 26,209 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. .. .. 5,427 Grants for buildings, equipment, material, rent, &c. .. .. 22,665 73,155 Manual and technical instruction—• Railway fares, &c, of instructors and students .. .. 9,046 „*. Bursaries .. .. .. .. ..'... 1,142 Examinations .. .. .. .. .. .. 475 Inspection and other expenses .. .. .. .. 1,136 — 11,799 120,359 Less recoveries (examination fees, &c.) .. .. 178 £120,181 This total includes £8,270 fiom national-endowment revenue. The total expenditure for the previous year in respect of capitation, subsidies on voluntary contributions, and grants for buildings, &c, was —For manual instruction £35,290, and for technical instruction £64,198. Of the total capitation paid during the year, 30 per cent, was on account of classes of primary grade, 36 per cent, on account of classes of secondary grade (i.e., classes of secondary schools, secondary departments of district high schools, and day technical schools), and 34 per cent, on account of classes of technical schools. The Science Examinations of the Board of Education, London, and the Technological Examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute were held as usual, the former at fourteen and the latter at nineteen centres. The total number of '*■ entries was 426, and the number of passes 264. The percentage of passes was 62. At the National Art Competitions of the Board of Education, London, one bronze medal, two book prizes, and twelve certificates of commendation* were awarded to students of technical schools in the Dominion.

No. 2. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. Director op Education to the Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education. Sir,— I have the honour to report as follows on the branch of education represented by the Regulations for Manual and Technical Instruction : — The reports of. the Inspectors of Technical Schools, together with the tables relating to manual and technical instruction attached hereto, set forth in considerable detail the present position of this branch of education. So far as the larger centres are concerned the technical schools' may be said to be meeting in a fairly satisfactory way the needs of the localities they serve. It has been said that the curriculum of a properly organized technical school should reflect the industries of its district. To a large and increasing extent this is the case in the centres referred to, while as many of the smaller centres vigorous institutions are in process of development. The day technical schools, eight in number, that are carried on in connection with the technical colleges and schools continue to flourish. They occupy an important place in the scheme of secondary education as it exists to-day in New Zealand, widening as they do the opportunities of further education that await the young student on the completion of his primary-school career. Since 1900 the year in which the Manual and Technical Instruction Act came into operation—the system of manual and technical instruction has, as the reports for the various years indicate, been gradually and surely expanding. The progress made has in some respects been unequal :

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thus, while the present provision for instruction in the various brandies of engineering, in subjects relating to the building and allied trades, in pure and applied art, and in commercial subjects must be regarded as satisfactory, the same cannot be said of the provision made for instruction in subjects bearing on agricultural and pastoral pursuits and on the home. It is unnecessary to stress in the case of a country which relies so largely on its primary industries for its successful development the importance of providing the best facilities possible for the education along right lines of those whose life-work is, or will be, closely connected' with these industries. Something in this direction has been accomplished by the bodies controlling manual and technical instruction, but much more remains to be done before we can point with some measure of satisfactioli to the provision made for agricultural education in New Zealand in its various technical aspects. Closer settlement and the need of increased production call for improved methods and specialized knowledge, and the means therefor must be provided. The necessary preliminary training, without which the desired result cannot be attained, is already being given to a large extent in the public schools, and this requires only further development. It is in connection with the next and higher stages that there is some danger of a false step being made. The problem is not one the solution of which lies witli the Education Department only. The obligations in this connection merge into those of another Department of the State. As is clearly shown by reports issued by the authorities in other parts of the British Empire, including Great Britain itself, there are many difficulties in the way, but these will have to be met, and further consideration can be postponed only until financial conditions permit of the adoption of some definite organization of wide application for systematic training. As regards provision for instruction in subjects relating to the home, it is gratifying to note that increasing attention is being given to a branch of education that is becoming daily of more importance owing to the increasing complexities of social conditions. In addition to the fairly complete facilities for instruction in domestic subjects in primary and secondary schools—facilities which are being extended and improved year by year —many of the technical schools arc elaborating schemes of domestic training of a more or less comprehensive character. In the case of two of the largest centres training hostels have been established on lines that should serve as models for future developments elsewhere. The establishment of a, department of home science at the Otago University, together with a liberal system of bursaries provided by the Government in connection therewith, tends to give dignity to this important branch of women's education, and may be expected to fulfil its main object—namely,' the supply of competently trained teachers of domestic subjects. Judging from past experience the responsible authorities may be relied upon to avail themselves of every opportunity to further the training of young people in women's special and peculiar work. Of the many problems arising out of the war, one in which the technical schools must be regarded as particularly interested is that of making adequate provision for the future of discharged soldiers, more especially of those of them who will, as the result of the fortunes of war, return to New Zealand in a more or less disabled condition. We owe it to these men who have voluntarily answered the call to arms to assist them in every possible way to earn a livelihood, and thus again to become useful and active members of our civil population. No doubt many of them will be only too glad to have an opportunity of learning some suitable trade or occupation, and it is here that the technical schools can help. The staff, the curriculum, and the equipment of the schools, especially those in the large centres, are such as to afford facilities on gaining a practical knowledge of the principles and practice of a wide range of occupations, and it is to know that the matter is already receiving the earnest attention of the bodies controlling these institutions. In the past the technical schools have always shown themselves ready to meet as they arise the industrial needs of the districts in which they are located, and they may with confidence be expected in the special circumstances that have arisen to do all that is further required of them in this way. Preliminary arrangements as between the schools and the Department recently established to deal with matters in connection with discharged soldiers are already in tram, and it is proposed to provide for the admission of duly accredited invalided soldiers to approved courses on the same terms in the matter of capitation payments as obtain in the ease of free pupils under the Regulations for Technical Instruction. I have, &c, W. J. Anderson, The Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education. Director of Education.

No. 3. REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. Sir — We have the honour to submit the following report on manual and technical instruction in the Dominion during the year ending 31st December, 1914 : — A. Elementary Handwork and Manual Instruction. Handwork. —The steady growth of interest in and appreciation of the value of the various forms of elementary handwork referred to in previous reports continue to be maintained. The improved position of this useful aid to teaching is largely due to the attention given to the subject

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ill the training colleges, to the increasing number of books now available for teachers in which handwork in its varied forms is dealt with in its relation to the ordinary subjects of instruction, and to a more general and clearer understanding of the intimate connection between the braindevelopment of the child and his manual and motor activities. Concurrently with the growth of interest in and knowledge of handwork there has been an increase in the number of schools into which one or more forms of handwork have been introduced, so much so that it is the exception to visit a preparatory department without finding its stock of paper, or plasticine, or bricks, or colour-boxes, or weaving-apparatus and material constantly in use for illustrating and enforcing a lesson in numbers or word-building or naturestudy. An increase is also noted in the number of schools in which facilities for carrying out sonic form of handwork are provided for the standard classes between the preparatory and upper divisions of the school. It does not appear possible to have so much variety in these classes as in the lower divisions, as the ordinary work demands more time for the forma], studies; but increasing provision is made for a course of instruction in brush drawing and for a graded course of cardboard-work. The extended use of cardboard is particularly gratifying, as it is considered that this material readily lends itself to a variety of teaching purposes; it is easily cut and mani ruilated, and if intelligently used can be made a most helpful ally in teaching arithmetic, drawing, geometry, mensuration, &o. ; cardboard-work can also be made an excellent preparatory training 'for the course in woodwork; and in districts where provision for instruction in the latter subject is not practicable the more advanced exercises in cardboard-work appear to be an admirable substitute for it. A course arranged on some such lines as the following affords excellent manual and mental training, provided. that it does not degenerate into mere "copying," and that throughout the course pupils are stimulated to think for themselves. After a series of exercises in "flat work," exercises in (1) the construction of simple box, tray, and bowl forms, with vertical and sloping sides; (2) the mensuration of the surfaces of these forms; (3) elevations and plans, isometric or oblique views, and freehand sketches of these forms; (4) methods of finding the length of sloping edges of an object when the angle of slope and the linear dimensions of the sides are given; (5) setting out nets (or alternative nets) either from dimensioned drawings or from actual objects; (6) construction of simple geometrical solids and of objects based thereon — e.g., cube, wedge, prisms, single and double pyramids, truncated solids, crosses, stars, obelisks, vase-forms, block letters (A.E.W.X.); (7) very simple cases of sections of geometrical models; (8) internal volumes (capacities) of solids by the sand methods; and other similar exercises. There appears to be no reason why girls should not participate in the instruction in card-board-work as long as it does not interfere with the sewing-lesson, as it would afford them opportunities of doing a little construction-work demanding care and a standard of accuracy not generally called for in most phases of their work. The increasing number of inquiries from teachers and others about this work, and for books thereon, appears to show that a good deal of attention is at present directed toward it; and the hope is expressed that arrangements will be made in districts in which teachers appear to have had few opportunities of learning the use and value of cardboard-work for courses of instruction to be given by competent instructors. Woodwork. —The progress noted in previous reports has been maintained, and when it is ■•*■ remembered that the majority of the instructors are artisan-teachers who have few opportunities of studying teaching methods, or of seeing other classes than their own in session, the improvements made appear all the more gratifying, as they hear evidences of real effort on the part of instructors to increase their efficiency. Probably the most noticeable advance has been made in the attainment, generally, of a higher standard of accuracy in both drawing and bench-work than has previously obtained. The careless, slipshod drawing is slowly disappearing, and in many instances the number of models completed during the year has been reduced so as to permit of more attention being given to minor details and finish. As instructors have at all times shown their readiness to respond to suggestions about improvements in their work and to try new methods, with a view to increase the value of the instruction to the pupils, encouragement is given to make further suggestions, which on this occasion are wholly confined to matters in connection with the drawing-lessons, as it is considered that a great deal more use could be made of this valuable instrument of intellectual development. Speaking generally, the drawing-lessons at most of the centres are, as far as they go, very thorough. No exception can be taken to the manner or to the matter of the lessons, but ith© method is at times questionable. The practice generally adopted is for the teacher to make a dimensioned blackboard sketch, which the pupils copy, either full size or to scale. In some instances the pupils' and the instructor's drawings are made simultaneously, line by line; in others a completed sketch is copied, the pupils following instructions as to where and how the several lines should be drawn; and it is contended that, while certain ends may have been achieved, such lessons make very little demand upon the pupils' intellectual powers. At the close of the lesson the pupil may or may not have carried out the precise directions of the teacher, but all the thinking has been clone for him, nothing is left to the imagination, and the lesson, instead of encouraging and. stimulating the pupil to think for himself, has, it is feared, had the opposite effect—it has tended to make him intellectually lazy. Until pupils have gained facility in the use of drawing-instruments, and understand the planes of projection, and the method of setting out a drawing, copying is permissible; but as soon as this knowledge is gained no more copying should be allowed, and the whole of the drawing should be made from the model direct, or from sketches of it made by the pupils in their notebooks. This method has been adopted with good results at a few centres, and it is considered that as soon as sufficient models are available it might with advantage bo tried at every woodwork centre in the

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Dominion. At most of the centres there are lads in the senior division or in the secondary department of the district high school possessing constructive ability of a high order, and it would have a healthy stimulating effect upon them generally if they were asked to prepare a set of models for the use of future classes. There are very few second-year classes from which suitable well-finished models could not be gathered for the purpose named. It may not be out of place to show the use that is made of the model in certain districts. At one centre the instructor has, in his spare time, constructed double-size models for a class of twenty-four pupils to allow of one model to a group of four boys. After preliminary instruction extending over some weeks has been given in plan, elevation, end view, and section the models are handed to the boys, and a free sketch is made by each pupil in his notebook. After deciding on the dimensions to be followed the model is carefully measured and the sketch is dimensioned, and from this the working drawing is made. At another centre a similar plan is adopted, but the models in use have been selected from the best work of senior classes, supplemented by full-size specimens made by the instructor. During the drawing-lesson pupils are encouraged to ask questions, and assistance is given if considered advisable. Should difficulties arise, they arc helped to overcome them, but they are always encouraged to master their own difficulties, and, although results cannot at present be tabulated, there are evidences of a general quickening of interest in the work and a perceptible rise in the standard of accuracy and neatness in the completed drawings. It is further suggested that as soon as the model is made instructors should compare it with the pupil's drawing, calling attention to inaccuracies, with a view to impress upon the pupil the close relationship that should exist between the drawing and the finished work, and the fact that the dimensions of the completed model should agree exactly with those of the drawing. It is generally considered necessary that all work at the bench should be done from drawings, but in many instances good results have been achieved by departing from the usual practice. As an indication of the latitude that may be allowed to instructors in this direction, the following sound practical hints from a memorandum on manual instruction issued by the English Board of Education are worthy of consideration : " Drawing should be associated with wood and metal work, and the boys should be taught to make scale drawings and to work from them. In the earlier stages a preliminary drawing to scale should be the rule, but when the boys have attained a good standard of draughtmanship it will not always be necessary to insist on accurate drawings, and a dimensioned hand-sketch may sometimes be accepted instead. In some cases a completed object may be given to copy " (at the bench), " and the dimensions taken direct from the object. With certain types of work, on the other hand, accurate working drawings are always essential, and plans, elevations, and one or more sections should be duly prepared. Isometric projection is sometimes useful, but in practice it is too often an additional exercise of which no further use is made. After the preliminary stages are passed it is often a good working rule to inquire what a skilled workman would do in similar circumstances. For instance, if he were making a rough nail-box, with the sides nailed together, he would not make a drawing at all, ho would merely make a note of the dimensions and thickness of the wood; if he were making a set of bookshelves to given dimensions he would probably make a working sketch; if he were making a cabinet involving first-class workmanship ... he would consider an accurate drawing indispensable." A sound practical course in drawing and bench-work is included in the rural course at high schools, practical in the sense that the majority of the exercises have direct reference to work connected with the construction of simple farm buildings and apparatus used about a farm. Provision has also been made at a few centres for the inclusion of a course in elementary ironwork, including exercises in the use of the forge, with the most satisfactory results. It is expected that as circumstances permit facilities for instruction in this most useful subject will form part of the equipment of the manual-training workshop of all the district high schools. Cookery. —Of the instruction in cookery and allied subjects it may be said that improvements are noted, both in the character of. the instruction and in the pupils' work, at most of the cookery centres. This is largely due to the fact that many of the instructors are reorganizing their course of work by eliminating from it matters that are regarded as non-essential, and introducing others having a closer relationship with the life and experience of the pupils. It is gratifying to report, that the separate demonstration lesson is steadily increasing in disfavour, and an attempt is made to make each period of instruction complete by the inclusion in it of a brief demonstration lesson, instruction in some elementary principle or branch of domestic science, and experimental or practical work by the pupils, thus making the lesson very much brighter, more interesting, and useful. The principal hindrance to an extension of this method is that circumstances appear to make it necessary in the case of many centres to limit the period of instruction to one hour and a half, and if part of this time is occupied with the dictation of recipes and method little is left for the more educational work. Another noticeable effect of the shortened period, particularly at centres where a large number of pupils are in attendance, is the feeling that all the work must be taken as expeditiously as possible so that everything may be in readiness for the class which follows. This feeling of being compelled to hurry the lessons imposes an unnecessary strain upon the teacher, and to some extent tends to a lack of thoroughness and careful attention to detail in matters of cleanliness and tidiness on the part of the pupils. Slipshod methods in the kitchen, as in other spheres of activity, are to be strongly deprecated, and the hope is expressed that, wherever it is possible to do so, two-hour lessons will be revived, as it is considered that it is only possible to produce the most satisfactory educational results when the whole of the work can be carried on deliberately and without hurry. In this connection it appears necessary to emphasize the desirability of not attempting to cover too much ground in a programme of work for a two-years course in cookery. It is noticed that at some centres instructors are trying in a most earnest manner to carry out a course altogether too wide in extent, and. while it is acknowledged that every item in the programme may

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for educational reasons be worthy of a place therein, the limitations of both instructors and pupils, as well as the limitations of time, appear to demand the elimination of every item from the programme that may be desirable but is not altogether necessary for the completeness of the course. The end in view is likely to be defeated if too much is attempted. Elementary Physical Measurements. —The attention given to this useful and important subject appears to be declining. This is to be regretted, as it is considered that in many of the classes for this subject instruction of great value to the pupil was given. The children were not only introduced to scientific facts and principles, but in many instances successful attempts were made to cultivate the scientific habit of thought, and to quicken the observational and reasoning powers. However, the fact remains that other forms of handwork are taking the place of this subject in the school time-table, and whether or not these provide, as has been suggested, " just as good training " remains to be proved. Elementary Agriculture and Dairy-work. — Consistent but slow progress continues to be made in the teaching of this subject, particularly in the direction of indoor and outdoor experimental work, and in encouraging pupils to record and classify observed facts in connection therewith in right sequence and in correct order of importance. It is true that this improvement is limited to a few districts only, but it is growing, and if the instruction in elementary agriculture achieved no higher end than this, the time given to it could not be regarded, as ill spent. The outdoor experiments are mostly confined to experiments in growing plants* and vegetables with and without artificial and other manures; in a few instances work of a more advanced nature has been attempted, with results that have proved of direct benefit to the farmers of the district. One matter in connection with this work appears to call for consideration. In some districts there is a tendency to make the school-garden unduly large, thereby increasing the manual labour required to bring it into proper cultivation, to some extent unduly taxing the physical strength of the pupils and making demands on the time given to the subject that might be used to greater advantage in other directions. It is considered that a garden of sufficient area to provide for each two boys a plot 10 yards long and 2 yards wide provides ample space for outdoor practical work. The principal practical and visible results of the introduction of this subject into the schools have been the marked improvements made in the surroundings and grounds of many of the schools, and the large increase in the number of boys who have become enthusiastic gardeners devoting much of their spare time to the cultivation of vegetables, flowers, and fruit for home use. The programme of work carried out in dairy-work is necessarily limited, but important elementary work in this subject is in progress, which, instead of making children " hate the sight of a cow," is known to have created sufficient interest in matters pertaining to dairying to quicken the desire for wider and deeper knowledge. Rural Course in District High Schools. —Satisfactory progress appears to have been maintained in the teaching of all the subjects of the rural course taken by the secondary departments of district high schools, and, while there is room for improvements in the laboratory-work in some districts, satisfactory results have, generally speaking, been attained. A solution of the problem of the supply of trained teachers for the staff of the schools — i.e., of teachers whose habits of thought and inclinations specially fit them to assist in "equipping the future cultivators of the land with a scientific attitude of mind towards his future work " —does not appear to be any nearer; but this disability has to some extent been compensated for by the intelligent and enthusiastic work of the itinerant instructors. The success gained by pupils at public examina- ■•* tions, and the changing attitude of mind of parents and others toward the rural course and the goal to which it tends, are largely due, it is considered, to their efforts. In the absence at present of special facilities for training, it is suggested that it might be found worth while to extend the practice adopted in some districts in connection with woodwork and cookery classes—namely, the appointment of student-teachers as assistants to the instructors of manual-training centres — with the view of supplementing the present inadequate supply of teachers acquainted with local conditions and requirements and having a theoretical and practical knowledge of field and farm work and of the various laboratory and workshop subjects bearing thereon. The ranks of the pupils attending classes of secondary grade must include youths having a special aptitude and liking for agricultural subjects, who, if opportunities on the lines suggested were provided, should be specially fitted for positions as teachers of agriculture. If circumstances permit the experiment appears to be worthy of trial. It is gratifying to note that the whole of the boys in the rural course at one of the district high schools, who left the school at the end of the year, found employment directly connected with farming, some of them taking inferior positions for the special purpose of extending their practical knowledge and fitting themselves more fully for higher posts. B. Technical Instruction. General. The increase in facilities for instruction in subjects of technical education during 1914 has, for obvious reasons, not been as substantial as in previous years, but, speaking generally, all necessaries have been provided, and, although the present national struggle has had a disturbing influence on some of the classes, in most of the schools the general forward movement in both theoretical instruction and practical work has not been seriously impeded. A stage appears to have been reached when it seems necessary that technical instruction should be reviewed by all concerned in its relation to the industries of the Dominion and in the light of present-day industrial and economic conditions. In this connection the question arises, are employers and tradeunions sufficiently familiar with the work going on in our technical schools and colleges to enable them to form a just estimate of its value both to the community and to the individuals and to give due recognition to it? Speaking generally, the Government has in all the more important centres of the Dominion provided facilities for the instruction of our present and future mechanics in both the theory and practice of their trade, and a large number of young

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workmen are voluntarily giving up much of their leisure time to acquiring at evening classes, under competent instructors, a knowledge of the scientific basis of their trade and increased manipulative skill. In the day technical schools also, many of our future mechanics are going through a course of preliminary training under more favourable conditions and acquiring scientific knowledge, mental alertness, manipulative skill, and, it is believed, a wider outlook on their work generally that must unquestionably prove to be of high economic value. The time appears to be past when the value of such training can be questioned, Jt is almost universally recognized that a knowledge of scientific principles, if intelligently applied, produces uniformly better results in every vocation than blind practice. It has been said that " a blind pigeon may find a pea," and on the same principle blind practice and empiric knowledge may sometimes secure good results; but if industrial efficiency and the best results are tfc be consistently achieved, then principles and practice must be co-ordinated; and this is the fundamental basis of the work of technical schools. It therefore naturally follows that workmen trained on these lines must have higher economic value than those who have not been so favoured by circumstances, and that young lads who have received an initial training in the elementary principles underlying the practice of a trade are more likely to reach quickly a higher standard of industrial efficiency than those who go straight from the primary school to the workshop, and for the first year or two "do odd jobs about the place." The recognition by those concerned of the fact that a new generation of well-trained workmen is growing up, and"that industrial conditions require to be readjusted to meet the new order of things industrial would provide a wholesome stimulus to our technical schools, and remove the fear of the possibility of the expenditure in both effort and money on the training being wasted. If employers could see their way to recognize the training given, or even go further and make it a condition of apprenticeship that, if it has been within his reach, a lad must produce evidence that he has attended a day technical school or its equivalent for three years, and has satisfactorily passed through the course of instruction before he could become an apprentice, the future supply of well-trained mechanics would be assured, and the relationship which at present exists between the schools and the workshops of the Dominion be made closer and more effective. If employers consider that the training provided is unsuitable, and does not equip lads to meet present industrial requirements, the matter is entirely in their own hands. Many large employers of labour are on the Board of Managers of some of our technical schools, and Directors and instructors are only too pleased to receive and consider, and if feasible give effect to, any suggestion relating to the readjustment of courses of instruction that will make for higher efficiency. It is certain that industrial conditions and the markets of the civilized world are undergoing vita] changes; the time therefore appears to be ripe for preparations to be made to meet them, and one of the most effective methods of preparation, so far as this Dominion is concerned, appears to lie in the direction of ensuring a supply of highly trained, skilful workmen. The means for the accomplishment of this niuch-to-be-desired puroose is ready at hand : it only requires to be adapted on some such lines as has been suggested. Day Technical Schools. A brief review of the courses, of work will suffice to indicate the kind of training given to the young people in attendance. .j. The commercial course provides the basis of a sound training for commercial life; bookkeeping, shorthand, typewriting, business methods, as well as the essentials of a sound English education, are, speaking generally, well taught, and the majority of those who take this course are, at the end of three years, competent to efficiently fill junior positions in offices. The constant demand by business men for boys and girls who have received a day technical school training in commercial subjects, and the satisfactory reports that reach directors and others of the way in which these young people perform their duties, are sufficient guarantee that the training they receive is sound. The industrial courses provide for the preliminary training of carpenters, joiners, cabinetmakers, and electrical and mechanical engineers, a training suitable for those who will eventually join the ranks of handicraftsmen. They also provide a foundation training for those who will become the future captains of industry. The subjects of theoretical instruction include mathematics and geometry, mechanics, and elementary science (physics and chemistry), heat engines, elementary building-construction, and mechanical drawing, including hand-sketching j and these are supplemented by a thoroughly sound elementary training in woodwork practice, given in workshops equipped with the latest and best machines and all the necessary apparatus for hand-and-eye training. Speaking generally, the instruction is on sound, modern lines, and a lad passing through the courses will have acquired skill in the use of hand tools and the machines connected with his chosen trade, and an elementary working acquaintance with underlying principles sufficient to give him an intelligent interest in his work. Having nothing to unlearn when he enters on his apprenticeship, he will be able at once to take his place at the bench or at the machine, and do work of a productive nature. As the primary industries of this Dominion are likely to be our principal industries for many years to come, attention is given in the agricultural courses at most of our day technical schools to the theoretical and practical sides of the various branches of farming pursuits. The limited number of young lads who avail themselves of the instruction provided to som©''extent places an undesirable limit upon its scope, but the work attempted is, as far as it goes, carried out on sound lines. No attempt is made to teach scientific farming, but a sufficient knowledge of the elementary scientific principles is imparted to enable students to pursue future studies intelligently. The courses include chemistry, elementary botany and biology, milk and cream testing, animal physiology, and in some instances a special study of farm animals, and on the practical side sheep-shearing, wool-classing, and practical farm-work, on an acreage sufficient to make the work a satisfactory introductory training for actual farm-conditions. As before

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stated, the number of students is small, but the type of instructors engaged in teaching, and the character of the practical and theoretical work undertaken, appears to indicate that it is not unlikely that some of the problems that are ever present with the farmer may find a satisfactory solution in some of our day technical schools. The domestic course affords opportunities to young girls to acquire a sound practical knowledge of needlework, dressmaking and millinery, cookery, laundry-work, and the elements of housecraft, and also of the elementary scientific principles underlying the common facts of life connected with the home and its work. In some cases physiology and home nursing are added to the course, and, in fact, all subjects relating to home-making and home-keeping receive more or less adequate attention. This must, it is considered, result generally in raising the duties of housecraft from the realm of drudgery and infuse into them a larger element of interest. One of the most pleasing and most general features of this course is the insistence on method in everything, as much of the work of the home can be simplified when it is arranged methodically. Day and Evening Technical Classes. Art. —The principal centres of the Dominion are now provided with adequate facilities foi- giving instruction in the several branches of pure and applied art. The attendances at many of the classes diminished toward the end of the third session, but in most cases readied normal conditions before the year closed, and, speaking generally, satisfactory results were achieved. The introduction of more modern methods of instruction, which lias been steadily growing during the past few years, is having a marked effect upon both drawing and painting, and the standard of the average* student's work is gradually being raised. Spontaneity, and in many instances marked originality, are shown, and generally a more solid foundation for the more advanced work is being laid. It is pleasing to note that design is no longer taught as a separate subject, but almost invariably in its relation to the construction and decoration of actual things, due regard being given to material and fitness. At most of the schools instruction in design is given concurrently with instruction in drawing, and opportunities are afforded to students to apply their designs to some decorative and useful purpose. As a consequence the instruction in the several brandies of applied art is most satisfactory. It is quite the exception to find these classes conducted on other than sound technical lines. Instead of students attending as formerly, classes in separate subjects, such as wood-carving and metal-work, and often attempting work which made it necessary for the instructor to prepare the design, and in many cases do the major portion of the work, they now take applied art in conjunction witli drawing or modelling and design, and while less ambitious work is, speaking generally, undertaken, it has the merit of being designed and carried to completion by the students themselves. The art classes are still somewhat handicapped by lack of examples of the best work with which they can compare their own. Until this Dominion is in a position to establish a National Museum of Art, with facilities for moving and exhibiting specimens in all parts of the country, the suggestion is again repeated that controlling authorities might with advantage to art students set apart a small sum each year Cor the purpose of procuring one or more examples of pure and applied art from the Old World, as incorrect standards are likely to be set up by art workers in the absence of opportunities of comparing their efforts with the best produced in other countries. Successes gained by students at the National Art Competitions held by the Board of Education, London, appear to show that the art, instruction and students' work compare not unfavourably with similar work in Croat Britain. Building Trades'. —Although there is a slight increase in the number of students at classes in building-construction, architecture, architectural design, &c, the attendance continues to be below what it is considered it should be, and the only remedy appears to lie in the direction of more encouragement from architects and master builders. At one centre a full course of instruction in architecture, -architectural design, and allied subjects such as building-construction, mechanics, free drawing, modelling, and practical bench-work has been organized and is attended by students who propose to become architects. As may be expected, the attendance at the course is not large, but the course of study and the interest shown by the students appear to point to the necessity of such a course, and that good results will be achieved should the attendance of a sufficient number of students warrant its continuance. The classes have the advantage of being carried on during the day. Speaking generally, improvements are to be noted in the building-construction classes, particularly in the direction of the inclusion in the course of necessary allied subjects, and occasional brief lectures illustrated with lantern-slides on principles of construction applied to notable buildings. Such lectures afford students an opportunity of seeing illustrations of some of the principal ecclesiastical, domestic, and public buildings of the world, and in the absence of opportunities of visiting them generally assist in enlarging their outlook. It is considered that occasional lectures of this type tend to brighten up the course and provide a necessary relief to students tired by the day's work. Carpentry and, Joinery. —The attendance at classes in elementary and advanced' carpentry and joinery is below that of previous years, when it was not unusual to see in the principal centres an attendance of from twenty to twenty-five carpenters at a class engaged in various pieces of work combining, it might be, an original application of a principle learned in the theory class with some new method of construction, but in the words of one of our oldest and most capable instructors, " The new trade-conditions have altered all that, and the stimulus lias been removed." Cabinet-making. —There is only a small increase in classes for instruction in the theory and practice of cabinetmaking to record. The classes established, however, continue to be conducted for the most part on sound practical lines, with general improvements in the methods adopted in the theory classes. Some excellent examples, both simple and elaborate, of the cabinetmaker's

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craft are constructed in the classes tinder review, some of them suggested by the old masters or tne craft, in which both design and construction are entirely carried out by the students. In connection with these classes it would be an advantage if instruction in upholstery could be introduced. Woodwork. —The woodwork classes in the smaller country centres continue to be attended mostly by amateurs, but it is satisfactory to note that at every class provision has now been made, or is being made, for instruction in drawing and the taking-out of quantities, to be combined with the instruction in bench-work. This is as it should be. Plumbing. —lt is feared that the effects of the union awards and the requirements of the Plumbers Registration Act will seriously affect the attendance at classes in the theory and practice of plumbing. At most of the classes the goal of nearly all students was to obtain the certificate of the City and Guilds of London Institute, and the preparation for the annual examinations provided a healthy stimulus both as regards regular attendance and earnest effort on the part of students. That the qualifying examination is now held at the expiration of the period of apprenticeship already appears to have had on some classes a not-altogether desirable effect, both in the attendance and purposefulness of apprentices; and the hope is expressed that an effort will be made to correct at once any tendency in the direction indicated. The excellent results obtained in past years appear to require some modification of the time at which the qualifyingexamination is held. If in the opinion of the Plumbers' Board this could be effected by introducing preliminary and final stages, thus dividing the examination into two or even three parts, as there appears to be no reasonable objection to the introduction of an honours grade for the more ambitious workers, it is considered that a continuance of the excellent attendance and the high standard of work of previous years would more readily be maintained. Domestic Subjects. —lt is 'gratifying to report that the improvements in the method of instruction in subjects related to home life and work noted in previous reports have been maintained. It may be expected that as a supply of trained teachers is now available classes in these subjects will take their place as a training-ground not only for those whose sole purpose in attending is to gain information and skill that will be of value in the home, but also as a trainingground for dressmaking and millinery apprentices by affording them an opportunity of acquiring knowledge and experience that will tend to improve their status in the workroom and render their services of greater value to their employers. While improvements continue to be made in the cookery classes, much remains to be done if these classes are to take their rightful place in a scheme of technical instruction. No exception can be taken to the character of the present work, but it is considered that increasing effort should be made to bring the instruction in the underlying principles of the culinary art more into line with the ideals which obtain in other branches of technical education. Engineering. —The most gratifying advances appear to have been made in all classes in the scientific and manipulative parts of the instruction in mechanical and electrical engineering. As it is now generally accepted that no progress can be made by a student in engineering unless he is taught to develop his faculties in several directions, and that the best results are only achieved by a course of study in allied subjects, grouped courses have been organized at all the schools provided with the necessary facilities. As this requires a student to attend on at least three evenings in each week, the time that is available for home-work and private study necessary to enable him to take full advantage of the course is restricted, but in spite of this and of the limitations imposed by prevailing conditions, and the inevitable handicap of fatigue felt by many who attend after a day's work, the attendance and attention of the average student show that the earnest desire for self-improvement is fairly general among young engineers. We appear to be no nearer the ideal conditions when all apprentices and young mechanics will attend classes for technical instruction at a time when they are best able to profit by it, but the movement toward this goal is steadily gaining impetus in Great Britain, and this may have the effect of paving the way for the adoption of a similar system in this Dominion. An added improvement appears to have been made in some of the schools, whereby the whole of the subjects of the course except workshop practice are taken by one instructor. The advantage to students of being brought continually into close relationship with a broadminded, well-informed, and able teacher of engineering cannot very well be overstated. When those who profit most by the employment of young mechanics trained in our technical colleges realize, as many employers in other countries are doing, that " the wider and deeper the training given the greater the powers of production," there will be a readiness from purely selfish if from no higher motives to sacrifice the lesser advantages with a view to the larger gains that must ensue if the training is given at a time and under conditions which ensure full advantage being taken of it by the students. Agricultural Subjects. —With almost monotonous regularity reference has been made in previous reports to the lack of appreciation of the provision made by controlling authorities and managers for instruction in the scientific principles underlying the primary industries. Classes in wool-classing and shearing have flourished, but no other subjects connected with farming appeared to be worthy of consideration. It is therefore pleasing to report that in two districts very successful classes have been organized in a wider and more important range of subjects under instructors who have succeeded in arousing a good deal of quiet enthusiasm among the farmers. The classes have been well attended, everyday farming problems have been considered and dealt with in a scientific manner, and the instruction has for the most part been given in language and on lines that could be readily understood by those who have not had the advantage of previous scientific training. There are indications that there will not only be a continuance of, but also an extension of, these classes during 1915. M. H. Browne, of Manual and Technical E. C. Isaac, j Instruction, The Director of Education, Wellington,

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No. 4. DETAILS RELATING TO MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. Table J1. —Elementary Handwork and Manual Instruction, 1914.—Public Schools.

Table J2.—Manual Instruction.—Payments (by way of Capitation) to, and Expenditure (exclusive of Expenditure out of Special Grants for Buildings and Equipment) by, Education Boards during the Year ending 31st December, 1914.

3—E. 5.

17

Elemt Hand CO o o rfl o CC ts © B a y, entary twork. m be a.33 OJrOoj S c rt cS . CD riS-0 s a .3 m 8 ■9 aO •SB'S o CO 4= O ,® 5' s in o m O 9 o p Subject a P "3 a r6 rlanual l is and N CD o fl .* '3 CO g .fl 9 a nstructi umber c A 3 -o a 03 ion: if Classes, fl 'fi, Q HH O 0J 3 a rr a] r=^ oo Eh o o o 05 o sh o jj a O H a s »i §11 Or-H O CO tfCG Hh5* °r\.\Wf U tscS 111 3 « 4a H 0 '3-9 sa o a« as £» Si ■s" Cd rX . -•|rSS 0 M o o o r°!S rr DC a . •a ao aa ■■H CO £ to da 9 fl 3 Education Board, Auckland .. Education Board, Taranaki . . Education Board, Wanganui .. Education Board, Wellington.. Education Board, Hawke's BayEducation Board, Marlborough Education Board, Nelson Education Board, Grey Education Board, Westland .. Education Board, N. Canterbury Education Board, S. Canterbury Education Board, Otago Education Board, Southland .. 335 60 201 120 105 39 47 14 10 106 00 242 174 £ 1,707 208 720 933 414 72 155 136 II 632 202 731 535 244 19 46 75 50 10 30 26 2 99 20 73 88 131 14 36 50 26 5 27 26 2 69 17 56 48 7 38 21 42 17 I 26 3 6 7 7 34 25 .35 2 35 36 7 3 21 244 56 165 86 96 15 50 3 661 129 303 289 196 34 154 58 12 374 106 379 281 275 61 165 100 93 17 01 16 4 139 50 192 125 98 67 204 210 96 £ 4,732 1,118 2,963 2,836 2,045 40 769 278 15 3,095 1 ,072 3,003 2,338 2 64 9 29 II 135 53 187 109 85 59 165 Totals for 1914 1,513 782 6,456 507 234 254 I , I 99 2,976 1,298 984 24,904 Totals for 1913 5,906 615 419 223 233 I ,087 2,577 1,016 24,268

Ca% ntation Pi <,yments. Education District, Elementary Woodwork Handwork. Domestic Subjects. Elementary Swimming Science. LUe ™ Q v , ng , Agriculture and Dn,iry-work. Rural Courses at District High Schools. Totals. Auckland Taranaki Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay .. Marlborough .. Nelson Grey Westland North Canterbury South Canterbury Otago Southland £ £ .1,707 1,708 208 177 720 463 933 534 414 352 72 155 209 136 132 11 632 890 202 191 731 802 535 908 £ I ,574 169 448 449 388 192 128 £ £ 13 80 80 9 49 97 90 76 50 13 7 50 16 1.7 6 7 26 177 15 19 95 37 78 18 £ 639 233 686 201 488 33 302 1 • 2 546 287 578 369 £ 718 450 1,220 1 ,486 754 £ 6,439 1,326 3,683 3,769 2,459 112 924 414 26 3,727 1,274 4,334 2,873 789 193 865 965 667 367 1,226 Totals for 1914 6,456 6,366 6,456 6,366 6,160 569 556 4,365 6,888 31,360 Totals for 1913 5,906 6,334 5,906 6,334 6.257 647 532 4,793 5,705 30,174

K.—s.

Table J2.—Manual Instruction— continued.

Table J3.—Manual Instruction, 1914.-Secondary Schools.

18

'xpen< liture. Education District. Elementary Handwork, j Woodwork and Ironwork. wooiiwor and Trouwoi-k Domestic Subjects. Elementary Science. Swimming and Life-saving, Agriculture and Dahywork. Rural Courses at District High Schools. Total Cost of Administration . Totals. Auckland Taranaki Wanganui Wellington llawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson Grey Westland North Canterbury South Canterbury Otago Southland £ 2,314 149 964 1,064 385 42 151 49 14 466 173 731 477 £ 1 ,689 173 640 699 452 38 358 212 13 890 274 725 706 £ I ,688 213 608 800 401 51 416 166 25 956 443 861 611 £ 30 5 166 31 5 5 11 9 £ 80 93 27 12 3 4 10 7 177 11 20 4 £ I , 185 163 709 401 572 l(i 287 £ 552 453 1,188 I .353 519 £ 602 85 277 180 23 70 50 £ 8,104 1 ,266 4,207 4,793 2,552 173 1,291 492 72 3,794 1,886 4,024 2,233 2 385 213 ; 247 528 081 485 I; 135 230 287 273 32 7 Totals for 1914 .. 448 4,708 6,979 6,863 7,245 301 6,366 2,077 34,987 Totals for 1913 .. 5,621 I 6,694 6.728 358 473 5.226 5,598 2,594 33.292

Snl >jects of Ii jtruction, ai id Number (Classes i eacli Subject. » J" fl & 5 £ CU i> no as s- .2 B C O V is ChH 0 rH B ■a a ■a M h I I 3 k. 3 1 as ce <v •fl 1 « a I .§ OQ ■3 Secondary Schools. a "3 ft. i 9 2 0 o CO v fi 3 a . a; a. SO •r- 1 C c, II s o £ il c'5 £Q W a. S o H © o. Whangarei High School Hamilton High School Thames High School New Plymouth High Sohool .. Wanganui Girls' College Palmerston North High School Wellington Boys' College Wellington Girls' College Napier Boys' High School Napier Girls' High School Dannevirke High School Gisborne High School Marlborough High School Nolson Girls' College Nelson Boys' College Christchurch Girls' High School Christchurch Boys' High School Rangiora High School Ashburton High School Timaru Girls' High School Timaru Boys' High School Waitaki Girls' High School Waitaki Boys' High School Otago Girls' High School Otago Boys' High School Southland Girls' High School .. Gore High School 8 3 5 5 3 4 7 3 3 I 2 8 I 4 3 4 8 3 3 '■ 2 4 3 7 5 14 4 14 31 19 8 5 6 6 6 9 6 17 10 8 4 5 9 10 10 8 3 1 3 2 2 2 2 6 14 6 27 20 22 31 28 19 8 11 13 8 20 M 42 12 12 I I 8 16 10 15 4 15 15 16 £ 80 105 32 79 110 88 72 108 40 30 25 79 55 103 53 153 60 20 113 25 58 8 84 8 64 28 85 1 1 1 I £ 63 188 18 58 129 80 142 185 85 148 30 "2 "2 17 I 66 12 48 59 I 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 4 I 1 1 J ) I I 103 50 100 4 3 "2 11 8 8 "4 4 6 I 2 "2 "4 Totals for 1914 II 62 29 240 30 24 426 1,765 1,514 Totals for 1913 25 61 26 215 28 18 373 1,518 1,194

E.—s

Table J4.—Technical Instruction, 1914.— Classes other than Classes at Technical High Schools held during the Year ending 31st December, 1914.

19

'umber ol Students. Number of Classes. Capitation paid during Year endin; 31st December, 1914 Controlling Authority. .2*3 **> - II II II CO P4 CD CD fl - •2 DSH fl M »a I Si p ft Ph tH CO O O hi a ca CO TO a Cl CJ -a a.a a a •a 3 « o c ■o r« lifts -SS| I Mil I»s 5| t<Sa Gee rxcjai oh fl ° fl d a oj CJ co m ® fl S la'fl fl 33 o a C-. - fl = CD 2 CD q e6 fl 0B 3 cd ft o O Eh Auckland Education Board Managers of the Elani School of Art Hamilton High School Board Auckland University College Taranaki Education Board Wanganui Education Board Pahnerston North High School Board Wellington Education Board Victoria College Council Masterton Technical Classes Association Hawke's Bay Education Board Dannevirke High School Board Gisborne High School Board Marlborough Education Board Nelson Education Board Grey Education Board Westland Education Board Canterbury College Board North Canterbury Education Board Rangiora High School Board South Canterbury Education Board Otago Education Board Otago University College Southland Education Board Gore High School Board Totals for 1914 .. '' j S. A. S. c. S. S. s. A. s. c. A. A. S. s. s. s. s. s. s. c. A. s. s. A. s. A. S. c. A. S. s. 3 731 100 375 151 567 52 109 171 138 50 481 131 413 106 9 3,584 75 287 74 1.169 264 145 841 1.631 394 824 172 17 220 90 329 13 63 51 510 180 67 688 1,393 298 79 653 79 1.030 861 109 244 133 35 1 .975 264 145 941 2,293 545 1.391 172 17 272 273 329 13 63 51 681 318 67 738 1.874 298 79 784 79 1.443 861 109 350 133 44 17 20 6 39 7 31 5 5 4 5 2 14 1 j 15 11 8 4 6 13 2 3 4 39 4 15 4 13 2 3 3 2 1 3 7 2 46 18 5 4 14 6 1 6 1 1 5 7 8 18 20 3 5 1 10 12 6 1 9 1 5 10 1 40 22 62 13 14 1 10 6 4 4 20 4 4 39 9 7 20 34 5 8 8 4 1 i 37 42 .. 7 13 20 45 31 10 9 21 30 2 6 5 2 6 4 2 2 4 13 5 5 ■ 7 1 14 2 37 | 15 2 11 6 27 32 6 9 6 6 1 4 2 2 244 20 .. 18 109 221 56 141 16 6 25 27 27 1 8 12 67 30 5 129 162 20 10 60 3 140 75 17 46 27 9 £ 3.061 727 14 100 640 1,697 612 3.460 79 25 171 308 229 11 67 38 854 725 1,648 1.961 87 51 533 21 1,401 719 344 345 88 39 T £ 1,047 263 809 493 ; 1,649 79 179 477 433 i96 630 174 662 11 "71 "23 £ 41.08 727 14 100 903 2,506 1.105 5.109 79 25 250 487 229 11 67 38 1.331 1,158 1,844 2,591 87 51 707 21 2.063 730 344 416 88 62 54 11 59 8 27 3 2 3 13 10 1 3 41 1 .. t 12 r7 3 io 10 14 5 5 5 2 2 l 2 2 3,584 436 12,582 16,602 295 150 162 153 120 339 277 y 235 ! 1,731 20,055 7,196 27,251 l Totals for 1913 .. 3,171 3,171 451 11,584 15,206 314 160 138 118 110 299 ' 268 1 T219 1,626 16,702 j 5,508 22,210 I

E.—s

20

Table J5. —Manual and Technical Instruction. —Grants in aid of Buildings, Equipment, Rent and Material, and Subsidies on Voluntary Contributions paid to Controlling Authorities of Classes for Manual Instruction (School Classes) and for Technical Instruction (Special, Associated, or College Classes) during the Year ending 31st December, 1914.

Note. —In tho column " Status of Classes " Soh. = School; S. = fc Special ; A. = Associated ; C. = Co] lego. Controlling Authority. buildings. Equipment. I Subsidies on Kent. Material. Voluntary tious. i Totals. ■ Auokland Education Board Auckland University College Council Managers of the Elam School of Art Hamilton High School Board 'taranaki Education Board Wanganui Education Board S. Sch. C. A. S. Sch. S. Sch. S. Sch. S. Sch. A. S. Sch. A. £ 3,520 850 350 £ 137 645 8 82 50 4 33 275 45 177 100 102 44 £ 217 40 7 £ 547' 32 15 ".37 "72 £ 134 I 50 289 47 753 140 138 £ 4,421 779 150 I ,219 97 50 445 33 1 ,148 185 423 100 1,676 106 61 92 48 Palmerston North High School Board 108 Wellington Education Board 435 278 440 02 421 Maslc.rton Technical Classes Association Victoria College Council Hawke's Bay Education Board 61 92 C. A. S. Sch. S. Sch. Sch. s. Sch. Sch. s. c. Sch. A. S. Sch. S. Sch. A. S. Sch. A. S. Sch. Sch. Sch. C. A. S. Sch. s. 100 24 150 156 150 256 24 57 63 39 72 166 39 359 273 418 78 2,585 5 418 10 44 664 21 8 6,523 874 860 360 340 425 I. ,522 15 46 50 r, ■ ■ '' 57 63 Gisborne High School Board 39 72 Marlborough Education Board Nelson Education Board '' 64 162 39 Nelson College Board Grey Education Board Canterbury College, Board.. 150 359 152 64 78 939 65 IO 1.04 46 100 North Canterbury Education Board Rangiora High School Board '370 361 21 55 489 766 5 2 10 34 259 South Canterbury Education Board.. 380 10 15 21 1(1 *, ■ • 7, • • Otago Education Board 3,368 370 375 315 71 932 444 445 45 269 '211 60 8 2,012 Waitaki High Schools Board Otago High Sohools Board.. Otago University Council Southland Education Board 40 I ,500 13 •425 22 ■ 2 46 50 ,j ■ • Gore High School Board Totals, 1914 .-. 12,175 5,947 731 2,334 6,562 27,749 Totals, 1913 .. 16,775 7,726 731 1,923 8,531 35,686

E.—s.

Table J6a—Technical Instruction.—Receipts and Expenditure of Controlling Authorities of Special Classes during the Year ending 31st December, 1914.

Table J6b.-Technical Instruction.-Receipts and Expenditure of Managers of Associated Classes during the Year ending 31st December, 1914.

21

Eeceipts. Expenditure. Controlling Authority. a Hi a ff.S '/) Ci +H .si IS & ill ri I 1 a-3 aaa a 'c f'd a s. hh aj a -a a IS M 9 MS Fees. 7- HH is'S g a 5 1 pa II 2 ■ 43 CJ 1 4 ■1 a " •8 & "§ rrj . oj* v a "ca t. ai 5-gg "'B Sa § & «a h w 8 _ a 1! Auckland Education Board Taranaki Education Board.. Wanganui Education Board Palmerston North High School Board Gisborne High School Board I )annevirke High School Board Hawke's Bay Education Board Marlborough Education Board Nelson Eduoation Board Grey Education Board Westland. Education Board North Canterbury Education Board Rangiora High School Board South Canterbury Education Board Otago Education Board Southland Education Board Gore High School Board 7,783 857 4,300 1,105 £ 36 133 1,582 252 i £ 3,625 354 296 177 £ £ 1,625 757 354 42 296 120 177 108 £ 1,169 220 907 387 £ 1,872 70 583 142 £ 15,242 I ,676 7,788 2,171 £ 3,066 140 1,205 177 £ 6,246 1,245 5,216 1,346 £ £ £ 1,304 1,080 48 969 49 24 648 291 566 211 122 15 £ 11,744 2,427 7,926 1,871 67 II 83 125 8 79 4 354 23 60 3 171 24 28 33 17 7 309 34 229 38 1,373 1,158 186 46 64 152 24 64 152 75 8 357 16 36 114 200 195 87 261 238 2,175 1,534 36 194 14 24 199 210 24 I I 87 I 63 1,752 580 60 182 I II 2 32 21 326 122 "19 279 195 24 16 9 15 115 240 2,418 1,297 133 208 67 13 51 21 28 21 70 4 153 42 13 16 61 99 8 2 21 I 21 84 137 720 162 59 30 2 50 805 60 13 447 110 45 555 296 2,617 583 154 300 45 II 1,395 358 108 66 128 3 70 II 66 1,892 473 130 Totals, 1914 18,001 2,428 5,494 1,199 4,019 4,100 35,241 5,518 19,093 3,877 3,877 2,191 759 31,438 Totals, 1913 18,055 2,070 3,610 874 4,630 2,682 31,921 5,179 18,440 [18,036 2,014 1,340 45,009

'.> School. a _o 4 H» ft tt a 1 S iii sag -°>2 a a-* o a> o II sq lieceipl ■a a . CO a £ cj8 rt bs. CJ Ph rt 2d > Sa ao. 3d SS -l |.2 SS O CJ tR*h -h rr, R <l w Expend! ■§■" Is il Iture. J M fl Gj-j ■§_. " j ".Is oS a co -a s hh ft Ph O d ft M . r-i li m m CJ ft H» CJ o Elam School of Art, Auckland Wellington Technical College 'Petone Technical School Masterton Technical School Napier Technical College .. Christchurch Technical College Ashburton Technical School Akaroa Technical School Kaiapoi Technical School .. Timaru Technical School .. Pleasant Point Technical School Waimate Technical School .. Fairlie Technical School Temuka Technical School .. Dunedin Technical College .. Balclutha Technical School.. Milton Technical School Oamaru Technical School .. Invercargill Technical College £ 727 7,663 523 250 I ,409 5,990 916 17 46 456 9 £ 289 600 244 217 309 1,158 284 26 80 218 II £ 872 30 509 1 .042 277 £ 72 712 6 101 383 114 £ 84 1,029 144 173 131 1,458 345 11 50 219 19 £ 361 719 42 22 447 677 413 19 83 75 6 £ 2,405 10,753 1,468 662 2,397 10,708 2,349 73 287 968 45 £ 186 1,046 189 162 192 I ,483 230 15 54 133 20 £ 892 7,035 704 620 1,773 6,061 1,037 36 126 749 24 £ 3,378 408 596 45 108 1,270 431 6 1 59 1 £ 73 I ,062 47 I 180 1,067 290 5 21 50 £ 56 215 15 32 32 408 153 2 27 16 1 £ 4,585 9,766 1,551 860 2,285 10,289 2,141 64 229 1,007 46 1 27 87 20 76 4,721 3 22 134 2,236 156 32 103 4,846 25 11 122 119 295 ioo 4,256 10 207 122 41 77 885 35 1 21 4,662 13 2 705 94 377 19,577 41 92 398 4,284 34 28 121 802 I 28 136 456 194 66 117 3,952 340 2 94 14,551 40 12 8 663 65 17 14 257 673 125 354 20,225 1 85 398 4,690 9 48 138 310 43 241 2,538 9 1 ,436 1 10 217 13 2 43 1,500 4 119 Totals, 1914 25,305 8,850 8,891 1,636 5,284 7,717 57,683 5,316 26,208 22,735 3,747 1,368 59,374 Totals, 1913 20,936 10,029 10,621 1,713 4,441 3,237 50,977 4,722 21,362 25,607 3,301 1,697 56,689

E.— 5.

Table J7.—Number of Students in Attendance at Classes other than Classes at Day Technical Schools during the Year ending 31st December, 1914.

Table J 8. —Occupations of Students in Attendance at Technical Classes other than Classes at Day Technical Schools during the Year ending 31st December, 1914. Domestic pursuits .. .. .. .. 3,339 Woodworkers .. .. .. .. 521 Professional pursuits .. .. .. 2,820 Painters, plasterers, &c. .. .. .. 136 Clerical pursuits .. .. .. .. 1,874 Printers, &c. .. .. .. .. 170 Students .. .. .. .. ..2,179 Skilled labourers .. .. .. .. 41 Agricultural pursuits .. .. .. 1,545 Labourers .. .. .. .. .. 206 Employed in shops or warehouses .. .. 1,187 Seamen .. .. .. .. .. 57 Dressmakers, milliners, &c. .. .. .. 267 Engaged in various other trades and industries 250 Tailors and tailoresses .. .. .. 118 Engaged in various publio services .. .. 171 Engineers and mechanics .. .. .. 644 Occupations not stated .. .. .. 227 Electricians .. .. .. .. 228 Plumbers, metal-workers, &c. .. .. 622 Total .. .. .. .. 16,602

Table J9.—Number of Free and other Students taking Grouped Courses occupying not less than Four Hours a Week and Eighty Hours a Year at Technical Classes other than Classes at Day Technical Schools during the Year ending 31st December, 1914.

22

Special Classes. Associatei J Classes. College Classes. Tot ials. Education District Females. Males. Grand Totals. Males. Females. Males. Malos. Females. Females. I Auckland Taranaki 1,168 633 1,371 54 201 6 200 103 1 135 IS 399 144 807 308 1,467 118 204 45 481 215 66 242 61 462 33 114 150 134 11 1,416 633 1,371 1,096 353 6 200 103 1 1,409 319 1,241 332 968 308 1,467 756 325 45 481 215 66 1,580 544 1,172 195 2,384 941 2,838 1,852 678 51 681 318 67 2,989 863 2,413 527 Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson 1,025 152 638 121 17 Grey Westland North Canterbury South Canterbury Otago Southland 938 301 781 188 936 483 662 162 336 402 "61 48 Totals, 1914 4,433 4,509 3,499 3,152 548 461 8,480 8,122 .16,602 Totals, 1913 4,046 4,477 3,225 2,726 452 280 7,723 7,483 15,206

Courses and Numbi ir ot Stude) its. Controlling Authority. Cfi "3 CJ JCh CJ CO Hr o O .Q 3 a 15 a-3 3jrj o a Ufiil c _ S g.g a » , °SjS IIS H o 4= aS a rfl . a i d'S OK '■wrrj Ii Oh a -^.2 CS ''IH ■si .,«3 co -c id .- SfB OS tfrO 3 CO cfi CD CJ III a co fl gia HH.H Cfi 6 CJ a CJ '3 ao CO H= OJ O 3 o O cfi M O ■d a cfi •3 J O R Auckland Education Board Managers of Elam School of Art Auckland University College Taranaki Education Board Wanganui Education Board Palmerston North High School Board .. Wellington Education Board Masterton Technical Classes Association Hawke's Bay Education Board Nolson Education Board Grey Education Board Canterbury College Board of Governors North Canterbury Education Board South Canterbury Education Board Otago Education Board Otago University Southland Education Hoard Goro High School Board 4 1 I 520 29 303 64 13 146 929 146 13 UI 530 151 799 64 137 197 72 242 595 97 539 47 144 8 1 12 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 I 2 2 1 1 55 262 73 395 34 63 67 15 "4 44 13 36 118 31 231 8 36 46 12 67 246 9 177 20 72 21 60 19 38 46 45 78 22 69 3 38 213 70 262 20 60 8 112 13 22 27 24 175 24 5 58 20 45 15 Totals, 1914 2,117 97 39 1.378 583 646 4,821 Totals, 1913 39 I ,980 105 1,149 101 655 4,290

E.—s.

Table J10.—Number of Free Pupils in Attendance at Technical Classes during the Year ending 31st December, 1914.

Table J11. —Day Technical Schools. —Courses taken by Students in Attendance during 1914.

23

Education District. At Day Technical S Males. Females. ichools. At Males. i other Class* 38. Totals. Females. Totals. Auckland Taranaki Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay Nelson Grey North Canterbury South Canterbury Otago Southland 189 181 85 71 111 162 33 36 10 370 156 273 69 10 494 41 284 398 58 67 52 314 65 287 58 i 237 59 I 242 221 51 104 86 217 60 126 57 731 100 S26 619 109 - 171 138 531 131 413 115 181 197 378 79 178 86 75 257 161 Totals for 1914 .. 774 900 1,674 2,118 1,460 3,584 Totals for 1913 .. 676 831 1,507 1,915 1,256 3,171

School. Industrial. Agrici luises of Instri iltuial. Doi lotion and Nie tber of Students. ercial. Art. Gei Tot tls. Capitation paid, during Year ended 31st December, 1914. lestic. Oomi tercial. leral. Auckland Wanganui Wellington Napier Westport Christchurch Dunedin M. 140 34 54 23 14 113 48 44 F. M. 19 7 F. M. F. 49 7 22 42 M. 48 17 61 1.4 j?'. » 14.1 51 144 M. F. 3 M. 46 F. 23 M. 207 104 116 37 14 200 88 94 F. 190 81 169 42 £ s. d. 5,098 0 0 1,793 0 0 3,077 0 0 921 0 0 42 0 0 4,366 0 0 2,832 0 0 1,781 0 0 39 15 11 107 64 22 48 25 39 107 136 61 214 200 83 Invercargill Totals, 1914 470 91 313 252 640 1 3 46 23 860 979 19,910 0 0 Totals, 1913 409 77 307 217 7 36 24 739 925 18,532 0 0 587 '

E.—s

Table J 12.—Summary op Expenditure by the Government on Manual and Technical Instruction during the Year ending 31st March, 1915. Capitation— £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. AT=v,, lc .i;„ot,„„ti„r. J Publio-school classes .. .. 30,329 0 0 Manual instruction .. 1 0 , , , . ,'... „ „ ( Secondary-school classes .. 1,678 0 0 32,007 0 0 ( Special classes .. .. .. 9,005 0 0 m v ■ i ■ Associated classes .. .. 8,629 0 0 Teohn,oal lnatruot,on Day technical schools .. .. 18,854 0 0 { College classes .. .. .. 2,053 0 0 38,541 0 0 Free places at classes other than those at day technical sohools .. 6,522 0 0 . 77,070 0 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions— Manual instruction .. .. .. .. .. 193 0 0 Technical instruction .. .. .. .. .. 5,427 0 0 .. 5,620 0 0 Home-soience bursaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,142 0 0 Grants— Buildings, equipment, and rent— « Manual instruction .. .. .. .. 3,205 0 0 Teohnical instruction .. .. .. .. 20,572 0 0 23,777 0 0 Material for teohnical classes .. .. .. .. .. 2,093 0 0 25,870 0 0 Railway fares, Ac.— Instructors of classes .. .. .. .. .. 2,023 0 0 Students .. ... .. .. .. .. 340 0 0 Free pupils .. .. .. .. .. 2,117 0 0 Publio-sohool pupils attending manual-training centres .. 4,566 0 0 .. 9,046 0 0 Examinations— Soience and art, Board of Education, London .. .. 66 0 0 Technological, City and Guilds of London Institute .. 409 0 0 .. 475 0 0 Inspectors— Salaries .. .. .. .. .. 957 0 0 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. 171 0 0 .. 1,128 0 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 800 120,359 0 0 Less recoveries (examination fees, &c.) .. .. .. .. .. 178 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. '£120,181 0 0 * This total inoludes £8,270 from national endowment revenue. The total expenditure by the Government by way of oapitation, subsidies, and grants was for manual instruction £35,405, and for technical instruction £73,155. The expenditure for the previous year was respectively £35,290 and £64,198.

Table J13.—Science Examinations of the Board of Education, London, and the Technological Examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute, 1914.

24

Subjects of Examination. Number of Entries. Number of Passes. Science Subjects. 3 Practical geometry and graphics —Lower Practical mathematics- —Lower Theoretical mechanics, solids—Lower Machine construction and drawing—Lower .. Applied mechanics (materials and structures) —Lower Applied mechanics (materials and structures) —Higher Applied mechanics (machines and hydraulics)—Lower Heat engines—Lower Building-construction —Lower Building-construction —Higher Magnetism and electricity —Lower 3 2 1 15 18 1 13 8 25 6 13 5 13 7 2 19 3 3 Totals, 1914 105 55 Totals, 1913 ,. 70 ni

25

E.—s

Table J13.—Science Examinations of the Board of Education, London, etc .— continued.

Table Jl4.—Return of Staffs of Schools and Classes for Manual and Technical Instruction conducted by the undermentioned Bodies as Controlling Authorities or Managers, as the case may be, during the Year ending 31st December, 1914, Exclusive of Clerks, Caretakers, etc., and of Part-time Instructors receiving Salaries or Allowances of less than £100 per Annum. Auckland Education Board.—'Director, £700. Assistant Director, £400. Thirty-eight instructors (maximum salary, £325); also three itinerant instructors in agriculture, one at £400, one at £350, and one at £210. Managers of the Elam School of Art. —Director and secretary, £450. Three instructors (maximum salary, £220). Taranaki Education Board. —Superintendent, £95; and Assistant Superintendent, £90 (also Inspectors of Schools). Director, £265. Six instructors (maximum salary, £230); also one itinerant instructor in agriculture at £300. Wanganui Education Board. —Five Directors at £450, £350 (also itinerant instructor in agriculture), £250, £95 (also instructor), and £53. Twenty instructors (maximum salary, £320); also two itinerant instructors in agriculture, one at £335 and one at £310. Palmerston North High School Board. —Director, £325. Two instructors (maximum salary, £295). Wellington Education Board,—Ten instructors (maximum salary, £260); also two itinerant instructors in agriculture, one at £325 and one at £200. Managers of the Wellington Technical College.—Director, £700. Twenty instructors (maximum salary, £330). Managers of tho Petone Technical School.—Director and secretary, £150. Managers of the Masterton Technical School.—Director and secretary, £100. Two instructors (maximum salary, £170). Hawke's Bay Education Board.—Director (also itinerant instructor in agriculture), £450. Four instructors (maximum salary, £230) ; also one itinerant instructor in agriculture at £335. Managers of the Napier Technical College.—Director and secretary, £376. Six instructors (maximum salary, £235). Gisborne High School Board.—Secretary, £25.

4—E. 5.

Subject of Examination. Number of Entries. Number of Passes. Technological Subjects. 1 1 1 21 4 4 1 2 3 25 18 2 16 2 23 8 18 3 1 11 14 2 6 3 1 1 15 8 2 12 92 Telegraphy—Grade I Telegraphy—Final Telephony-—Grade I Electrical engineering—Grade I Electrical engineering—Grade II (first paper) Electrical engineering—Grade II (second paper) Electrical engineering—Grade II (whole examination) Electrical engineering—Final Electric wiremen's work—Grade I .. Plumbers' work —Grade I Principles of leadwork—Grade II .. Principles of leadwork—Final Plumbers' work—Grade II (practical) Plumbers' work —Final (practical) Plumbers' work—Grade II (whole examination) Plumbers' work —Final (whole examination) Mechanical engineering—Grade I .. Mechanical engineering—Grade II .. Mechanical engineering—Final Carpentry and joinery—Grade I .. Carpentry and joinery—Grade II .. Carpentry and joinery—Final Cabinetmaking—Grade I .. Cabinetmaking—Final Mine-surveying—Grade I .. Gas engineering—Final .. .. Woodwork—First year Woodwork—Final Millinery Dressmaking Plain cookery 1 1 12 3 2 1 1 2 22 18 "2. 4 - 13 2 8 1 6 12 1 6 2 1 1 10 6 2 11 63 Totals, 1914 321 209 Totals, 1913 343 236

E-5

Nelson Education Board. —Director (also instructor), £350. Six instructors (maximum salary, £300) : also itinerant instructor in agriculture at £350. Grey Education Board.—Director, £52. Five instructors (maximum salary, £200). North Canterbury Education Board.—Director, £100 (also Director, Christehuroh Technical College). Four instructors (maximum salary, £190) ; also two itinerant instructors in agriculture, one at £400 (£lOO paid by Christchurch Technical College) and one at £250. Managers of the Christehurch Technical College.—Director, £600. Seventeen instructors (maximum salary, £375). Managers of the Ashburton Technical School.—Director, £350. Two instructors (maximum salary, £190). Managers of the Kaiapoi Technical School. —Director, £25. Canterbury College Board of Governors. —School of Art: Director, £550. Five instructors (maximum salary, £250)1 South Canterbury Education Board.—Director, £300 (also Director, Timaru Technical School). Three instructors (maximum salary, £210) ; also itinerant instructor in agriculture at £350. Managers of the Timaru Technical School.—Director, £50. Managers of the Pleasant Point Technical School.—Director, £10. Managers of the Temuka Technical School.—Director, ,£6O. Managers of the Pah-lie Technical School. —Director, £15. Otago Education Board.—Director, School of Art, £400. Nine instructors (maximum salary, £200) ; two itinerant instructors in agriculture, each at £300 ; also itinerant instructor in wool-classing at £84. (Sec also jSnuthland Education Board). Managers of the Dunedin Technical College.—Director, £600. Twelve instructors (maximum salary, £290). Managers of the Oamaru Technical School. —Director, £100. Managers of the Milton Technical Classes. —Secretary, £16. Southland Education Board.—Six instructors (maximum salary, £265); also itinerant instructor in agriculture at £300, and one in wool-classing at £110. (Sec also Otago Education Board.) Managers of the Southland Technical College.—Director, £450. Seven instructors (maximum salary, £275). Gore High School Board.—Director, £10.

26

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APPENDIX. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE SEVERAL EDUCATION DISTRICTS. AUCKLAND. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. The year 1911 was marked by steady progress in manual training and technical education in this district. The urgent necessity for the completion of the Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland, becomes more marked year by year, and it is disappointing that some of the evening classes have still to be conducted in class-rooms at the Normal School and at the old rented building in Rutland Street. The day Technical School of the College still maintained its popularity, and the number of students last year increased to 397 from 345 the previous year. In the evening and special day classes at the College (other than those of the day technical school) the number of individual students enrolled was 1,620, an increase of over 338 over 1913. The, number of individual students in the College for .the year was consequently 2,017. Manual training (woodwork) and domestic science (cookery and laundry-work) were taught in Devonport, Ponsonby, Newton, Newmarket, Pukekohe, Hellensville,' Otahuhu (woodwork only), Thames, Waihi, Whangarei, Hamilton, and Cambridge Manual Training Schools, and grants were received from the Department which enabled the erection of similar schools at Te Aroha, Dargaville, -and Te Kopuru to be proceeded with, and these will shortly be opened for work. Instruction in agricultural science was given in 238 schools, as against 192 in 1913, and the number of schools in which handwork was taught increased from 267 to 344. In seventy-five schools below Grade IV needlework was taught, and instruction in swimming and life-saving was given in twenty-two, being an increase of three over the previous year. Extract prom the Report of the Director of Technical Education and Manual Training. Handwork. —Last year handwork, such as brush drawing, plasticine (clay) modelling, paper folding and cutting, crayon drawing, &c, was taught in 344 schools, as against 267 schools in 1913, the average number of pupils receiving instruction being 31,502. In the majority of these schools the teachers had previously received instruction under one or other of the Board's art and handwork specialists. A most pleasing feature of the work of the schools was the increasing evidence of the correlation of the drawing and handwork with other subjects of the curriculum such as nature-study, agriculture, &c. ' In the schools below Grade IV, taught by a male teacher, there were seventy-five sewing-mistresses employed last year. Swimming and Life-saving. —Last year this subject was taught in twenty-two of the primary schools, as against nineteen in the previous year. Seeing its great importance it is to be regretted that a larger number of schools do not make it part of their curricula. In the Auckland District, where there are so many waterways and so much coast-line, it is of especial importance. With the, ,admirable provision in the way of public swimming-baths which are now available in Auckland City, it is to be hoped that every boy and girl in the upper standards at least of the city and suburban schools will receive instruction in swimming. In many of the country districts the creeks and streams should also render it easy for instruction to be given. It was hoped that when, some few years ago, the Board decided to pay to the teachers giving instruction in swimming and life-saving in their schools 75 per cent, of the capitation earned by the pupils, that this would have the effect of largely increasing the number of schools taking up the subject. I look upon the teaching of swimming to children as being almost as essential as teaching them how to breathe properly, and I think it would be an excellent thing if the subject were made compulsory in all schools where facilities were reasonably within reach of the pupils. Domestic Science (Cookery and Laundry-work) and Manual 'Training (Woodwork). —Special buildings for the teaching of these subjects have been erected at Whangarei, Thames, Otahuhu, Waihi, Hamilton, Cambridge, Devonport, Pukekohe, and Helensville. The total number of pupils in attendance in 1914 at the different centres was, for domestic science, 2,232, and for manual training, 2,572. In addition to the above, centres have also been erected at Te Aroha, Te Kopuru, and Dargaville, the former of which was recently opened for work, whilst the other two will be ready for occupation in a few weeks. Application has also been made to the Department for grants in, aid of centres at Waipu, Maungaturoto, Paparoa, and Matamata. The work done in the manual training and domestic science centres last year was of a very high order, and, lam sure, compares favourably with any similar work elsewhere. The course in cookery embraces not only the cooking of food, but also the selecting and purchasing of same, whilst simple lessons in the physiology of digestion, personal hygiene, <fee, are given, the work being illustrated wherever possible by experiments carried out by the pupils themselves. The laundry-work course embraces, in addition to the principles and practice of washing, ironing, etc., disinfection of clothes,removal of stains, properties of materials used, such as soap, soda, starch, &c; in all cases instruction being within the capacity of the students, and the theory freely supplemented by experimental work. In the same way the course in manual training (woodwork) deals not only with the use of the common woodworking tools, but also with the mode of growth, characteristics, &c, of the timbers used. A feature of the work is the close correlation between the drawing and the practical exercises in woodwork, geometry also being taught in so far as it is applicable to the exercises and models made by the pupils.

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It is pleasing to be able to state that whilst, when this work was introduced into the schools in 1903, there was considerable opposition on the part of parents and teachers, to-day the value of the training given is generally recognized, and the demand from country districts for the introduction of the work kito their midst is only curtailed by the difficulty in obtaining grants from the Department in aid of the erection of the necessary buildings. It is gratifying to note, too, that whilst it was necessary in 1903 to import from England the six original teachers to commence this work, most of our centres are now staffed by men and women who received their training with us. Elementary Agriculture. —The number of schools last year in which elementary agriculture was taught was 238, an increase of forty-six over the previous year, the number of pupils receiving instruction being 3,907. This increase in the number of schools taking up the subject was largely due to the energy of the itinerant agricultural instructor, Mr. J. P. Kalaugher. It is, I think, greatly to be regretted that the Board discontinued last year the giving of special prizes to schools showing the greatest improvement in school-gardens. Properly carried out, a school-garden can be made a very great educational factor in connection with the ordinary curriculum of the primary school. As pointed out in one of my previous reports, the school-garden should serve at least the following purposes : — (1.) As a means of helping to beautify school-grounds. (2.) As a means of making the pupils acquainted with plant-life and of helping them to understand and take an intelligent interest in the properties of soils, the conservation of moisture, insect friends and foes, &c. Above all, it gives the live teacher an opportunity of vitalizing the ordinary work of the school by correlating geography. As far as possible, all work should be done, and every operation faithfully recorded, by means of writing, drawing, &0., by the pupils themselves. For the teacher to perform the work and then to dictate to the pupils the notes they are to take is almost worse than useless. Teachers who adopt an intelligent scheme of co-ordination will be astonished at the improvement of their pupils in composition, drawing, arithmetic, &c. Again, it is very little use to grow, bay, a large crop of potatoes if in growing them the pupils do not learn something about the way they grow, their roots, stalks, leaves, &,c. (3.) It will make the child take a more intelligent and keener interest in the home-garden if the training is directed by the teacher as it should be. That many of the schools have realized the possibilities of the school-garden as above indicated can be made obvious by a visit to such schools. In particular, I should like to draw attention to the school-grounds of the Maungawhau Public School, Mount Eden —a school which, although only opened two years ago, can already show grounds laid out in a manner which would be a credit to any school in the Dominion. The rural course in district high schools, as suggested by the Department, is intended to provide a sound secondary education for pupils between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years of age, a strong bias being given in the direction of fitting the pupils for life in the country. The curriculum embraces the following: English, history, agriculture (including work in school-gardens), mathematics, botany, physics, chemistry, hygiene, physiology, etc., as well as cookery, laundry-work, and dressmaking for girls, and woodwork, building-construction, &c, for boys. Last year, in order that this work should be carried out on the best-lines, it was necessary to appoint an additional itinerant instructor. The work done by Mr. A. V. Donnan in these schools since his appointment in 1913 was so satisfactory that the Board had no hesitation in appointing another Hawkesbury College man as additional instructor. Mr. J. H. Hadfield, who at the time of his appointment was instructor in agriculture at the Hawkesbury College, New South Wales, commenced his duties in September last, and since that time has put in some * admirable work. The schools which took up the rural course last year, and the number of pupils in each,-were as follows : Waihi, 45 ; Cambridge, 19 ; Paeroa, 36 ; and Pukekohe, 12. As in previous years, short courses in agriculture for teachers of primary schools were held at the Technical College. At the courses held in January sixty-three attended, whilst twenty-four attended in June and July, sixteen in August and September, and forty in September and October, making a total of 143. For some years past an important function of the Technical Education and Manual Training Branch has been to provide special training for teachers, such as short courses in agriculture, art, handwork, &c, for teachers in the country, weekly classes in the evening and on Saturday mornings for teachers within reach of the Technical College, and classes in special subjects for students of the Training College. In addition to such classes, last year an important departure was made in arranging special classes at the Technical College for all the pupil-teachers in the city and suburbs of Auckland. The students of the Auckland Training College last year received instruction in art, domestic science, agriculture, and woodwork. Special short courses in botany and hygiene were held at the Technical College at various periods of the year to provide the necessary practical instruction, in accordance with the Department's requirements, for those teachers in country districts who contemplated sitting for their Dor C certificates. In these courses, which were usually held for a fortnight, practically the whole of the time was devoted to individual practical work by the teachers themselves, the necessary theoretical instruction having as a rule been previously given by means of correspondence classes. The courses in hygiene were attended by 142 teachers, and the courses in botany by 103 teachers. Teachers' classes were carried on at the Technical College during the evenings and on Saturday mornings from March to September, and were attended by assistants and pupil-teachers preparing for the C and D examinations of the Education Department. The classes were much appreciated by the teachers attending them, and there is no doubt that many of the pupil-teachers will benefit largely by being able to enter the Training College with higher academic qualifications than they otherwise would possess, and be thus enabled to spend a portion of the time whilst they are students of the Training College in keeping terms at the University. The total roll number of these classes was 683, as compared with 300 for the previous year.

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Technical and Continuation Classes in Country Centres. —During the year (1914) classes were held at Devonport, Pukekohe, Thames, Waihi, and Whangarei, whilst an itinerant instructor also held dressmaking classes at Cambridge, Morrinsville, and Paeroa. Devonport. —The compulsory continuation classes which were established the previous year were again held at Devonport. The students in attendance numbered fifty-four, all of whom were between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years, and in many cases a strong feeling of resentment was shown because of their being compelled to attend. Whilst the Act provided that parents were liable to a penalty for not seeing that their children attended, it made no provision for dealing with students who misconducted themselves. This defect was remedied by the insertion of a clause in the Education Act of last year, and it is anticipated that for the future compulsory continuation classes in New Zealand will run much more smoothly. The subjects taught embraced arithmetic, English, dressmaking, book-keeping and business methods, ana woodwork, the total number of class entries being 162. Pukekohe. —Classes similar to those at Devonport were again earned on last year. The subjects taught were arithmetic, English, bookkeeping and commercial correspondence, dressmaking, and woodwork. Most of those attending were compulsory students, but in addition others beyond the compulsory age availed themselves of the classes. A special class for farmers was also held ; this was conducted by Mr. A. V. Donnan, late of the Hawkesbury Agricultural College. The mimbei of faimers enrolled, was nineteen. Veiy considerable enthusiasm was evirced by the (students, who thoroughly appreciated the efforts on their behalf, and several local contributions were made towards the upkeep of the classes, largely as a direct result of the farmers' recognition of the value of the course of instruction. The number of individuals in attendance at the classes was sixty-two, the number of class entries being 107. Thames. —Technical classes last year were well attended, there being ninety-five individual students. The subjects taken and the number of students in each were as follows : English, 49 ; arithmetic, 49 ; bookkeeping, 32 ; shorthand, 28 ; typewriting, 38 ; dressmaking, 22 ; woodwork, 20 ; plumbing, 7 ; commercial geography, .10 ; and mathematics, 10. At the beginning of the year the local superintendent, Miss Murphy, who had done such excellent work for the last three years and a half, resigned, and Mr. W. 11. Hammond was appointed in her place. Eighty-three students sat for the examinations of the Auckland Technical College at the end of the year, and of these sixty passed. Whangarei. —The classes which are under the local superintendence of Mr. F. J. Layzell, were attended by forty-one individual students. The number of students who entered for the various subjects were as follows : English, 11 ; arithmetic, 11 ; dressmaking, 15 ; cookery, 6 ; art, 22 ; and woodwork, 10. Fourteen students sat for the examinations of the Auckland Technical College in December, and all of these were successful. Waihi. —As in the previous year, classes were conducted under the local superintendence of Mr. A. T. Smith. The number of individual students attending was seventy, the class entries being as follows: English, 26; arithmetic, 27; bookkeeping, 25; shorthand, 22; dressmaking, 19; woodwork, 21 ; and commercial correspondence, 25. The number of papers worked at the December examinations of the Auckland Technical College was thirty-four, and twenty-four successes were obtained. The itinerant dressmaking instructor, Miss M. Noble, also held classes in dressmaking at Cambridge, Morrinsville, and Paeroa in addition to those which she conducted at Thames and Waihi. The number of students in attendance at Cambridge was twenty-five, at Morrinsville ten, and at Paeroa nine. Two '•'" students from Morrinsville and one from Cambridge sat for the dressmaking examination of the Auckland Technical College in December, and ail were successful. Seddon Memorial Technical College. —The number of pupils attending the day technical school of the College last year was 397, as against 345 in the previous year ; 207 of these were boys and 190 girls. The object of the day technical school is to offer to boys and girls who have passed through the primary school course a practical education in the, training of all the faculties. By a combination of hand and head work the pupil is able to find and exercise his best powers whilst obtaining accurate information in many practical matters. The work is broad*and liberal in its scope and universal in its applications. The school aims at surrounding the boys and girls with the realities of life not only in thought, but in things, and to fit them for their environment. By the proportion of intellectual, manual, and art work which the courses provide the pupils are trained mentally, physically, and aesthetically. The shop exercises are planned to embody many constructive principles, and give the pupil that kind of skill and constructive ability which will enable him to take up any trade. An educated hand, like an educated head, is not limited to a single line of effort, but can shift and adapt itself to the (•hanging conditions of life. The courses of instruction given in the day technical school last year were (I) agricultural, (2) commercial, (3) domestic, (4) science and technological, (5) mechanical and electrical engineering. The agricultural course, which was instituted at the College for the first time in 1912, has already proved an unqualified success. It is intended specially to attract the boy from the farm, and also the boy from the town who desires to make his living on the land. It will meet the requirements of all who intend to get a living from the land, whether as farmets, farm-managers, creamery-men, marketgardeners, nurserymen, or fruitgrowers. The scope of the work covers those subjects that will prove of direct practical value to the students when, having finished the course, they return to the land to carry on their work in life. The College aims at teaching the joy of farm life as well as the proper scientific methods and practices. It tries to instil into its students that enthusiasm for the work on the farm that will cut the dull edge of drudgery by which haphazard farming is characterized ; it endeavours to teach its students " how to make the most of farm life." The acquisition of the 3-acre paddock adjoining the Otahuhu Railway-station, which has been specially loaned for experimental purposes by the Auckland

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Agricultural and Pastoral Association, has given a much needed fillip to this course, and, despite the severe drought of last year, excellent use was made of the ground by the pupils, under the able direction of Mr. A. V. Donnan, the agricultural instructor. The paddock was laid out in orchard, experimental plots, gardens, &c, whilst a large building was also erected, embracing lecture-room, implement-shed, workshop, &c, as well as a dairy for experimental purposes. The number of boys taking the agricultural course last year was nineteen. The junior commercial course, which is open to boys and girls, is intended to provide a preliminary business training for boys and girls who have just completed their primary school education, and who propose, at the end of two years, to either (1) enter business, or (2) take up an advanced commercial course at the College. Last year excellent work was done by 125 girls and forty-five boys who attended this course. The demand for typists who had been through this two-years course, on the part of business firms, was greater than we could supply, and girls whom we could strongly recommend had no difficulty in obtaining good positions, whilst the boys were in great demand by managers of banks and other commercial houses. It should be noted that in order to make the curriculum as broad as possible, whilst special attention is paid to business training, it is compulsory for all girls to take cookery, laundry-work, and needlework, and for boys to take metalwork and woodwork. The senior commercial course is intended for students of either sex who have received a sound preliminary training such as is given in our junior commercial course. The number of students who took (-his course last year was nineteen, consisting of sixteen girls and three boys. Excellent work was doTu;, by these students, and the majority of them, on account of their superior qualifications, obtained excellent positions. The domestic science course for girls is designed to supplement the home training which girls usually receive, and, whilst their general education is not lost sight of, to fit them better for the duties of the home-maker. The course, therefore, aims at giving the pupil a sound foundation in the different branches of household work, such as cookery, needlework, laundry-work, &c, and at awakening her interestin the important question of sound bodies, wholesome dwellings, and real homes. The course will prove invaluable to girls, no matter what their positions in life may be, and particularly to girls who intend to become nurses, housekeepers, dressmakers, or milliners. This course I consider to be a most valuable one for girls, and it is very gratifying to find that no less than forty-nine availed themselves (if it. Unfortunately, a large number of girls leave at the end of one year's course. Patents have frequently excused themselves for not allowing their daughters to continue for at least a second year, by saying that the girls have become so helpful to them at home on account of the tuition they have received at the school that they cannot possibly spare them for another year. The science and technical course is open to boys only, and is intended specially for boys who propose to take up a trade or profession. It is not expected that all those who take this course will become mechanics. It is confidently believed, however, that those who do, and who work hard, will be good ones. But those boys who do not enter mechanical pursuits will be well repaid for the time spent in the workshops. The exercises contribute to general intelligence, and are almost equally useful to all classes, cpecially to those who are in any way connected with practical pursuits. Even the lawyer, the doctor, and the tradesmen find that it is becoming more and more impossible to disassociate their business from those that require frequent exercises of mechanical judgment. The number of boys who took this course last year was 120. The mechanical and electrical engineering course is intended for boys who have already completed teo years in the science and technological course, and have definitely decided to take up engineering as a profession. Unfortunately, on account of the time spent in this couise not counting as part of a boy's apprenticeship in the engineering trade under the Arbitration Couit awards, the number availing themselves of this course is comparatively small, and even those who do take it up as a rule attend for one year only, as they still have the full six years' apprenticeship to serve after leaving school. The number in attendance at this course, last year was twenty. On the whole, the work done in the day technical school last year compares more than favourably with that of any previous year. This 1 attribute largely to the admirable staff whose services I was able to command, and which last session was very much strengthened by the inclusion of Dr. O'Shannassy (chief instructor of mathematics), and Messrs. A. V. Donnan (agricultural instructor), and R. McLaren (second English master). When war broke out, our French and German master, Mr. 0. Galitzenstein, who was a French reservist, was called to the front, and later we learned with deep regret that he had died of typhoid contracted in the trenches. Evening and Special Day Classes. —The new College building in Wellesley Street, as in the previous year, proved quite inadequate to accommodate all the students attending evening classes, and it was necessary to conduct a number of classes in the following external buildings : Normal School, Wellesley Street East; the carpenters' workshop, St. Paul's Street; and the old technical school building in Rutland Street. The classes held in the Normal School were those which did not require special equipment other than that provided in the ordinary class-room, and embraced such subjects as English, arithmetic, mathematics, Latin, history, geography, commercial correspondence, &c. All classes in carpentry and joinery and in cabinetmaking were conducted in the St. Paul's Street workshop, whilst classes in trade drawing, painting and decorating, &c, were held in Rutland Street. The number of individual students in attendance last year at the evening and special classes was .1,620, which, together with the 397 pupils of the day technical school, made a total of 2,017, an increase of 390 over the previous year. It is greatly to be regretted that.fuuds are not available for providing the very necessary additions to the new College building. It is estimated that £30,000 is required to make the College complete, and thus enable all classes which are now taken in other buildings to be housed in the College. With the object of raising £15,000 which, together with the pound-for-pound Government subsidy, would

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provide the £30,000 required, about the middle of last year a campaign was organized by the Technical College Old Boys' Association. Liberal support in. conducting the campaign, which it was decided should take place in September, was promised by leading business men in the city. Unfortunately, however, war broke out at the beginning of August, and as big demands were being made on the public for patriotic purposes, it was decided to abandon the idea until after the war was over. It is gratifying to be able to state that when war broke out a large number of past and present students of the College responded to the Empire's call by joining the Expeditionary' Forces. Since then we have received news of the death of many of them, and I am proud to know that when the history of New Zealand's share in the war is written the Technical College boys will be found to have played their part. The various departments in which instruction was provided last year included the following : Art, building trades, business training, cabinetmaking, domestic, electrical engineering, grocery, mechanical engineering, painting and decorating, pharmacy, plumbing and sanitary engineering, and public examinations. There was a considerable increase in the class entries, as well as a decided improvement in the examination results. In external examinations students of the College again gave a good account of themselves. In the Science and Technological Examinations conducted by the Board of Education, South Kensington, London, twenty-two successes were obtained by our students, and sixty-two in examinations held by the City and Guilds of London Institute. For some years past a special feature of evening-class work in Auckland has been the continuation classes to enable students whose general education is defective to improve themselves an"d-obtain certificates of proficiency entitling them to enter the Technical College as free pupils. Last year -these classes were well patronised, 123 students being in attendance ; of these, sixty-four sat for examination, thirty-two obtaining certificates of proficiency and fourteen certificates of competency. Speaking generally, the evening classes of the College maintained their high efficiency of previous years, a result largely due to the untiring efforts of a highly qualified staff of instructors. I cannot conclude this report without setting on record my deep appreciation of the services so enthusiastically and efficiently rendered by my staff during the past twelve years, and the present position of manual training and technical education in the Auckland Province is due in no small measure to their efforts. George George, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Auckland, Devonport, Pukekohe, Te Aroha, Thames, Waihi, Whangarei, and in the Waikato by the Auckland Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on day teohnical school, Auck- Dr. balance at beginning of year.. .. 7,943 12 11 land .. .. .. .. 4,694 3 7 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. C,246 1 0 Capitation on other olasses .. .. 1,990 12 9 Material for class use .. .. .. 809 0 8 Capitation on free places .. .. 1,046 18 10 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 271 17 4 Capitation on compulsory pupils .. .. 51 1 5 Repairs .. .. .. .. 164 7 7 Buildings .. .. .. .. 3,519 16 5 j Caretaker .. .. .. .. 349 17 7 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 217 96 | Lighting and heating .. .. .. 328 16 2 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 105 6 6 : Insurance .. .. ... .. 112 0 Material .. .. .. .. 539 511 I Office expenses (including salaries) .. 1,932 18 2 Pees and other class payments .. .. 1,169 3 8 ' Advertising and printing .. .. 454 4 8 Sales of material .. .. .. 297 510 j Auckland Exhibition oxhibit .. .. 47 12 5 Voluntary contributions .. .. 36 8 9 I Buildings .. .. .. .. 26 7 10 .j. Rent from Education Reserve .. .. 1,379 17 5 i Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 1,11110 1 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 194 6 9[ Balance at end of year .. .. .. 4,446 7 1 £19,688 4 5 , £19,688 4 5 R. P. J. Ray, Assistant Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Director of the " Elam " School of Art. After several vexatious delays the new school building in Rutland Street has been finished, and the whole work of the school has been, carried on in it for the last four months. I. was able to make arrangements for the applied art work to be started in the new building from the beginning of the year, as the lease of our old applied art rooms had been given up at the end of last year ; but it was not until the beginning of September that the school was able to finally leave the Public Art Gallery building, where it had been carried on for nearly twenty-five years. After several months work in the new school I am able to say that the building is a complete success, and will afford excellent accommodation for all students coming forward for many years to come. In spite of circumstances which can hardly be said to be favourable to an institution of this kind —namely, the removal in the middle of the working year to a new building, and more recently the excitement caused by the European war, and its effect on the young male population as to drill and enlistment —the attendance for the whole year has been very good. The attendances registered during the year were 25,272, which is nearly the same as for .1913. Perhaps the most pleasing feature in the year's attendance is the large increase in the applied art section. Early in the year Mr. W. Andrews, late of the Wanganui Technical College, joined the staff, and his energy and enthusiasm have already made themselves felt in all sections of applied art. Well-attended and highly-interested classes have been held for some time at the school in wood-carving and modelling, repousse, copper and silver work, leather embossing, enamelling, and jewellery, and from the interest shown in these subjects at our recent exhibition [ anticipate a large increase in the number of students at these classes next year.

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The school exhibition was held in December, and all the available class-rooms were filled with the work of students in fine and applied art; the attendance of the public was large, and great interest was shown in both the work and the new building, which was open to the public for the first time. Two students of the school, Miss I. G. Eise and Miss E. E. Ward, received their art class teacher's certificates from the Board of Education, London, this y r ear, but no works were submitted for the National Competition. The former lady, Miss Eise, who has been a student here for the last six or seven years, has just been appointed to take charge of the art classes at the New 'Plymouth Technical School. Miss Eise's work, which has been excellent alike in fine and applied art, will be much missed. Mr. Fristrom and Miss Copeland, who are responsible for most of the drawing and painting, have again done excellent work, and Miss Copeland is to be congratulated on the success her efforts have met with in interesting so many new students in the, study of design. E. W. Payton, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted by the Managers of the Elam, School of Art. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 727 0 7 "Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 105 10 2 Buildings .. '.. .. .. 850 0 0 Salaries of teaching staff.. .. .. 891 13 4 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 40 0 0 Material for class use .. .. 17 *2_ 3 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 22 11 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 8 0" 0 Material .. ~ .. .. 31 11 10 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 28 1 8 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 288 10 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. 6 5 4 Fees and other class paymonts .. .. 83 10 6 Office expenses (including salaries, staSales .. .. .. .. .. 18 3 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 94 19 10 From education reserves .. .. 118 6 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 63 3 7 From trustees Elam bequest .. .. 242 4 3 Models.. .. .. .. .. 48 4 2 Dr. balanoe at end of year .. .. 2,285 12 2 Exhibition .. .. .. .. 35 1 7 Sundries .. .. .. .. 21 0 0 Buildings .. .. .. .. 3,282 4 7 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 89 8 1 £4,690 14 7 £4,690 14 7 E. W. Payton, Secretary. TARANAKI. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. Agriculture and Dairy-work. —The agricultural work in the schools has been continued through the year under the direction of Mr. J. G. Ellis, who, as opportunity offered, visited the schools in the district which included this important branch of education in their work, consulting with the teachers and generally supervising the instruction and operations, and the results have been fairly satisfactory. Many of the teachers manifest a very keen interest in the aims and objects of rural education, and the work done in some schools is of a very creditable order. A pleasing feature worthy of mention is that in some of the schools where not very much has been done hitherto, teachers and pupils alike exhibit a desire to accomplish more than they have yet attempted, and we hope that in the very near the number of schools taking agriculture will be considerably increased, and the results in all schools materially improved. In addition to the work in general agriculture several of the schools include dairy science in the course of instruction, and in these valuable lessons are given and satisfactory work accomplished, and in a district where the dairying industry is the principal avocation of the residents the useful lessons taught cannot fail to have a beneficial effect upon the community's products. During the month of May a three-weeks course of instruction for teachers was held in the Technical College, New Plymouth. At this Mr. Ellis conducted a class in dairy science. There were about a dozen teachers in daily attendance, and they displayed a considerable amount of enthusiasm and acquired some very useful information as well as valuable experience. Mr. E. C. Isaac, Technical Inspector, visited the class whilst at work and expressed his satisfaction and pleasure on account of its diligence, attention, and interest. Mr. Ellis has successfully sought to awaken outside interest in the work performed in the schools, and several persons have displayed their interest in a very practical fashion. Some valuable donations of manures, seeds, and plants have been readily and generously made, and in this connection thanks are due to Messrs. T. Borthwick and Sons (Mr. Lennon), of Waitara, Newton King (Mr. Shaw), Griffiths, Rowe, and Paterson, Nolan, and Carter, of New Plymouth, and Mr. Hicks, of Tikorangi. Rural Classes, Stratford. —There is ample evidence that the rural classes at the Stratford District High School are becoming more popular each year. Nevertheless, it is probable that many people do not even yet realize the excellence of this comprehensive theoretical and practical course. It is intended especially for those who, while not aiming at a university training, or willing to devote themselves for four or five years to those studies which, however interesting and profitable, are yet of no direct and practical use, wish nevertheless to continue their studies for two or more years after leaving the primary school, with a view to enabling them to go back to the land equipped with a thorough knowledge of their business, and able to avail themselves fully of all the aids to success afforded by the intelligent application of scientific, principles to their particular needs. While, however, this aim is kept steadily in view, it is recognized that without a sound basis of general knowledge all such special knowledge fails to have its full effect. The students therefore receive a thorough training in English and mathematics. In addition to these staple subjects, the course

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includes dairy science, agriculture, woodwork, metalwork, surveying, dressmaking, cookery, and laundry-work ; and, realizing that the farmer also needs to have some knowledge of accounts, the directors of the course last year included a class in book-keeping, conducted by an expert. The dairy class last year performed individually a large number of experiments on the properties of milk, butter, cheese, and rennet, and on the causes and prevention of defects in the quality of these ; and received lessons on such important subjects as the care, feeding, and physiology of the cow, and the manufacture of butter and cheese. They visited the Stratford Butter-factory and the Ngaere Cheese-factory, spending several hours at each, and taking careful notes on the various processes they observed. In the case of wood and metal work, the course pursued is chosen especially with a view to its practical utility on the farm. Instruction is given in mending common articles, and in making things in common use, in hammering out links for chains, in making, mending, and setting up wooden and iron gates, and so forth. The agriculture class during the past year conducted experiments on the effects of manures in common use on various pasture grasses, and on the spraying and pruning of fruit-trees. A good deal of time was devoted to work in the glasshouse, where grape-vines are in their second year, and much benefit was here derived from the instruction and advice of Mr. McMillan, a local amateur expert in viticulture, who kindly paid several visits to the school. On the principle that no man can work well unless he is fed well, the girls in the cookery classes received competent theoretical and practical instruction in all branches of ordinary useful everyday cookery, and in the economical purchase of supplies. Laundry-work was taken, and the work in this subject will be further amplified and extended next year. Extract from the Report of the Director of the New Plymouth Technical College. During the year technical classes were held at the following centres : New Plymouth, (368 students), Stratford (70 students), and Inglewood (75 students). Also, in connection with the scheme for providing instruction for farmers, classes in agriculture and dairying were conducted in various country districts. In spite of the difficulty in securing capable instructors this scheme worked out splendidly, and is perhaps worthy of a word or two of explanation, Briefly, the farmers combined for the purpose of paying part of the salary of the instructor. Nineteen dairy companies agreed to pay Is. per ton on the output of butter and 6d. per ton on the output of cheese, and the money thus raised was used as part salary of an instructor, who lectured to the various companies in rotation, and also visited farms for the purpose of giving practical advice. During the year about five hundred farmers attended the lectures ; and if each one received only one hint which might enable him to increase his output or to curtail expenses, he was well repaid for the small amount of money which would represent his share of the expenditure. As stated, the great difficulty in connection with this scheme was the obtaining of suitable instructors. It seems to be necessary that there be some central institution in New Zealand wherein agriculture and dairying instructors can be, trained. From this training centre, and by means of the trained instructors, the requisite information would be spread right through the country to the individual farmers and their sons. The principle of trying to educate the young farmers by requiring them to attend at a central college is, I think, a wrong one. I believe a much greater amount of good to a far greater number would result from using the central institution as a training college from which controlling authorities could obtain instructors when required. I have to express my gratification at the manner in which the various dairy companies took up the matter. I think it represents the most advanced point yet reached in co-operative methods. '' The day classes in connection with the New Plymouth Technical College continue to increase. The appointment of permanent instructors proved most satisfactory. The increased attendance quite justified the Board's action, and the quality of the work done showed that good selections wore made. The fitting-up of the engineering workshop was carried out entirely by the boys under the supervision of the instructor, and they made an excellent job of it. The boys showed keen interest in their work, and many of them give promise of becoming first-class engineers. One of the difficulties in connection with the engineering class is the fact that time put in attending the class does not count towards the time of apprenticeship. I think it only just that three years' attendance at the day classes should be reckoned as equivalent to at least two years' apprenticeship. The commercial class was conducted on practical lines, and all the senior pupils received good appointments at the end of the year. There is an increasing demand for third-year commercial students, who can obtain employment at a higher rate of payment than others. Although the evening classes were not as well attended as they should have been, yet there was an increasing desire on the part of employers that their staffs should take advantage of the opportunity to obtain instruction. Several employers expressed their willingness to pay part or all of the fees for boys employed by them. At the various examinations held during the year students from the school were successful as follows : Plumbers' Examination : One student. City and Guilds Electrical Engineering : Grade 1, one student; Grade 2, one student. Teachers' D Certificate Examination : One complete pass and one partial pass. Public Service Entrance : One student. Intermediate Examination : One student. In general the work was conducted on the assumption that a technical school is a place where specialized instruction is given to enable the students to progress more rapidly in their respective trades or professions ; hence the work was made to approximate as closely as possible to trade conditions. I am aware that this is not altogether the generally accepted view of the function of technical schools ; but I am convinced that this principle will have to be adopted before the public will give technical education that whole-hearted support which it deserves.

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I have to express my appreciation of the sympathetic assistance rendered by the College Advisory Committee. The members showed a keen interest in the work, and gave me all the help they possibly could. The members of the staff are also deserving of great credit for the manner in which they carried out their duties. At the Stratford centre (Mr. Tyrer, Supervisor) classes were conducted in the following subjects, viz. : Advanced Latin and English, cookery, dressmaking, shorthand, and mechanical engineering. These classes were fairly well attended, and good work was done. At the Inglewood centre (Mr. Stratford, Supervisor) the only class held was that in dressmaking. Classes in dressmaking were also conducted at Lepperton, Oakura, Okato, and Rahotu. Alfred Gray, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at New Plymouth by the Taranaki, Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 563 8 1 Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 340 9 3 Capitation, free places .. .. .. 262 19 0 Salaries of teaching stall .. .. ..1,166 9 2 Buildings .. .. .. .. 350 0 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 45 2 8 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 1 10 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 3 9 0 Material .. .. .. 34 7 6 Repairs .. .. .. .. 26 10 11 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 34 17 0 Caretaker .. .. .. 42 2 0 Fees and other class payments .. .. 160 17 6 Lighting and heating .. .. 17 16. 8 Sales of material .. .. .. .. 12 12 9 Insurance .. .. .. .. 411 6 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 87 2 6 Advertising and printing .. .. ... 62 9 5 On account of instruction of classes other Rates .. .. .. .. .. 3 17 6 than special classes .. .. .. 20 0 0 Refunds.. .. .. .. .. 4 3 0 Deposit fees .. .. .. 23 15 0 Stationery, &c. .. .. .. 20 9 8 Discounts .. .. .. .. 0 4 7 Buildings .. .. .. .. 344 19 1 Refunds.. .. .. .. .. 4 13 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 592 8 2 Rents .. .. .. .. .. 250 Dr. balance at end of year.. .. ..1,116 5 7 £2,674 18 0 £2,674 18 0 P. S. Whitcombe, Secretary. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at Stratford by the Taranaki Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Or. balance at beginning of year .. .. 13 0 4 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 60 0 2 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 26 5 3 Repairs .. .. .. .. .. 012 6 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 510 0 Caretaker .. .. .. ..1200 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 315 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 0 5 3 Fees and other class payments .. .. 50 10 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 011 0 Sales of material.. .. .. .. 6 10 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 31 13 2 £105 2 1 £105 2 1 P. S. Whitcombe, Secretary. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at Inglewood, by the Taranaki Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 18 10 6 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 18 14 7 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 5 2 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 017 6 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 10 10 0 Stationery .. .. .. .. 0 13 Fees and other class payments .. .. 9 7 6 Cr. balance at end of year.. .. .. 24 5 9 Refunds.. .. .. .. .. 0 9 1 £43 19 1 £43 19 1 P. S. Whitcombe, Secretary. WANGANUI. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Agricultural Education. —This is perhaps an appropriate time to refer to the progress r{ agricultural instruction in this district, which was inaugurated systematically on the day Mr. G. D. Braik took office as Chief Inspector by the appointment of Mr. J. Grant as our first agricultural instructor, and the district was fortunate in having chosen as its Chief Inspector a man who was heart and soul in the work of agricultural instruction, who had the ability requisite to prescribe the desirable developments and the business acumen to, make the necessary provision for the work. Agricultural instruction which included extensive school-garden work, progressed so rapidly that two additional instructors had to "be piovided—the main portion of whose salaries are paid out of public subscriptions—and the Board has now decided to inaugurate a system of training young students as instructors, and as they develop in ability and experience, appointing them as secondary assistants in our district high schools. Hitherto such assistants have been trained on purely academic lines, and it is only natural that their influence should be in the direction of persuading pupils to take the commercial or purely educational

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course in preference to the agricultural course. To counteract this and to provide a means of training assistants in scientific and practical agriculture the new departure has been inaugurated. One reason why the agricultural course should be popularized is that one if not two agricultural colleges will be established in New Zealand in the near future ; but before that is done there will have to be some certainty that the necessary number of students will be forthcoming. To ensure that, it is desirable that the State should establish, a sub-department of agricultural instruction, which could be in charge of a first-class expert, working in conjunction with the Education Boards. More liberal provision should be made for the cost of working the system, without entailing extravagance, and then it would be found that agricultural high schools and agricultural colleges would be a necessity. A tribute to the training given in our district high schools has recently been received from Hawkesbury Agricultural College, N.S.W., where several of our lads are studying after having gone through the local scientific and practical course, while the unfailing success of our students who have taken agricultural subjects in the Public Service Examinations is another proof of efficiency. The school farm of 5 acres loaned by Sir James Wilson at Marton has been successfully carried on, and there are some fifty students in attendance there weekly. During the year wheat was sown on ]| acres of land and 80 bushels of firsts were obtained. In Feilding Mr. J. G. Cobbe has given the Board the use of S acres of land for the forty students at the Feilding District High School. Very successful farm camps were held on Mr. E. Short's Parorangi Estate, his magnificent Romney sheep, Hereford cattle, and Shire horses being placed at the students' disposal, and his expert employees were deputed to assist in the work of instruction. At Messrs. Henson Brothers' farm, Waitohi, the shearing-camp was held, with Mr. Hambly as special instructor in shearing, wool-classing, baling, &c. Messrs. 0. A. Banner and J. Grant, agricultural instructors, had charge of the camp, and Mr. J. Bull, woodwork instructor, gave the lads instruction in fencing. The behaviour and health of the lads were uniformly good, and their aptitude for acquiring knowledge was commendable. Other practical work carried out was fruit-tree pruning and spraying and rose-budding —in each case on a commercial scale. _ In the northern part of the district Mr. Braik inaugurated a system of instruction in pastures for adult farmers, and Mr. R. Browne was placed at their disposal. In addition to his lectures and experiments, a number of farms were given into his charge to prescribe subdivision, treatment of pastures, &c, and in every case the capacity of the farms has been more thar doubled, while the cost of treatment —top dressing, &c, —has been reduced. It is proposed to extend this system to the southern end of the district, and particularly on the pastures of districts, formerly bush-clad, which are showing signs of exhaustion. The Board also has in contemplation the creation of an agricultural instruction centre on the Main Trunk Railway portion of the district with Ohakune as the centre. The area of good land available between the line and the Wanganui. River is enormous, and there are at least 300,000 acres available for high development, and untouched by special treatment. The success of the system of instructing the pupils is bound up to a considerable extent with the working of adult farmers, and the members of the Board believe they are " making good " in this departure from what is being done in other districts. For the success already attained the Board has to thank many individual farmers and their associations, local bodies, and large-hearted residents, the capable corps of instructors, and the keenness of a large number of students. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. With regard to handwork, though some schools are still shirking their responsibility in the matter, we found most teachers readily adapting their programmes of work to the new requirement—namely, the j* close association of drawing and handwork. In some schools paper-folding was, from the above standpoint, being taught very effectively. Modelling in cardboaid or carton did not progress quite as satisfactorily ; material was for some time wanting, and the lequircments of the syllabus are not as easy to meet as in the case of paper-folding. In cookery and woodwork the reports of the instructors were on the whole very satisfactory indeed, and the pupils' work that we examined showed that these branches are being efficiently taught. Extract from the Report of the Secretary to the Education Board. It was Mr. Braik's custom, as Director of Technical Education, to write an annual report on manual and technical instruction in the district. Owing to Mr. Braik's illness towards the end of the year, and his subsequent death, his report for last year was not written. I have therefore compiled a brief report which, with the accompanying reports from supervisors and instructors, will, I trust, convey to the members of the Board some indication of the state of technical education in our district at the close of the year. During the year Mr. J. H. Bull, of. Hawkesbury Agricultural College, replaced Mr. Anker as instructor in woodwork in the Central District. Mr. Bull has proved himself an energetic and capable instructor. At the Wanganui Technical College Mr. 0. T. Cox, who had been in charge of the commercial department for some years, resigned, and Mr. H. Burdekin, of the Wellington Technical College, was appointed to the vacancy. Miss Smith was appointed instructress in dressmaking in place of Mrs. Taggart, who resigned. Mr. W. Andrews, who successfully conducted classes in applied art throughout the district for a number of years, left to take up an appointment on the staff of the " Elain " School of Art. Mr. F. Tarrant carried on the classes until the end of the year. Mi-. E. P. Gibson, an ex-pupil of the College who spent some years in England and on the Continent specializing in this work, has been appointed, and recently took up his duties. Mr. J. E. Richardson, art instructor in the Northern District, joined the staff of the Napier Technical College. The organization of the district remains practically the same as at the end of 1913. The number of centres at which technical and continuation classes were being held at the close of the year was forty, being an increase of twelve compared with 1913. There were 5,336 enrolments,

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and 2,300 individual students, these figures showing an increase of 240 and 372 respectively on the numbers at the end of the previous year. Compulsory continuation classes were in operation at Wanganui, Eltham, and Hawera, and from information supplied by Directors it is apparent that the evening classes carried on under the compulsory clauses of the Act are doing good work. The amount of friction has been surprisingly little. It is only in the case of new entrants that difficulties of any magnitude have occurred. As a rule compulsory pupils in their second and third year attend willingly, and do good work. Indeed it is often found that after reaching the age of seventeen, pupils are anxious to stay on and complete the course of work in which they have entered. Some pupils have even been recommended for free places, and it is gratifying to know that the Department has granted these. Generally the experience of these classes in this district is that they are quite successful. The following statement shows the branches of manual work and the number of schools in which instruction were given during the year : Agriculture, 149 ; dairy-work, 30 ; woodwork, 22 ; cookery, 23; swimming and life-saving, 11 : physical measurements, 9; hand-work, 200; advanced needlework, 9 ; physiology, 4. Instruction in needlework wa? given at twenty schools at which there were no female teachers on the staff. Instruction in woodwork and cookery is now being given at fourteen centres. During the ensuing year at least three additional centres will be established, while in Wanganui arrangements are being made to bring in the.children of the suburban schools by tram. At the time of writing the resignation of the Principal (Mr. W. A. Armour, M.A., M.Sc.) of the Wanganui Technical College has just come to hand, he having been appointed to the position of Headmaster of the Napier Boys' High School. During his term of office Mr. Armour has worked hard in the interests of the College, and has placed the institution on a sound basis, both educationally and financially. The Board will, lam sure, regret the loss of 'his services. Mr. 0. A. Stewart, M.A., first assistant in the high school department, has been appointed to the secondary department of the Normal School in Dunedin, and shortly leaves to take up his duties there. Mr. Stewart has proved himself a capable and conscientious teacher, and he will be much missed not only in the school, but also in the playficld, where he was deservedly popular. As in previous years, contributions were freely given by local bodies, public institutions, and private individuals. Contributions totalling over £420 were received from the following : Pohangina County Council, Eltham Borough Council, Eltham County Council, Kaponga Farmers' Union, Mangatoki Farmers' Union, Auroa Farmers' Union, Otakeho Farmers' Union, Kapuni Farmers' Association, Ararata Farmers' Association, Tokaora Farmers' Association, Kakaramea Farmers' Association, Matapu Farmers' Club, Ararata Farmers' Club, Tokaora Farmers' Club, Manaia Farmers' Club, Kaponga Farmers' Union, Feilding Borough Council, Oroua County Council, Manawatu County Council, Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Feilding Chamber of Commerce, Hawera Borough Council, Hawera Farmers' Co-operative Society, Kiwitea County Council, Kimbolton Chamber of Commerce, Marton Borough Council, Marton Chamber of Commerce, Rangitikei County Council, Rangiwahia Public Hall Company, New Zealand Farmers' Union, Wanganui Shakespeare Club, Wanganui Borough Council, Wanganui Builders' Association, Wanganui County Council. In addition a large sum was received from private subscribers. The thanks of the Board are due to all who assisted by voluntary contributions, byr acting on the advisory committees, by filling honorary positions, and in various other ways rendering valuable assistance to the cause of education. In conclusion I desire to express my thanks to the district supervisors, the directors of teohnical schools, and instructors, for the manner in which they met the demands of fthe office during the year. The clerical work involved in making up the necessary returns and reports is not light, and has, I know, in many caser to be done after the day's work. W. H. Swanger, Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Supervisor of the Northern District. Technical and continuation classes wore conducted at Hawera, Eltham, Patea, Waverley, Normanby, and in rural topics for farmers and others at Manaia, Otakeho, Auroa, Kaponga, Kapuni, Mangatoki, Matapu, Inaha, Tokaora, and Ararata. The enrolments totalled 1,261. Individual students numbered 554. The subjects of instruction were, broadly, art and applied art, domestic, commercial, and agriculture. The most noticeable feature here is the great increase in the numbers taking agricultural subjects. The great improvement in the enrolment of farmers and others interested in rural topics is mostly due to the successful formation of farmers' clubs, formed for the purpose of study and improvement of local farm practice as well as special branches of farm, garden, and orchard work. This way lies future success. It should be noted that the wives and children of farmers frequently attend demonstrations in connection with this work. The year has been one of marked progress, especially as regards classes for adult farmers, and as regards improvements to gardens and grounds of country schools. The new method of short periods of continuous instruction, so successful in connection with our rural classes at district high schools, when suitably extended and adapted to country schools and to work amongst farmers, has borne immediate fruit in added interest and abundant support from farmers and School Committees. We aim at making our school-grounds models from which the children can get an idea as to how the surroundings of their own homes could be improved both from the artistic and the utilitarian points of view. To this end the children look after the hedges, plant shrubberies and orchards, arrange and attend to flower-borders, look after lawns, &c, as well as grow vegetables, and root and fodder crops in the plots reserved for experimental purposes. A little attention from day to day given to the above keeps all in the best of order, and this attention is willingly given out of school hours, since the children and teachers take the greatest pride and interest in making the surroundings

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of the schools all that they should be. The Hawera Agricultural and Pastoral Association has a summer competition for the best-kept school-grounds, for which three small prizes are given, and for this theie are usually from eight to a dozen entries. As the conditions.and judging aie left to myself to arrange, there is no risk of sacrificing the etlucative interests for nursery or kitchen-garden practice. This year Mokoia School (two lady teachers) won the competition; with Tokaora (sole male teacher) second, and Ohangai (male head teacher and lady assistant) third. The Hawera Winter Show Committee has an autumn competition run much on the same lines. This competition was won by Okaiawa, with Tokaora second. At Hawera Spring Show a challenge cup for the best display of spring flowers was competed for by schools in this district, and was won by Ohangai. These competitions are of great value in raising the standard of our work from year to year, and in promoting the interest of parents and others in the development of rural education. Most of the schools in my district were visited several times during the year, as many as a dozen visits being made to schools in centres where classes for farmers were held. Up till June I regularly instructed the district high school classes in agricultural subjects at Eltham, Hawera, and Patea. In June the teachers took charge of these classes under my supervision. In September a week of continuous instruction in practical agriculture was given at Hawera for the Hawera and Eltham lads, and. a similar course was given at Patea. In December the lads from the above centres met at Hawera for a continuous course of three weeks. They took wool-sorting and shearing under Mr. Hambly for a fortnight, and practical work at the Hawera Dairy Factory for a further, week. Our thanks are due to Mr. A. Hunter, of Hawera, for use of sheds and'for providing sheep, and also to Mr. Baker for sheep. Unfortunately, bad weather prevented us from dealing with all the sheep offering. At the Hawera Dairy Factory the lads thoroughly enjoyed themselves under the careful tuition of the general manager and his staff. Our thanks are due to both for the accommodation granted and for the great interest taken in the progress of the lads. It is of some interest to note that farmers in this and other districts are getting the services of lads trained by our methods. In June it was arranged that I should be relieved temporarily from routine work in connection with technical and rural classes, and devote some weeks to lectures and demonstrations among the farmers, as many requests had come from farmers' unions and others for such lectures and demonstrations as were given in previous years. A week was given to each centre desiring my services, and in eight weeks the following were visited in turn—viz., Kakaramea, Tokaora, Otakeho, Auroa, Manaia, Matapu, Kaponga, and Ararata. I gave eighty lectures and demonstrations on farms, the subjects dealt with being— The laying down of pastures, temporary and permanent; top-dressing established pastures in (a) winter, (b) spring ; growing lucerne ; growing root crops generally ; the turnip, mangel, and potato ; manures generally, and mixing manures ; special conditions of soils in Taranaki and adaptations of farming methods to suit these ; rotational cropping in light soil ; orchard-work in season ; gardening throughout the year. Such interest was aroused by these lectures that farmers' clubs were formed in various centres, or farmers' unions took the matter up and arranged a system by which I should visit the farms of members, make plans thereof, noting conditions of soil, pastures, crops, &c, and advise on sowing-down of pastures, top-dressing, growing of special fodder crops and ordinary root crops, also care of gardens and orchards. At any time members could write to me for information as to manures, seed, &c. In connection with the above, and to ease the work of correspondence, a system of more or less regular lectures was inaugurated, each centre being visited once a month, or oftener if occasion arose. Attendance at these lectures has been very regular, and the best of good fellowship has prevailed. Altogether some thirty-eight lectures were given since the work started toward the end of September, thus making a total of 118 lectures and demonstrations since June. The centres that so far have arranged for advice through these farmers' clubs are : Tokaora, Inaha, Manaia, Kapuni, Kaponga, Mangatoki, Matapu, and Ararata; other clubs also are being formed for the purpose. Altogether since June 286 individual students attended my lectures and demonstrations. T had two large classes in orchardwork at Hawera, and another at Manaia! The question naturally crops up as to the advantage of such, work to young people of our schools. My answer is that greater interest than ever is now taken in the gardens and experimental work of our country schools, as we have now captured the interest of both parent and pupil. Farmers have donated trees, shrubs, manures, seed, and many personally help in the experimental work of our country schools. The results of experiments are watched with keenest interest, as it is recognized that from the results of our work in the school-garden and elsewhere a better system of farm practice, thoroughly suited to our local needs, has been evolved. From our experience it is quite plain that agricultural instruction should be developed so as to reach the primary school, the secondary school, and the adult farmer. It is all a matter of financial support, and of freeing the instructors from routine work, so that they can develop classes along suitable lines. It has frequently been stated that the farmer does not desire instruction in his work. That is not the case. The farmer will not listen to lectures on general agriculture, but if any one deals with the specialbranches that locally claim his interest he is all attention. Moreover, he is quite willing to pay for such instruction, as is evidenced by the fact that since June a total of £150 was subscribed in the way of donations to our classes. All classes which pupils coming under the regulations for compulsory attendance at teohnical classes attended in the daytime gave general satisfaction, and the instructors were quite pleased with the conduct and progress of the pupils. It was not so with the classes taken in the evening, especially those in English and arithmetic, and again especially in the case of the lads attending these. It would be a great advantage if attendance could be arranged for afternoons of slack days, instead of bringing the lads out at nights. This would perhaps mean a little hardship to a few employers, but

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would mean ultimately a great improvement in the capacity and value of the lads in their present and future employment. In default of some such arrangement it would be desirable to drop the work in English and arithmetic and give the lads instead more practical work. This is our present intention for 1915. The Hawera Centre, as usual, has a good record, with thirty classes in operation and 210 individual students. There were two senior free pupils, twenty-five junior free pupils, fifty-six '* compulsory " pupils, and 127 other students. Mr. Jackson has very capably carried on the work here as assistant director. The subjects of instruction were : English and arithmetic, book-keeping, &c, shorthand and typing, drawing and painting, woodwork, cookery, dressmaking, orchard-work, and horticulture. The commercial classes are the most popular, but domestic classes are improving each year. This is only to be expected under such, a capable instructor as Miss Holford, who is responsible for all work under this head. The art classes suffered by the loss of Mr. J. E. Richardson, who left at the end of the second term to take up an appointment at the Napier Technical College. The Hawera Borough Council again assisted the school by a donation of £20, which was of very great assistance, enabling this centre practically to meet expenses. Mr. Lightbourne was responsible for the Eltham centre, where there were seven classes with 175 enrolments. Attendance was good in the earlier part of the year, but fell away later on. The subjects taken were : English and arithmetic, book-keeping, shorthand and typing, drawing and painting, dressmaking, and woodwork. Individual students- numbered sixty-one, including one senior free pupil, fourteen junior free pupils, thirty-tour " compulsory " pupils, and twelve others. This is not an easy centre to organize, and Mr. Lightbourne deserves credit for the results achieved . Donations of £5 each were received from the Borough and County Councils in aid of the classes. The attendance in the smaller'towns and township centres — e.g., Patea, Waverley, Manaia, and Normanby —has not been large in recent years. Such centres are soon worked out as regards ordinary classes, but it is hoped that the development of rural instruction will shortly improve the position. Curiously enough, it is always comparatively easy to get good classes in country districts proper. During 1914 we made no attempt to develop classes in dressmaking and millinery, preferring to wait until a keener demand set in. Classes for agricultural subjects were well attended, and I anticipate a large increase during 1915. Donations have been received from farmers' unions, farmers' clubs and from individuals interested in agricultural development. Extract from the Report of the Supervisor of the Central District. The Marton Technical School has been very successfully managed during the year. Classes were held in shorthand, typewriting, Latin, English, arithmetic, book-keeping, commercial geography and history, accountancy, precis-writing, commercial correspondence, dressmaking, cabinetmaking, ambulance, and hygiene. Most of these classes have been well attended. A few of the classes have been carried on, although the roll numbers were small, to enable the pupils to complete their examination courses. Mr. W. W. Thomas, 8.A., the local director, is satisfied that the grouped courses are making the school popular, and are benefiting the pupils. One pupil sat for the Public Service Senior Examination, others for Matriculation, Public Service Entrance, and Senior Free Place Examinations. One pleasing feature of the year's work is the demand by local offices for the services of students who have passed through the commercial classes. Donations have been received from the Rangitikei County Council, Marton Borough Council, Dr. Scott, Messrs. Abraham and Williams, and the woodwork classes. The receipts for the year were £204, the expenditure £185. Almost all the school-gardens in the district have been visited once at least; a number have been visited several times. Careful work has characterized many schools, but several instances of neglect came under my notice. In some cases the scheme of work was not satisfactory. The scheme should show the extent of both the outdoor and the indoor work for the year. The experimental and observation work, though well done by a few schools, has not been done with the zeal I could wish. The experiments should as far as possible be done by the pupils themselves. The notebooks should have a record of the successes and failures. The garden records are too often omitted. Tree-planting is being taken up by some schools, notably Marton. The School Committee has spent a considerable sum on trees. These have had a very severe test with the long spell of dry weather, but fully 90 per cent, are growing well. The teachers' Saturday class met regularly on Saturday afternoons during the year. Very little oral teaching was done ; most of the time was spent in experimental and other practical work. With a large class there is considerable difficulty in giving individual practical work in the two-hours' lesson. It was found necessary for some weeks to give four hours' work instead of two. On Fridays throughout the year I taught the boys taking the rural course at the Wanganui Technical College, botany, agriculture, and dairy science. Every Tuesday during the first half of the year I taught in the Hunterville District High School. The number of boys in attendance at the Marton school farm at the beginning of the year was forty-five. During the second half of the year I had the assistance of Mr. Banner. Lessons were given on Clydesdales, Horefords, dairy cattle, Romneys, and pigs ; on farm implements, crops, and manures. The outdoor work consisted in ploughing, harrowing, rolling, grubbing, sowing, and planting. The theoretical work was supplemented by camps for the study of farm animals and for sheep-shearing and wool-classing. About If acres were sown in wheat, 1 acre in mangels, 1 1 acres in clover, and -J- acre in potatoes. We have been enabled to get on with this work solely owing to the generosity of SirJames G. Wilson, who supplies us with horses, sometimes four at a time, and with no inconsiderable number of tools, besides the free use of the land. Most of the boys who have been with us two years are able to handle horses intelligently, shear sheep, class wool, put up a fence, and in an elementary way judge horses, sheep, and cattle. The course is a useful one, and most certainly is not devoid of educational and cultural value.

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A camp for the study of Herefords, Clydesdales, and Romneys was held at Mr. Short's Almadale Farm during the first fortnight in March. The work was conducted on the lines of last year's campAn examination of a most practical nature was held at the close of the session. Valuable prizes were presented for competition by the Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and Messrs. John Cobbe and J. H. Perrett.. Our thanks are due to Mr. Short for placing his farm and stock at our disposal, and to the donors of prizes. A camp for instruction in sheep-shearing and wool-classing was held at Waitohi, beginning on the 12th October and ending on the 23rd October. The teaching was conducted by Mr. Hambly. The boys soon learned how to shear, and with the fortnight's practice they were able, during the last few days, to do very creditable work. Every boy had instruction in all the other branches of shed practice. We have to thank Mrs. Henson for the use of the shed, and Mr. Matthews for giving us the sheep. Extract from the Report of the Supervisor of the Wanganui Suburban District. Courses of Work. —The only course that is expedient in the two suburbs, Wanganui East and Castlecliff, where the classes are held, is the elmcntary commercial course, which provides commercial English, and arithmetic and bookkeeping, and in the case of girls dressmaking can also be included as part of the course. In a few cases pupils take some of their subjects at the suburban class and some at the Technical College. The number of junior free place pupils who qualify for senior free places is so small that it would almost be better if they were all rated as compulsory pupils from the beginning. It will probably be inexpedient to vary the course of the work of the compulsory pupils in the same manner as will probably be adopted in the town classes. At Gonville, a dressmaking class for adults was started, but eventually the students were transferred to the Wanganui Technical College. The attendance has been fairly good at both Wanganui East and Castlecliff, There are a few cases where some improvement will .be demanded next year, with the alternative of attention from the Truant Officer. At Castlecliff the instructors invariably report in terms of high praise on the conduct of their pupils, and, though the local Committee has no actual control, I propose bringing this desirable state of affairs under their notice, as it may serve, indirectly, to promote the welfare of the classes. At Wanganui East considerable trouble was experienced in the early part of the from a mild form of hooliganism which seems to be sporadic in the district. With a view of cultivating a better tone, a class in physical training with boxing as an adjunct was put into effect. Owing to some unexplained reason, the class was not the success that was anticipated and that it deserved to be. It was conducted at a considerable loss. Extract from the Report of the Supervisor of the Southern District. The advance of technical education throughout the district has been very marked during the past year. The attached centres have been very considerably developed, and classes have been successfully inaugurated at a number of country centres heretofore unexploited. During the year technical classes have been successfully conducted at the following centres : Apiti, Pohangina, Foxton, Rongotea, Kimbolton, Kiwitea, Colyton, Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Rangiwahia, Makino, Waituna West, "Beaconsfield, Valley Road, Halcombe, and Bulls. I have to commend the good work done by the organizers at these centres, especially Mr. Hills, of Apiti, Mr. Howell, of Rangiwahia, and Mr. Astbury for his work at Kimbolton. The total enrolments for the district were 1,484, as against 1,018 in 1913, while ~. the number of individual students was 739, as against 551 last year. There were 135 free place students —junior, 112 (53 males, 59 females) ; senior, 23 (10 males, 13 females). The only centre at which the regulations for compulsory attendance are in operation is Pohangina, where they are working very satisfactorily. Throughout the district the attendance has been uniformly satisfactory. On the outbreak of war a number of our students joined the Expeditionary Forces. A word of praise is due to the staff of instructors, who are an enthusiastic and painstaking band of workers. The following successes were gained by students : City and Guilds of London, plumbing, three passes ; Plumbers' Board of New Zealand, one pass; Senior Free Place Examination, fifteen qualified; St. John Ambulance Association (first aid), thirty-two passes ; St. John Ambulance Association (home nursing), twenty-seven passes ; arts and art crafts, thirty-two passes ; bookkeeping (preliminary), one pass ; junior, one pass. A course of lectures on political economy by B. E. Murphy, Esq., M.A., L.L.8., was run with success. I have to express thanks to the local bodies, the Chamber of Commerce, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and private contributors for their continued interest and generous support. I wish also to acknowledge the generosity of the medical profession. Our thanks are due to the proprietors of the Feilding Star for assistance on all occasions in advancing the claims of the school, and especially for their generosity in doing all our advertising free of cost. Classes for teachers in art, agriculture, singing, and hygiene have been conducted during the year. Good work has been done by the Technical School Committees throughout the district. The instructor in agriculture reports as follows : — During the year all the schools taking agricultural work, numbering sixty-one, have been visited, except one. As in former years, the work done by pupils in the different schools has varied. This to a considerable extent is due to the teachers. Where the latter are enthusiastic, good work is generally done. In this subject a great deal rests with the teacher, for if his enthusiasm wanes so does that of the scholars. However, it is pleasing to report a general all-round improvement. The Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association altered this year the conditions of the school-garden competitions so as to bring such competitions more into line with the present time, but unfortunately the competition this year did not meet with the response from teachers and pupils it deserved. More attention is being paid to school-ground improvement, especially in the larger schools. Much can

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still be done in the majority of the sole-teacher schools, especially when such schools are generally in the vicinity of small patches of native bush, where plants can easily be obtained. The notebooks, in the main, show little improvement. They are undoubtedly the worst feature of the work. In some schools they are totally neglected, in others the pupils' written remarks are seldom corrected. It is important to remember that, during the winter months, when outside work is often an impossibility, experimental work, as set out in the " Leaflet," is essential. These should be set down in the notebooks by the pupils. Some pupils' notes consist of blackboard transcriptions ; others of notes dictated by the teacher. In other cases no notes are taken after the Christmas holdiays, and useful work in weighing and estimating yields is lost. However, some schools still maintain their high standard in the note- ' book work, but these are only very few. As the tools of some of the schools are becoming the worse for wear, it may be found advisable to put aside a percentage of the capitation for renewals and depreciation. A number of renewals were made during the year. On Mondays and Fridays throughout the year I took the boys of Feilding District High School for chemistry, botany, agriculture, and dairy science. In chemistry the senior boys spent some time in the qualitative analysis of fertilizers, chemical changes brought about by promiscuous mixing of fertilizers, and soil physics. In botany, seed-testing, pasture plants, fruit-trees, and farm plants generally were studied. In dairy science the Public, Service Entrance syllabus was worked through and a lot of work covered. It is interesting to note that six boys took this subject for examination purposes. In agriculture practical work was taken at the farm, and I must again record my heartiest thanks to Mr. Lcthbridge and Mr. MoLeod for assisting us in our practical work. Two acres were planted in oats and two in maize. About fifty small experimental plots were laid out to conduct a variety trial in grasses and legumes. Practical work in pruning and spraying occupied one week in June. Apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, and quince trees were dealt with, and the boys evidently enjoyed the work. Bordeaux mixture and red oil were the main sprays used. During the latter part of the year I visited the Marton school farm once a week and conducted lessons in farm mechanics, pigs and their management, and home doctoring of animals. A pruning demonstration was conducted at Kimbolton for the benefit of farmers. The class foi teachers opened with an enrolment of ten for the first term. This was increased to thirteen in the second term, and decreased to nine in the third term. The average attendance for the year was about eight. The syllabus for class C examination was worked through. Tcaeheis preparing for the C certificate attended two hours each day, while those preparing for the D certificate attended one hour and a half. With the new train arrangements, all will be able to attend for two hours next year. The work comprised mainly lectures, laboratory-work, and outside practical work. Extract from the Report of the Principal of the Wanganui Technical College. Technical and Continuation Classes —The evening session began on Monday, the 2nd March, and ended on Friday, the 4th December. Classes were revived in show-card writing, and in tailors' cutting, while classes in magnetism and electricity, photography, Maori, and elocution were not held, either because there was no demand for them or because suitable instructors were not forthcoming. Our experience goes to show that classes can be successfully carried out in any recognized subject provided that instructors can be obtained who know their work, who can handle a class, and who can impart the knowledge they possess. The position we have arrived at is this : that we can obtain pupils for many classes not at present in operation if we can obtain instructors to fulfil the requirements just stated. The enrolment this year establishes a record, the number of individual pupils entered for the year being 792, as against 666 last year. Including day pupils, our total enrolment for 1914 stands "•"at 977, or 121 in excess of that for'l9l3. Owing to the fact that the Board took over the control of the day classes, and to certain changes in the constitution of the Technical Committee, the number of members on that Committee was considerably reduced. Altogether seven meetings were hold, and much good work was carried out. A very severe loss was experienced by the Committee and by the whole school in the demise of our esteemed Chairman, Mr. F. M. Spurdle, who had been for so long intimately associated with all that concerned technical education in this community. A special minute in the minute-book of the Committee records the Committee's deep sense of loss and its appreciation of the services rendered so faithfully and well by Mr. Spurdle. For the balance of the year, the Rev. J. D. McKenzie, 8.D., was elected Chairman, and C. P. Brown, Esq., M.A., L.L.8., Vice-chairman. The following bodies were represented on the Committee : Wanganui Education Board, Wanganui Borough Council, Wanganui County Council, Builders' Association, Wanganui Schools' Committee, Suburban Schools' Committee, and householders. During the year the College received two inspection visits, one from Dr. Anderson, Assistant Inspector-General of Schools, and the other from Mr. E. C. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Education. Dr. Anderson concerned himself mainly with the day school and the general or high school course of the day school. Reference is made to this visit in my annual,report on the day classes. At the time of writing the report of Mr. Isaac is not to hand. A large exhibit, including students' work in art, applied art, engineering, plumbing, and woodwork was sent forward towards the end of last year to form part of the Education exhibit at Auckland. Our display was considered on all hands very creditable to the College, and as the Education Department undertook the whole cost of transit, Wanganui received an excellent advertisement without undergoing any expense. The splendid organization in assembling and returning all exhibits without the least damage whatever reflects great credit upon Mr. Isaac, who acted as officer in charge. During the year there have been some changes on the staff. Mr. William Andrews, long in charge of the applied art department, received a more remunerative appointment at the Elam School of Art, Auckland, and left us about the middle of the year. One of his students, Mr. Frank Tarrant,

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carried on the work until the end of the year. Just about the same time Mr. C. T. Cox, senior commercial master, relinquished his position on the staff to commence business on his own account in town. It was with regret that his resignation was received. Mr. H. Burdekin, from the staff of Wellington Technical College, succeeded him to the position. Mrs. Taggart, instructress in dressmaking, resigned at the beginning of November, and Miss Smith'undertook some additional work till the end of the year. Regarding the various departments and classes in operation I have the following remarks to make:— Art Department. —This department was conducted by Mr. Seaward. It is pleasing to note that the position of this department is a great improvement on what it was in 1913. We have had considerably more students and the attendance has been better, so that, instead of finishing the year with a loss, as in 1913, this department can show a very fair credit balance. It should be noted that Mr. Seawards time has been very fully occupied during the year, for not only did he have morning and afternoon art classes for adults, but he instructed in drawing in several classes in the day school, besides taking classes at the Girls' College. In addition, he had evening classes four evenings per week, as well as teachers' Saturday classes ; and after Mr. Andrews left he took the classes in modelling. Applied Art Department. —This may be considered about the most unsuccessful year of this department since its initiation. The attendance was rather poor at the beginning of the year,«nd when Mr. W. Andrews left the classes fell away rapidly. For the last few months of the year not more than eight or ten individual students attended. There is no doubt that it was the ardour and enthusiasm of Mr. Andrews that kept the classes together. Mr. Frank Tarrant, who was really one of the senior students, did his best for the balance of the year, but was unable to increase the attendance. Classes in applied art have done so well for some years past that a decline in attendance was only to be expected. In technical as in other work there are cycles of success and interest, and we must iook for periods of inactivity. It must be remembered, too, that this department has no nucleus of students as is the case in the art department, where there will always be the day pupils and the teachers. Besides, the fees are heavier, and the cost of material is no small item. When these facts are borne in mind, the instructor must have a burning enthusiasm to keep his classes filled. It is hoped that the arrangements being made for next year (1915) will result in the applied art department soon being once again amongst the most prosperous departments in the school. Commercial Department. —The instructors in this department during the year were Mr. C. T. Cox (A.N.Z.A.A., F.R.A., N.Z.), Mr. H. Burdekin, Mr. James Inkster, Misses Bamber, Inkster, and Davey. The bookkeeping classes, though considerably smaller than usual, were very successful, as the examination results show. It is to be regretted that the senior class was so badly attended during the year. lam of opinion that both the junior and the senior bookkeeping classes should meet two nights per week instead of one as at present. This would enable more thorough work to be done and a better classification could be made of the students. It is proposed during the coming year to hold a special class for students wishing to obtain, the bookkeepers' certificate granted by the Now Zealand Society of Accountants. The shorthand classes are larger than ever, and we hope to hear soon of many successes in the Pitman's examination held early in December. Miss Davey was appointed at the beginning of the year to assist in the typewriting-room. We hope next year to have twenty machines, and thus allow the shorthand and typewriting classes to be conducted independently of r each other. It seems to me that we should have enough students to enable us to have a typewriting class for four evenings a week instead of two only as at present. Of the thirty-six students who sat for the Pitman's examination in December, 1913, thirty-one were successful in passing. Engineering Department. —This department is under the management of Mr. E. Crow, Assoc. Memb. A.S.C.E., assisted by Mr. F. Jackson (chief marine certificate). The enrolment and attendance showed an. improvement on the previous year. A good deal needs to be done still in the matter of grading our students. One source of trouble has been that the evtmings on which the classes are held, especially the practical classes, do not suit all students, so that on one night there may be a congestion of students in the workshop, and on another it may be almost empty. We were unable to remedy this last year. But with time and an improved financial position such defects will undoubtedly disappear. Tt appears essential, however, in view of the increasing number of students, that the workshop should be open three nights per week. It was very unfortunate that no class could be held in magnetism and electricity during the past year. There were many inquiries for such a class among students, but it was impossible to procure an instructor in the town. If we had a science master on our permanent staff this difficulty would disappear, and there would be a probable source of revenue available. There were no candidates among evening students for any of the examinations conducted by the City and Guilds of London Institute. Domestic Department, —(a.) Cookery : Two classes in this subject were held during the year under Miss B. Mollison. As usual there was a class for nurses, attended by about nine nurses. This class lasted for one term only. The other class commenced in the second term and continued until the end of the year. The attendance was not large, mainly because students willing to join could not agree upon an evening suitable to all on which to hold the class, (b.) Dressmaking and millinery : The enrolment in these classes was a great improvement upon that of the previous year, though not so large as we were led to believe would be the case under the new instructress. A. good feature about the dressmaking classes was that the attendance increased towards the end of the year, and at the time of closing the school it was at about its maximum. As the services of Mrs. Taggart were utilized in connection with the district high schools in the Central District, Miss. E. Smith*carried on the instruction in dressmaking during the year.

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Woodwork Trade Classes. —These were conducted by Mr. William MoLeod (building-construction and furniture trade drawing) and Mr. E. Miller, assisted by Mr. Caiman (carpentry, joinery, and elementary carpentry). Again the attendance in the building-construction class was exceedingly poor ; but in view of the renewed interest lately evinced by the Builders' Association, and their determination to encourage their apprentices to attend, the prospects of this really useful class are very bright for the coming year. The classes in carpentry and joinery were well attended, and the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. Carman enabled a better programme of work to be carried out than in the previous year. The time is fast approaching when the carpentry workshop will need to be opened three instead of two evenings as at present. The journeymen's and the apprentices' classes in furniture trade drawing were attended by a few students only, but they were among the most enthusiastic students in the school. The work done in these classes proved a revelation to all concerned. The Furniture Makers' Association inspected the work done at the end of-the session and expressed their keen appreciation of what they saw, and promised to give the classes much greater support in the coming year. Plumbing Classes. —These continue to be conducted as efficiently as ever by Mr. John Graham, though the attendance fell a little below that of the previous year, mainly owing to the departure of many of the older students. A new syllabus of work has been drawn up and approved for the coming session. It is hoped in this way to bring the work done more in touch with the requirements of apprentices in plumbing. Practically every apprentice in the trade is attending the classes. "It is, of course, impossible to get the certificate of the New Zealand Plumbing Board without the course of instruction obtained in such a school as ours. Com.pulsory Continuation Classes. —The total number of students attending under'the regulations is 139. lam pleased to say that the work of these classes has been carried on through the year with little or no friction. The attendance, especially among boys, has been good. The same cannot be said in the case of the girls, upon whom no penalty for non-attendance has hitherto been imposed. We have in view a scheme for the coming year whereby formal English and arithmetic will be superseded by subjects more in line with the trade or commercial pursuits of the students. Hitherto we have been under the impression that English and arithmetic, were compulsory. Apparently the Department does not hold this view, and we are glad to be able to remove the bugbear of formal English and arithmetic from the courses of study for compulsory pupils. How far the new arrangement will be successful remains to be seen, for the chief obstacle to its success is the difficulty of obtaining suitable instructors. In addition to classes already mentioned, we held classes during the year in home nursing, firstaid, tailors' cutting, ticket-writing and lettering, Matriculation subjects, and vocal music. With the exception of the classes in tailors' cutting, all these classes were very successful. We hope in the coming year to establish classes in French, Latin, motor-engineering, and electric wiring. Again I take the opportunity of thanking the Press for the liberal manner in which it has granted space for notices of classes and meetings during the, year. My thanks aie also due to Mr. E. H. Clark for his assistance as organizer ; to the members of the Technical Committee for their advice and support; to Mr. Braik, Director of Education ; to the Chairman and members of the Wanganui Education Board for their practical aid during many times of stress, and to Mr. Swanger and other members of the, Board's official simff for assistance and courteous treatment at all times during the year. ■j. Day Technical School. —This completes the third year of activity of the school. Compared with the two previous years, we have in some respects made marked progiess ; but the total enrolment for the year was slightly less than last year, it being 185, as against 190 for 1913. However, owing to more regular attendance among pupils, it is gratifying to know that our capitation earnings will be about £100 in excess of the amount earned last year. A noticeable feature this year is the smaller number of pupils in attendance from country districts. For instance, one only of our agricultural pupils hails from the country. The train-facilities are quite inadequate, and, besides, the want of a boarding-school prevents our receiving many pupils who would otherwise attend.- During the year the school was inspected by Dr. Anderson, Assistant Inspector-General of Schools, and also by Mr. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Education. The former confined his attention mainly to the High School department, and his remarks thereon are distinctly gratifying. The report of Mr. Isaac is hot yet to hand. Altogether five courses of instruction were in operation, viz., general, commercial, engineering, agricultural, and domestic. There was a good enrolment in the first three, but the number of pupils taking the domestic and agricultural courses was very small—too small to allow of sufficient specialized instruction being devoted to these courses. We have in our building the space and equipment to give highly vocational instruction along many lines. All that is needed is a larger number of pupils, so that an addition may be made to our staff of one or two permanent teachers having special qualifications in certain subjects. As things are, teachers are frequently hampered in their work through having, during the same teaching-period, to look after pupils of more than one course, working in widely different subjects. However, lam speaking of difficulties that will disappear as the number of pupils increases. It should be mentioned that the prize presented in January last by the Caledonian Society for the best essay on a subject connected with Scottish history was won by a pupil of this school. I have room for a brief survey only of what I term the field activities. Tennis, hockey, swimming, cricket, and football have all been keenly indulged in, not always with tremendous success, but certainly with enthusiasm. Our playing-area, though limited, is utilized to its utmost capacity. I hope next year to have prepared a small croquet-lawn for the girls, and also to interest some of them at least in basketball. It is rather to be reg etted, for the sake of the girls particularly, that there is no one on the staff able to teach Swedish drill. The annual athletic sports and also the swimming tournament were held

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during the first term of the year. The (irst cricket eleven succeeded in heading the list in the junior grade competition. One of our the senior life-saving competition, and one of our boys many swimming events both at Wanganui and ( at Hawera. The schoolboy tennis championship of Wanganui was won by one of our boys. For the first time a school magazine, the Index, was published at the end of last year. Unfortunately, our finances do not permit us to produce a second issue this year ; but as we are continuing to collect plenty of " copy," we hope to publish a specially good number during the coming year. The cadet corps under Captain Stewart is maintaining its high standard of efficiency. Since December last we have received a supply of ninety rifles. It has t been necessary to utilize a classroom as an armoury ; but as this room will be required soon, wo have made a request to the Department for a grant towards a combined armoury and pavilion. It is to be hoped that this grant will soon come to hand. I have been disappointed in one matter during the year, and that is the lack of interest taken by our girls in the singing class. It is a pity that, with such an excellent instructor as Mr. Sydney Butler, the girls have shown so little interest in this splendid subject; but I intend next year to ask the Board to substitute a course of instruction in first aid and home nursing for one term at least instead of the usual singing. These subjects surely cannot fail to stimulate the interest of every girl. A More detailed remarks on each of the courses of study here follow :— General Course. —The enrolment for the year in this department was seventy, including thirty-one first-year pupils. Mr. Stewart, assisted by Miss Steven, with some additional assistance from other members of the staff, carried out a very compietc course of work in secondary-school subjects, from the Junior Board Scholarship to Senior Public Service and University terms. The work done by this department has continued to be excellent in quality ;' and in many respects the pupils have advantages they could not possibly expect or obtain in any separate high school of equal or even double the size. It is usual for our pupils to sit for the Public Service Entrance Examination after two years and for Matriculation after three years, a year earlier in each case than prescribed by the syllabus of work. The efficiency of the teaching, the lengthened school-day, and the lesser number of holidays as compared with most secondary schools enables us to do this. Engineering Course. —Altogether some thirty-four boys enrolled for the year, consisting of nineteen first-year boys and fifteen second- and third-year boys. Mr. Crow and Mr. Jackson are the masters in charge. This town docs not give great support to the iron industry, and we are often asked what is the use of an engineering course, as there is no outlook for boys who have spent two or three years in this course ? Certainly a few only actually enter local engineering-shops, foundries, and garages ; but many certainly do enter the employ of architects and surveyors ; and most of the remainder, especially country pupils, engage in. farming pursuits, where their knowledge of machinery, blaeksmithing, building-construction, mechanics, surveying, etc., fits them admirably in this age of machinery for their future sphere in life. It cannot be long ere electricity will bo used as a general motive, and lighting power in this town, and in the principles and practice of efeetrical energy a sound grounding is given to boys entering this course. The installation of electric light in this building illustrates the practical experience gained along one line by engineering pupils of the past yrear. I must add hero that we are in communication with the Marine Department re the recognition of the work done by boys in the engineering course. We are asking the Minister of Marine to allow boys who undergo a course of instruction for six hours per day over a period of three years to forego two years of apprenticeship required to sit for the third-class marine engineers' certificate ; and there is every chance that our request will be acceded to. The time is coming, and must come soon, when the operation of the '* principle here involved will be extended to many trade industries. Commercial Course. —-The number of enrolments for the year was sixty-six, consisting of thirtyfour first-year pupils and thirty-two second- and third-year pupils. Of the total number, forty-nine were girls. The chief reasons for the great preponderance of girls are these : the great demand for boys in offices immediately on obtaining proficiency certificates ; the necessity of girls knowing something of book-keeping, shorthand, typing, and business principles before they have much chance of employment in commercial offices ; many parents insist on their girls being placed in the commercial course because it may be necessary for them at some time in the future to earn their own living ; and last, many parents wish their girls to continue their education without having to learn mathematics or foreign languages, and not being alive to the advantages of the domestic course or the art courses, they persist in selecting the commercial course. The present staff consists of Mr. Burdekin, assisted by Miss Bamber. Early in July Mr. C. T. Cox, so long a familiar figure among us, left the service of the Board to start in commercial life on his own account. He carried with him the best wishes of staff and pupifs afike. Mr. Burdekin, from the staff of the Wellington Technical College, was appointed his successor, and has shown keen interest in the indoor and outdoor life of the school. During the year much good work has been done, as the book-keeping examination results testify. If pupils would stay a longer period with us the beneficial effects of their commercial training would be even more apparent. And now just a word about the ever-recurring subject of typewriting-machines. There are eight in use for about seventy day pupils and as -many evening pupils. We prepare pupils for most of the commercial offices in town, and it is only fair that we should look to those who reap the benefit of the instruction given here to support us by contributing towards the cost of additional machines. Already one gentleman has come to our assistance, and at the time of writing has collected some £30 towards this fund. The pupils of the school volunteered to devote the money set aside during the year for prizes to assist the typewriter fund, which will thus benefit by an additional £10. There is now every prospect of our beginning next year with a total of twenty machines. Course. —The enrolment for the year was eight, consisting of six first-year pupils and two second- and third-year pupils, a eonsiderabe decline as compared with the two previous years. I feel certain the decline was due in no small measure to the persistent antagonism unjustly but publicly expressed on many occasions per medium of the newspapers by certain members of the farming com-

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munity. We know that bettor work could be done had we had an experimental farm at our very doors. We know, too, that the course could be vastly improved had we the means to engage the full-time services of a highly qualified instructor. Neither of these is possible in the immediate future ; but with the use of the school farm at Marton, the services of Mr. Grant for a full day per week for dairy science and other laboratory work, the frequent instructi on -camps in shearing, woof-classing, examination and apprising of stock, &c, extremely valuable work is being done. This can be said with certainty, that if the number of pupils could be doubled or trebled the efficiency of the course would be increased tenfold, because the capitation earned by twenty or thirty regular pupils would enable us to secure continuous expert instruction, and make this course self-contained like the general, commercial, or engineering courses. It should be noted, too, that the fact of our having an engineering course adds greatly to the value of an agricultural course in the same institution, because the engineering staff is there to give instruction in farm surveying, fencing, drainage, buiiding-construction and architecture, roadmaking, sanitary arrangements, construction and care of machinery, and farm blacksmithing. Domestic, Course. —This, the second year of this course, cannot be deemed a successful one, the number of entries being only seven, as compared with fifteen for 1913. There is no doubt that many pupils enrolled in the general or the commercial course should belong to this course, for many of these are really preparing for home life. It is extremely difficult to eradicate the idea many mothers possess that their- girls can learn all they need to know about cookery, sowing, housework, &c.,inthe home. It is possible that a fair percentage of mothers can cook, sew, and keep a home perhaps better even than the instructress in domestic or home science could do ; but can these mothers really devote the time or bring the requisite scientific knowledge to bear in all the details of home-keeping ? Surely there is room in the life of most girls for a knowledge scientifically acquired of food-ingredients, sanitary science, underlying principles of needlework and dressmaking, physiology, the fundamental laws of nature, table-preparation, and so on. I would like here to point out to parents what a splendid scope there is now offering for girls with the requisite training in home science. Almost every girls' secondary school and nearly all technical schools at present require and will require more and more trained instructresses in home science. Any girl who has the requisite preliminary training in a domestic course such as ours is eligible for a bursary worth £50 per annum, and tenable at the school of Home Science connected with the Otago University. After a course of two, three, or four years there, such a student will find appointments awaiting her all over the Dominion at salaries in some cases even as high as £200 per annum. Mothers should seriously consider such a course for their daughters. Certainly there can be no doubt that for the vast majority of girls pursuing a secondary education the domestic course is the one in which they should enrol. Arts and Art Crafts. Hitherto no pupils have enrolled in this course under the regulations governing day technical schools. Some of the girls of the domestic course, however, have done some good work in art and appiied art. Mr. Seaward, head of the art department, has been engaged for a portion of his time during the year giving lessons in drawing and painting to pupils of the general, commercial, and domestic courses. Since the departure of Mr. Andrews, about the middle of the year the work in applied art has been carried on by Mr. Tarrant. We hope that next year there will bo a sufficient enrolment of pupils to enable us to commence an art course. I desire to acknowledge the receipt of donations towards our prize fund from the following : G. D. Braik, Esq., Wanganui Shakespeare Club, C. A. Stewart, Esq, Miss Steven, E. H. Clark, Esq., D. Seaward, Esq., H. Burdekin, Esq., Rev. J. D. McKenzie, Miss Bamber, E. Crow, Esq. In conclusion, my hearty thauks are due to Professor Hunter for honouring us with his presence, the members of the staff, the Technical Committee, Board's official staff, the Director of Education, the Chairman and members of the Wanganui Education Board for their hearty co-operation and assistance in carrying on the work of the school throughout the past year. W. A.. Armour, M.A., M.Sc, Principal. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31sl December, 1914, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Apiti, Ararata, Ashhurst, Beacousfleld, Bull's, Bunnythorpe, Castlecliff, Colyton, Eltham, Feilding, Foxton, Gonville, Halcombe, Hawera, Inaha, Kimbolton, Kiwitea, Kakaramea, Kapojtga, Kapuni, Manaia,. Mangaweka, Makino, Marton, Matapu, Mangatoki, Normanby, Otakeho, Patea, Pohangina, Rangiwahia, Rongotea, Taihape, Tokaora, Valley Road, Waituna West, Wanganui East, Waverley, Wanganui Classes for Teachers. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation, day technical school .. 1,793 6 4 ] Dr. balance at beginning of year.. .. 3,662 11 5 Capitation on olasses .. .. .. 1,697 2 5 ' Salaries of directors and teaching staff .. 5,215 19 2 Capitation, free places .. .. .. 630 0 2 i Material for class use .. .. .. 194 1 3 Capitation, compulsory pupils .. .. 179 7 7 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 97 5 5 Bent .. .. .. .. .. 48 9 0 Caretaker, lighting, and hoating, .. 698 11 8 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 295 18 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 148 18 9 Material .. .. .. .. 71 13 11 Offioe expenses (including salaries) .. 217 0 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 752 17 2 j Advertising, printing, stationery, and stamps 252 9 0 Pees and other class payments .. .. 907 6 6 ] Instructors' travelling-oxponses .. .. 397 6 8 Sales of material .. .. .. 43 16 4 Examinations .. .. .. .. 16 16 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. 829 111 Telephone .. .. .. .. 17 18 5 Contributions by Education Board from Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 16 4 6 grant for training of teachers in aid of Bates .. .. .. .. .. 18 15 0 recognized teaohers' classes .. .. 400 0 0 Sports fund .. .. .. .. 25 14 1 Examination fees .. .. .. 23 5 0 Teachers' classes .. .. .. 110 4 2 Befunds - Miscellaneous .. .. 34 711 Buildings .. .. .. .. 93 2 3 Stationery fees .. .. .. 34 18 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 405 19 10 Games fees .. .. .. .. 33 15 0 Prize fund .. .. .. .. 13 3 4 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 3,800 4 0 £11,588 12 7 £11,588 12 7 W. 11. Swanger, Secretary.

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Extract from the Report of the Controlling Authority of the Palmerston North Technical School. During the past year the work of the Technical School has shown most satisfactory progress. The number of pupils attending the classes shows a steady increase. The number of classes recognized by the Department for the year was fifty-nine. The total number of individual students who attended during the year was 545 ; of this number 151 were holders of free places, the remainder, 394, being paying students. In connection with these free place students it is worthy to note that so far Palmerston North has not yet instituted compulsory attendance, the Director having been able each year, with one or two exceptions, to get all boys and girls leaving the primary schools and not attending the High School to take up technical school classes, and it is very gratifying to know that the attendance of all students has been highly satisfactory. New machinery has been installed in the engineering department making it now up to date in almost every particular. The report of Mr. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Schools, shows that the school is making very solid, progress and that the tone and discipline are excellent. The finances of the school are quite satisfactory, and show a credit of revenue over expenditure. The Director gives his whole time to the Technical School, and the Committee fully appreciates the good woik done by him. The teaching staff (numbering twenty) have without exception given valuable service, and the Committee are pleased to report that practically the same staff will be in charge of the classes during the coming year. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Palmerston North: Technical School. It is satisfactory to note that it has so far not been necessary in the history of the Technical School to enforce the compulsory attendance clause of the Act. The Director has been able, except in five or six cases, to get all boys and girls leaving school each year and not attending the High. School to take up technical school work, and it is very gratifying to know that the attendances of all students are highly satisfactory. Twenty-seven students are this year being recommended for senior free places, an increase of nine on that of last year. The total number of individual students passed through the school this year is 545 : of this number 145 are free pupils; the remaining 400 being paying students. This on a population basis makes the Palmerston North Technical School the best attended school in the Dominion as regards evening classes. The work of the school as a whole has been very good, as shown by examination results. Some of the classes, such, as those for chemistry, building-construction, and plumbing are not quite so well attended as could be wished, for. This is no doubt owing to the fact that there is so little demand in a place of the size of Palmerston North for skilled workers in the above-mentioned subjects. The commercial classes still continue to be the largest, with the exception of the dressmaking classes, nine in number, with a total roll of .130. It will be necessary in the near future to consider the advisability of providing a special room for the dressmaking classes, as the present room is used every day and evening in the week by eight cookery classes with an average attendance of twenty, and nine dressmaking classes, with an average of fourteen. Thus from an hygienic point of view a separat room is very desirable. The engineering department continues to be fairly well patronized, four classes running for the whole year with an average of ten. The small attendance at the plumbing class is due to the fact that nearly all the journeymen plumbers in the town have now obtained their certificates. The work done in this class has always been among the best in the school. After a lapse of about four years ■* a buildiug-construction class has been formed under the tuition of Mr. Stephenson, the woodwork instructor, and has progressed splendidly, the work being of high merit. The Standard VI class still maintains a high standard, and no less than twenty were recently presented for the examination for certificates. This class supplies a great need in the community, especially for those who have to leave school to go to work before obtaining their proficiency certificates. The Working-men's Club assists this class by granting scholarships to the holders of competency certificates who are examined each year by the Director. The engineering department has now been completely fitted out by the addition of a Milne's lathe, a drilling-machine, a shaper, and sundry appliances, so that when the smithy is erected apart from the main room the work will proceed even more satisfactorily. The agricultural course continues to be taken by about the same number of students as in previous years. This course is a useful one to farmers' sons, and provides for instruction in agriculture, farm carpentry, estimating areas, wool-classing, and sheep-shearing. A plot of ground consisting of 6 acres has now been granted by the Palmerston North Borough Council for the purpose of agricultural experimental work, so that next year we hope to make much more rapid progress and to demonstrate to the public generally the usefulness of this department of the school. The wool-classing and sheepshearing classes were very successful; the work being of so practical a nature that students were able to go into sheds at the conclusion of the course and earn good wages as wool-classeis and shearers. The sheep-shearing classes are attended by students coming from all parts of the district, some from as far as Te Aroha. The sheep-shearing classes owe a dept of gratitude to the Farmers' Defence Executive, who most generously assist the funds each year by a handsome donation ; but for this assistance the classes would be heavily in debt each year, as the expenses are considerable. The art department continues to produce excellent work, and the students competing at the recent agricultural and pastoral show in Palmerston carried off 80 per cent, of the prizes against all comers. Mr. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Schools, visited the school during the year and expressed satisfaction at the way the work was being done. In conclusion, I wish to record my appreciation of the assistance rendered by the staff of the school at all times in furthering the interests of the school. Thanks are due to the following contributors to the funds of the school during the past year : Palmerston North Borough Council, £30 ;

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Kairanga County Council, £30 ; Working-men's Club, £24 ; Farmers' Union Defence Executive, £20 ; Gas Company, £5 ss. ; besides smaller amounts contributed by private persons. The public generally and the Press are most willing at all times to assist the school. F. D. Oi-iF, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Palmerston North Technical School by the Palmerston North High School Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 612 1 9 Dr. balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 317 711 Capitation, free places .. ..' .. 492 16 6 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. 1,346 11 8 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 176 11 0 Material for olass uso .. .. .. 122 2 0 Material ■ .. .. .. .. 107 15 11 Prizes .. ' .. .. .. .. 3 13 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 138 2 9 Bepairs and sundries .. .. .. 48 13 8 Pees and other class payments .. .. 387 0 9 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 52 0 0 Sales of material.. .. .. .. 13 13 7 Lighting and hoating .. .. .. 78 1 I Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 113 19 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. 10 9 9 Sundry receipts .. .. .. 3 0 0 Office expenses (including salaries) .. 21 1 8 Befund, expenses exhibits Auckland Exhibi- Advertising and printing.. .. .. 25 19 7 tion .. .. .. .. .. 916 0 Interest on overdraft .. .. .. 10 17 0 Prom Wanganui Education Board cookery Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 151 16 1 olasses .. .. .. .. 20 19 0 High School Board classes .... 94 18 6 . « Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 17 18 8 £2,188 13 5 £2,18813 5 William Hunter, Secretary.

WELLINGTON. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. The report both of the Inspectors and of the instructors in agriculture record an advance in that subject over the work of previous years, for not only was there a considerable increase in the number of. schools undertaking the primary course, but also the treatment of the subject both out and in doors showed improvement. The handbook issued from the Board office ami outlining a three-years course has proved generally helpful in setting forth, a definite course suited to the circumstances of the district, and leading up to the district high school course. The Ekctahuna District High School undeitook the full rural course. The instructor's report says : " The work for 1914 has been most satisfactory. 'There has been an increased interest and application on the part of the teachers. On the whole the garden-plots are good, and are used intelligently, and as an outcome of the garden-work, school-grounds have been improved with hedges, ornamental trees, and shrubs. The indoor work continues to improve. Nearly every school is supplied with sufficient apparatus to add life, and interest to the nature-study work. As much help as possible was given to newly established classes or where the agriculture or nature-study work was rather weak." Garden-plots were established, and a good deal of work was done at. other schools where the circumstances did not permit of the full requirements for earning capitation being met. Regarding the domestic science course, the reports record good attendance, .increased efficiency of staff, increased interest of parents and of pupils. Appliances for the laundry course are now provided at each of the city centres. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. Classes for elementary science recognized by the Education Department were conducted at threefifths of the schools. Elementary science is, however, taught at most of the remaining schools, where through lack of space or other means of carrying on the necessary individual work it is impossible to earn capitation. Elementary agriculture, combined with nature-study, continues to be the chief science subject of country schools, and in these schools ninety-eight primary classes are conducted. In most of these classes the three-year course recently issued by the Board is in use. Mr. Gumming, agricultural instructor, says in his report, " This course gives a definite line of work suitable for all, prevents undue repetition, and simplifies the supervision of the classes and the issue of apparatus." The equipment for efementary agricuitural work is, on the whole, sufficient, and to most of the schools suitable gardens are attached. The garden-plots in general are well kept and intelligently used, while there is an appreciable improvement in the indoor work. All classes taking this subject were visited and assisted during the year by the agricultural instructors. In the city schools and in some of the larger suburban, and country schools, classes in physical measurements, chemistry and physics, physiology and first aid, and elementary domestic science have been successfully conducted. !u the work of these classes individual work is carried on so far as the circumstances of the schools permit. With respect to domestic science Miss Kilroe reports as follows : " On the whole the work has been very satisfactory. The attendance has been good, and in many oases the girls have taken the greatest interest in their lessons. They are beginning to grasp the fact that domestic economy includes other important things besides practical cookery. There has been an appreciable advance in the quality of the teaching given, and without exception the teachers have shown loyal co-operation and cheerful acceptance of any suggestions made for improving their methods. The attendance at and interest in the laundry-work classes have been encouraging, and most of the pupils would gladly have had a longer course. We have been fortunate enough, too, to secure the parents' interest in this new subject to a much greater extent than we had anticipated, and this augurs well for its future,"

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The syllabus of 1.914 attaches special importance to the co-ordination of drawing and handwork, and it is hoped, now that teachers have had a year's experience of the revised sydlabus, that classes will be brought more into line with the requirements. In this connection the syllabus says, " The instructic n in drawing should be directed to the cultivation of the pupil's power of graphic expression. Since complete graphic expression calls for careful observation, critical judgment, and some degree of manual dexterity, it should be the aim of the teacher to lead the pupil through practice and experience to observe accurately, and to record as faithfully and as truly as possible the results of their observations. To this end the instruction should from the first be correlated as far as piaoticaole with other subjects of the school course, and with modelling in clay or plasticine and other forms of educational handwork." Drawing includes instrumental drawing, freehand, drawing from copies, drawing of objects, brush drawing, and designed colour work, and on the whole varies from fair to satisfactory. Much of the handwork is disappointing, not in. the quality of the individual workpresented, but in the general aimlessness and lack of co-ordination with other subjects of instruction. The impoitance of properly correlated schemes of handwork throughout the school is emphasized by Mr. Howe, senior woodwork instructoi, in his annual report. Mr. Howe says, " The work (woodwork) would be much more successful if correlated schemes of handwork were adopted throughout the whole of the primary schools. As an instance (f this I noted that the boys from one school where such schemes have been in vogue for years weie able to do 25 per cent, more work in the year than could be obtained from scholars who came from schools where handwork schemes were not on a definite iTasis." Woodwork correlated with instrumental drawing was taken during the year by forty-two primary and nine secondary classes. The work done is seldom lower than very satisfactory, and much of it cannot be classed as lower than very good, a result which is due in a large measuie to the enthusiastic spiiit in which the instructors carry out their duties. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Wellington Technical College. I regret to report that there is still no improvement in our position as regards accommodation, and that in consequence the College is falling far behind the position it should occupy. The numbers attending the various classes of the College show a small decrease over those for the previous year, but are better than those for 1912. An regards regularity of attendance, the record for the day technical school is very satisfactory, while in the associated classes the majority of the students made good attendances, except during the third and fourth quarters of the year, when the attendance was badly affected by the absence of students on military duty or working overtime in place of those away on military duty. Out of 1,402 students enrolled during the year, 987 took grouped courses of some value, a percentage of 70-4, as compared with 674 per cent, for the year 1913, showing a slight improvement. Of about 695 fee-paying students 230 took grouped courses, and of about 690 free-place students only about 7 failed to take a grouped course. In addition to students taught at the College, some 350 students were targht elsewhere, ai follows: Wellington Boys' College (woodwork and drawing), Girls' College (drawing and design), Training College (drawing, blackboard illustration, &c), also probationers and public-school teachers (drawing, illustration, &c). Associated Classes. —Art : My report of last year applies closely to the work of this year. Science, mathematics, engineering, building trades : These classes have been considerably affected by the war. In the plumbing-practice classes a useful addition to the equipment is a mezzanine floor in the workshop, on which the senior students are able to erect and fix sanitary lavatory, and scullery ■•* apparatus, as in the ordinary practice of their trade, with all pipes and connections for drainage, water, and ventilation, &c. Several plumbing firms in the town presented the necessary fittings. Arrangements have also been made for training students in the use of cast-iron drain-pipes, and also for other branches of the trade outside the ordinary leadwork. In the engineering shop several new tools and many accessories and appliances have been bought or made during the year. The shop p.actice has now reached a high level of efficiency. Commercial classes : These classes maintain the position reached last year. Domestic economy : The classes in domestic economy continue to increase, in spite of the very unfavourable conditions. The annual exhibition and sale of products was entirely successful. Day Technical School. —The numbers were considerably larger than for 1913, and good work was done in all classes. British National Competitions for Art Students. —Sixteen students forwarded forty-eight works and obtained one book prize for shaded drawing of figure from the nude, and nine were commended for exhibits of modelled head from life, shaded drawing of trees from nature, design for damask serviette, shaded drawings of heads from life, water-colour painting of bird, anatomical studies of legs, and design for border of damask tablecloth. Buildings and Equipment. —The buildings have been kept in good order throughout the year. The equipment has been added to where necessary, though much more is required in every branch of the work. It is not possible, however, to use much more in our present quarters. The thanks of the school are due to the Wellington City Corporation, who contributed £300 to the funds of the school during the year, and to the following contributors of prizes for competition among day and evening students in the annual class examinations : Wellington Gas Company, McLeod, Weir, and'Hopkirk, A. T. Clarke, W. S. Wheeler, O. S. Watkins, H. D. Vickery, Miss K. Williams, Wright and Carmen, Collins Bros, and Co., E. F. Jones, J. Marchbanks, G. W. Wilton and Co. (Limited), Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation. Sixteen Callander Memorial Scholarships of £5 each, wore awarded, distributed as follows: Plastering and mouldings 1 ; domestic economy, 3 ; plumbing, 5 ; mechanical engineering, 5 ; electrical engineering, 1 ; building-construction, 1. W. S. La Trobe, Director.

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Wellington Technical College. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 695 0 10 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. 7,034 10 7 Capitation on account of day technical Material for olass use .. .. .. 778 3 0 sohool .. .. .. .. 3,077 3 2 Scholarships, &c. .. .. .. 80 0 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 3,124 18 2 Bent .. .. .. .. .. 284 1 0 Capitation on account of free places .. 1,461 3 1 Bepairs .. .. .. .. 89 11 0 Bent .. .. .. .. .. 278 0 0 Caretakers .. .. .. .. 255 14 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 30 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 173 3 6 Material .. .. .. .. 434 3 1 Insuranoe .. .. .. .. 24 10 9 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 300 0 0 Offioe expenses (including salaries, &o.) .. 500 1 8 liefund, Auckland Exhibition .. .. 25 6 0 Advertising and printing .. .. 116 16 9 Pees and other class payments .. .. 1,029 1 9 Typewriter repairs .. .. .. 47 8 7 Sales of material .. .. .. 174 4 4 Library .. .. .. .. 41 12 5 Voluntary contributions .. .. 300 0 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 74 17 3 Scholarships, &c. .. .. .. 80 0 0 Examinations .. .. .. .. 16 15 0 On account of olaases at Wellington Colleges 160 0 0 Stationery .. .. .. .. 284 16 1 On account of classes at Training College.. 142 15 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. 44 3 7 On account of N.Z.T.S. " Amokura" olasses 78 1 4 Buildings .. .. .. .. 7 6 6 Sales of stationery .. .. .. 235 6 3 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 198 12 3 Sundries .. .. •.. .. 63 11 4 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 1,636 10 5 £11,688 14 4 £11,688 14*4 David Robertson, Chairman) ,>, W. S. La Trobe, Secretary jof Mana ß ers - Extract from the Rkport of the Director of the Petone Technical School. One of the outstanding events with regard to the progress of the school is the additional accommodation that has been provided by the Education Department. The new wool-room that has been fitted up, supplies what has been required for the past lour years. The room is well arranged, and well lighted. No doubt the knowledge of wool is much sought after by those engaged in the large woolstores, and it is from this source that the majority of our students are derived. These alt take a delightfully keen interest in their work, and there is no don bt that this is one of the most successful classes in the school. Students, however, would benefit much more if they attended two nights a week instead of only one. A plentiful supply of wool has again been supplied by the manager of the Wellington Woollen-mills, and to him we owe much thanks. Students arc beginning to realize that wool-classing cannot be learnt in five minutes, and it is very pleasing to see the same students reappearing term after term. This in itself speaks volumes for the character of the instruction given at the school. Again, we have pupils coming from as far as Kawhai, in the King-country, and from the Wairarapa district. This would not be so unless the instruction was on sound lines. It may not be out of place to mention here that I think the time has come when we should bring what we are doing in this respect under the notice of the various farmers' unions and let them know that no one is fully accredited by this school as a wool-classer unless he can produce our final certificate. It is only fair to the students and to the school itself that this should be done. The shearing class was again held. Mr. S. V. Burridgc supplied the necessary sheep and generally managed the class. There in all nine students, three of whom sat for examination and passed in the first grade. Mr. Burridge expressed himself as greatly pleased with the work done. The Farmers' Union have now recognized the. good work done by this class and have offered a subsidy of 10s. per student up to forty students. The new additions include an up-to-date class-room which, was greatly needed. This room is extremely well ventilated and lighted, and is a great acquisition, while the furniture provided is a decided improvement on the old style. Separate accommodation has been provided for the electricity class and the class of work should consequently soon show a vast improvement. The removal of this class from the chemistry-room has given, us more room upstairs. Not the least pleasing feature in connection with the school is the number of pupils who, having no particular class to attend, assemble at the school foi study on their own account. From this type of pupil much can be expected. I am more than satisfied with the excellent results obtained by the typewriting olass during the year. The Public Service Senior class is a remarkably difficult class to handle, calling for, on the part of the instructor, a knowledge of commercial geography, algebia, geometry, natural science, Latin, and advanced arithmetic that is not generally possessed by one teacher. I must say that we have been fortunate in having such capable instructors for this class. It has been mentioned that, a writing class might be instituted. There is no doubt that it is not easy to get boys who write well on leaving school. The Public Service Commissioners evidently think that writing is not up to standard, since they are establishing classes in Wellington for that purpose. If it could be airanged that those engaged in the Public Service were not required to go back to work on the evenings on which the classes they attend meet, much improvement-, in this respect might result. The English and arithmetic classes for junior free place pupils have not to my mind been a success in the matter of attendance. If young people would only recognize the great importance of these two subjects the difficulty would be got over. I propose next year, with the co-operation of the teachers, to make this class moie interesting as well as more instructive. A trial was made this year of holding dressmaking, cookery, and millinery classes for two terms a year. I think that it was a very successful experiment. The attendance was better, the pupils were not so tired ; and I strongly recommend a continuance of this scheme. An attempt was made during

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the third term to start a class for adults. Promises were made, but the war broke out and upset all arrangements. However, I have little doubt that a strong class of adults will be formed as soon as the excellent character of the instruction provided becomes known. The cookery and millinery classes were both very popular with free-place students. No paying pupils attended the domestic classes. Though the cookery classes are somewhat expensive to work, I think the results obtained justify the outlay. With so many of our young girls going into offices immediately on leaving school it is essential that parents should assist in giving them a chance of learning something of domestic science. Given the assistance of every parent in Petone, we can make this school what it was intended to be by the founders -namely, a place where young and old can get the benefits of a sound education to enable them to grapple with the difficulties of the future. The plumbing class has progressed very well during the year, and some excellent work is done by some of the students. This class has not been very large, but the attendance has been more oven than it was last year and exceptionally good work has been done. This year a class for building-construction was added to the list of classes owing entirely to the exertions of the carpentry instructor. The work was necessarily elementary at first, but the students have made good progress and will be doing advanced work in a short time. I have not the least doubt that any one in the building trade who is not an expert would benefit very much by a two years course in this class. The carpentry class has worked well, some of the work done being a credit to the pupils, to the instructor, and to the school. The attendance at these two classes has been a pleasing feature during the year. It is an example that some of the other classes would do well to strive to emulate. I cannot stress the, point too strongly that regularity of attendance and application to work are important factors in the success of a student. The drawing class was very successful. It is naturally a very mixed class, but the pupils get a large amount of individual attention, and any one with enthusiasm for his work must naturally get on. All the free-place trade pupils attend this class, and it helps them considerably in their work. The class for drawing and painting is composed for the greater part of young pupils, chiefly those who come from the primary schools of the district. It is a very useful class and many of the students have made wonderful progress. These students are doing excellent work, and lam quite, satisfied with the progress all round. The continuation trade class is composed of trade pupils taking carpentry, electricity, and plumbing. At the beginning of the year the class was difficult to work, but it soon developed into one of the best classes in the school. The teachers were well suited to the work, and soon adapted themselves to the circumstances, with the happy result that the olass at the end of the year was doing excellent work, and on the last night of the year there was a greater attendance than on any other night. The attendance at the-book-keeping class has been quite as satisfactory as usual, but from the number of students who entered the olass the attendance should have been much larger. We have an instructor recognized as an authority on the subject, and it seems a pity that those who enter for this subject do not put a little more enthusiasm into their work. Of course it must not be forgotten that those attending the school are working during the day and that some of them attend the school four if not five nights a week. Much has been attempted by the chemistry class during the year and good work has been done. The teacher is very enthusiastic and some pupils do advanced work. Four are sitting for the Public Service Senior and six for the Public Service Entrance examinations. ■•> The war reduced the attendance at some of the classes considerably. Several of the students had to go to the forts, and consequently could not attend school or prepare for the various examinations : others had to work overtime to do the work of those that were away. Two students and one teacher are away with the Expeditionary Force. Although the above-mentioned factors have certainly militated against regularity of attendance, I think we have every reason to be satisfied with the progress made during the year. The Borough Council has this year made vast improvement to the grounds generally. The gates they have erected set the school off to advantage, while with the open view to the recreation-ground no better site is available, for a school in any district. At one time we were satisfied with an annual social, but during the last year three very successful socials were held in connection with the school. The last two of these were held at the school and were a decided success. The staff gave every assistance possible. The surplus obtained from these socials was donated by the pupils to the prize fund. One of the outstanding features with regard to the advancement of the, school is the, establishment of classes at the Upper Hutt. The Managers authorized me to endeavour to establish these, and, owing to the splendid assistance rendered by the Upper Hutt School Committee, the Town Board, the County Council, and others, our efforts have been crowned with success. From the returns furnished there should be no doubt as to the future success of the Upper Hutt branch classes. There were of course heavy initial expenses. This expenditure, however, will not be recurring, and if we have the good fortune to again have an equally energetic committee the work must succeed. Branch classes were also established at the Lower Hutt. War having broken out just when we anticipated starting, the time proved inopportune. However, we were able to make some progress, and T hope that next year the classes will be established on a permanent basis. T have, on behalf of the Managers, to thank the following bodies for their generous donations : Petone Borough Council, Lower Hutt Borough Council, Gear Company, Working-men's Club, Woollenmills, Upper Hutt Town Board, Hutt County Council, and the. Upper Hutt Technical Committee. Before concluding I must thank the staff for their generous and loyal support throughout the year, and also

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the Board of Managers, for whom it is a pleasure to work. The officers of the. Education Board and the Education Department, too, have at all times rendered me every assistance. The prospects of the school were never brighter than at the present time, and if the Managers continue to pursue their present policy of steady progress on sound lines the school will continue to progress ami be a credit to the district. Daring the year I regret to say that we lost the services of the late Rev. A. Thomson, who was so closely connected with this school from its beginning. ,). H. Lynskey, Director. Statement oj Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1911, in respect of Classes conducted by the Managers of the Petone Technical School al Petone and the Upper Hull. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure, £ h. d. Cr. balaneo at beginning of voar .. .. 148 1 6 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 704 13 4 Capitation on olasses ~ .. .. 334 19 4 Material ' .. .. .. .. 47 9 1 Capitation on account of froo places .. 187 18 6 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 80 0 0 Buildings .. .. .. .. .400 410 Lighting, &o. .. .. .. .. 57 16 2 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 42 7 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. 3 11 6 Material .. .. .. .. 5 15 2 Office expenses .. .. .. .. 34 18 9 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 121 69 j Advertising, &c. .. .. .. 16 18 9 Pees and other class payments .. .. 144 2 8 i Cartage and labour .. .. .. 712 0 Sale of material .. .. .. 2 14 6 Befunds .. .. .. .. 2 0. 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 122 16 3 Bank charges, auditor, &o. .. .. 217 £ Prom Wellington Education Board on ac- Prizes .. .. .. .. .. 2 11 4 oount of public school classes .. .. 39 13 4 Buildings .. .. .. .. 464 410 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 017 2 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 127 0 5 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 65 3 2 £1,616 17 0 £1,616 17 0 J. G. Castle, Chairman ) „ , T J. 11. Lynskey, Secretary! ol Manfl « ers - Extract from the Report oi thm Managers of the M'asterton Technical School. The eighteenth year's course of instruction was commenced on the 9th March, 1914, and was con tinned throughout three terms until the I.oth December, 1914. Twenty-two classes were conducted, and instruction was given in the following subjects ; Art, painting, freehand drawing, general drawing, model-drawing (light and shade), cookery, dressmaking, plumbing (theory and practical), woodworking, shorthand (Pitman's and Gregg's systems), and typewriting, book-keeping, Public Service subjects, English and arithmetic. The total number of students in attendance during the year was 272 —94 males and 178. females. Taken on the whole the regularity of attendance was very satisfactory, a percentage of 79-7 of the roll number having been secured for the whole of the year. In accordance with the Manual and Technical Regulations the classes were again thrown open to the admission, as tree pupils, of holders of Standard VI proficiency certificates, and no fewer than fifty-one pupils availed themselves of this privilege. One senior free place student also attended. Forty-six of these succeeded in earning for the school the special capitation grant allowed by the Education Department in respect to free-place holders. The remaining six, owing to illness, removal from the district or other reasons, failed to make the '.Tiecessary percentage of attendances. Tn addition to the English and arithmetic and book-keeping classes, those that attracted the largest number of pupils were the dressmaking, art-needlework, woodwork, cookery, and shorthand and typewriting classes. The Managers very muo;h regret that the art classes are not better attended. The art-room —the best room in the school —is well equipped, an instructor with high qualifications is available, and the fees are low. The Managers desire to make a strong appeal to parents and students for a large number of entries for the art classes this year. Arrangements were made for conducting classes in veterinary science, wool-classing, building and machinery construction (theory), and in wood-carving. A poor response was experienced, and the classes could not be established. It has been suggested that perhaps continuation classes for vocal music and for physical training and a technical class in chemistry might prove popular. In this connection the Managers desire to make it known that they are prepared, as far as accommodation and other circumstances will permit, to establish classes for any of the subjects named in the regulations for technical schools. It is the desire of the Managers that the best use should be made of the school and its equipment. The receipts for the year amounted to £662 6s. 3d., of which £172 14s. 6d. was paid in fees by the pupils. Including a debit balance of £32 Ms. sd. carried forward from last year, the disbursements amounted to £893 35., thus leaving a debit balance of £230 16s. 9d. at the end of the year. Against this must be oaloulated'£2l9 -Is. 3d. capitation and £33 6s. Bd. subsidy on voluntary contributions then due to the Department. The school will therefore really open its 1915 session with a small credit balance. During the year the Board of Managers met on fourteen occasions. Mr. W. H. Jackson (chairman) attended ten meetings, Mr. J. M. Coraoline twelve, Mr. C. E. Daniell nine, Mr. H. I. O'Leary eleven, Mr. J. W. Blackman thirteen. Mr. Edwin Feist, who for very many years had taken an active interest in the working of the Masterton Technical School, retired from the Board of Managers at the last annual meeting. The, following appreciative motion was passed : " That this meeting desires to have placed on record the high appreciation of the public for the services rendered to the Masterton Technical School by Mr. E. Feist, who now voluntarily retires from office. It desires also to thank him for his past services when chairman of the Board of Managers ; and expresses the hope that he may long be spared to continue the interest he has always manifested in every movement having for its object the spread and maintenance of education."

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In October, Mr. J. T. M. Ilornsby was granted leave of absence, and Mr. D. E. Leslie was appointed to act temporarily as Director-secretary. Having been returned as member of Parliament for the Wairarapa, Mr. Hornsby forwarded his resignation to the Board of Managers in January last. Special acknowledgment is made of the financial assistance rendered to technical education by the Masterton Trust Lands Trust and the Masterton Borough Council. The Managers wish also to thank the staff for its loyal co-operation and the Press for its unfailing courtesy and valuable assistance on all occasions. W. H. Jackson, Chairman. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes at the Masterton Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on olasses .. .. .. 170 14 0 Dr. balance at boginning of year .. .. 32 14 5 Capitation on account of free plaoes .. 79 6 0 Salaries of teaching staff.. .. .. 620 5 6 Subsidios on voluntary contributions .. 91 13 3 Material for class use .. .. .. 23 19 8 Bents .. .. .. .. .. 20 5 0 Bont and repairs .. .. .. 15 19 10 Foes and other class paymonts .. .. 172 14 6 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 30 0 0 Sales of material .. .. .. 210 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 34 10 2 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 125 3 0 Insuranco .. .. .. .. 810 0 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 230 16 9 Office expenses .. .. .. .. « 99 12 2 Advertising and printing .. .. .. - " 9 10 0 Stamps and stationery .. .. .. "2 9 0 Telephone .. .. .. .. 0 19 Cartage .. .. .. .. 0 5 0 Bank charges, auditor, &c. .. .. 3 10 0 Interest on overdraft .. .. .. 3 9 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 2 6 0 £893 3 0 £893 3 0 W. 11. Jackson, Chairman ) ~, t, .. , '. ~ a . of Managers. D. E. Leslie, Acting-Secretary) ° HAWKE'S BAY. " Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. A good deal of attention has been given during the year to woodwork, elementary agriculture with gardening, and physical measurements for the senior boys, cookery, dressmaking, and home science for the girls, with other forms of handwork for junior and preparatory pupils. Mr. Loten, the director of this work, desires much credit for the vitality shown in all schools where special classes are recognized. During the year 605 of the senior boys received separate instruction in woodwork, 1,960 in elementary agriculture and dairying, 500 girls in dressmaking, 580 in cookery, and 9,404 pupils were instructed in various forms of handwork such as modelling, brush drawing, &,c. All the subjects are much appreciated by the children, yet their extension to the schools outside the larger centres of population is but slow. Subjects such as aro taken in schools like Napier, Gisborne, Hastings, and other important centres cannot be tried in the smaller schools under present arrangements. It is certain, however, that classes for the training of boys and girls attending country schools in woodwork, elementary agriculture, cookery, dressmaking, and home science would be of especial value if the necessary funds were available for their establishment. We should like to see the grants for fostering this form of instruction so arranged as to make such classes as are suggested here possible. Several of the lady teachers in charge of country schools have come to recognize the importance of instruction in home science, and one of the plans adopted might advantageously be extended, if funds were available. A formal kind of lunch is arranged for the benefit of all children who stay at school during the midday recess. A movable table is fixed on trestles. This is covered with a white table-cover, the children sit round the table and partake of tea, or cocoa, each pupil having his own cup, which is kept at the school. Lunch over, cups are washed and put away, the room is swept, dusted, and tidied by the senior girls, who undertake the duty according to a rota. The general effect is very good and deserves encouragement. It is worthy of remark that gardening and milk study (theory and practice) claim increasing attention, and quite a number of schools obtain prizes at the agricultural and horticultural shows in open competition. The Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association encourage the show of school exhibits, but it is suggested that by admitting all forms of children's handwork for exhibition and competition, such as dressmaking, darning, cookery, woodwork, along with garden-produce, grasses, &c, a great impetus would be given in the schools to manual training under the Department's regulations. At Gisborne instruction in cookery has gained greatly by increased attention to the theory of the subject. The woodwork-rooms operate satisfactorily, but we should like to find each class with a discriminating knowledge of the tools in use. A fine lot of useful articles was observed at Woodville. Great interest has been shown in swimming in centres like Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke, and Woodville, where school baths or public baths are available, and it has been possible to award certificates of ability to swim long distances and to render first aid to the drowning or apparently drowned. Extract from the Report of the Director of Manual and Technical Instruction. Handwork. —With the exception of the household schools some form of handwork was taken up by all the schools in the district. In the lower classes the branches,of work recognized by the Department were modelling, crayon drawing, paper-folding, and stick-laying, whilst in the upper standards

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brush drawing and cardboard modelling were taken by a number of schools. Materials for teaching form and colour and number work were also supplied by the Board to all schools. The number of pupils receiving instruction in the various branches of elementary handwork at the end of the year was as follows; Preparatory-Standard 11, 5,500: Standard 111-Standard IV, 2,411 : Standard VStandard VI, 1,493; total, 9,404. Woodwork. —In this subject, as in cookery and dressmaking, the classes are taught on what is known as the centre system. Although by no means the most satisfactory method, it is, on account of the cost, the only feasible one. The centres established throughout the district are Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Waipawa, Dannevirke, and Woodville. At each of these places a woodwork-room exists with a complete equipment of tools, &c. It is regretted that matters are not farther advanced in the building of a centre for manual training and domestic science at Napier for primary pupils. Throughout the district improvements are noted both in the character of the work and in the methods of instruction. Mr. E. C. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Schools, in his last annual report called attention to what, in my opinion, is a most serious fault in our woodwork instruction—viz., the lack of variation and originality in the models and exorcises given to the pupils. Most of the models constructed are the same year after year, and are too closely related to courses adopted in English schools. During 1914 an attempt has been made to introduce more variation and originality into the woodwork course, with a fair amount of success, especially in the work of the rural course. The number of classes receiving instruction at the different centres during the year was : Gisborne, .12 ; Napiry, 8 ; Hastings, 6 ; Waipawa, 2 ; Dannevirke, 3 ; Woodville, 3 : total, 34. The total number of pupils under instruction was 775. In order to improve the conditions under which instructors and pupils work alterations arc necessary in the Gisborne and the Dannevirke centres. Both of these rooms need lining, and some system of heating is necessary during the winter months, especially whilst the drawing-lesson is being given. Regarded as a whole the work in this subject has been very satisfactory : the standard of accuracy in models and exercises and of neatness in drawing has been raised above that of previous years. Domestic Science and Dressmaking. —The classes were carried out on much the same lines as the previous year. The course in cookery now includes elementary domestic science, elementary hygiene, and instruction in food values. The pupils of ail classes showed an intelligent appreciation of the work done. As well as the educational value derived from these classes parents have on numerous occasions favourably commented on the practical utility of the instruction both in cookery and dressmaking. The cookery classes were attended by 665 girls and the dressmaking classes by 570 girls. The instructors in woodwork and domestic science have during the past year shown great interest in their work and have been in complete sympathy with their pupils. They have been unsparing in their efforts for the general welfare of their classes, and have been keen to adopt any suggestions for improvement in methods of teaching. It is with very great pleasure that I place on record my appreciation of their energy and enthusiasm in the performance of their duties. As yet no provision has been made for instruction in woodwork, domestic science, and dressmaking at Wairoa. Wairoa is an important centre, though isolated, with a large and growing school, and it is time that something was done to give* pupils in this district some of the educational facilities enjoyed by their more fortunate brethren. A number of the Board's teachers have special qualifications for teaching woodwork and cookery, and if such teachers were appointed to the staff of the school and a building provided the cost of the equipment required to undertake an elementary course in these two subjects would not be prohibitive. •" Elementary Agriculture and Dairy Science. —Owing to the drought, which has been continuous throughout the district since last May, the school-garden work has been very disheartening. Teachers and pupils have laboured conscientiously, but unfortunately with little result. In numbers of cases seeds failed to germinate. The indoor experimental work, both in dairy science and agriculture, has been of a very high standard in the majority of schools. A few schools, however, follow too closely some text-book on these subjects. It is still noticed that the method of recording scientific observations can be greatly improved. A number of teachers record the observations on the board and the pupils are made to enter these in their books. By this method individual effort on the part of the pupil is impossible. The garden tools are well cared for, and the milk-testing apparatus throughout the district is in excellent condition. At the, beginning of the year ninety-two schools had recognized classes in elementary agriculture, including, in some cases, dairy science. Other Classes. —Classes in elementary physical measurements, elementary chemistry and swimming have been conducted at Gisborne and Napier schools. The number of classes receiving instruction in these subjects was : Physical measurements, 16 ; elementary chemistry, 2 ; swimming and lifesaving, 6. Rural Course in District High Softools. —The rural science course approved by the Department is now taken by all first- and second-year pupils in the district high schools. Agriculture, dairy science, and science of common life are taught by Mr. W. Morris, domestic science and dressmaking by Miss V. Hyde, and farm woodwork by Mr. Dandy. The other subjects of the course are taken by the staffs of the different schools. Last year has been the most satisfactory since the inception of the rural course. The standard of work in elementary agriculture and dairy science is that required for the Public Service Entrance Examination. During the year demonstrations were given in budding, grafting, pruning, and the mixing of sprays, by Mr. W. Morris, assistant instructor in agriculture, and the practical work thus demonstrated was performed by the pupils. In the dairy-science work the local factory-managers have been of great assistance to the instructor, inasmuch as they have arranged butter-making demonstrations, &c, for the benefit of the pupils. The orchard at Woodville is looking very promising, and a number of the trees are bearing. During the year the Hastings School

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Committee has acquired an additional half an acre for agricultural purposes. This Committee has been greatly interested in the rural course since its introduction three years ago, and the raising of sufficient funds to purchase the extra ground as well as finding sufficient funds to keep going a large school like Hastings shows that in addition to being interested they are alive to the future needs in agricultural education. Although the rural course only extends over two years, provision has been made for continuing the agricultural science with third-and fourth-year pupils where needed. At Waipawa and Hastings special Matriculation classes in this subject were held during the year. It seems necessary at this stage to emphasize the fact that our agricultural education in the district high schools makes no claim at turning out farmers. These schools cannot be expected to give boys a complete agricultural training- -that is the function of a purely vocational school: but the district high schools are capable of giving, and do give, an excellent introductory training. I trust the time is not far distant when a purely agricultural high school will be established in central Hawke's Bay which would continue the work of the primary and district high schools and carry it on to the final or University stage. In concluding this portion of the report I desire to place on record my appreciation of the assistance given by the Principals and assistants of the district high schools during the year. I have also strongly to commend the loyalty, energy, and unbounded enthusiasm displayed by my assistant, Mr. W. Morris, in the carrying-out of his duties. Teachers' Classes. —Classes were held in different subjects at Gisborne, Napier, Dannevirke, Woodville, and Waipawa. At Gisborne, Napier, and Dannevirke classes were held for the training of pupil-teachers and probationers in elementary hygiene and drawing. At Woodville and Waipawa instruction was given in dairy science. The total number of classes held was eleven—six science classes and five drawing classes. The attendance in a number of cases has been irregular. The work, generally speaking, has been satisfactory. A class in agricultural chemistry was held at Hastings during the winter months for fruitgrowers. The course covered was much appreciated by the farmers, who expressed the hope that similar classes would be conducted in. 1915. The roll number was fourteen and average attendance, twelve. This class did the most satisfactory work of any adult class held since I have been with the Board. Ernest G. Loten, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at Gisborne, Napier, Dannevirke, Hastings, Woodville, and Mceanee by the Haxoke's Bay Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of yoar .. .. 140 8 0 Salaries of teaching Btaff.. .. .. 87 0 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 229 7 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 10 17 0 Material .. .. .. .. 24 5 7 Repairs .. .. .. .. 18 4 Fees and othor class payments .. .. 8 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 0 4 7 Office oxponsos (including salarii ) .. 12 0 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 16 0 Toxt books .. .. .. .. 1 12 6 Cartage.. .. .. .. .. 0 4 1 Cr. balanoe at end of year .. .. 287 8 1 £402 0 7 £402 0 7 G. Crawshaw, Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Napier Technical College. The work of the College has been carried on very successfully during the past year. There has been little change in the organization, the arrangements being as follows : A day technical school (80 pupils), evening classes (273 pupils), two classes from Hukarcre School (48 pupils), one class from Marist Brothers' School (24 pupils), sixteen primary-school classes in cookery, woodwork, and dressmaking (330 pupils), teachers' classes in hygiene and art (100 pupils) ; total, 855 pupils. The work of the day technical school is divided, as in previous years, into three courses, making provision for first-, second-, and third-year pupils asfollows : A mechanical course for boys, commercial course for boys, and a combined commercial and domestic science course for girls. The pupils, eighty in number, comprise fifty-one first-year, twenty-two second-year, and seven third-year pupils. All of the second- and third-year pupils who left during the-year obtained good appointments, and in most cases were well fitted for them : but it must be quite obvious that any pupil who fails to complete at least one year at a school of secondary grade has gained very little advantage from the attendance, and the importance of allowing pupils to attend regularly for at least two years should be a matter for serious consideration on the part of the parents. The attendance generally has been remarkably good during the year. Two school examinations were held half-yearly and yearly. Sixteen pupils entered for the Pitman's shorthand examinations, but the results are not yet to hand. At the examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute ten pupils passed in cookery, one in dressmaking, and four in plumbing. Two exhibitions of work have been held during the year, one at the Hastings Agricultural and Pastoral Show, where a space of 40 ft. proved to be too little for the display of work, and the annual exhibition in the College buildings, where examples of all the practical work in dressmaking, needlework, millinery, cookery, woodwork, art, plumbing, sign and ticket writing, and engineering were on view, including a small gas-engine driving a 5 in. lathe. The exhibits attracted very considerable attention, and I am sure were a real education to the general public. As an instance of the practical nature

8.—5

of the work done by the pupils it is worth mentioning that the boys, during the second week in December, put in concrete foundations for the machines in the workshop, material used being 2] tons cement, fifteen loads shingle and one load stone : the flooring was cut through and excavations were made to a depth of 30 in. by 3 ft. Gin. wide. Work was commenced on Monday morning at 9 a.m. and finished Wednesday at 12 noon, and the job is a credit to the, skill of both the instructor and the boys. Tire usual sports and games have been carried on- i.e., swimming, cricket, football, tennis, hockey, and physical drill—the boys winning the Junior Football Cup with no losses, and one girl gaining Mr. 0. H. Edwards's gold medal for life-saving. Nineteen boys and twelve girls gained swimming certificates for distances varying from 133 yards to one mile and a half; the two longest distances, one mile and a half and one mile and a quarter being covered by girls. It is a matter for congratulation that arrangements were made for the use of a plot of land just opposite the College for a playing-ground for the girls. Basket-ball posts have been erected there for their use. A sum of about £60 has been raised by the pupils towards the erection of a room over the engineering shop, which could be used as a drawing office, social room, and gymnasium. Owing to the war, however, the scheme had to be temporarily abandoned, but it is hoped that arrangements will be made to carry out the work in 1915. The Hon. J. Allen visited the College in February, and Mr. E. C. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Schools, in August. Mr. J. B. Godson, art master, who commenced duties in January resigned in June in order to go to Australia, being succeeded by Mr. J. E. Richardson, of Hawera. Evening Classes. —A very satisfactory year's work is, on the whole, to be recorded in connection with these classes. Thirty-two classes have been carried on, the subjects being combined into courses suitable for engineering, plumbing, building trade, electrical engineering, carpentry, commercial and domestic work, the carpentry course being the only failure. The other courses, particularly engineering and domestic courses were well attended and good work was done. The total number of individuals attending the classes was 273, of whom sixty-nine were pupils who had not passed Standard VI and wore attending continuation classes. The highest weekly average attendance was 503 in April, and the lowest 374 in November, compared with 423 highest and 278 lowest in 19J3. I regret that the attendance is still irregular in many instances, many pupils being absent one of two or three weekly lessons, particularly in the first year. The natural result is that interest in their work flags on account of being behind the other pupils through missing the lessons. With regard, to the continuation classes carried on under the compulsory attendance regulations, an experiment was made in allowing the pupils to select their subjects so long as English and arithmetic were attempted. The results were very instructive indeed, inasmuch as those pupils who attempted such courses of work as engineering, cookery, dressmaking, electricity, and generally any practical work, all did remarkably well and attended as regularly as possible, whilst those pupils who selected commercial work invariably failed to grasp the subjects at all, and did very poor work in consequence. This was due partly to the fact that they selected work which was quite unsuitable, and partly to the fact that their general education was not up to the required standard. This will be remedied as far as possible in the future. A social evening was held for evening class pupils and proved to be a great success, about, 170 pupils attending. Refreshments were prepared in the College by the girls of the day and evening classes, and games and concert items were contributed by the pupils. The drawback to this was lack of room, but when the new drawing-office and social room becomes an accomplished fact, these meetings will become a regular feature of the social life of the College. Until this happens the hindrances are rather too great. On the whole, very good work has been done and great praise is due to the members of the staff for the manner in which they have carried out their duties at all times and very often under most trying conditions. I have the greatest pleasure in returning thanks to Mr. S. McLernon (the dux medal), Napier Chamber of Commerce (gold medal), and Mr. T. Couper, an old boy (a silver challenge cup), also to the Board for ready assistance and to the officers of the Education Department for valuable suggestions in carrying on the work. W. Fossey, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Napier Technical College. Receipts. & s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 778 0 4 Salaries of teaching staff,. .. .. 1,772 19 5 Capitation, day technical school .. .. 921 7 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 176 010 other classes.. .. .. 308 7 8 Bent .. .. ... .. .. 315 0 free places .. .. .. 126 9 3 Bepairs .. .. .. .. 12 2 6 compulsory pupils .. .. 52 4 6 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 75 10 0 Material .. .. .. 101 1 5 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 47 14 4 Subsidies on volunlary contributions .. 155 16 6 Insurance .. .. .. . 19 19 10 Fees and other class payments .. . .'. 130 17 0 Office expense > (including salaries, &c.) .. 23 6 1 Sales of material .. .. .. 127 17 4 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 40 7 9 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 153 11 10 Water rates .. .. .. .. 5 5 0 Prom Hawke's Bay Education Board— Prizes .. .. .. .. .. 116 0 Woodwork and cookery classos .. 237 0 0 Cartage and general .. .. .. 20 14 3 Teachers' classes .. .. .. 65 0 0 Buildings .. .. .. .. 76 0 0 Interest .. .. .. .. 17 15 2 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 890 7 0 £3,175 8 0 £3,175 8 0 J. H. Sheath, Chairman ) ~ ~ Walter Fossey, Secretary | oi Mana g<^.

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Extract from the Report of the Controlling Authority of the Gisborne Technical School. During the year special classes in book-keeping, shorthand, Latin, English, and mathematics were carried on. The results were fairly satisfactory, but the attendance was not so good as the Governors could wish. Classes in plumbing, both theoretical and practical, were also held, and the pupils were very keen in order to qualify under the Plumbers' Registration Act. At the examination held under the auspices of the City and Guilds of London Institute, four passed in Grade I, three in Grade 11, and two in practical plumbers' work, Grade 11. The successful candidates were much disappointed to find that after this examination.was held the Plumbers' Board resolved that they would only recognize certificates that had been gained prior to the first examination held by that body. The Board, finding that the demand for instruction, in wool-classing was satisfied, decided to suspend it for the present. The Governors recognize that instruction in dairy science would prove a benefit in this district, and made representations to the Dairy Commissioner to the effect that, if a grader of dairy-produce were appointed at Gisborne, and his services for a portion of his time made available for the instruction of itinerary special classes established by the Governors, they would be pleased to find a portion of his salary. So far it has not been found possible to do anything'in this direction, but the Governors hope that something may be done in the near future. The Borough Council again helped the plumbing classes with a donation. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Gisborne Technical School by the Gisborne High School Board. Recitipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. 66 13 9 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 8.1 0 6 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 62 15 0 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 170 17 1 Pees and other class payments .. .. 125 8 3 Material for class use .. .. .. 33 3 0 Sales of material.. .. .. .. 26-17 1 Eepairs .. .. .. .. 12 14 6 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 20 0 0 Caretaker .. .. .. 14 0 0 On account of wool-classing classes .. 50 17 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 12 5 1 Sundries .. .. .. .. 17 4 Insurance .. .. .. .. 9 2 0 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 36 11 1 Office expenses (including salaries).. .. 26 5 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 718 0 Labour—wool-classing classes .. .. 10 13 0 Instructor's travelling-expenses .. .. 15 0 Examinations .. .. .. .. 4 17 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatu ;.. .. 6 2 0 Cash in hand .. .. .. .. 0 0 4 £390 10 0 £390 10 0 W. Morgan, Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Controlling Authority of the Dannevirke Technical School. The plumbing class was the only class maintained, during the year. It was carried on very efficiently by Mr. L. V. Stewart as instructor. The roll in the first term was thirteen. Owing to the departure for the war of some of the students, it fell to nine in the second term. The attendance was good throughout. .j. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Dannevirke Technical School by the Dannevirke High School Board. Receipts. £ s, d. | Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 7 3 2 Salaries of toaching staff .. .. .. 24 0 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 11 1 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 7 7 1 Fees and other class payments .. .. 7 10 0 Lighting and heating ~ .. .. 1 18 11 Sales .. .. ~ .. . • 416 0 Insurauoe .. .. .. .. 017 4 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 3 12 8 £34 3 4 £34 3 4 T. Macallan, Secretary. MARLBOROUGH. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. School classes in woodwork, cookery, and advanced plain needlework were continued at the Blenheim Technical School, being attended by pupils from the following schools : Blenheim, Picton, Grovetown, Marlborough town, and Convent. Classes in handwork were held in practically all the schools in the district, and at many of the larger schools a branch of manual instruction was also taught. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Glasses conducted at, Blenheim by the Marlborough Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 38 5 6 Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 213 1 4 Contribution by Education Board from grant Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 163 1 3 for training of teachers in aid of recognized Material for class uso .. .. .. 32 0 8 teachers' classes .. .. .. 200 0 0 Office expenses (including salaries) .. .. 23 16 6 Dr. balance at ond of year .. .. 214 16 9 Allowances to teachers—travelling-expenses .. 19 0 0 Miscellaneous .. .. .. ..220 £453 2 3 £453 2 3 E. Hylton, Secretary.

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NELSON. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. The Technical Schools at Nelson and Westport carried on full programmes of work during the year, and the attendance at the Nelson School was very satisfactory. The day engineering classes at Westport were well patronized, but the attendance at the other technical classes was very meagre. Mr. A. G. Tomkies, engineering instructor, has now been placed in temporary charge of the Westport Technical School. The Board is pleased to report that special classes have been carried on at Reefton under the supervision of Mr. W. A. Rumbold. Successful classes were conducted for dressmaking, commercial work, and carpentry, and credit is due to the local School Committee and the supervisor for organizing the classes. Manual training is carried on at Nelson, Westport, Reefton, Motueka, and Wakefield centres, and agriculture and dairy-work is undertaken by the itinerant instructor at a large number of places. The Board desires to thank those local bodies who contributed towards the support of the technical classes at Reefton and Westport. The Nelson School does not receive tiny support from local bodies. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. . Some form of handwork has been more generally taught this year. In some cases, through lack of facilities and of apparatus, attempts to fulfil the requirements of the syllabus had not been made in all schools. The following list of the number of schools that applied for the recognition of classes shows the different branches undertaken : Plasticine modelling, 32 ; brush drawing, 22 ; free-arm drawing, .14; paper-folding, 10; bricklaying, 9; cardboard-modelling, 5. In five schools in charge, of sole male teachers the girls were taught needlework by visiting teachers. The number of schools in which some form of manual training is taken has further increased to sixty, the following classes receiving instruction: Metal-work, 8; woodwork, 11 ; cookery, 22; elementary agriculture, 43; physiology and first aid, 21 ; dairy-work, 10 ; swimming and life-saving, 17 ; physical measurements, 4 ; elementary chemistry, 1 ; dressmaking, 1. Extract from the Report of the Director of Technical Education. Manual training classes in cookery and woodwork were conducted at the Nelson, Wakefield, and Motueka centres, and satisfactory progress was made. Towards the end of the session a, display of work was held at the Wakefield centre. The number of children from the, public, schools attending at the various centres for instruction in woodwork and cookery were as follows : Nelson centre — Woodwork, 161 ; cookery, .162. Wakefield centre—Woodwork, 74; cookery, 72. Motueka centre — Cookery, 75. Nelson Technical School. —lt is gratifying to state that the success of the previous year has been more than maintained. There was an increased number of enrolments, and the attendance greatly improved. One of the great needs of the school at present is better accommodation for the country pupils who have to stay in town all day. A. room is required that could be used as a luncheon-room and also as a reading-room. The present arrangement of using the same class-room for typewriting and other subjects is very unsatisfactory. The engineering and plumbing classes are also very for space, and it is to be hoped that something will shortly be done to remedy this. In the plumbing class especially the students work under trying conditions. The engineering class, which was inaugurated during the latter part of the session of 1913, and ran for a short term of about nine weeks with a roll number of eight, doubled its roll number during the year. The cabinetmaking class was well attended, and the plumbing olass restarted, Mr. Coltman, sanitary inspector, being appointed instructor of the latter class. Although only a small class, the students have, under their capable instructor, done good work. The classes for telegraphy and photography were only moderately supported. The dressmaking classes, under the newly appointed instructress, Mrs. M. Hyde, continued to be as popular as ever ; the attendance has been very good, and excellent work, some examples of which were shown at the annual exhibition of work, has been done. Cookery classes : The day classes in this subject were fairly well attended, but for some reason or other the evening class continues to attract only a small number. A class in invalid cookery for the benefit of hospital nurses was held during the second term. The commercial course was one of the most popular in the school. The attendance was very good, and the work excellent in quality. The attendance at the classes for English and arithmetic has been excellent, especially in the case of the day classes, which are less affected by local events and the weather. A considerable number of the students made the maximum number of attendances during the session, and several show an unbroken record for two years. During the latter part of the year a class in higher English and mathematics, for which a need had been felt for some time, was started. No provision had in the past been made for those students who, having passed successfully through the junior free place course, desired to continue their work in the higher stages. Although numerically only a small class, it held well together, and promises well for the coming session of 1915. The art and art crafts course was, as usual, well attended : the day classes were more than full, the evening classes moderately so. The craft side of this course continues to attract more and. more attention each year. Examples of work in wood-carving, leather-embossing, copperwork, stencilling, enamelling, drawing and painting from nature in oil and water colour, lettering and mechanical drawing, &c, were shown at the annual exhibition of work.

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Examinations were held in all subjects, both day and evening classes. These examinations are primarily intended for free-place pupils only, but in many instances were taken advantage, of by other students. Thirty-three students sat for the Senior Free Place Examination in December; all were successful, gaining free education for a further period of three years. There were on the rolls 470 students taking technical subjects. Of these 91 held junior free places and 55 senior free places, making a total of 146 free-place students. Over 170 students took up grouped courses of work, earning the higher rate of capitation. The usual classes for teachers in drawing, chemistry, and botany were held on Monday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings. Courses of work in farm carpentry were conducted at the Boy r s' Training Farm, Stoke, and were attended by some fifty boys. The school session concluded with the annual exhibition of students' work and prize distribution. Westport Technical School. —The main feature of the school continues to be the engineering day school conducted by Mr. A. Tomkies. The number of enrolments increased to fourteen, and the high standard of work associated with this class was maintained. Efforts were made by the Board to secure a more adequate recognition for the time spent by students in the engineering day class, so far as their future apprenticeships were concerned, but apparently the authorities do not appreciate to the fullest extent the superior training afforded to youths attending the course with a view to entering the engineering professions later on. T regret that the attendances at other special classes at the school were only moderate, and that as a, consequence the majority of classes were conducted at a loss. The subjects undertaken" were commercial work, continuation subjects, carpentry, engineering, cookery, and art. In addition classes in hygiene, drawing, &c, were maintained for the benefit of teachers. Manual-training classes in ironwork and cookery were held during the year. Towards the end of the year the Board appointed Miss M. Wilkie teacher of domestic science. The ironwork classes are conducted by Mr. Tomkies and his assistant Mr. D. P. Munim. Mr. Tomkies was appointed to take temporary charge of the whole school at the beginning of the year, and it is gratifying to know that all classes are now being carried on with satisfactory roll numbers and renewed interest. The accommodation for some of the classes is most unsuitable, and a great need exists for the completion of the Technical School building. The thanks of the Board are due to the Harbour Board and Borough and County Councils for maintaining their contribution towards the support of the school. In conclusion I have to thank the Education Department for meeting the requirements of the school in so ready a manner, the staff of the Board for their ready assistance at all times during the course of the year, and the members of the school staff for their loyalty and support. F. C. Cockburn, Director. Extract from the Report of the Supervisor of the Reefton Technical School. For some years past the only classes held were those in connection with the schools at Reefton and Black's Point. The Reefton District High School Committee, feeling that the school was not filling its proper place in the community, took steps to put matters on a proper footing. Public, meetings were held, a circular issued, and the result was that public, interest was aroused. Classes were formed in dressmaking, millinery, shorthand, and typewriting. For various reasons the proposed woodwork and book-keeping classes fell through. An innovation, so far as the Nelson District is '** concerted, was the formation of a school class in dressmaking. This was attended by the Sixth and Seventh Standard girls of the Reefton District High School. All the classes held proved highly successful, but special mention must be made of the dressmaking classes. Too much praise cannot be given to Miss Jones for the able and conscientious manner in which she has conducted those under her direction. The school class in dressmaking was, to a, certain extent, an experiment, but the results exceeded our most sanguine expectations. This year's classes did not commence until April or May. This is too late, as students seem to find it inconvenient to attend classes when preparations for Christmas claim their attention. There will be nothing to prevent an earlier start next year. The attendances at the various classes were as follows: adult classes—dressmaking, 60; millinery, 7; shorthand, 19; typewriting, 18. School classes Woodwork, 60 ; cookery, 55 ; dressmaking, 23. Three exhibitions of work done at the school have been held during the year. These have been well attended, and brought the work of the school under the notice of the public in a very forcible manner. Our proposed classes for next year are dressmaking, millinery, cookeiy, woodwork, a full commercial course, and a Public Service class. The buildings are, generally speaking, in good repair. We have been compelled to use the cookery-room for all (-lasses. This course is not advisable, and 1 would respectfully suggest that at least one extra class-room be built. This room could be used by the commercial and literary classes, and the science fittings recently dismantled could be fitted up for use by the agriculture classes. The installation of electric light has been a great convenience, and the proposed new room should be similarly lit. In conclusion, I have to thank the instructors for the loyal and willing manner in which they have carried on the work of the school, the Board's office staff for their prompt attention to all matters brought under their notice, the Inangahua County Council for the use of the Council Chambers for the exhibitions, and the business people of Reefton who so willingly lent fittings for use in connection with the school and exhibitions. W, A. Rumbold, Supervisor,

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Special Glasses conducted at Nelson, Reefton, Westport, and certain Country Centres by the Nelson Education Board. Receipts. £ a. d. i Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on account day technical school, J Dr, balance at beginning of year.. .. ' 986 15 5 Westport .. .. .. .. 4115 0 ; Salaries of teaohing staff.. .. .. 1,75110 1 Capitation on other olasses .. .. 853 19 10 Material for class use .. .. .. 122 0 2 Capitation on aocount of free places .. 476 18 11 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 4.1 5 0 Buildings .. .. .. .. 64 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 43 911 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 102 9 0 Office expenses (including salaries) .. 79 810 Fees and other class payments .. .. 356 13 9 ! Advertising and printing .. .. .. 35 8 5 Sales of material .. .. .. 410 5 Instructors' travelling-expenses .. .. 016 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 83 9 6 Cartage and freights .. .. .. 315 3 Contribution by Education Board from grant Audit charges .. .. .. .. 14 3 4 for training of teachers in aid of recog- Buildings .. .. .. .. 147 5 6 nized teachers' classes.. .. .. 129 6 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 178 18 1 Bents .. .. .. .. 61 6 8 . Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 1,230 1 11 £3,404 11 0 £3,404 11 0 N. R. Williams, Secretary.

GREY. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. During the year a large number of day and evening special classes were held with satisfactory results. Handwork was taken in practically all schools, and the pupils in the higher standards of all the, principal schools attended the Greymouth centre for instruction in cookery, woodwork, needlework, and metal-work. Fuller particulars in this connection are set out in the Director's report. Extract from the Report of the Inspector of Schools. The new regulations state in a very definite way what I have, during the past two or three years, endeavoured to impress upon teachers- -that handwork was never meant to be looked upon as a separate subject the taking of which necessitated the curtailment-of time devoted to others. A very gratifying improvement in both quantity and cjuality of handwork is to be reported, indicating that its true value is becoming more and more appreciated. During the year the following branches were taken : Physics, 3 classes ; agriculture, 3 ; cardboard-work, 14 ; stieklaying, 4 ; bricklaying, 1 ; brushwork, 2 ; design and colourwork, 3; paperwork, 18; modelling in plasticine, 11; free-arm drawing, 10. In addition, there were nine classes for woodwork, eight for cookery, two for dressmaking, and two for metal-work, these being taken at the Greymouth centre. Extract from the Report of the Actinc-Director oe the Greymouth Technical School. Following the successful inauguration of evening technical classes in this centre towards the end of the year 1913, this important branch of technical education received a decided impetus by the "•* establishment at the beginning of 1914 of day technical classes. The enrolment of free-plae* pupils was indeed gratifying, the classes opening with an attendance of sixty-six pupils. Of this number twenty-six boys and twenty-eight girls were holders of first-year junior free places, and two boys and eight girls were holders of second-year junior free places, whilst one senior free pupil and one paying student enrolled. During the year eight girls and one boy joined the classes, seven of these latter being entitled to junior free places. No definite request for the recognition of a technical high school was made as it was not then known whether or not such an institution would prove permanent. The work during the year, however, was carried on as though the classes formed such a recognized institution. The following courses were provided : A domestic science course for girls, a commercial course for both boys and girls, and a, trade course for boys intending to enter the engineering or allied professions. The domestic science course attracted forty-six students, the commercial course sixty-one students, and the trades course fourteen students. All the girls in attendance took up a combined domestic science and commercial course. The subjects of the courses comprised the following : Domestic science—English, French, arithmetic, physiology, hygiene, home nursing, anatomy, cookery, needlework, dressmaking, millinery, science of common life, freehand and model drawing, civics. Commercial course English, French, arithmetic, geometry, algebra, shorthand, book-keeping, office routine, preciswriting, commercial geography, commercial history. Trade course —English, French, algebra, geometry, machine-construction, mechanical drawing, heat and steam, metal-work, woodwork, practical geometry, electricity and magnetism, elementary book-keeping and civics. In addition to the subjects mentioned as comprising the commercial course, the boys taking this course took in addition the two sciences electricity and magnetism and science of common life. Very satisfactory work was carried out during the thirty-nine weeks the classes were in session. The year terminated with a very satisfactory exhibition of students' work. Although the majority of the students attended the classes for over 900 hours and took the full range of subjects, under the Regulations for Manual and Technical Instruction the claims were necessarily computed for 400 hours only. The. difference between the payment on 400 hours and that on 800 hours would, with the average attendance during the year, have paid the salary of an additional assistant, and thus have relieved members of the staff from considerable burdens.

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Evening classes in commerce, domestic science, applied science, art and handicrafts on lines similar to those of last year were carried on at this centre, and commercial classes at Runanga. The commercial classes attracted the majority of the free-place pupils young girls desirous of gaining admittance to the Public Service being strongly represented. The evening classes were attended by twenty-five boys and fifty girls who were holders of free places, and by thirty-four boys and sixty-five girls who paid fees. Attendance and interest were well maintained. About the middle of the year classes in mechanical drawing and heat, steam, and mathematics were organized, and were well attended by apprentices to the engineering and allied trades. Teachers' Saturday classes in physical science and the theoiy of vocal music were held throughout the school year. These classes had roll numbers of twenty-one and thirty-seven respectively. The usual winter classes for teachers were held during the midwinter recess, and were attended by seventyeight individual teachers. Special courses of instruction were, held in the following subjects : Physical drill, reading and elocution, nature-study, and colour-work. Good results followed. Manual training classes in cookery and woodwork were held in Greymouth during the year. Schools within easy reach of this centre attended during the first half of the year and the outlying schools during the second half. It was found necessary to give instruction to the pupils of these distant schools for five hours on one day per week, the train arrangements being unsuitable for shorter lessons to be given. The girls received instruction in cookery and dressmaking and the boys in wood- andluetalwork. Considering the long distances travelled by many of (he children to and from this centre, the attendance and quality of the work done were alike excellent. Mr. E. C. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Schools, visited the classes towards the close of the year and expressed himself as pleased with the work then in progress. In conclusion, I desire to extend to the officers of the Department my appreciation for their unfailing courtesy and advice, to the controlling authority for its ready help on all occasions, and to the teaching staff for the successful manner in which it has, collectively and individually, carried out the manifold and in many cases arduous duties required of it, and to those members of the general public and local bodies who have assisted in any r way the furtherance of technical education in our midst. P. F. Daniel, Acting-Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the. Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at Greymouth by /he Grey Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 725 211 Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 626 0 2 Capitation on account of free places .. 433 4 8 Salaries of teaching staff.. .. .'. 580 110 Ront .. .. .. .. .. 65 9 4 Material for class use .. .. .. 109 10 6 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 152 111 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 85 9 i Material .. .. .. .. 9 16 10 Ropairs .. .. .. .. 11 14 10 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 46 0 0 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 37 18 4 Fees and other class payments .. .. 1.6 1 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 45 1 0 Sales of material .. .. .. 11 16 7 Office expenses (including salaries) .. 57 6 6 Prom Nelson and Westland Education Boards Advertising and printing.. .. .. 69 13 0 (part instructors' salaries) .. .. 75 0 0 Instructor's travelling-expenses .. .. 27 10 0 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 388 111 Exhibition oxpenses .. .. .. 511 7 Typewriters .. .. .. .. 57 4 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 209 14 1 :* £1,922 15 2 £1,922 15 2 P. F. Daniel, Secretary. WESTLAND. Extract from the Report oe the Education Board. The following recognized classes have been in operation during the year : School classes-- Hanoiwork (twelve schools), elementary agriculture (three schools), elementary physical science (two schools), elementary home science (two schools), woodwork (two schools), cookery (two schools). Teachers' classes in drawing (model, instrumental, design, Sec). Special classes—Dressmaking (three classes for two quarters and one for one quarter, sixty r -six pupils), English and arithmetic (two quarters). The classes in woodwork, cookery, and dressmaking were carried on by instructors whose services were obtained by arrangement with the Grey Education Board. An attempt to establish commercial and other classes under a similar arrangement failed, as a sufficient number of students was not forthcoming. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at Hokitika by the Westland Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. JJ s. d, Foes and other olass payments .. .. 35 17 0 i Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 011 3 Dr. balanoe at end of year .. .. .. 96 16 5 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 59 12 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 15 15 0 Caretaker .. .. .. 7 10 0 i Lighting and heating .. .. .. 0 10 6 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 15 18 5 Expenses of instructors (board, &c.) .. 818 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. ~ 23 18 3 £132 13 5 | £132 13 5 Chas. Kirk, Secretary.

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NORTH CANTERBURY. Extract from the Report oe the Education Board. Inclusive of payments made through the Board to the Manager's of associated classes, flic total expenditure on manual and technical instruction during the year amounted to £13,543 ss. 7d. The number of pupils attending from the city and suburban schools has increased from 1,708 to 1,923, mainly in consequence of the larger representation by children in Standard V. Owing to the inadequate accommodation at the several centres, many of the Board's classes have necessarily been conducted at the Technical College. The Board has therefore decided to make application for a grant for a centre to be established in the eastern part of the city, where such provision would be of great convenience to the surrounding schools. The high standards reached in former years as regards conduct and attendance have been maintained. At Ashburton the local management have considerably enlarged the scope of the work. .Many additional classes have been formed, resulting in. a large increase in the number of pupils. The work done at Akaroa has been confined to cookery, dressmaking, and woodwork. Tt is hoped this year (o form classes in dairy-work. The classes at Kaiapoi have been well maintained, the attendance at woodwork and cookery classes having been increased by the co-operation of several other primary schools in the neighbourhood. At the smaller centres, the work has continued on previous■ljnes, the favourite subjects still being cookery and woodwork. During the year dressmaking" and millinery classes were formed at Dunsandel, where the focal committee is hopeful of obtaining sufficient support to justify a continuance of the work. During the year classes in handwork were taken at 103 schools, while sixty-two classes' were formed in swimming and life-saving. At Darfield, in addition to the work done by pupils taking the rural course, classes in woodwork and cookery for jmpils attending the surrounding schools have been conducted. In August Mr. T. G. Malcolm resigned his position as chief instructor in agriculture. Much valuable work has been done despite many difficulties, and at a meeting subsequent to his resignation being received the Board placed on record its appreciation of Mr. Malcolm's services. in view of the importance attached to the instruction of children in gardening and nature-study, the vacancy was widely advertised. From the list of candidates Mr. W. Martin, B.Sc, was selected for the position. Mr. Martin, who is highly qualified for the work entrusted to him, has entered upon his duties with much ability and enthusiasm, auguring well for the continued success of this department of the Board's activities. There has been a slight, falling-off in the number of schools in which recognized classes have been carried on, the number being 121 as against 130 for the previous year. This the Board very much, regrets, as it considers the teaching of agriculture as of very great importance, The rural course has been continued at Darfield, Lincoln, Kaikoura, and Oxford East District High Schools, and the Kaiapoi District High School has now decided to take up a similar programme, which, as the instructor rightly points out, is not necessarily an alternative to an examination course. Extract prom the Report of the Acting Director, of Manual Training. The public school syllabus which came into operation at lire beginning of the present year „- has caused greater attention to be paid by the schools to instruction in woodwork and domestic science. Of the schools taking these subjects in 1913 only one neglected to resume this year, while four additional schools have been added to the list. In addition, two schools have applied to be included during 1915. If the demand continues only slightly to increase there will be urgent need for additional accommodation. This year for the first time the Board's Inspectors have asked for marks to be given in the subjects of woodwork, cookery, and laundry-work, so that they may be taken into consideration in (he awarding of proficiency certificates. As a result of a conference held early in March of the Headmasters' Association, the Chief Inspector, arid the Director of Manual Training, schemes of work for a two-year course in woodwork and domestic science were prepared at a meeting of the manual training instructors. These were submitted to the Chief Inspector and the headmasters for approval, and were adopted without alteration. The headmasters are thus able to keep in closer touch with I heir pupils al the manual training centres, and this can result only in better work being done. In this connection I may mention that 1 was greatly surprised during the year to hear from the headmaster of one of our schools that he was not, aware that he had the privilege of attending with bis pupils at the manual training classes. When informed that his presence would be welcomed he replied that he would gladly avail himself of the opportunity to attend. The greater the interest shown by teachers the more surely will the cause of manual training advance as it should. A perusal of the instructors' reports on the work, conduct, and attendance of the pupils goes to show that the high standards reached in former years have been maintained. One class made as much as 99 per cent, of the possible number of attendances. In most schools the remarks on conduct ami work ran"c from " good " to " excellent," any remark below " good " being quite the exception. I feel sure that it would be difficult to name any other school-subject in which almost every member of the class is so proficient and so interested. The reason must lie in the nature of the subject itself, producing as it does scope for self-activity, originality, and the development, of the creative powers. Little wonder, therefore, is it that the pupils find joy in their work. It has been a groat pleasure to me to visit the classes at, work, and to sec the enthusiasm of both instructors and pupils: the former, as' anticipated, have all been worthy of the confidence placed in them. and the work has proceeded quietly yet vigorously, at the same time requiring only a minimum of supervision.

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Last year the number of pupils attending the classes was 1,708 —828 girls and 880 boys. This year the number was 1,923—913 girls and 1,010 boys, an increase of 215. This increase has taken place practically wholly in'the Standard V classes. There have been only minor changes in the staff during the year. I regret to say that in October Miss Ruth Gilmour, owing to ill health, bad to relinquish her classes at Lyttelton and her assistance to Miss Blackmore al the Normal School centre, and Miss Hamilton has since filled this vacancy. In July several new woodwork'classes entered, and it was found necessary to engage Mr. ('. Brown as part-time instructor. A new feature has been introduced this year in allowing the pupils of the Yahlhiirst School to attend the Normal centre all day once a fortnight, in order to lessen the amount of time spent in travelling to and from the class. The result has been a success, the quality of the work being in every case at least "very good," while the attendance has been 96 per cent, of the possible. Last year a display of work done by the boys was held, and proved so successful that it was thought advisable to repeat it, this year. Messrs. Archer and Halliburton kindly placed their window in Colombo Street at our disposal, and the instructors promptly and willingly responded to the request. Though the notice given was short the exhibit was a good one, reflecting credit on all concerned, A feature of the display was the ticket-writing done by the boys from the Normal centre. An interesting experiment has been carried out in certain woodwork classes in America. The boys have been divided into small groups of six, in charge of a foreman, who is choSeij from among the pupils, and who exercises a considerable amount of influence over his juvenile ohajges. Of course, the whole class is' under the direction of an experienced and sympathetic instructor, and the scheme affords excellent practice in self-government. Such a, system should develop selfrespect, independent, thought anil action, and allow free play to the imagination of pupils and so greatly stimulate enthusiasm. There still seems to be considerable misapprehension as to the relation between manual and technical instruction. One need only turn to the definition in the new Education Act to appreciate the distinction. "Manual instruction" is there defined as "such exercises as train the hand in conjunction with the eye and the brain." It not only affords sound intellectual training, especially in constructive imagination, but, also a, sure moral education, developing as il does the power of mastery over the nervous and the muscular systems, and insisting on adherence to truth. "Teohnical instruction" is defined as "instruction in the principles of any specified science or art as applied tit industries, accompanied by individual laboratory or workshop practice, or instruction in modern languages, &0." Manual training is a course of instruction designed to develop the faculties of the pupils; technical instruction, while it may do this, has a different objective—that of training for a special trade or profession. Evidence goes to show that manual training adds to the happiness of the pupil, causes the knowledge which he acquires to be, retained and available for use. and quickens the rate oi his progress in other school-work. J. hi. Newton, Acting-Director. Extract from the Report of the Instructor in Agriculture. The number of classes earning capitation in agriculture was 142, and the number of pupils 2,207. There has been a marked falling-off in the number of classes taking agriculture, prin- "**' cipally among the sole-charge schools. There is evidence also of a still further decrease in. the coming year. This I attribute to the greater demand made on the teachers by the present syllabus of instruction, also to the counsels of the Board's Inspectors to the majority of teachers in solecharge schools' to drop the subject, and devote their whole time to the compulsory subjects, and to the fact that many of our young teachers have had no experience whatever in school-garden work. I would here point out that the examination courses of agriculture taken with both students and teachers are of little or no assistance when framing a course of work on schoolgardening. What is urgently needed is that every teacher in training should undergo a practical course of instruction in this as in other subjects, and this, it is hoped, will be accomplished this year. The character of the work being done by the various schools I have visited during my four months in the district varies from excellent in a few cases to poor in others. The majority of the schools are doing useful though unpretentious work, but the experimental aspect of the work (and this' I take it is the most valuable by far) is conspicuous by its absence all too frequently. A pamphlet outlining a number of useful experiments, a synopsis of topics of instruction, and a complementary course of nature-study graded to suit the various stages of the child's progress, has been placed in the hands of all head teachers. All schools except four have been visited during the year, either by Mr. Malcolm or myself. The district higb schools at Lincoln, Darfield, Oxford, and Kaikoura continue to do useful work in the subjects of the rural course. The attendance all round is smaller this year than last, especially at Oxford, but there are signs of improvement. The special subjects of instruction in this course have all been taken by Mr. Amess, who shows a real enthusiasm in his work, and who has bestowed that enthusiasm on most of his pupils. Considering what a small percentage of eottutrv pupils in North Canterbury get any secondary education, there seems room for several more district high schools, and it is Io be regretted that, in the very centre of the agricultural industry so very few are getting any special instruction in the subjects of the rural course. 1 have placed a leaflet in the hands of all pupils passing the Standard VI examination, drawing attention to the necessity for, and character of, our rural instruction in district high schools.

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Twenty-two students and forty-five teachers were taking the course at the beginning of the year, but these numbers were reduced to eighteen students and twenty-four teachers at the close of the year. The standard of the work taken was that of the Class C examination. Much inconvenience was caused in the practical course for want, of suitable ground for experimental purposes. This defect has now been rectified. Mr. Malcolm, my predecessor, found it necessary, principally for health reasons," to resign his appointment with the Board during the year, and my appointment took effect from the Ist September. It is with the greatest, pleasure that I record the unstinted praise of both Mr. Malcolm and his work that is meted out to him by the teachers of the district; and to Mr. Amess, my loyal and capable co-worker, I have to record my best thanks. Two special lectures on the " History and possibilities of the school-garden movement " were delivered towards the close of the year at Christchurch and at, Ashburton to a total attendance of over a hundred teachers. No outside work with the farming community has been undertaken this year, but it is hoped something will be done next year. Extracts from the Reports on Special Classes at Various Country Schools. . Darfield. —A. start was made during the year with school classes in cookery and woodwork,, the earliest classes commencing operations in June, and others followed during the months of July and August. Train arrangements suit admirably for pupils from schools on the main and branch line respectively beyond Darfield, and with a system of grouping these schools for instruction, classes were held successively on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings between the hours of 8 and 9.30 a.m. For those schools not served by train, but within a moderate cycling or driving distance, a class was held on Wednesday afternoons. The pupils of the last-mentioned olass are deserving of all praise for the manner in which those most remotely removed from the centre travelled upwards of seven or eight miles each way to attend their respective classes. All classes were well attended, the number of pupils being sixty-four for cookery and seventy-five for woodwork. The classes in cookery were ably conducted by Miss E. M. Truman, of Christchurch Technical College, and the syllabus of work was based on lines of economy and attractiveness of dishes, combined with a judicious scientific correlation. In the woodwork classes drawing in isometric projections by each pupil preceded the practical work, which gave evidence of neat and methodical workmanship. Towards .the end of May woof-classing was taken up under the experienced and practical guidance of Mr. J. Riley. Farmers from a wide radius attended, and two classes, each comprising fourteen members, did useful and profitable work. The session concluded with shedwork, the shed being kindly provided by Mr. D. Mulholland. Amberley. —School classes only have been held, the number of pupils being sixteen for cookery and home science, sixteen for dressmaking, and six for woodwork. In all classes the interest was well sustained and the attendance most satisfactory. Prizes for woodwork and cookery were awarded at the local show in May, the exhibit being well received. The thanks' of ti\v Committee are due to the Kowai County Council and the Amberley Town Board for contributions to the funds of the classes. Southbridge.-— The classes for dress cutting and making started in May, with Miss Vera McNie as instructress. The classes have been well attended, some twenty adults and about the same number of pupils from the district high school being present. At each lesson Miss McNie has proved an excellent instructress, being most careful and painstaking in her attention to each, and every pupil, and at the same time exacting full application to the work in hand from each member of the class. The work has been carried on for two terms of thirteen weeks each, and there is every prospect of the same enthusiasm continuing in. the future. The Committee have had to provide tables and trestles for the cutting and dressmaking, and have been very fortunate in being able to procure a suitable building at a low rent in which to hold the classes. Leeston, and, Doykston. —The dressmaking classes have been successfully carried on under the able instructorship of Miss L. M. Rennie, and a very high percentage of attendances' has been maintained throughout the year. The classes were large, there being twenty pupils in the morning class and nineteen in the afternoon. The attempts which were made to start other classes did not prove successful, as it seemed impossible to create public interest in the matter. It is proposed to establish classes for manual instruction next year, using the Leeston School as a centre. Dunsandel.—The technical classes in dressmaking and millinery have been a great boon to many of the young people of our district who are not in a position to attend such classes at any other centre. The interest and application on the part of the pupils was, I believe, keen and in every way satisfactory. The tuition of the instructress was greatly appreciated, and will be of great practical assistance to all the pupils. Under the circumstances of a small country district the classes met a, felt need, and were as successful as could be expected. An increase of attendance is expected next term, so that it is hoped that the Board will see its way to continue the classes.

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Special Classes conducted by the North Canterbury Education Board in Christchurch and certain Country Centres.

Extract from the Report of the Director of the Christohuhoh Technical College. The number admitted into all departments of the College was 1,70!), as compared with 1,4-78 in fill;!, an increase of 231, or 16 per cent., as against an increase of 11 per cent, during 1913. The evening school is responsible for the whole of the increase. Last year the day school admitted 4-16 pupils, this year 411, distributed as follows: Commercial, 155; industrial, 113; domestic •j. science, 107; agricultural, 39. While the numbers taking the commercial and the agricultural courses were the same as last year, there was an increase of eight taking the industrial course, and a decrease of ten taking the domestic-science course, the only important difference between the two rolls being that in 1913 there were 245 first-year pupils, as against 215 this year. The average attendance for the first term was 92 per cent., as against 91 per cent, last year; and for the third term 83 per cent., as against 82 per cent. The keeping-up of the numbers is the more gratifying when it is remembered that the war is causing extra demands to be made in every household, and parents are finding it increasingly difficult to keep tit school children who might be at work earning money. The Girls' Training Hostel has now completed its first clear year, and, as was anticipated, under the able direction of Mrs. Gardner, has more than justified its existence. It had its full complement of fifteen permanent boarders, including six holders of domestic science scholarships given by the Board of Managers, while over a hundred girls from the day school went through a two-months course of training in home management at the hostel. Staff Changes. —There have not been many changes in the day-school staff this year, and this lias conduced largely to the smooth running of the school. I regret to say that Miss HoodWilliams, instructress in shorthand and typewriting, who had leave of absence for the greater part of 1913 and resumed duties at the beginning of the year, was compelled to sefid in her resignation on account of ill health. Tn her the Managers lost a faithful servant and the staff a kindly colleague. The college is also to lose the services of Miss Maxwell, who has been appointed instructor in dressmaking and millinery at the Ashburton Technical School, and will be much missed by both pupils and staff. Miss Robertson joined us at the beginning of the year as a teacher of general subjects; Miss Digby was appointed to fill Miss Hood-Williams's position; and Miss Carter, who had been taking part-time work in shorthand and typewriting during the first half of the year, was appointed as assistant to Miss Digby. We hope that the connection of these teachers with us will be long and pleasant. Games. —During the year our sports activities have not been so confined in regard to grounds as in previous years. The winter games were played in three grounds—football at Lancaster Park, hockey at Sydenham Park, and association football at the sports-grounds in

lt<rmiiiit.c Receipts. a co On ... Credit .Sg Account nJP*Centre. Balance at SS ,, of Balance Beginning of S§ Fees. p at Totals. year. s„ school ™»« OS Classes. * ea1 ' Receipts. 0n Dr Account „ ,,„,'„ of Balance Fees. Public at Totals. scliooi *£ol Classes. * ea1 ' £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. .£ s. d. £ s. d. Christchurch ., .. „ 49 8 8 27 0 0 j 38 10 0 .. .. 114 18 3 Darfield .. .. .. .. .. .. . 28 0 0 .. .. 28 0 0 Dunsandrl .. .. .. .. .. .. ,, „ 17 16 0 17 16 0 Kaikoura .. .. .. .. .. 9 9 0 : 17 9 6 , .. 28 12 9 55 11 3 Leeston and Doyleston .. .. 28 10 3 24 8 0 19 2 0 8 10 0 .. 80 16 9 Southbridge .. .. .. .. 40 2 0 6 18 0 10 5 fl I 3 11 6 .. 66 16 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 38 10 0 .. .. 114 18 3 28 0 0 .. .. 28 0 0 17 16 0 17 16 0 II 9 6 .. 28 12 9 55 11 3 19 2 0 8 10 0 .. 80 16 9 10 5 0 I 3 11 0 .. 66 16 0 Totals .. .. .. .. 124 0 6 67 15 0 113 0 6 12 2 0 46 8 9 963 18 9 113 0 G 12 2 0 46 8 9 .963_ 18 9 Expenditure. Administration. Centre. Dr. *-' r ' Balance at ,.... Uo ", t Balance Beginning of Salaries „«■« Ma^ft , Instructors, *■»• £ i. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Christchurch .. .. .. .. 50 10 0 .. .. 64 8 3 114 18 3 Darfield .. .. .. .. .. 9 0 0 .. .. 19 0 0 28 0 (I Dumandel .. .. ,. ., .. 17 10 0 .. .. .. 17 10 0 Katkoura .. .. .. .. 26 10 9 29 0 6 .. .. .. 55 11 8 1 ieeston and Doyleston .. .. ., SO 8 8 8 12 7 9 13 12 14 3 80 16 9 Southbridge .. .. .. .. .. 25 11 0 1 19 6 5 14 9 33 11 3 00 10 0 Total* ■• .. .. .. 20 10 9 182 6 2 10 12 1 14 10 0 ! 129 13 9 303 18 9 L I I

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Elisor's Road. Association football was played this year by the boys for the first, time, and so heartily was it entered into that our A team were runners-up in the schools' senior competition. In hockey the girls were very successful, the B team carrying off the junior shield in the secondary schools' competition, and the A team being runners-up in their grade. Considerable interest was displayed in swimming, the desire of the pupils being to obtain the certificates for longdistance swimming issued by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. These certificates were won by thirteen girls for swimming distances between 1,700 and 3,566 yards. Thirty boys covered distances between 1,800 and 6,840 yards, twenty-one distances between 266 anil 1,700 yards, while three boys each covered more than three miles and a half. School Council.— -Our school council has now had a clear full year to prove its worth, and T can unhesitatingly say that it has done so. The fears of the timid that the operations of the council would have an injurious effect, upon the discipline of the school have been entirely dissipated. Of course, our pupils have a preliminary training for the work through the institution of a school parliament, but it is none the less remarkable that pupils should have attained such a, high sense of their duties and responsibilities and should display such aptitude for self-govern-ment. The justice of the punishments meted out to offenders against the council's rules is amply proved by the fact that these punishments are cheerfully carried out, and that throughout the year, of the three hundred cases punished, not one was referred to the appeal court. Moreover, several suggestions for the improvement of the working of the school have emanated .from the executive of the council, and their adoption has proved a success. It might be suppclsed by some that such a system as ours would conduce to overbearing conduct on the part of the officials, but the very reverse has been the case. Undoubtedly the system of self-government has come to stay; it is capable of still greater development, and with a sympathetic guidance it must in the end achieve very great success. School Entertainment. —One of the important functions of the year is the day-school entertainment, which takes place at the close of the winter term, and attracts considerable attention even outside college circles. The girls contributed the first portion of the programme, presenting a scene from " Cranford," the casket scene from "The Merchant of Venice," besides dances and a display of Swedish gymnastics. The second part consisted of four scenes from "Henry IV" presented by the boys. Judging by the attendances on both evenings the entertainment was, if anything, more popular even than the very successful one given last year. Evening School. —The number of students attending the evening classes shows an increase of 232 over that of last year, the figures being 1,295 for 1914, and 1,063 for 1913, the classes responsible for -the increase being those for cabinetmaking, electrical engineering, fitting and turning, plumbing, typography, shorthand and typewriting, sanitary science, dressmaking; while there was lessened interest in carpentry and joinery, signwriting, geography, French, Latin, and pure mathematics. It must, however, be admitted that the signwriting class worked under great inconvenience; at the mid-year it had to vacate a room in the South Belt School lent by the Education Board for the past three years and a half, and to be content with the only available, though quite unsuitable, accommodation in a corner of a room in the Technical College workshop that was used for other purposes. It is therefore no wonder that the attendance fell off in the latter half of the year, and that both instructor and students were quite dissatisfied with the conditions under which they had to work. It is hoped that better arrangements will be made tor this class in the coming year. During the session new (lasses were begun in Swedish gymnastics for ladies, sanitary science, and electrical engineering, ami wen- all well attended. Two classes which were formed last year but were poorly attended —viz., those in veterinary science and elocution —were dropped. Changes in the staff have fortunately not been numerous. Mr. Bauohop, who had charge of the motor-engines class, asked to be relieved of this work, and Mr. F. Clover, an ex-student of Coventry Institute, England, was appointed in his place. However, after a few weeks Mr. Glover joined the Expeditionary Force, and the'class was put in charge of Mr. J, L. Stinson, who holds a first-class engineer's certificate. The only other change was in connection with the trade-drawing classes, which Mr. Blister relinquished to go to the front, and which is now instructed by Mr. It. W. Webster, A.C.I. (London). Mr. O'Donel Davis was appointed to take charge of the new classes in electrical engineering, and as it was found necessary to have extra assistance in the hook-keeping classes the services of Mr. O. Anderson, A.1.A.N.Z., were secured. Mr. J. Petterd, who is foreman at the Sun printing-office, took charge of the typographical class at the beginning of the year, and the class has been so popular that it has had to be divided, having doubled its numbers. Much new equipment was provided during the year, and the booklet of specimen work was larger than over, and received much praise from the local Press. The Lyttelton Times remarked that the booklet " thoroughly justified the existence of classes, and makes a fine testimonial to tire soundness of the instruction given. These classes are not only a, benefit to the young men following the typographical trade, bill are an advantage to the employer', since they increase the efficiency of the craftsman and have an appreciable effect for the better on the product of the printing-house." The Past and Senior Students' .Association has had a very successful year, the chief event being I lie first annual festival of the newly-formed Christchurch Debating Clubs' Competitions' Society, in which (he association secured third place. It was not only the youngest society competing, hut it had only half the entries of St. Paul's, the second team, and about one-third those of the winning team from the V.M.C.A. As it was, the society gained the greatest number of firsts — namely, eight—and the greatest number of places—namely, seventeen. The sports-ground at Ensor's Road were opened in April, and contain three hockey-grounds, a football-ground, and tvo grass tennis-courts. An old boys' cricket club was formed in September, with a promising

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membership, and two good wickets have been prepared for the current season. As it is intended to inaugurate a football club next winter, the sports activities of the association will then comprise all the most popular games. During the year the managers adopted the practice in vogue at the London Polytechnic of appointing honorary lecturers to give addresses to the students in matters relating to their course of instruction. Mr. Lawrence Birks, the Government electrical engineer in charge of tire Lake Coleridge works, gave the first lecture on " The water-power of New Zealand " to the electrical engineering students. The second lecture was given by Mr. W. Sarelius, instructor in Swedish gymnastics in the day school, on the " Educational value of physical instruction." A third lecture is to be given by Mr. Parry, ohief electrical engineer to the New Zealand Government. A display of students' work from almost all departments of the college was made in December, when Messrs. W. Strange and Co. again kindly placed their corner window at our disposal. Those who saw the exhibit agreed that it was an excellent one, doing credit to both instructors and students, especially when it, is considered that none of the work was done for display purposes, but was merely the product of the ordinary working of the classes. As a matter of fact, the display was contemplated only three days before it took, place, and when the suggestion was made every instructor concerned made a ready and willing response. Messrs. Strange and Co. not, only rendered every assistance possible in arranging the exhibit, but, gratuitously undertook the carting of the material and the lighting of the window eaeli evening. Isaac E. Newton, Acting-Director. - Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Christchurch Technical College. Receipts. ■ £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balanco at beginning of year .. .. 36 7 5 Salaries of teaching stall .. .. 6,001 5 3 Capitation on account of day Teehnioal Material for class use .. .. .. 1,007 0 9 School .. .. .. .. 4,360 0 9 Scholarships, &o. .. .. .. 90 0 0 Capitation on account of other olasses .. 1,171 2 4 Repairs .. .. .. •• 30 17 11 Capitation on account of free places .. 453 9 7 Caretakers .. .. .. .. 407 0 9 Buildings .. .. .. .. 250 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 220 13 G Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 791 14 4 Insuranoe .. .. .. .. GO 5 4 Material .. .. .. .. 383 7 7 Office expenses (including salaries, &c.) .. 024 9 1 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 578 14 2 Advertising and printing .. .. 114 0 9 Foes and other class payments .. .. 1,457 .16 1 Purchases of books and stationery .. 323 8 9 Sales of material and refunds .. .. 138 16 2 Fees and deposit refunds .. .. 29 15 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. 579 010 Prizes .. .. .. .. 89 2 3 Sales of books and stationery .. .. 341 19 8 Upkeep of plavirig-fields and hostel grounds 116 16 0 Prize fund .. .. .. .. 39 13 7 Cartages ' .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 From North Canterbury Education Board Sundries .. .. .. .. 179 4 2 and Canterbury College (on account of Buildings .. .. .. .. 420 17 1 salaries, material, &c.) .. .. 415 19 1 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 740 011 Gas, firing, and cleaning .. .. 33 14 0 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 472 14 11 Refunds and sundries .. .. .. 48 9 4 £11,086 4 11 £11,086 4 11 George Scott, Chairman 1 f m y, John H. Howell, Secretary j b Extract from the Report of the Director of the Ashburton Technical School. The session opened in February with a large increase in all departments as compared with the opening of the 1913 session. This large increase, maintained throughout the year, brings home the facts that the school is serving its appointed function and is appreciated by the community of the district; it is worthy of all the support that local public, semi-public, and private bodies can give it; and that the support now given by contributing bodies is being faithfully applied. The number of individual students attending technical classes in 1913 was 399; this year the number has increased to 453; and the collective roll number of the school is 1,672, including manual-instruction classes for woodwork and cookery, 472, as against 1,244 for 1913, showing an increase of 78 individual students and 428 on the roll number. The details of the several departments are as follows: Domestic science — Home nursing, 31; home-management, 24; cookery, 102; dressmaking, 198; millinery, 80. Commercial—Commercial English, 103; commercial arithmetic, 75; geography, 5; business methods, 31; book-keeping, 54; shorthand) 60; typewriting, 55. Trade classes—Mathematics, 47; trade drawing, 15; carpentry, 63; metalwork, 10; electricity and magnetism, 10; wool-classing, 17; carpentry and joinery (principles), 8; shearing, 42. Art classes—Painting and designing, 18; drawing, 66; principles of design, 6; sign and ticket writing, 18; elocution, 13; hygiene, 11. With the appointment of Mr. Bristol' the art department, especially the applied side, received a big forward impetus, new classes being started in sign and ticket writing, applied design, and a large teachers' class for drawing as required by the new syllabus. These classes were disorganized by Mr. Bristol- volunteering for service with the Expeditionary Force, but the results go to show the need of such classes, and I am certain that the arts and arts-craft side of the school could be worked up if we can only get the right person to take these classes. There was a marked improvement in the trade classes, but still not all that could be desired. A little more encouragement on the part, of employers I am sure would work wonders, because I know of cases where such encouragement has been given and have noted the effect.

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In domestic subjects, cookery, home nursing, home-management, dressmaking and millinery there has been a healthy increase of over 50 per cent, on last year's figures. This is extremely satisfactory, and augurs well for future wives and mothers. The new metalwork-shop added during the year has proved a very acceptable addition to the buildings and a great convenience to the class. We are getting a little cramped for room for evening classes, and the Managers will soon have the question of increased accommodation before them. In wool-classing we were unable to start a second class at Methven owing to lack of support, but there will be probably sufficient students for next year. The Ashburton class was about the same as usual, but inquiries have already been made for a second class for next year to be held in the evening. The sheep-shearing class has been successful, a few students taking on the blades, but with a view to encouraging blade shearing for back-country farmers we have started a blade shearing class at Anama, and we are giving the instruction free. Mr. Pawson has kindly placed accommodation and sheep at the disposal of the olass. Five students entered for the shearing competitions at the Christchurch Agricultural and Pastoral Show, and one was awarded first prize in the blade class. At the City and Guilds of London examination twelve students sat for cookery and nine obtained passes. There were six entries for trade subjects and five passes. Two students sat for Public Service Entrance Examination, and thirty-two have entered for senior free places, the results of which are not yet to hand. We have now boys' and girls' hockey clubs, which have added greatly to the social sick, of the school. For so young a club the girls are to be congratulated in getting into the final of the five-a-side competition. I hope that the exhibit now on view in the school will be visited by large numbers of people, anol that it will help them to realize what we are striving to do in the interest of the community, and, incidentally, in the interest of the Empire as a whole, for we are now in the gravest and greatest crisis in the history of the British Empire. We cannot all serve by directly and immediately taking up arms for service abroatl—though all connected with this institution should be proud to know that two of its instructors, Mr. S. G. Brister and Major A. J. Childs, and a former art master, Mr. G. K. Webber, are now on active service. There is, however, a victory that every member of this institution and every member of the community who remains at home can strive for, which, if won, will have, after our decisive victory of arms, a far-reaching ami lasting effect upon the ultimate destiny of the British nation —I mean the victory and supremacy of industrialism, in which our enemy has up to the present been in the forefront. To do this we must make greater efforts to give a thorough and complete training in the technical branches of all industries. Here is where Governments, local bodies, and. individuals' can, by putting the issue clearly before the younger generation, show and incite a true loyalty and patriotism and thus help to achieve a lasting victory. It will then be handed down to posterity that those who could not serve their country by directly bearing arms did, by the keen foresight of the older and the willing loyalty of the younger, bring about an industrial victory which raised the British Empire to the zenith of its power and glory. I have to thank the members of the staff for their individual and collective efforts that have carried the school to the end of a prosperous year. The thanks of the Managers are due to the following contributing bodies : County Council, Borough Council, Canterbury Sheepowners' Union, Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, High School Board, Borough and Hampsteaol School Committees, and private subscribers who have contributed monetary and other support. I must again personally thank the Managers for the support and assistance they have given me throughout the year. A. L. Moore, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted al, Ashburton, Methven, and Tinwald by the Ashburton Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s . d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 739 4 4 Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 119 18 10 Capitation on account of free places .. 177 1 9 Salaries of tenchirg staff.. .. .. 1,037 1 7 Buildings .. .. .. •• 120 0 0 Material for olass use .. .. .. 277 1 7 Rent .. .'.' .. •• •• 20 14 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 13 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 150 18 6 Repairs and maintenance .. .. 52 17 6 Material .. .. .. •• 93 2 5 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 140 17 1 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 51 14 0 Fees and other class payments .. .. 345 7 7 Insuranoe .. .. .. .. 7 4 4 Salos of material .. .. •. 29 19 9 Office expenses (including salaries, &o.) .. 80 2 4 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 130 14 6 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 41 17 9 On account of primary-school classes .. 221 13 0 Travelling-expenses, conveyance, &c. .. 34 9 4 On account of high-school classes.. .. 59 5 0 Text-books and stationery .. .. 44 0 9 Deposits, refunds, toxt-books and stationery 58 8 1 Prizes .. .. .. .. .. 30 5 9 Sundries .. .. • • • • 43 10 7 Deposits refunded .. .. .. 20 0 0 Freight and cartage .. .. .. 517 0 Bank charges and auditor .. .. 4 8 2 Sundries .. .. .. .. 14 11 6 Buildings .. .. .. .. 127 11 8 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 243 1 3 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 87 13 3 £2,348 17 1 £2,348 17 1 H. Davis, Chairman ) ~T A. L. Moore, Secretary j of Mana § ers -

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Extract from the Report of the Director of the Kaiapoi Technical School. During the year classes have been held in cookery, woodwork, dresscutting, art, and woolclassing. The attendance at most of the classes has been satisfactory. The numbers attending the classes were as follows: Wool-classing, 18; cookery, 12; dresscutting, 71; woodwork, 21; art, 12. Pupils from Waikuku, Woodend, East Eyreton, and Coutt's Island schools also attended for instruction in woodwork and cookery. The number of pupils for woodwork was seventy-four, and for cookery fifty-eight. Last year's contributing bodies, together with the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, contributed to the funds of the classes. It is proposed to arrange for a display of the work done in the classes, so that all may form an estimate of the opportunities for self-improvement that are being offered. The building and grounds are in good order. T. DoudS, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted by the Kaiapoi Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. i* s. d. Cr balance at beginning of yoar .. .. 72 10 2 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 125 X) 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 46 3 3 Material for class use '.. .. .. 19 17- 6 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 0 10 0 Rent and repairs .. .. .. 15 0 Material .. .. .. 26 13 4 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 1500 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 40 7 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 5 5 0 Foes and other class payments .. .. 49 16 5 Offlee expenses (including salaries, &o.) .. 20 11 4 Sales of material.. .. .. .. 8 19 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 616 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 40 7 0 Railway faros .. .. .. .. 18 3 On account of primary-school classes .. 71 10 0 Bank chargos .. .. .. .. 015 0 Rofunds .. .. .. .. 3 7 6 Teachers' board .. .. .. ..1830 Sundries .. .. .. .. 0 5 7 Rofunds .. .. .. .. 015 0 Conveyance and cartage .. .. .. 3 17 3 Sundries .. .. .. .. 2 9 3 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 0 10 0 Cr. balanco at ond of yoar .. .. 131 8 5 £359 18 0 £359 18 0 J. H. Blackwell, Chairman ) r,, Thos. Douds, Secretary j of Mana S ers - Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Akaroa Technical School. The following classes were held during the year: For adults, woodwork and dressmaking; for school children, woodwork and cookery. Under the able tuition of Mr. L. Haylock excellent work was done in woodwork during the year. Most of the students take a keen interest in the work, and several new students are desirous of taking up the work this year. Dressmaking is now taught without reference to charts. The pupils are keenly interested in the new work. "* Owing to our being unable to obtain the services of Mrs. Bell the adult cookery class was not held this year. The classes for public-school pupils were well attended. Many of the pupils show considerable promise. An effort was made during the year to obtain the services of Government experts to give lectures on subjects instructive to .farmers, but owing to our isolation we were not successful in this matter. A. butter-factory has opened near the school, and an effort will be made to hold dairy classes next year. Alex. Gray, Secretary. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at Akaroa by the Banks Peninsula Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 26 3 0 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 36 0 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 17 2 9 Material for class use .. .. .. 418 5 Fees and other class payments .. .. 11 0 0 Repairs .. .. .. .. .. 056 Sales of material.. .. .. .. 0 8 3 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 9 2 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 26 6 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 2 6 4 On account of public-school olasses .. 17 15 3 Insurance .. .. .. .. 5 7 8 Sundries .. .. .. •• 0 4 0 Office expenses (including salaries, &c.) .. 0 0 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 0 12 0 Water and drainage .. .. .. 2 10 0 Carting .. .. .. .. .. 146 Bank charges, and auditor .. .. 12 0 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 35 10 4 £99 5 3 £99 5 3 . . John Bruce, Chairman-.1 t,, Alex. Gray, Secretary j of Mana g^.

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Extract frou the Report of run Conti.ollihg Authoritt of the Rangiora Technical School. Ihe work done by the pupils at the Technical School has been of a very satisfactory nature. Pupils have attended from the public schools at Rangiora, Fernside, Southbrook, Swannanoa, and Loburii. The aim of the Board of Governors lias been to encourage pupils from the outlying sohools to attend the classes. As the difficulty of attending for one hour a week is a very patent " one for schools sonic distance from Rangiora, it would undoubtedly be a good plan for classes to be so arranged that the pupils could attend for two or three hours fortnightly instead of half the time once a week. This would allow teachers to send their pupils for a whole afternoon without having to sacrifice any of thefr ordinary school-time as at present. Under such arrangements a scheme for the conveyance of pupils from such schools could be .formulated so as to retluce the cost to a minimum. Flic numbers attending the various (-lasses are as follows: Public-school classes — Woodwork, 6!); cookery, 78; high-school classes —woodwork, 12; dressmaking, 22; wool-classing, 35; technical classes—woodwork, 13; cookery, 3; dressmaking, 94; wool-classing, 8. The students attending the technical classes have done good work, while the popularity of the dressmaking classes is evidenced by all the three classes having a maximum roll, there being others also anxious to join. As elementary agriculture is now a compulsory subject for all pupils attending the Rangiora High School, wool-classing is compulsory for all the boys. Some of the senior technical pupils have obtained good positions in the surrounding district. At tire close of the school .yfear the pupils of the cookery classes and of the woodwork classes held a display. Members of the Board, parents, and friends were exceedingly pleased with the work done. Officials from the Department and others have inspected the school, and have commented favourably on the progress made. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Rangiora Technical School by the Board of Governors, Rangiora High School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 517 3 Dr. balance at beginning of yoar .. .. 33 14 9 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 10 0 0 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. 61 0 6 Fees and other class payments .. .. 69 13 3 Material for class use .. .. .. 7 12 6 Sales of material .. .. .. 4 8 5 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. 17 10 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 2 3 0 Office expenses (Including salaries) .. 5 13 4 Advertising and printing .. .. 0 13 9 Sundries .. .. .. .. 1 19 3 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 35 1 4 £152 18 11 £152 18 11 E. R. Good, Treasurer. Extract from the Report of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Canterbury •.» College. School of Engineering. —lt is pleasing to be able to note that, there is a decided increase in the number of students who are studying for the degree course in engineering, due probably to the fact that it has been possible to shorten the course without impairing the efficiency of the instruction. The regulations made by the Public Works Department, to enable their junior officers to avail themselves of the advantages and training at the School of Engineering have been such that five entered upon their associate course. These regulations allow those attending to receive half-pay during the session, but compel them to take up their ordinary work for the Department during the vacation. Four of these sat for and were suecessfut in their associate course. Of other students in the school, two sat for their associate-ship, and one of them obtained the highest marks in the Empire, and was therefore awarded the Bayliss Prize. It is a matter of congratulation that there is this fresh evidence of the soundness and thoroughness of the instruction given at the School of Engineering, especially at a time when attempts have been made somewhat to underestimate the value of the education that is given here. For the degree examinations two were successful in the final examination for the Bachelor of Engineering (civil), and one in that of Bachelor of Engineering (mechanical), while of the others who sat, four and seven respectively passed the earlier utages of their professional examination in their first and second years respectively. At the last January meeting of the Senate tiro question of shortening the period of residence for engineering students at Canterbury College, so far as affecting students from Auckland, was discussed, and it was decided that no alteration was possible or needed. The principle is thus affirmed that for such an important professional education it is necessary that students should spend the whole of the time at the recognized sohools. In order to avoid any of the disabilities that were brought forward in support of a change, it would be a wise thing if more scholarships in engineering were offered, so that the cost of the education of the best, students offering might be reduced. It is pleasing to note that many of the old students have been successful during the year in obtaining important positions in New Zealand and Australia. During the second term and during the vacation twenty-three of the students enlisted in the Expeditionary Forces, so that the year opens with a smaller number of students than usual.

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School of Art. —Last year the Director reported a higher .attendance than in previous years, and again this year he states that it is the highest in the history of the school. It is a pleasing feature that the school is thus growing and its educational value is so fully recognized, and that students are anxious to avail themselves of the instruction given. This points to the fact that the building itself must be enlarged. The Board of Governors have recognized this, and have had plans prepared for a considerable addition io the building. Though by careful management a certain amount lias been able to be set aside for this purpose, there are not enough funds in hand to carry out the necessary work, and up to the present the Education Department has not been able to make a grant in aid. As soon as such help is forthcoming, however, the necessary additions will be put in hand. The work of the school has been very successful this year, for again in competition with the students of the schools of art in Great Britain one student was successful in obtaining a National bronze medal, another obtained a National book prize, while there were also several special mentions. In the local exhibition held by the Arts Society the majority of tin: diplomas were gained by students of (he school. During the year a special course in architecture was introduced, with a definite syllabus laid down, the aim being that those who successfully completed the requisite course should obtain an associate-ship of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. Of course, a large number was not expected to undertake the course, but satisfactory work was done by those who were enrolled. In connection with this course a series of lectures on the history of architecture was delivered by Mr. Hurst Seager,. which were attended not only by those who were actually taking the definite course, but by others who were specially interested in this portion of the work. The Council of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, who were in session in Christchurch, visited the school and expressed the opinion that it was facile princeps. The Director gave during the year a special series of lectures to the teachers in the city and suburban schools, and these were largely attended by head teachers, and also by assistants, who much appreciated them. Other special lectures on art were given to large audiences; such lectures arouse and keep up interest in art and in the school. Extract from the Report of the Professor in' Charge, School or Engineering. A marked feature of the year was the large entry of matriculated students for the courses leading to the University degree in engineering, sixteen students commencing their preliminary year at the College. An important recognition of the value of the training afforded by the school has been made by the Public Service Commissioner, who has gazetted regulations which allow of special leave being granted to engineers of the Public Works' Department to attend a course of tuition of two years at the Canterbury College School of Engineering. Under these regulations the Department pays the College fees and cost of books, the actual leave being granted on half-pay with a maximum of £100, the engineer being required to work in the Department at his usual rate of pay during the vacations. On his return to full duties after the completion of his College course his classification may be reviewed by the Commissioner, who will make due allowance for his improved stamling in the profession. Four engineers and one draughtsman attended under the above regulations during 1914. The engineers subsequently sat for the associate membership examination of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and were all successful in passing. Two ~. associates of the School of Engineering also sat for and passed this examination, one obtaining top marks and a Bayliss Prize. These prizes arc granted to the two candidates obtaining the highest marks in this examination, which is held throughout the Empire. During the year 148 individual students attended lectures, and the hour attendances per week were 993, an increase of eighty on those of the previous year. Twenty-four matriculated students were studying for the University degree or the associateship of the School of Engineering, and in addition there were sixteen matriculated students taking their preliminary year in the College. There were also four engineers and one draughtsman from the Public Works Department taking a special* two-years course. Twenty-seven lectures per week were delivered, and instruction was given for 1.22 hours per week in drawing, experimental and field work. At the University examinations of 1913 two students passed the final examinations for the degree of B.E. (electrical); four students passed the Second Professional Examination; three students passed the First Professional Examination; whilst nine students passed the Engineering Entrance Examination. At the University examinations of 1914 two students passed the final examinations for the degree of B.E. in Civil Engineering, whilst one student passed the final examination for the degree of B.E. (mechanical); four students passed the Second Professional Examination; seven students passed the First Professional Examination; whilst eight students passed the Engineering Entrance Examination. At the A&scrciateship Examination of 1914 the passes in subjects taught at the School of Engineering were as follows : In mechanical drawing, 1 ; applied mechanics, 4; steam-engine (elementary), 6; steam-engine (intermediate), 1; applied ■electricity, 2; electrical engineering (intermediate), 1; strength of materials (elementary), 6; strength of materials (intermediate), 7; strength of materials (advanced), 4; hydraulics, 4; surveying (elementary), 1; surveying (advanced), 1; principles of civil engineering, 1. Scholarships and Exhibitions. —The University Engineering Travelling Scholarship was awarded to Mr. T. D. Smith. The First Year Engineering Exhibition was awarded to Mr. H. L. Hardy. The Second Year Engineering Exhibition was awarded to Mr. F. G. Payne, whilst a Special Third Year Engineering Exhibition was awarded to Mr. E. C. Gough.

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Evening Students. —Sixty-five certificates were awarded to students who attended lectures and passed examinations in the following subjects: Freehand mechanical drawing; descriptive geometry arid setting-out work; mechanical drawing, section I; mechanical drawing, section II (mechanical); mechanical drawing, section II (electrical); mechanical drawing, section II (civil); mechanical drawing, section 111 (mechanical); steam-engine (elementary); applied mechanics (elementary); strength of materials (elementary); building-construction; electrical engineering (elementary); workshop practice theory. During the year the following appointments were obtained by past students : Designing Engineer, Public Works Department, Wellington; Chief Draughtsman, Victorian Railways Australia; Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department, Christchurch; Testing Electrical Engineer, City Council, Christchurch; Resident Engineer, Public Works Department, Napier; Instructor in Electrical Engineering, Technical College, Christchurch; electrical engineer with Auckland linn; Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department, Christchurch; County Engineer, Swan Hill, Australia; Mechanical Engineer, Borough Council, Lyttelton; Chief Engineer, 11.M.A.5. " Una "; engineer on warship at the Dardanelles; commissions in Army (two). During the year tests were made in the engineering laboratories on steel bars and marble, for the Public Works Department; cement and cast steel, for the New Zealand Government Railways; dumping-bands, for the Wellington Harbour Board; condenser-tubes, for the Union Steamship Company; insulators, for the Invercargill tramways; hemp rope, for Lloyd's Surveyor; boiler plate and wire rope, for the Government Inspection of Machinery Department; suspension-bridge cable, for the Vincent County Council; steel bars, for. the Dunedin Drainage Board; and on coal, sand-lime bricks, concrete, stone, steel, and. electrical meters and condensers, for private firms. The recent extensions have provided an additional lecture-room, enabling room B to be wholly devoted to drawing—this has proved of great value to students; an applied mechanics laboratory, in which the subject lias now definite quarters; a reference library and readingroom, which supplies a long-felt want; comfortable rooms for members of the staff; a workshop, and a pneumatics laboratory. The accommodation is now ample for the training of all the engineers likely to be required by the Dominion for some years to come. Bearing on this fact it may be stated that an application for recognition of the Auckland University College as a college at which the first two years of the engineering course might be taken was again made to the University Senate, which decided that the request could not be granted. The Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers have made clear their disapproval of the proposal, the acceptance of which, it is stated, would involve a reconsideration of the recognition now given to the New Zealand degree. This should finally settle the matter. During the visit of the Professor in Charge to England arrangements were made for the supply of a complete experimental freezing plant. The theory of refrigeration, bearing as it does on the most important industry of the country, has for many years been taught at the School of Engineering, and it. is satisfactory to note that old students occupy important positions in connection with the industry. The presence of this new .experimental plant will greatly enhance t'lre value of the theoretical instruction given here. The plant was designed and constructed by Messrs. Hall (Limited), of Dartford, and supplied on exceptionally favourable terms. Other additions to apparatus comprise a 40 horse-power experimental Daimler sleeve valve; a petrol engine; an Ingersoll air-compressor; a sand-blast apparatus; a demonstration lantern; a set of Burnham pilot tubes; apparatus designed by the Professor in Charge for research work in connection with hydraulic friction and the efficiency of water-wheel vanes, and buckets. This was locally manufactured, as was also an experimental pipe range for determining the frietional losses in various sizes of pipes. A large number of engineering students have volunteered and left for the front. The holder of the University Engineering Travelling Scholarship for 1914 (Mr. T. D. Smith) enlisted in the Northumberland Dragoons shortly after the declaration of war, was through the heavy fighting in Belgium, and has now obtained a commission. The holder of the 1912 Travelling Scholarship also enlisted in England, whilst eleven matriculated and eleven evening students who were on the books of the School of Engineering in 1914 have also gone to the front, where there are also about twenty of our old students. During the 3?ear Mr. I. D aimer, who did excellent work its demonstrator in electrical engineering, left to take up a position on the Public Works staff at the Lake Coleridge power-station. He was succeeded here by Mr. G. Maclndoe, who graduated from the school. Mr. E. N. Webb, who temporarily occupied the position of demonstrator, left at the end of the session, and Mr. A. Plowman, Grad.l.E.E., was appointed to the position of professor's demonstrator. The thanks of the Professor in Charge are due to the members of the staff, who have united in devoting their best energies to the furtherance of the work of the school. Hobt. J. Scott, M-Inst.C.E., M.lnst.M.E., Fellow Am. Inst.E.E., Professor in Charge.

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance, Ist January, 1914 .. .. 838 12 11 Salaries .. .. .. .. 2,90114 8 Students' fees .. .. .. .. 030 0 0 General Expenses— Fees for certificate of associate .. .. 5 5 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. 44 18 8 Testing fees (share of) .. .. .. 30 0 3 Coal, gas, and electricity .. .. 128 3 1 Sale of graph-books and slide-rules .. GOO Printing and stationery .. .. 83 1 10 Government grants— Advertising .. .. .. .. 24 9 0 Speeializ ition in engineering .. .. 2,000 0 0 Laboratory stores .. .. .. 20 17 2 Capitation for technical classes .. 129 12 9 Apparatus for surveying, &c. .. .. 17 9 6 Grant in aid of material .. .. 29 13 0 Experimental-work apparatus— Grant in aid of furniture, fittings, and Applied mechanics and mechanical enapparatus .. .. .. .. 31 14 2 gineering .. .. .. 88 1 10 Contributions— Hydraulics .. .. .. 99 15 2 From Museum, Library, and Sohool of Electrical engineering .. .. 10 10 2 Technical Science Endowment .. 525 0 0 Stores and chemicals (electrical cnginoerFrom superior-education r< serves (Col- ing) .. .. .. .. 14 4 11 lege)— Upkeep of plant (repairs to machinery) 93 3 11 For general .. .. .. 500 0 0 Expenses of exhibit at Auckland ExFor exhibitions .. .. .. 80 0 0 hibition .. .. .. .. 2 4 1 For scholarships .. .. .. 45 0 0 Interest .. .. .. .. 98 1 4 Refund of amounts paid for exhibit et Sundries .. .. .. .. .20 0 9 Auckland Exhibition (1913-14) .. 14 13 0 Contributions — Toward expenses of Registrar's office .. 120 0 0 Toward travelling-expenses of members of Board .. .. .. .. 13 14 2 Toward salary of assistant in mathematics .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 Rent of building (College) .. .. 102 10 0 Ground rent (Boys' High School) .. 20 0 0 Appropriations— Exhibitions .. .. .. .. 80 0 0 Scholarships.. .. .. .. 45 0 0 Payment off debt on Buildings Loan Account .. .. .. .. 400 0 0 Cr. balance, 31st Decembor, 1914 .. 307 5 9 £4,877 17 7 £4,877 17 7 Geo. G. Mason, Registrar. Extract from the Report of the Director of the School of Art. The attendance and progress of the students have been very satisfactory. The attendance was as follows: First term, 544 individual students; second term, 446; third term, 416. The large number in attendance during the first term is accounted for by the special series of lectures given by the Director, which were attended by upwards of 150 students. During the third term the lectures on the history of architecture were discontinued, which explains the decrease in attendance during that term. The attendance during the three terms constituted a record in the history of the school. The exhibition of students' work was held as usual during December. The exhibits were appreciated by the public, and during the week the exhibition was open a large number visited the school. The Press gave several favourable reports on the advancement of the work of the school. No special exhibit was made by the school at, the Arts and Crafts Exhibition at the Art Gallery this year. The students exhibited their work independently. During the Exhibition several classes were conducted at the Art Gallery, giving the public an excellent idea of the practical side of the school-teaching. Most of the principal awards and diplomas were won by students of the school. Instruction was given in drawing and painting from life, still-life, antique, and landscape, a special feature being made of composition, book illustration, and etching. 'Landscape lias again formed an important part of the school's work, two classes being held weekly. Important work in design has been done during the year, particularly in connection with jewellery and enamelling. Some very creditable work has been executed by junior students, chiefly in connection with embroidery and lace. The work of the, artistic crafts department comprised silversmiths' work, including raising, chasing, and embossing and mounting, enamelling, wood and stone carving, tooled leather-work, gesso work, stained glass, and headlight work. Classes for these crafts were held in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Considerable progress has been made in the modelling department. Life classes have been held, and an attempt has been made at modelling the full figure. All students now attend at least one modelling class weekly. The evening trade classes have again done good work. The work of the architecture department since the establishment of the diploma course has been very satisfactory. Students have now a definite course of study leading up to the associateship of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. Some really excellent work was executed during the year. The Council of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, who met in conference in Christchurch during the latter part of the year, paid a visit to the sohool and examined the work of the department. They expressed themselves as being surprised at the quality of the work and the comprehensive nature of the course of study given in the school. The general opinion was that, the school was the best of its kind in the Dominion. In sign-painting good work has again been done. Classes for teachers and pupil-teachers were held on Saturday mornings and Monday and Thursday evenings for drawing, modelling, design, and colour work. A series of lectures

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was given by the Director on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings on "Mass drawing" which was attended by a large number of head and assistant teachers. It is most difficult to accommodate students in the small rooms available for this work. A lecture-room is urgently needed. Special classes for training college were held on Tuesday afternoons for elementary drawing and handwork subjects. Instruction in drawing and woodwork was given at the boys' high school by members of the staff of the School of Art. The students' association has again, done good work. A number of interesting and instructive lectures were given during the year, besides enjoyable social and musical evenings. In connection with the National competition amongst schools of art, in Great Britain, this school was successful in obtaining a National bronze medal, a National book prize, and several commends. It is interesting to note that this school has won higher awards —viz., a silver and a bronze medal —than any school of art in New Zealand. The usual local examinations were held at the end of the year. Two scholarships, valued at ,£25, and eleven scholarships carrying free tuition, were awarded to students of the day and evening classes. I look forward to the time when the art student in New Zealand will be able to compete for a travelling scholarship to enable him to complete his training in Europe. Thanks are due to Messrs. J. W. Gibb, Hammond and Co., for special prizes, and also to W. 11. Montgomery, Esq., for a, valuable prize for figure-modelling, and to the executors of the late Mr. William Sey for prizes in connection with the signwriting class, also to the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects both for valuable prizes and for acting in connection with the annual examinations. In conclusion, I have to thank the Board for the support given, me in my efforts to further the benefits and growth of the school. R. Hbrdman-Smith, A.M., F.S.A.M., Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance, Ist January, 1914 .. .. 1,008 11 0 Salaries .. .. .. .. 1,830 18 0 Students'fees .. .. .. .. 549 0 0 Instructing pupils of Boys' High School in Interest .. .. .. .. 44 10 9 woodw rk and drawing .. .. 130 13 4 Sales .. .. .. .. .. 100 General Expenses— Government grants — Insurance .. .. .. .. 17 12 11 Capitation, free places.. .. .. 195 17 0 Gas .. .. .. .. .. 78 10 0 Capitation, technical classes .. .. 1,498 12 5 Fuel .. .. .. .. .. 14 10 0 Grant in aid of material .. .. 74 010 Repairs .. .. .. .. 34 10 3 Grant in aid of furniture, fittings, and Advertising .. .. .. .. 31 4 1 apparatus .. .. .. .. 32 1 9 Printing, stationery, &c. .. .. 20 5 9 Contributions — Official postage-stamps.. .. .. 4 0 0 From Museum, Library, and School of Tolophono .. .. .. .. 8 3 4 Technical Scionce Endowment .. 300 0 0 Apparatus ..' .. .. .. 40 18 9 From North Canterbury Board of Eduoa- Material .. .. .. .. 36 19 7 tion, for instruction in drawing .. 90 0 0 Subsidy to life classes .. .. .. 75 0 0 From Boys' High Schod, for instruction Books for school library .. .. 54 0 0 in drawing and woodwork .. .. 150 13 4 Picturo by Van der Velden .. .. 12 0 0 From students of life classes towards Prizes .. .. .. .. 18 19 1 cost of model .. .. .. 5 0 0 Expenses of ex-ibit at Auckland Exhibition 18 17 10 Refund of amounts paid for exhibit at Expenses of lectures on " History of archiAuckland Exhibition .. .. .. 18 10 0 teeture" .. .. .. .. 35 9 9 :> Sundries .. .. .. .. 28 4 4 Contributions— Towards expenses of Registrar's office .. 80 0 0 Towards travelling-expenses of members of Board .. .. .. .. 7 0 3 Appropriations— Scholarships .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 Cr. balance 31st December, 1914, transferred to Building Loan Account .. .. 1,322 5 10 £3,974 10 7 £3,974 10 7 Geo. G. Mason, Registrar. SOUTH CANTERBURY. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. In the preparatory and junior divisions of our schools the usual forms of handwork have been practised, while in the senior divisions of schools in the larger centres woodwork for boys and cookery with domestic economy and hygiene for girls still retain their popularity. In fifty schools gardens are cared for by the pupils, and lessons in nature-study of a thoroughly practical kind are thus made possible, and are conducted with gratifying enthusiasm. Lessons in swimming and life-saving arc also given in several centres, and the annual competitions at the Timaru baths are looked forward to with keen delight. Extract prom the Report of the Director of Technical Education, As in previous years the work was carried out under three distinct heads —Associated classes, special classes, school classes. During the year technical and continuation classes were recognized at Fairlie, Pleasant Point, Temuka, Waimate, and Timaru, and the interest in the work through-

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out the district seems to be as keen as ever. At Fairlie, classes were carried on in wool-classing, dressmaking, cookery, and painting. These classes were well supported, and although no accommodation is provided for classes such as painting and wool-classing, students seems to be willing to put up with any inconvenience in view of the importance of the subjects. A sum of £80 was liberally granted by the Department for enlarging the woodwork and cookery rooms, and for the future work in these subjects will be carried out, under more ideal conditions than hereto- _ fore. Although a great deal of energy was put into the work, dressmaking and singing were the only classes that could be successfully carried on at Pleasant Point. At Temuka classes were carried on in singing, wool-classing, dressmaking, cookery, painting, and sheep-shearing. The dressmaking classes were the best supported in the above list, but the greatest interest centred round the wool-classing and sheep-shearing classes. These classes were just as successful as those carried on last year, and the farmers seemed to take more interest in the work. During the year the s.um of £100 was spent in providing additional accommodation for the woodwork and painting students; the enlarged rooms have been found to be a great, convenience. At Waimate classes were carried on in dressmaking, cookery, shorthand, wool-classing, and sheep-shearing. These classes were again well supported. In connection with the sheep-shearing classes instruction was given in both blade and machine shearing, and the work was in every way satisfactory. At Timaru the same courses of instruction were carried out as have been carried out for some years past—viz., a. commercial course of instruction, consisting of commercial English, commercial arithmetic, book-keeping, typing, and shorthand : trades course, consisting of buildingconstruction, carpentry, electricity, and plumbing; agricultural .course, consisting of woolclassing, sheep-shearing, and farm carpentry; domestic course, consisting of cookery, dressmaking and millinery; arts course, and a Standard VI course. The above classes were all well attended, the sheep-shearing and wool-classing classes especially so; the new wool-classing room proved a great convenience, and materially assisted in carrying on the work on up-to-date lines. In addition to the above Messrs. Martin and Moodie, agricultural instructors, on behalf of the Farmers' Union, delivered lectures to farmers on the principles of agriculture and horticulture. The five technical schools in the district are all doing good work, and each year they are increasing their sphere of usefulness. They are also in a good position financially. This is all the more creditable when it is considered that they depend for their very existence on local support, as the capitation earned and fees paid taken together do not amount to sufficient to meet the requirements of running-expenses. Special classes for teachers were conducted from the 30th June to the end of September. The subjects in which instruction was given were agriculture, drawing, design and colour work, hygiene, physiology, and ambulance work. The agriculture class carried on by Messrs. Martin and Moodie was well attended, the average for the quarter being forty-six. The course included a scheme of nature-study suitable for the requirements of the new syllabus. Practical work was also taken at the Timaru West and Main Schools. Drawing, design, and modelling : Two classes were carried out in these subjects by Mr. and Mrs. Greene; the average attendance for the term was fifteen. Mr. Green outlined a course of instruction in drawing and design to suit the requirements of the new syllabus in all standards; besides, lie gave instruction to pupilteachers who are taking this subject for examination. A special course of instruction in plasti-cine-modelling was also taken : this course was very much appreciated by- those teachers who take this as one of their handwork subjects. For the benefit of those pupil-teachers who require to take practical work for their examinations Dr. Little kindly consented to give a course of instruction in physiology and ambulance work. This class was well attended, and the teachers ' worked enthusiastically. Dr. Little spared neither time nor trouble to give the students all the practical and theoretical work required by the regulations. The interest in school classes increased considerably during the year. This is accounted for by the fact that manual and technical subjects now play an important part in the syllabus. It is compulsory for every school to take up some form of handwork, and in this district 171 classes for elementary handwork were recognized during the year. The classes were conducted on much the same lines as the classes carried on last year. The following gives a list of the subjects taught : Plasticine-modelling, paper-folding, bricklaying, stick-laying, paper-weaving, elementary design, rafia work, cardboard-modelling, carton-work, brushwork, and freearm drawing. In manual instruction 126 classes wore recognized at forty-seven different schools; the subjects taken up were agriculture, woodwork, cookery, swimming, advanced needlework, botany, chemistry, oVc. Classes in cookery, domestic economy, and hygiene were conducted at five different centres during the year —viz., Timaru, Temuka, Waimate, Fairlie, and Pleasant Point. In all seventeen classes were carried on : these classes had all the full complement of pupils. Sixteen woodwork classes were also, as in former years, conducted in conjunction with the cookery classes at the five above-named centres. The interest in both subjects is still maintained; in fact, so popular have these classes become that it was not found possible to take all the schools that made application for positions for pupils, and before long it will be necessary to establish other centres and make provision for taking more classes, if all schools are to be accommodated. The classes in agriculture received a great impetus. Twelve schools took up agriculture for the first time last yoar, making a total of fifty schools now taking up this important work. There is direct proof that year by year teachers are taking a more lively interest in the work, and there is also evidence that School Committees are beginning to realize the benefits of the instruction given, as in many cases they are now taking a very keen interest in what is being done in connection with the school-gardens. A good sum was raised last year for the purpose of helping on the work, the greater part of it being given for tree-planting on Arbor Day. The agricultural and horticultural societies in the district still continued to give the sohool-

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garden movement their sympathy and patronage. At the end of August the Board was unfortunate enough to lose the services of Mr. William Martin, B.Sc, who was promoted to the position of chief agricultural instructor under the North Canterbury Education Board. Mr. Martin had been in the service of the Education Board for nearly two years, and during his tenure of office lie did not spare himself, but devoted all his energies to raising the school-garden work to a high standard of perfection. He succeeded in creating a great deal of enthusiasm among the teachers, and the results of his efforts will be apparent for many years to come. Mr, John Moodie, of Invercargill, was appointed to fill Mr. Martin's position, and (hiring the four months he has been here he has justified the excellent reputation which preceded him. Last season proved an excellent one for swimming and life-saving classes, and a great amount of solid work was put in in connection with these classses. The annual swimming competition conducted by the Board last February was again well supported, and it is evident that, both pupils and teachers are taking a keen interest in the work. Timaru Main School annexed the handsome challenge shield presented by the Hoard, with Geraldine second, and Waimataitai third. It would not be right to dismiss this subject without some reference to the late Mr, W. B. Howell, who consistently took a great interest in swimming and life-saving, lie was always present to preside at out annual competitions. He will be very much missed by the boys and girls who were accustomed to his kindly smile and words of sympathy and encouragement. Rural courses of instruction were carried out in connection with the Temuka, Waimate, and Pleasant Point District High Schools. Ninety pupils received instruction in the following subjects : Dairy science, agricultural zoology, agriculture, agricultural botany, agricultural chemistry, physics, dressmaking, cookery, hygiene, surveying, and woodwork. Although there was great activity and an increased expenditure in connection with all handwork classes, yet a glance at the balance-sheet will show that the classes have been self-supporting, and this in view of the fact that, all sohools have been liberally supplied with material and apparatus as required. In conclusion, I have to state that all operations carried out under the regulations for manual and technical instruction during the past year have been carried out harmoniously, there has not been a single hitch in connection with any branch of the work, and 1 have to thank all teachers for their loyal co-operation and readiness to fall in with the organization of the different cfasses. 1 have also to state that all claims and applications were met by the Department with promptness and fairness. Ritciungs Grant, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at Timaru by the South Canterbury Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balanoe at beginning of year (Timaru, Dr. balance at beginning of year (Hannaton) 0 12 3 Winchester) .. .. .. .. 201 0 8 Salaries of teaching staff.. .. .. 99 7 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 20 11 0 Administration .. .. .. .. 12 10 0 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 20 19 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 14 3 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 3 10 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 20 19 0 Cr. balanoe at end of year .. .. 104 8 2 £242 11 2 £242 11 2 J. M. Miller, Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Timaru Technical School. The Timaru Technical Classes Association started operations in the year 1900, consequently on the 31st December, 1914, the school has been in existence for fourteen years, and the Managers have again to report a very successful year's operations. The session started on the 9th March, and the evening classes had all finished by the end of November, but sonic of the day classes were carried on till the middle of December. Altogether 419 individual students joined the school during the year. These were taught in thirty-five different classes, as follows : Bookkeeping —Senior 30, junior .'10; shorthand —senior -'if, junior 25; typing (four classes), 56; commercial arithmetic —senior 48, junior 47; commercial English—senior 50, junior 47; cookery and domestic science (three classes), 72; dressmaking (three classes), GO; millinery, 14; plumbing, 13; carpentry (two classes), 36; building-construction, 12; electricity, 12; wood-carving, 5; wool-classing (two classes), 2!); sheep-shearing, 14; Standard VI, 14; elocution, 14; drawing (two classes), 29; painting (three classes), 24 : making a total of 711 class entries for all subjects. One hundred and thirty-one free students joined the school during the j-ear —86 junior and 45 senior—and out of that number there were only ten who from various causes did not fufil the requirements of the regulations in the matter of attendances, and these ten are easily accounted for. The number of free students might he largely increased but for the fact that there are so many influences nowadays to distract young people's attention from taking advantage of the opportunities offered for self-improvement. Compulsory military training again considerably interfered with the attendances of male students, as throughout the year it was found very difficult, to fit in the different classes so as not to clash with drill nights. The difficulty is not so apparent with paying students, because they only attend one or perhaps two classes, whilst free students have to attend three or four classes to meet the requirements of the syllabus.' Fourteen Managers were elected at the beginning of the year to represent the different contributing bodies to the funds of the association, and in all seven meetings were held, at each of which there was a good attendance of members. During the year the Managers attended to all matters pertaining to the welfare of the school, visiting Committees were appointed each

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month, and official visits were paid to the classes whilst at work, and reports sent in to the different meeting's. The Inspector of Technical Schools also paid a visit of inspection to the school about the beginning of November; he saw some of the classes at work, and expressed himself as highly pleased with what lie had seen, especially in connection with tire sheep-shearing class. At the close of the session examinations were held in the different subjects taught at the school, and certificates were granted to successful students. Twenty-two candidates sat for the Senior Free Place Examination, and they were all granted senior free places by the Education Department. Five plumbers succeeded in passing the examination held by the Plumbers' Registration Board. As the South Canterbury Art Society's exhibition had only been held recently, and on account of the unsettled state of things over the war, it was decided not to hold an exhibition of student's work as had been done in previous years. This was a very wise proceeding, as after war was declared students became extremely unsettled, and it, was found very difficult to get them to settle down to anything like hard work. The buildings were kept in good order and repair throughout the year. It was found necessary to have the typewriting-room and the cookery-room distempered and done up afresh, and it will be necessary during the coming year- to do something of the kind with the other rooms, as some of the walls are becoming very much cracked and discoloured. The same definite courses of instruction were undertaken last year as have been carried out in previous years. The courses carried on were a domestic course, a trades course, a commercial course, and an arts course. Ihe domestic course, consisting of English, arithmetic, dressmaking, millinery, cookery, and domestic economy, was well attended, and there can be no doubt that the practical value of this course is highly appreciated in the community. The commercial course, consisting of English, arithmetic, book-keeping, typewriting, shorthand, and commercial correspondence, was exceptionally well attended, and the same reasons may be given this year as were given last year —viz., the instruction given is all in the hands of experienced teachers, and the course of instruction is specially arranged to benefit those looking for employment or those who aro already in employment. Commercial classes were also carried on during the daytime for girls attending the High School, and the idea worked out quite satisfactorily. There is still a lack of interest in the trades' course, although a great deal has been done to popularize the different classes included in this course. The arts course was better attended last year than it has been since the inception of the classes. This result is no doubt largely due to the fillip given to the work by the holding of an art exhibition. Two hundred and forty-nine students took up work in unrelated subjects, as they could not find the time to devote themselves to a course of study. The plumbing class, which has been successfully carried on at the school for the past ten years, shows signs that the supply of students is running out, as nearly all the plumbers in Timaru art; already certificated and the apprentices are not coming on. The new wool-classing room was occupied for the first time last year, and it, proved very suitable for all requirements. There was no lack of students : two large classes were carried on during the year, and it was sometimes found difficult to find accommodation for all the students who made application for admission. The experiment of conducting -a class for boys attending the High School proved very successful, as the boys evinced keen interest in the work. The comparative progress of the boys with Ilie adult class clearly demonstrated the fact that the necessary deftness of touch and quickness of perception essential to the expert wool-classer can be much more easily acciuired in youth than in later years. It is .evidence of the popularity of the evening class when it is stated that out of twenty-nine students one had been attending the school for four years, four had been attending for three years, and eight were second-year students. When students attend a class of this description year after year it is certain that the course of Instruction must be proving beneficial, and we have a large amount of documentary evidence in- hand to prove that the course of instruction in wool-classing is proving a great pecuniary benefit to the farming community of South Canterbury. A sheepshearing class was again carried on at the Smithh'eld Works. The rather poor supply of sheep offered by the farmers restricted the number of students; there were fourteen in all, but several had to be refused admission for the reason above mentioned. The students were of an excellent stamp, keen, alert, and anxious to learn. Under Mr. Mercer's able instruction they made rapid progress,, and at the end of the time there was no hesitation in granting them all first-class certificates. .There can be no doubt but that the sheep-shearing class must be considered one of the most important carried on by the Managers, as the number of young men who are by this means put on the road to become expert shearers must form a valuable asset to the farming community of the Dominion. Miss Lucy Cowan, of Christchurch, carried on a successful class in elocution, voice-cultivation, and the study of English. Her efforts were highly appreciated. The delightful concert given by her students at the end of the session gave evidence of the good work done by the class. A glance at the balance-sheet will show that the funds of the school are still in a sound healthy condition. To bring this about the Managers have to practise the strictest economy, as the school has no endowments, but has to depend on its own resources for its very existence. When everything is taken into consideration the year's work must be considered highly satisfactory. The attendance during the past year was all that could be desired. The examiners report that the different classes did good work, and the diligence and general behaviour of the students was quite exemplary, not a single case of insubordination having to be reported. The thanks of the association are due to all who in any way contributed to the success of the sohool during the past year —to local bodies and citizens, who gave liberally to the funds; to the Press, who always loyally support the school, and are ever ready to help on the cause of technical education in the town. A special word of thanks' is due to the teachers for the very

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able manner in which they carried out their duties. The whole success of the school depends on the staff, and Timaru has been very fortunate in this respect in past years. The Managers also desire to acknowledge with thanks the prompt attention of the Department to all claims and applications made during the year. G. Dalctjsh, Chairman. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Glasses conducted at the Timaru Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 302 0 11 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 749 1 i Capitation on classes .. .. .. 282 19 9 Material for olass use .. .. .. 49 10 0 Capitation, froo places .. .. .. 173 13 0 Repairs and maintenance.. .. .. 5 0 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 119 12 9 Caretaker .. .. .. 40 0 0 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 219 1 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 39 810 Sales of material.. .. .. .. 10 3 2 Insurance .. .. .. .. 2 0 8 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 98 o 0 Office expenses (including salaries, &c.) .. 23 3 0 On account of wool-classing classos, Boys' Advertising and printing .. .. .. 31 13 3 High Sohool .. .. .. ..1700 Refund of fees .. .. .. 10 10 0 Cookery classes, Miss Shand's school .. 38 7 0 Examination fees .. .. .. 410 0 Model fees .. .. .. .. 1114 Hire of lantern .. .. .. .. 010 0 Interest.. .. .. .. .. 119 5 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 50 if 3 Cr. balance at end of year.. .. .. 323 11 *0 £1,330 14 4 £1,330 14 4 Gilbert Dalglish Chairman |f M rs Richings Grant, Secretary ) Extract from: tub Report of the Managers of the Temuka Technical School. The Board of Managers consisted of thirteen members —namely, Messrs. M. McLeod (Chairman) and C. J. Bilton, representing the subscribers; J. W. Joynt and J. Bambridge, the Temuka Road Hoard; A. Frew and P. A. Achesou, the Temuka Borough Council; 0. Thomson and D. Mclnnes, the South Canterbury Board of Education; W. F. Evans, the Temuka Caledonian Society; T. Gunnion, the Temuka Bicycle Club; F. Sanders, the Temuka District High School Committee; M. H. McLeod, the Temuka branch of the Farmers' Union; and (i. Cartwright, the Temuka and Geraldine Agricultural and Pastoral .Association. During the year Mr. J. W. Joynt resigned, and the Temuka Road Board appointed Mr. E. B. Cooper to the vacancy. Classes were conducted in dressmaking, wool-classing, painting, singing, sheep-shearing, and cookery—eight classes in all—one more than was held in 1913. The staff carried out their duties faithfully, and the Managers desire io express their appreciation of the high standard of the instruction. Miss W. Fyfe took charge of the singing, Mrs. J. G. W. Ellis had a class for cookery, and Miss Smith was responsible for three very full classes in dressmaking. Mr. W. Greene had control of the art class and, as in the previous year, some excellent outdoor work was accomplished, besides interesting studies from models, 'lire wool class was somewhat overcrowded, and this speaks well for the enthusiasm of Mr. H. F. Harte, Students of this class were again at the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association's wool-classing competitions. Mr. 11. Bell, of the Christchurch Meat Company, is interested in this class, and he secured three more stud fleeces this year from Messrs. Smith and Osborne, to whom the association desire to express their thanks. Mr. John Mclnnes, Winchester, again provided several bales of wool, and this public-spirited act was appreciated not only by Mr. Harte and his class, but also by the general public. Ihe sheep-shearing class had a full board, and this was largely due to the enthusiasm of Mr. S. McCully and to the assistance given by Messrs. G. Cartwright, G. Ward, and R. Macaulay. There were thirteen students, and all but two made good progress and gave satisfaction in the sheds to which they were drafted. This olass was thrown open to visitors on the last, Thursday of the session, and about a hundred farmers and others interested in the work paid a visit to the shed. They were very pleased with the quality of the shearing and the classing, all of which was done by students of the school. During the afternoon the instructor explained the method of training the men, and Mr. McCully showed how the branding and drafting were done. During 1915 it is proposed to establish a very complete course in agricultural subjects, and if possible reopen commercial courses, and try to arrange for continuation classes that have already been asked for. During the year the Department made a grant of £100 for additions and improvements to the carpentry shop and for alterations to the art-room, and these improvements were effected before the end of the year. The wool-classing room is in urgent need of extension, and it is hoped that a grant will be made to meet the ever-growing needs of the district. The school has always been well supported by public bodies, but this year the Managers wish specially to thank private subscribers for the loyal and liberal manner in which they have contributed to the funds of the association when there have been so many other calls : it is a proof that they desire to see our teohnical school broadening and extending its educational facilities. M. McLeod, Chairman. J. T. Smart, Director.

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Temuka Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 75 14 1 Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 18 10 8 Buildings .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Salaries of instructors .. .. ..11790 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 40 1 0 Office expenses (including salaries, staFees .. .. .. .. 77 0 0 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. 00 15 4 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 57 7 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 819 3 Sales of material.. .. .. .. 3 4 3 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 15 9 3 From South Canterbury Education Board for Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 4 8 0 oaretaker .. .. .. ..1500 Material for class use .. .. .. 854 Proceeds break-up ceremony .. .. 3 0 0 Caretaker .. .. .. 30 0 0 Instructors' board and lodging .. .. 11 11 0 Instructors' railway fares.. .. .. 0 14 0 Bank charges, &c. .. .. .. 15 9 Buildings .. .. .. 89 17 0 Cr. balance_at end ofgyear .. .. 4 8 3 £377 13 10 £377 13 10 M. McLeod, Chairman I ~, J.T. Smart, Secretary] Managers. Extract from the Repobt of the Director of the Waimate Technical School. Throughout the year classes have been conducted in wool-classing, sheep-shearing* .dressmaking, carpentry, cookery, and shorthand. The class for woohclassing attracted no less than thirty-two enthusiastic pupils. Under Mr. Harte's able instruction the members of the class made solid improvement, and the sustained interest of the pupils speaks volumes for the ability and enthusiasm of the instructor. • Thanks to the kintlness and liberality of Mr. E. C. Studholme and of the Sheepowuers' Association the Managers were able to hold, for the second year, classes for instruction in sheep-shearing, both machine and blade. The former class was in charge of Mr. T. Brownlee, and consisted of twelve pupils, while the latter was again instructed by Mr. A. Brown, and consisted of fourteen pupils. The work done by both of these classes reflected great credit on the teachers, and was most highly spoken of both by those whose sheep were shorn by the pupils and by those farmers who paid visits to the sheds during the shearing. Four classes for dressmaking were held, two in Waimate, one at Morven, and one at Glcnavy, with a total of sixty-five pupils. The attendance at these classes was extremely good, and the instruction excellent. Carpentry still fails to attract pupils, although one would naturally think that in a farming district it would be a subject which would be of great value to the community. An inspection of the work done by those who did attend the class is ample evidence of the fine teaching done by the instructor. The attendance at the cookery class was so poor that it was thought advisable not to continue it during the second quarter. The fact that no less than seventy-five schoolchildren are receiving instruction regularly throughout the year at the sohool possibly accounts to some extent for the lack of support given to this class, but there must be many in the district to whom such instruction would also be most valuable, and seeing that the school possesses such excellent facilities for instruction it is to be hoped that the class will receive a greater measure of support next year. A most successful class in shorthand has been conducted throughout the year. Altogether eleven pupils were enrolled and arrangements made for continuing the class after the ordinary * session had closed. The establishment of this class provided a long-felt want, and when it is better known there should be a much greater influx of pupils. The new departure which was made during the year, with the object of providing lectures for the farmers, although it suffered materially from the diversion of public interest owing to the outbreak of war, nevertheless warrants the Managers in renewing their efforts in a similar direction this year. Lectures were given by Mr. W. Martin, B.Sc, Mr. Patterson, M.R.C.V.S., Dr. Hilgendorf, Mr. A. Baily, Mr. H. F. Harte, and Mr. George Pitoaithly, B.A. The lectures dealt with subjects which most closely affect the farmer, and although the attendance was on the whole hardly what was to be expected, still once the value of these lectures is recognized we shall have a success similar to that which has attended the wool-classing and the sheep-shearing classes. G. Pitoaithly, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Waimate Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on clasßes .. .. .. 87 2 0 Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 412 8 Buildings .. .. .. .. 253 0 0 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 194 0 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 41 11 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 39 10 0 Material.. .. .. .. .. 912 4 Repairs.. .. .. .. .. 3 6 2 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 72 5 6 Caretaker .. .. .. 12 14 0 Fees and other olass payments .. .. 121 19 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 11 13 10 Sales .. .. .. .. 34 14 5 Office expenses (inoluding salaries, &c.) .. 20 12 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 84 2 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 9 110 Rofunds .. .. .. .. 0 10 0 Shearing class .. .. .. 56 15 0 Instructors' board .. .. .. 8 0 0 Buildings .. .. .. .. 253 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 57 7 9 Or. balanoe at end of year.. .. 26 7 10 £704 7 3 £704 7 3 Ernest Hassall, Chairman) ~. W. H. Beckett, Secretary j of Ma ™gers.

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Extract from the Report of the Director of the Fairlie Technical School. During the year classes were held in dressmaking (two), cookery, painting, and wool-classing. So many pupils enrolled for dressmaking that an evening class was held for a period, and next year we hope to establish a successful class at Albury, a room suitable for the purpose having been kindly provided by Mr. .1. S. Rutherford. The adults' class began with a, very small roll number, but, increased rapidly, and after Ihe third lesson the class was well filled, the pupils being thoroughly enthusiastic. In June a class in wool-classing was arranged, and excellent progress was made, the attendance being very regular throughout. The class in painting, the first of the kind held here, was held for sixteen weeks, and the pupils had an interesting and pleasant term. The instructor was very pleased with the progress made, and it is hoped that a similar class will be held here again next year. Regarding buildings, the recent addition to the cookery-room has improved it very considerably. The room has been suitably painted and lighting has been amply provided for. An unsuccessful attempt was made to organize a blade shearing class at Albury, but the experience gained will be useful when next year's classes are being arranged. A very liberal offer of shed, sheep, and a £10 donation was made, but the class fell through owing to the paucity of pupils. The chairman and members of the association have taken a keen interest in a very successful year's work. R. B. Clarke, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Fairlie Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 42 5 1 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 66 0 0 Capitation on classes .. 20 3 8 Office expenses (inoluding salaries, staSubsidies on voluntary contributions .. 13 12 0 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 23 0 6 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 40 16 3 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 310 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 18 11 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 110 Sales of material .. .. .. ..130 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 226 Material for class use .. .. 12 1 6 Compensation, J. T. Stewart .. .. 3 0 0 Telephone .. .. .. 4 0 11 Auditor .. .. .. .. ..068 Janitration, &c. .. .. .. 716 0 Instructor's board .. .. .. 1 14 0 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. .. 11 11 11 £136 11 6 £136 11 6 Charles J. Talbot, Chairman i f R.B.Clarke, Secretary ;of Managers. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Pleasant Point Teohnical School. During the year very successful classes in dressmaking and singing were held, the number of students attending these classes being thirty-seven. Other classes were proposed, but through insufficient support had to be abandoned. Thanks are due to the various local bodies and also private individuals who assisted the work by giving financial assistance. Jas. Methven, Director. 'Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Pleasant Point Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 66 15 6 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 24 4 0 Capitation on olasses .. .. .. 813 9 Office expenses (inoluding salaries, staSubsidies on voluntary contributions .. 7 10 tionery, &o.) .. .. .. 14 4 6 Fees .. .. .. .. 18 18 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 118 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 3 18 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 0 7 5 From South Canterbury Eduoation Board for Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 0 17 4 janitration .. .. .. .. 4 9 0 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 4 7 0 Interest .. .. .. .. .. 253 Auditor .. .. .. .. .. 068 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. .. 65 15 7 £112 0 0 £112 0 6 J. Maze, Chairman \ , M Jas. Methven, Secretary jot managers - OTAGO. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Instruction in elementary handwork (paper-work, cardboard and plasticine modelling, &c.) was imparted in all the schools in the district. Cookery and woodwork instruction was given to the pupils of foity-two schools, the average attendance at the former being 1,016 girls, and at the latter 1,189 boys. Elementary agriculture classes were carried on at 179 schools', the average attendance being 2,115. The full rural course, embracing cookery, dressmaking, physics, chemistry, botany, physiology, woodwork, mensuration and surveying, and practical agriculture, was provided at the district high schools at Balclutha, Lawrence, Mosgiel, Palmerston, Tapanui,

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and Tokomairiro, and a partial course at Alexandra. Wool-classing classes for adults were held at Awamoko, Palmerston, Waikouaiti, Clydevale, Outram, Clinton, Waitahuna, North Taieri, and Milton, and English, book-keeping, dressmaking, and painting classes at Milton. The total number of students receiving instruction at the Dunedin School of Art, was GIT, including 105 day students, 241 evening students, 122 Training College students, 78 pupil-teachers and probationers, 64 adult teachers, and 7 special teachers. The total expenditure on manual and technical instruction was: Salaries, material, &c, for school classes ,£4,023 17s. 9d., and for special classes £1,347 ss. 3d.; buildings, furniture, and fittings, school classes £249 os. Bd., and special classes £66 12s. 4d. : total, £5,686 165., being a decrease of £2,639 14s. 4d. from the previous year, accounted for mainly by the decrease in the expenditure on buildings, furniture, and fittings for school classes'. Extract prom the Report op the Inspectors of Schools. In connection with manual training some teachers are inclined to over-emphasize handtraining, and to allow the various occupations taken up by their pupils to degenerate into mere busy work. We would impress upon our teachers that the aim of manual training is to develop habits of thinking in definite, practical, tangible terms of doing, and to give the mind control of the hands as a vital instrument for realizing its purposes. While the world's progress has been largely conditioned by the human hand, the world owes much more to the mind that has made the hand a dexterous instrument for working out, its conceptions and giving them a real existence. In the junior classes in which paper-work is taken as the handwork there is still too great a tendency to treat the subject mechanically and to subordinate the drawing and viva voce work that should always play a prominent part in the treatment of the exercise. This is a direct loss of educational opportunity. In brushwork freer use is being made of the natural object and of the application of natural form in design work. At the manual-training centres throughout the district good practical work is being done in woodwork and cookery. In the middle of the year arrangements were made with the Dunedin City Council whereby the boys of the Fourth Standard in the city and suburban, schools might be taught swimming at the municipal baths, and we are pleased to record that all but one of the city schools took advantage of the opportunity thus offered. Next year arrangements will be made for both boys and girls to enjoy this privilege. In this connection we would take the opportunity of expressing our thanks to the management of the Mornington, Dunedin and Kaikorai. and City tramways for the valuable concessions' granted to pupils attending the swimming classes. Throughout the district interest in the school-gardens is being well maintained, but we are not satisfied that sufficient importance is paid to the experimental side of the work. In view of the requirements for the certificate of proficiency teachers will be well advised to stress this part of the course. Extract fuom the Report of the Director of the School of Art. The total number of students to whom tuition was afforded by the Dunedin School of Art was 617, made up as follows: Day students, 105; evening students, 241; pupil-teachers and probationers, 78; students in training, 122; teachers, 71. A wide programme of art subjects was provided for the day students —freehand, model, geometry, perspective, light and shade, drawing from the antique and the life, painting, 'Set, The lack of the stimulus afforded by standard examinations of the South Kensington type was much felt in such subjects as geometry, perspective, and the more elementary drawing subjects, students being far too anxious to shirk these dull "* but vital portions of their early training. The institution by the Department of a system of singlesubject examinations in art, modelled on the old South Kensington plan, but held at a better period of the vear—October —would appear to be the natural solution of the difficulty. The new grouped system of the English Board of Education is only suitable for the extremely limited class of serious'students who hope to become art, teachers. Solid progress was made, however, in light and shade, drawing from life, and in painting. The advance made in modelling was one of the most gratifying results of the year's work. The students' productions both from the antique and life were very satisfactory, and much solid study was evidenced in the number of anatomical and other detail models executed during the year. Decorative relief and plant form study were not neglected. The art craft, classes were well attended. Wood and stone carving, metalwork, repousse, enamelling, jeweller's work, &c, were all provided for, and the interest of the students was well maintained. These classes ha.vo given a definite purpose to the subject of design, and are of the highest value in raising the standard of public taste. As the community becomes more fully awake to the advantages they offer their popularity should be assured. Unfortunately the declaration of war coincided with the commencement of the third term of the school year and affected the attendance considerably, so that it is difficult to estimate the success of the new arrangement of a three-term year in place of the previous four-quarter system. Juvenile classes provided elementary instruction in free drawing, brush and colour work, design, the study of plantform and light and shade. The classes for pupil-teachers and probationers were directed towards special preparation for the drawing subjects of the D examination. Their successful results are gradually altering the character of the provision for students in training. Quite half _of the firstyear students have passed the examinations for drawing before entering the Training College, and these students are able to devote themselves to brush and colour work, light and shade, and the study of plant and animal form. A full course of instruction in drawing, design, kc, is triven to both first- and second-year students in training. On Saturday mornings provision was made for instruction to teachers outside Dunedin. Pupil-teachers, probationers, and uncertificated teachers were afforded assistance in preparing for their examinations. Certificated teachers had their attention directed during the year more especially to the study of native flowering

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shrubs and their possibilities in design. Studies were made in pencil and in brush and colour from specimens kindly supplied and named by Mr. I). Tannock. In view of the recent alterations in the syllabus of instruction in elementary schools, much stress was also laid on object-drawing and on plasticine and clay modelling. Stencilling and wood-carving were provided for, in addition to instruction in such branches of handwork as are most commonly taught in the schools. The attendance at the evening classes during the first two terms was excellent. Instruction in freehand, model and object drawing, geometry, perspective, light and shade, drawing from life, painting in oil and water colours, &c, was provided for students desiring an art course. For tradesmen a very complete course of study in geometrical drawing, machine-construction, buildingconstruction, drawing for cabinetmakers', decoration, signwriting, and ticket-writing was available. Architectural students had special provision made by the institution of a course of lectures on the history of architecture, and a more practical class in architectural design, both subjects being taken by R. Newton Vanes, Esq., A. 1i.1.8.A. The association of the School of Art with the Otago Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects was further assisted by the holding of the meetings of the branch at the school. The Director contributed a paper at one of these meetings on " Architecture and aesthetics," which aroused considerable interest, and was published in the journal of the Institute. Photography was another subject which was introduced on a satisfactory scale. Practical classes were conducted by W. Esquilant, Esq., and theoretical lectures given by S. C. Hicks, Esq., B.A. The class was well attended and was doing splendid work. Unfortunately, it was so much affected by the war that it was found necessary to discontinue it during the third term. A class in retouching was continued under Miss D. Mackie. "It is hoped to revive successfully the class in photography in the winter of 1915. The trade most affected by the war appeared to be cabinetmaking, and the class in drawing for cabinetmakers was also withdrawn after the second term,. On the whole, however, the evening classes suffered little, and the interest of the students was well maintained throughout the year. The annual exhibition of students' work was held in June in connection with the Otago Art Society, and proved an especially attractive collection. Much public interest was taken in the work, and the Press comments were most, eulogistic. The drawings, paintings, sculpture, and examples of art crafts were numerous, and reflected much credit upon the students and the staff. In August the Director visited the art, schools in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Owing to the kindness of the Directors of those institutions he was enabled to obtain much valuable information, and it is hoped that the interchange of ideas on management and method may have an important effect upon the school in the near future. At the annual students' competition of the Otago Art Society we were successful in obtaining the first prize, painting head from life ; first prize, landscape; first and second prizes, painting still life; first, and second prizes, drawing from life. In conclusion, I have to thank the staff for their attention to duty and the interest they have taken in the work. There have been no resignations during the year. R. HAWORinGE, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at Dunedin and certain Country Centres by the Otago Education Board. Receipts. £ b. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 708 12 2 Dr. balance at beginning oi year .. .. 3,429 14 10 Capitation, free places .. .. .. 11 0 0 Salaries of teaching staff.. .. .. 1,395 10 4 Buildings .. .. .. • ■ 370 0 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 100 11 4 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 434 18 1 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 200 Material .. .. ■• ■• 60 6 10 Caretaker .. .. .. 110 12 9 '"Fees and other class payments .. .. 446 11 11 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 69 14 10 Sales of material .. .. .. 43 16 8 Office expenses (inoluding salaries) .. 76 17 2 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 29 15 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 42 4 6 Contribution by Education Board from grant Railago on wool.. .. .. .. 2 15 7 for training of teachers in aid of rocog- Hire of model .. .. .. .. 24 17 6 nized teachers' olasses .. .. .. 400 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 60 12 4 Expenses sending Exhibits to Auckland Exhibition .. .. .. .. 27 2 0 Balance teachers' classes not inoluded in previous statement .. .. .. 83 19 10 Dr. balanoe at end of year .. .. 2,705 2 8 £5,321 11 2 £5,321 11 2 S. M. Park, Secretary. Extract prom the Report op the Managers of the Dunedin Technical College. The Managers have pleasure in submitting the twenty-sixth annual report At the beginning of the year the Board of Management was constituted as follows : Five members —Messrs. A. Burt, T. W. Kempthorne, G. M. Thomson, J. H. Wilkinson, and Dr. Colquhoun, representing the Technical Classes Association; four members —Messrs. W. Burnett, R. S. H. Menzies, Thomas Scott, and A. Washer, the Dunedin City Council; three members—Messrs. G. C. Israel, P. McKinlay, M.A., and C. R. D. Richardson, 8.A., the Otago Education Board; one member—Mr. A. McMillan, the Maori Hill Borough Council; one member —Mr. John Harris, the St. Kilda Borough Council; one member—Mr. W. J. Bolt, the Mornington Borough Council; one member—Mr. A. F. Quelch, the Mosgiel Borough Council; one member—Mr. D. M. Mawson, the Port Chalmers Borough Councilf one member—Mr. W. Gcddes, the Green Island Borough Council; one member— Mr. W. H. L. Christie, the Taieri County Council; one member—Mr. J. Mclndoe, the Otago Employers' Association; one member—Mr. E. F. Duthie, the Bay Town Board; one memberMr. j] A. Haslett, the Otago Pharmaceutical Association; one member—Mr. J. Haymes, the

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labour unions; one member—Mr. J. E. White, the trustees, Dunedin Savings bank. Mr, T. Scott was elected Chairman, and Mr. G. C. Israel Hon. Treasurer. During the year Messrs. J. Harris (St. Kilda Borough Council), W. J. Bolt (Mornmgton Borough Council), and C. It. D. Richardson (Otago Education .Board) resigned, and were succeeded by Messrs. W. 11. S. llellyer, T. K. Moody, and J. Wallace respectively. According to the Director's report the operations for the year under review have been of a most satisfactory nature. The enrolments for the day technical school were 288, and for the associated classes 1,195, making the total for classes connected with the institution 1,483, an increase of 210 on the corresponding figures for 1913. The completion of the King Edward Technical College has been a source of great satisfaction to the Managers, who are now in possession of a building that is at present known as the finest technical college in New Zealand. The liberal support promised by the Education Department induced the Technical School Board to make provision for a larger and more complete structure than was contemplated in 1911, when it was proposed to spend £20,000 on buildings. Thus it was that the Managers ultimately entered into a contract involving an expenditure—including architects' fees, cost of supervision, and incidental, expenses—amounting approximately to £33,000, and the success of the undertaking has proved the wisdom of the course adopted. The amount of the accepted tender was £30,059. In the final settlement of accounts it, was found that alterations and additions amounted to £337 7s. 7(1., while rebates and deductions totalled £149 165., so that the cost of tile building exceeded the tender by only £187 f fs. 7d. The smallness of this amount we consider a strong tribute to the ability of the architect, and a, practical indication on the part of the contractor of his desire to make the building a substantial and complete one. Within the last six months, through the liberality of the Education Department, considerable additions have been made to the machinery and tools in the engineering workshop, and that department is now thoroughly equipped, and meets all the requirements for practical work in mechanical engineering. The Managers recognize that any further funds available for the engineering department should be expended on apparatus and appliances for the laboratory, and for the equipment of the branch providing tuition in practical electrical engineering. The machine-room for the woodworking department has also been .brought up to date by the addition of two planers, shaper, mortising-maehine, boring-machine, jig-saw, with a supply of tools for the machines mentioned. The Managers have also expended a sum exceeding £450 upon the erection of concrete walls and fences on the boundaries of the property, and regard with feelings of gratification the iron gates and fences in connection therewith, for the construction and erection of the ironwork was done by the instructor and pupils of the day blacksmithing classes. The statement of receipts and expenditure shows the debit bank balance at the end of the year to be £2,156 15s. lid. At the date of the statement, however, £2,450 was in addition owing on the contract for building, whilst against this were grants and capitation due by the Education Department. Without being unduly optimistic, the Managers anticipate that, notwithstanding the dreadful war and its effects, they will, unless unforeseen circumstances arise, be entirely free from debt before the end of the current year. Then the expense of providing the additional furniture required and levelling the school-grounds will have to be faced. For the present satisfactory state of affairs the Board has to thank the Hon. Minister of Education, together with the Inspector-General of Schools, both of whom have been generous in their provision ■ for technical education in Dunedin; the Dunedin Savings-bank trustees, the local bodies, and the general public, who contributed so liberally in aid of the building fund, £7,163 lis. being raised from these sources; the officers ami members of the staff, who have been unremitting in their efforts to advance the interests of the Technical College. The Managers desire again to place on record their appreciation of the valuable services of the honorary examiners, their thanks to the Press for its ready and sympathetic assistance, and to the teachers for the successful issue of the work for the past year. They conclude this report by expressing the opinion that the year 1914 will be a memorable one in the history of the institution. Extract prom the Report of the Director of the Dunedin Technical College. For the year ending 31st December, 1914, the total enrolment for all the classes in connection with the Technical College was 1,483 individual students. The day technical school was attended by 288 pupils, distributed over the courses and classes as follows : Domestic course—First-year girls, 50; second- and third-year girls, 14. Agricultural course—First-year boys, 13. Industrial course —First-year boys, 32; second- and third-year boys, 16. Commercial course—Firstyear pupils, 27 boys, 73 girls; second-year pupils, 1 boy, 44 girls; third- and fourth-year pupils, 18 girls. There was a gratifying increase in the attendance at the domestic course, in which the work is of an eminently practical nature. The value of the training received by the pupils in this department was evidenced by the service rendered by these young people during the sale of work and at the social evenings held towards the end of the year, fn connection with this work a hostel would be an acquisition —indeed, it will ere long be a necessity. In addition to affording the opportunity for tuition and practice in housekeeping, it would serve to accommodate pupils who travel daily considerable distances by train in order to attend the College. In many cases the parents of these, if assured that their children would be,in charge of the school authorities, would arrange for them to remain in town from Monday to Friday of each week. The broad, general training given in the industrial course is year by year growing in favour and meeting with, more support. The science work, the utilitarian nature of the drawing, and the practice in the use of tools in the engineering workshop, the smithy, and the carpentry shop all appeal to the boys, and appreciation of the work is attested by the iarge proportion of the boys attending for a second year's instruction in this branch. The course was extended on (lie agricultural side by the addition of special lessons in book-keeping and of practice in wool-classing. It is antici-

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pated that next year there will be in attendance a sufficient number of pupils destined for the farm to admit of an entirely separate course being provided to meet their requirements. A piece of ground suitable for experimental plot is required, and 1 suggest that arrangements be made with the City Council for the use of a piece of ground on the Town Belt. The commercial course continues to be the most popular of the branches for which provision is made in the day school. The positions and emoluments offered to young people who have .passed creditably through a definite, course of training in commercial subjects are of a satisfactory and encouraging nature. The College teachers and authorities naturally refer with pride to the many important commercial positions gained by trainees of the College, but I cannot overlook the fact that our students at times secure positions before they have reached the standard which I require before recommending them. The evening classes were attended by 1,195 individual students. The following lists give the classification of these students: Junior-free-place holders—l9B males, 48 females; senior-free-place holders—B3 males, 63 females; other than free-place holders —41.5 males, 371 females; scholarship-holders, 17. Every year there is a steady increase in the number of day pupils who, on embracing positions, transfer to the evening classes. These ex-day-scholars of the College are our best class of evening students. They regard the Technical College as their alma mater, and work with energy and enthusiasm and. exercise a powerful influence for good. In the evening classes, as in the clay school, the commercial classes hold pride ,of numbers, and some very,solid work is done, with beneficial results. Strange but true is the fact that one class of student -in this branch who does little or nothing is the student taking only one subject, and fortified by the conceit that he already knows it. Of the trade classes mechanical engineering was first in popular demand, and owing to the increase it was found necessary to engage several extra assistants for drawing, mathematics, and mechanics. The classes for carpentry, cabinetmaking, and woodwork were also well attended. The provision made for the practical work in the woodworking department, is now very complete, and leaves little to be desired. Apprentices to the carpentry trade are now entitled to extra pay on their obtaining the Technical College certificates. The woodwork classes for amateurs have always been popular, and this year showed such an increase that it was necessary to provide additional classes. Ladies formed a large proportion of the students, and articles made by them formed quite a feature in the annual display of finished work. The classes in sanitary science were attended by students desirous of qualifying for positions as sanitary inspectors, &c, and all, without exception, devoted considerable time and energy to the study of the subject. The other trade classes do not call for special mention. The domestic department classes for cookery, dressmaking and needlework, and millinery were provided in the afternoons and evenings. The cookery classes for beginners, invalid cookery for nurses, high-class cookery for cooks and advanced students, special courses for the City and Guilds of London examinations, first- and second-grade courses' for home-science students at the University were given special care and attention, and the tuition offered in these did much, I believe, to maintain the reputation of this department. After making allowance for circumstances, I consider the behaviour of students, with few exceptions, quite satisfactory. In conclusion, I have to thank the members of the staff for their loyal support. Angus Marshall, Director. *" Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Dunedin Technical College. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Capitation on day technioal sohool ..2,832 0 0 Dr. balanco at beginning of year .. .. 1,507 18 8 Capitation on other classes .. .. 1,272 10 0 Salaries of teaching staff.. .. .. 3,951 19 3 Capitation on freo places .. .. 016 0 8 Material for olass use .. .. .. 621 611 Buildings .. .. •• •• 3,333 6 8 Scholarships, &o. .. .. .. 70 0 o Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 923 0 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 42 7 0 Material .. .. • ■ • • 207 9 8 Repairs .. .. .. .. 24 010 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 2,240 10 0 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 130 0 0 Pees and other class payments .. .. 885 5 3 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 112 15 11 Sales of material ' .. .. .. 161 4 8 Insurance .. .. .. .. 58 18 8 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 2,598 19 0 Office expenses (including salaries, &o.) .. 403 0 0 Scholarships, &o. .. •• ■• 75 0 0 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 101 3 3 Sale of property.. .. .. .. 4,394 9 0 Law-costs .. .. .. .. 818 0 Refunds .. .. •• •• 24 7 6 Library fund .. .. .. .. 18 0 0 Cheque not presented .. .. .. 7 4 1 Sports fund .. .. .. .. 12 0 0 Dr. balanoe at end of year .. ..2,150 15 11 Refund of Pees .. .. .. .. 910 0 Travelling expenses of instructor .. .. 6 0 0 Water rates .. .. .. .. 55 0 0 Buildings .. .. .. ..13,033 8 8 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus.. .. 1,410 7 0 Expenses of removal .. .. .. 102 9 3 Interest on overdraft .. .. .. 48 18 0 £21,734 8 11 £21,734 8 11 Thos. Scott, Chairman ) ~, Angus Marshall, Secretary j of Ma ™g ers - Extract prom the Report of the Managers of the Oamaru Technical School. The Managers beg to report an increased attendance, and satisfactory work on the part of ihe students, the individual enrolment being the highest in the history of the school. The Managers beg to thank the public bodies who contributed to the funds, and look forward to the advantages offered by the school being more highly valued in the future.

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classesconducted al, the Oamaru Technical School by the Oamaru Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 83 0 2 Salaries of teaching staff .. .. .. 241 1 10 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 87 010 Material for class use .. .. .. 6 1 5 Capitation, free places .. .. .. 40 5 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 400 Material .. .. .. .. 4 10 Repairs .. .. .. .. 017 10 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 57 11 0 Caretaker .. .. .. 17 0 5 Fees and other olass payments .. .. 1-38 5 6 Lighting and heating .. .. . . 810 2 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 64 12 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. 1116 Office expenses (inoluding salaries, &c.) .. 100 4 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 7 10 Rates .. .. .. .. .. 320 Bank oharges and auditor .. .. 13 4 Refund of fees .. .. .. .. 010 0 Petty cash .. .. .. ~ 10 0 Incidentals .. .. .. .. 0 4 0 Or. balanoe at end of year,. .. .. 82 8 G £481 2 6 £481 2 6 Fred. S. Aldeed, Chairman ) ~. A. A. McKinnon, Secretary )ot Mana S ers -" . Extract prom the Report of the Managers of the Balclutha Technical Classes Association. The following constituted the Board of Managers for the year 1914: Messrs. A. McDonald (Chairman), Danskin, Ritchie, Clark, and Turner. Three meetings, at each of which there was a full attendance, were held during the year. The Managers were prepared to carry on classes in the following subjects : Typewriting, shorthand, cookery, dressmaking, carpentry, and agricultural chemistry. Excellent teachers were secured for each subject, and the advantages of the instruction were clearly placed before the public by advertisements in the local Press, by circular, and by personal canvass. The number of students who responded to the efforts of the Managers was, however, so small that no course was left but to allow the classes to lapse for the winter of 1914. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted by the Balclutha Teohnical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 46 19 2 Bank commission .. .. .. 010 0 Capitation on olassos .. .. .. 3 9 0 Cr. balanco at ond of yoar ~ .. 87 8 2 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 25 0 0 Typewriter, School Committee .. .. 12 10 0 £87 18 2 £87 18 2 A. McDonald, Chairman ) . ~ Wm. W. Turner, Secretary) ol Mana B<^ Extract from the Report op the Managers of the Milton Technical Classes Association. Classes were held in dressmaking (six students), English (six students), book-keeping (twentythree students), and painting (seventeen students). A ctass for wool-classing (twelve students) was held at Lovell's Flat. The attendance throughout was excellent, as the following percentages show: Wool-classing, 96; painting and English, 96; dressmaking, 88; and book-keeping, 82. The total of class entries was sixty-four. Book-keeping is the most popular subject. The class for typewriting had to be discontinued this year owing to the lack of pupils. The class for woolclassing was very successful, and the thanks of the Managers are due to Mr. Boyd for the use of his wool-shed, to the gentlemen who contributed wool and acted as a committee in connection with the class 1 , and to the Education Board for their generous loan of wool. The balance-sheet is attached, and shows a credit balance of £68 16s. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted by the Milton Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 61 15 5 Salarios of teaching staff .. .. .. 42 12 0 Capitation on classes .. 21 11 9 Material for class use .. .. .. 10 11 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 9 16 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 0 8 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 5 14 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 1 10 3 Fees and other class payments .. .. 47 17 0 Office expenses (including salaries, &c.) .. 17 0 0 Sale of material .. .. .. .. 1 17 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 2 11 fi Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 514 0 Instructors' expenses .. .. .. 310 0 Refund to School Committee .. .. 9 2 0 Bank charges .. .. .. .. 010 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. 0 10 0 Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 68 16 0 £153 11 2 £153 11 2 Jas. W. Petrie, Chairman) * M T „ T c' , fol Managers. J. R. Laing, Secretary b

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Extract from the REPORT of the Professor in Charge, Howe Science Dni'AimiEN'r, University ok Otago. During the summer and winter sessions of 1914 there were thirteen students working for the degree, and twelve students taking the full diploma course. Twenty-two additional students joined single courses or groups of courses. This seems a very satisfactory attendance. One student (0. C M. Cameron) completed the degree course, and three students (A. M. Anderson, M. 1. I.otisley, and M. Wilkie) completed the diploma course. The following appointments were made during the course of the year': (I. C. M .. Cameron to he teacher of domestic science at the Cirls' College, Wellington; A. M. Anderson as assistant warden to the Home Science Hostel, Otago University; M. Wilkie as teacher' of cookery, needlework, and science at Westport, under the Nelson Education Hoard; M. I. Louslcy as teacher of cookery, needlework, and science, under the Wanganui Education Board; 11. Rosevear as assistant at Ashburton High School; I!. Robertson as assistant for one year at tire (fills' College, Wellington; M. E. Sandilands to a temporary post at Christchurch Girls' High School. The great achievement of the year has, however, been the completion of the Home Science Hostel, so that the students can now have a complete and thorough training in the practical side of housekeeping and housewifery as well as in the theoretical. Our gratitude is due to the Government for having subsidized the money which had gradually been acquired for the purpose of building a hostel, fo.r the course was seriously Landicapped until we had secured equipment for carrying on the praotioal side of the work. The hostel has been named " Studholnie House," in recognition of the generous endowment of the chair of home science by Mr. John Studholnie. Fifteen students came into residence in 1915, and at the end of the year it will be interesting to report on the practical result of the students' training. . Winifred L. Boys-Smith. School of Home Science — -Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31sl March, 1915. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Cr. balanoe, 31st March, 1914 .. ..1,253 4 7 ' Salaries .. .. .. .. 983 14 2 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 500 10 0 Dunedin Technical School tor tuition .. 100 0 0 Proceeds of concert .. .. .. 18 12 0 Law costs .. .. .. .. 20 16 0 Government grant for hostel .. .. 1,320 15 2 Expenses .. .. ... .. 40 13 0 Capitation .. .. .. .. 188 111 Materials and renewals .. .. .. 35 2 0 Bents .. .. .. .. .. 17 2 0 Repairs .. .. .. .. 12 11 1 Students' fees .. .. .. .. 500 16 9 Printing, advertising, and stationery .. 10 9 0 Dr. Balanoe 31st March, 1915 .. .. 476 10 3 Purchase of site for hostel .. .. 1,827 15 4 Payments to contractor (hostel) .. .. 778 0 0 Furnishing hostel .. .. .. 394 12 10 Insurance .. .. .. .. 7 2 1 Architect .. .. .. .. 35 15 0 Fees paid to professors and lectun cs .. 18 18 0 Water, light, and fuel .. .. .. 17 5 0 New work .. .. .. .. 13 3 2 Equipment and apparatus .. .. 33 16 0 £4,335 13 2 £4,335 13 2 H. Chapman, Registrar. SOUTHLAND. EXTKAOT PROM THE REPORT of THE INSPECTORS OF Schools. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in providing Standards 111 and IV with suitable handwork to take the place of brushwoik. The syllabus requires that in these classes " drawing should be associated with suitable instruction in handwork, the free drawing with modelling in plasticine or clay, and the instrumental drawing with bricklaying, paper-work, oardboard-work, or light woodwork." It must be admitted, however, that to make a profitable use of such correlation a liberal supply of material is required, and more time is demanded than is generally at the disposal of teachers and pupils. We recognize also that the revised syllabus makes a fairly heavy demand upon teachers in reaped of handwork in the senior division. The ultimate success of the scheme for making this subject a living part of the primary-school course will depend, as success in other directions has in the past depended, not upon departmental initiative, but upon the enterprise and ingenuity of the individual teacher in devising ways and means. Extract from the Report op the Itinerant Instructor in Agriculture. Ninety-three schools have now recognized classes in elementary agriculture, ten of which were formed this year. The work is now thoroughly organized throughout the whole district, and the gardens are all planned so that the work may be individualized and yet all 'pupils be doing the same class of work at the same time. With this object, in view the pupils' plots are all laid off parallel to each other, and the rows of trees, vegetables, &c, run across the plots. Two pupils are allotted to each plot. This number I find decidedly the best, particularly in the matter of tree-planting, where one holds the tree in tine while the" other plants. In addition to the above a nursery has been established in every garden and stocked with Northern Spy blight-proof, apple-stocks, mound-layered for the purpose of supplying stocks to be grafted or budded later by the pupils in their own plots, and brier-rose stocks (Dog and Manetti) to supply cuttings or layers from which to produce stocks for future working. The fact that the pupils become the owners of the trees grafted and budded has given a decided stimulus to the nursery work. In connection with this part of the work upwards of three thousand trees have been dis-

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tributed amongst the different schools. Considerable success has attended the budding and grafting operations —all the prizes offered by the Board for roses from stocks budded in schoolgardens were claimed. The results of the potato and turnip competition were both interesting and instructive. One .school had the extraordinary yield of 564 lb. of potatoes from eight, sets. i am pleased to say that all our schools are now thoroughly well equipped for carrying out our scheme of work, in agriculture and horticulture. For nursery-work all have had a supply of knives (grafting and budding in one) designed by myself and marie especially for us by the Eye Witness Company, Sheffield. Thanks are due to the leading agricultural firms in the town for their liberal donations of seeds and manures, the value of which was £17. The Technical College plot being laid off as a model for primary sohools has served admirably for t]w (raining of teachers attending Saturday classes. Several hundred stocks were propagated this season and distributed to various schools, and the nursery is rapidly becoming a valuable asset to your Board. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 81st December, 1914, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Invercargill and Country Centres by the Southland Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s d. Cr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 177 3 5 Salaries of teaching staff.. .. .. 358 0 9 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 102 2 5 Material for class use .. .. .. 70 8 1 Material .. .. .. 13 5 1 Caretaker .. .. .. 13 12. 0 Subsidies on voluntary contribu ions .. 2 0 0 Lighting and heating ... .. .. 3 "5 Ji Fees and other class payments .. .. 110 0 5 Office expenses (including srai ie-i .. 20 1 8 Sales of material .. .. .. 35 4 6 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 110 On account of instruction of classes at Gore Cr. balance at end of year .. .. 288 1 1 High School .. .. .. .. 60 15 0 Contribution by Education Board fa >m grant for training of teachers .. .. 200 0 0 £700 16 10 £700 16 10 F. G. Stevenson, Secretary. Extract from the Report or the Chairman t<v 'rut; Board of Managers of the Southland Technical College. The transfer of the control of the Technical College from the Education Board to a Board of Managers elected by contributing bodies was finally effected in May. 11)11. The first step in the direction of arousing public interest was begun in 1913, and was carried out by inviting the members of local bodies to visit the College and see the classes in session. Deputations of representatives of the Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Employers' Association, Master Plumbers' Union, Southland Farmers' Union, Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and County Council were arranged, and a lecture was delivered before a branch of the Farmers' Union. This involved much labour, but the results were encouraging, for wider interest was created in the work of the College, and live bodies in all decided to contribute to the funds of the institution and share in its management. The first Board of Managers was composed as follows : Messrs. J. Fisher, A. Lowrie, H. E. Niven, and A. L. Wylie, M.A. (Education Board), J. Cilkiuson (Agricultural ami Pastoral Association). \V. 11. Brent (Town Council), If. (1. Speirs (Master Plumbers' Union), J. E. Watson (Wool-brokers' Association), and C. J. Ronaldson (Chamber Commerce); Mr, R. A. Anderson was elected as the representative of (lie Agricultural and 'Pastoral Association, but was unable to act. At the first meeting, held on the Bth May, Mr. .1. Fisher was elected Chairman, and the Principal of the College was constituted Secretary of the Board. The Board has met every month for the transaction of the College business, and a visiting committee has been elected at each meeting in order to acquaint members with the more intimate workings of the classes, and in order to give advice to the Board on matters arising for consideration during the month. The various commercial, educational, and industrial interests represented on the Board have proved ol' inestimable value in the management of tin; affairs of the institution, and it is hoped that ultimately all sections of the community who are interested in the instruction provided in the College will have a share in its control. The mosl formidable obstacle to (lie work of the Hoard lay in the arrangement of finance, for though the income of the College is sufficient to meet the demands made upon it it is paid at irregular intervals, and at times long after it has been earned. However, this difficulty lias to some extent been overcome by the fact that the Board has been kindly permitted to bank through the Education Board in the meantime. If soon became apparent to members of the Board that (lie room provided was insufficient for the growing requirements of the classes, and as the buildings now extend from the street to lire back boundary of tin: site no further additions Io the present buildings are possible. Negotiations were therefore .entered into with the Board of Governors of the Southland Boys' High School, since it is anticipated that a new High School will be built shortly on the college reserve, and the site now occupied and its substantial buildings would serve the needs of the Technical College for many years to come if they were available, as an extension to the College as constituted at present. The two sites are only half a block apart, and are admirably situated for the students attending the evening classes. An agreement was reached between the two Boards as to the terms on which the transfer of the property could be arranged, but the intervention of the war has checked negotiations for the present. However, it is hoped that shortly the College will be able to extend to the very convenient and suitable property of the High Schools' Hoard. The block of buildings at the rear of the manual-training rooms and workshops was completed and equipped during the year. This block includes two sets of lavatories, a room for the destruction

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of waste and rubbish, an engineering workshop with smithy and tool-room adjoining, and a large room now used as a combined draughting-room and woodwork-shop. The building was constructed by day labour in brick and reinforced concrete under the supervision of the Education Board's architect, and is provided with electric lighting. As the instructor in engineering subjects took up his duties in January, he was able to supervise the erection of the machinery and fittings, which was carried out as far as possible by the boys attending the classes. The large attendance in the trades classes of the day technical school and the evening classes has shown already that the expenditure of the considerable sum of money required for the building and equipment was well justified. The teaching staff was increased during the year by the appointments of Miss H. 1. Gunn and Mr. A. J. Newman as teachers of domestic science and engineering subjects respectively. There have thus been eight permanent teachers employed during the year, and it is anticipated that a further appointment of a teacher of science and mathematics will be necessary early in 1915. This will increase the pressure in the class-room accommodation, which is already scanty, and the need of a larger laboratory will become still more apparent. The Board has felt the necessity of increasing the usefulness and attractiveness of the agricultural course by the acquisition of a suitable block of land where agricultural operations could be carried out on a larger scale than at present. 'Some steps towards this end have already been taken, and if they can be completed the College will be in a much better position to deal with agricultural instruction. The year's work has been considerable, and it is hoped will prove to bo fruitful. Enooitr«gement in the work has been given by the intimation received at the end of the year from the Southland Builders' Association and the Southland Farmers' Union that these bodies desire to be represented on the Board of Managers in 1915. John Fisher, Chairman. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Southland Technical College. Day Technical School. —The third year of the College, now just at its conclusion, shows that steady progress has been maintained, both in the roll number of students and in the development of the courses of instruction given. The roll number was 178, as compared with 162 for the previous year. Free places were held by 162 students on the following qualifications : Junior free places, 136 j Education Board scholarships, 2; senior free places, 21; Technical College Board free places, 3. The 178 students were enrolled for the four courses in the following numbers: Commercial—6l girls, 41 boys; total, 102: trades, 4-3 boys; domestic science, 22 girls; agricultural, 11 boys. At the beginning of the session the staff was augmented by the appointment of Miss 11. I. Gunn as domestic-science mistress and Mr. A. J. Newman as engineering instructor, and this increase has permitted considerable development of the domestic-science and trade courses respectively. Late in the year Mr. Phillip Dunn was appointed instructor in class singing, and the results of his training were well shown when the College choir won the junior choral championship in the Invercargill competitions. The position of agricultural instructor became vacant at the end of the second term owing to the resignation of Mr. J. Moodie, but it was possible to make a satisfactory temporary appointment to the vacancy, and it is expected that a permanent instructor will take up the work at the commencement of the session of 1915. There litis been a, steady increase in the teaching staff since the establishment of the College, no fewer than five p additional full-time instructors having been appointed in two years, with the result that the College has increasing facilities to develop the special features of the vocational courses. Each of the courses is now adequately taught, both in the general and in the vocational subjects, but it is confidently expected that everjr year will bring further developments. The fullest provision had been made at first for the commercial classes, and two special instructors now deal exclusively with commercial subjects. Throughout New Zealand there is a keen demand for commercial education, and in Invercargill, which is essentially a commercial and not a manufacturing town, it is natural that the number of students taking the commercial course should be considerable. These classes in particular have benefited this year from the increased attention that has been given to spelling, handwriting, and accuracy in figures. An offer of a prize for book-keeping made by the Society of Accountants will give added interest to that subject. The course of instruction provided for agricultural students has always been a very full one, and it is regrettable that, although the numbers have increased slightly, so few boj's have been able to take advantage of the good course of general education which it provides. It is a noteworthy fact that in Canada many students who do not intend to become farmers attend the agricultural colleges on account of the general value of their courses. We would be satisfied if we could enrol for this course the boys who intend to become farmers; not that they will learn in the College the finer technicalities of farm operations, but they will receive a broad general education sufficiently technical to enable them to carry on their work more intelligently, and to avoid many of the errors in farm-management which are due as much to lack of general education as to ignorance of technical details. This course has been improved during the year by the addition of a class in simple ironwork and by occasional visits to farms to study good types of farm animals. It is hoped that these visits may be made even more frequently, as their educational value is very great. Instruction will be given in elementary blaoksmithing next year, and possibly in simple working of sheet lead and nine. The domestic-science course received an impetus by the appointment of a special instructor in needlework, dressmaking, and millinery, and a substantial increase in its roll number has taken place. However, in view of the importance of skill in the domestic arts, it is hoped that this course will in a few years have at least double the number of students enrolled. High wages in the various trades and professions generally mean high prices for the necessaries of life, and an increase in wages is of little benefit

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except to the man whose wife is an economical and efficient cook, as well as a skilful needlewoman. Nothing oould have popularized the trades course more than the action of the Board in building and equipping an engineering workshop, and the course for engineering students is now one of the most attractive in the College. The boys of this year's class will leave behind them at their withdrawal a permanent and substantial memorial of their work, for they have spent much of the session in fitting up the machines and also in constructing fittings for the new wood-working-shop. The work has been done in a, most creditable manner under the supervision of Mr. Newman. The trades course is modified in order to give suitable instruction to lads who intend to enter the woodworking trades, but it, is hoped that still more can be done for them in the near future. Ample evidence has been given in the past two years of the value of the day technical-school education, and students whose training was commenced in the institution have been continuously in keen demand, and have generally received wages sufficient to make them appreciate instantly the value of the years they have spent in acquiring their secondary education. The fuller benefit they derive will come home to them in later years. Already I am able to state that our students are tilling creditably positions in many of the larger towns from Auckland to Bluff. Occasionally the remark is passed that an employee in any calling receives the best training whilst at work, and that a boy is well advised to go direct from the primary school into employment. The remark is probably true from the point of view of some employers, who require ftwn their assistants principally mechanical skill and accuracy, and not the exercise of much intelligence. But from the point of view of the State the remark is quite wrong, for the best interests of any boy or girl demand the mental training and development given by a good general education. The boy who has a good general education, and who has learned in some degree to think for himself, will ultimately fill the higher positions and assume the greater responsibilities not only in business, but in civic life. The system of technical education in vogue in New Zealand has its strength in the fact that it does not encourage the acquisition of technical skill to the exclusion of general education, and that recognition is given to the truth that the best citizen is found in the intelligent worker rather than in the skilled worker. The ideal citizen, as far as education can produce one, is the man who is skilled in the technicalities of his trade or calling and who has acquired a good general education, including a sound knowledge of the rights and duties of citizenship. An important feature of every vocational course in our day technical schools is the general education that is given, whilst in the evening classes apprentices and others are encouraged in the study and appreciation of general educational subjects. By reason of the subjects taught in the different courses, the day technical school does not lend itself readily to preparation for Public Service and similar examinations, but it will Impossible to present candidates in increasing numbers each year for examinations which are to a considerable extent carried out under actual working-conditions, Such are held by Pitman's Phonographic Association, by the Public Service Commissioners for shorthand-typists, and by the City and Guilds of London Institute. The last named holds examinations which are particularly useful in testing the capabilities of domestic science students, and one pass was recorded during the year. Altogether twenty-four students gained the elementary certificate, six the advanced theory certificate, and five the speed certificate of Pitman's Association. Besides' these examination successes, senior free places were awarded on the results of the College examinations held in December last to twenty-eight students who had held junior free places. In the annual technical exhibition the work of the students of the day school was an important feature. Possibly the work of the domestic science and trades classes lends itself best to display purposes, but all classes were creditably represented in the exhibition. In the life of the College outside of the elass'-room there has been much activity during the year. Hockey has flourished among the girls, and the junior B team, which was not beaten during the season, carried off the ladies' junior championship. The tennis-court is now in regular use, and keen interest has now been aroused by the kind offer of the Lawn Tennis Association to donate championship trophies. The senior football team gained the Invercargill fourth-grade club championship. On several Wednesday afternoons during the winter six athletic teams from the College were engaged simultaneously in playing matches, which is a very creditable number for a small school to have on the field. However, it is earnestly desired, for the sake of the students themselves, that every one of them should take an active part in some kind of sport. Probably most of the students have particularly pleasant memories of one afternoon in the second term, when school was held in the theatre, on the occasion of the recital of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" by Mr. Alexander Watson. The war has had the effect of arousing kindly feelings as well as stern ones, and I have to record with pleasure that the boys and girls have done their share in contributing to patriotic and relief funds. Early in the war the girls, under the supervision of the ladies of the staff, made up numbers of hold-alls for the Expeditionary Forces. More recently they have contributed large quantities of clothing, which has been repaired when necessary for the British relief fund. Much new clothing has also been prepared, and two large cases' altogether have been sent away. A sum of about £10 in money has also been collected, partly in cash contributions and partly as the proceeds of the sale of farm-produce and other articles" contributed by the boys. As a final event for the year the girls presented an operetta in the theatre on the 16th December under the direction of Mr. Dunn, and all profits will be given to swell the Belgian relief fund. The principal building operations undertaken during the year included the completion of the two-storied building containing the engineering and woodworking shops. The whole of the space available for building on the- present site has now been utilized, and difficulties have arisen already owing to lack of rooms, since only three are available for ordinary class purposes. Extension of our buildings must, probably take place in the near future, and it is hoped that a site or buildings will be procurable in the neighbourhood.

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Owing to the large number of boys and girls who attend the College from the country, hostels for the accommodation of boarders could be well filled if they were available. A proportion of each day's work is missed by most of the students who travel daily by train, and the nervous strain produced by the incessant journeying is so considerable as to prevent them from benefiting to the full by their course of instruction. In several instances where students came to live in town for part of the year very marked improvement was shown in their work as soon as the long daily journeys ceased. Of course, on the other hand, good results have been obtained by most of the country students, and I have nothing but commendation for those boys and girls who walk or ride some distance to their home stations, travel to and fro daily by train, and yet prepare creditably their home exercises and give satisfaction in their class-work. The Board of Managers, recognizing the need of suitable boarding establishments, has investigated the matter fully, but the difficulties of finance have prevented any steps toward the desired end. A. private donation for the purpose of building a College hostel would be a happy and welcome solution of the difficulty, and the benefits would be far-reaching. Although the Technical College was founded by an association of enthusiastic citizens, who gave both money and labour freely to promote its interests, the tendency of later years has been to throw all responsibility for providing funds upon the Education Department. An excellent example has been set by the people of Dunedin in the financial support given to their educational institutions, and consequently these are in many respects the foremost in the Dominion. More interest has been shown .in technical education during the past twelve months in Invercurgill, and it is hoped that we art' at the beginning of a new era. Evening Glasses. —At the beginning of the year the terms were rearranged, so that the .art classes should be in session at the same time as the day school, whilst the length of the session of the evening classes was increased from twenty-six to thirty-two weeks. The scale of charges for attendance at classes was also revised, the general effect being to reduce the fees of students taking a course of related subjects. During the }'ear instruction was given to 350 individual students, an increase of fifty students over the total number in attendance in 1913. The number of classes taken shows a considerable increase, being 821 as against 556 in the previous year. This result is very satisfactory, for the average number of classes taken per studient was 23, as against I' 9 for the previous year, flood results from an educational point, of view are to be obtained only when students attend for a course of instruction rather than for individual classes. Despite the increased attendance, there was only a slight increase in the fees collected from students, who derived a substantial monetary benefit from the system introduced during the year of charging reduced fees for courses of related subjects. On the other hand, the increase earned as capitation was very considerable. It was anticipated that, owing to the appointment at the beginning of the year of full-time instructors for dressmaking and for engineering subjects, considerable developments would take place in those branches of work. The hopes entertained were fully realized, and it has also to be recorded that the commercial classes attracted unusually large numbers of students. In fact, the enrolment for the engineering, plumbing, domesticscience, commercial, and art classes was quite satisfactory, and the classes for woodworkers were the only ones in which the number of students was disappointing. As the Southland Builders' Association has intimated its desire (o be represented on the Board of Managers, it is anticipated that increased interest will be shown by employees in the classes for woodworkers in the coming years. In each of the subjects, typewriting, shorthand, and book-keeping, two classes were held, instead of one as in previous years. Morning and afternoon classes were instituted for needlework and dressmaking, and the number of classes taken weekly were five, an increase of four on the number held previously. It was found necessary to take the practical class for cookery in two sections during the first term on account of the number of students in attendance. Both elementary and advanced classes were held for plumbing, but the latter was unsatisfactory owing to the fact that the examination for registration was held in the middle of the year, and most of the students had not sufficient time to become thoroughly proficient before the examination, or sufficient interest to attend regularly when it was over. The installation of electric light in the town made it possible to institute a class for electrical wiring, which was conducted very successfully throughout the year by Mr. P. D. Beveridge. A Dominion scheme for the examination and registration of electrical wiremen and fitters, provided that it is worked efficiently, will lie as welcome to the employees in the trade as to the Technical School Managers, for the present arrangement of local examinations is harassing, and is certainly not conducive to general efficiency or a uniform standard of work. The work of equipping the engineering-shop was not completed until August, when a class of sixteen apprentices entered for a course of instruction till the end of the session. Large classes were held for trade mathematics and applied mechanics and machine-construction throughout the session. As the College is now in possession of a wellequipped and well-lighted workshop and draughting-room, there is reason to anticipate that it will continue to attract large numbers of engineers' apprentices. Students enrolled for the art classes in satisfactory numbers. A pleasing feature of this work is that the class for drawing from life, an advanced subject, has an ever-increasing roll number, owing to the fact that a number of the art students attend regularly for several years. Students are at a disadvantage from the fact that there are in the town no considerable art collections, for the study of even good reproductions of paintings, drawing's, and etchings by leading artists gives inspiration and added interest to their work. Further, when there is a collection of art subjects available for the inspection of the general public, a wider interest will be created, and students will enrol in greater numbers in the art classes. During the year students obtained awards for studies in black and white at the Canterbury Society of Arts Exhibition, and several studies were prepared for the National competitions. There was a, fair demand for instruction in art-craft subjects, including stencilling, photography, and wood-carving, and in these good work was accomplished during the session.

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The Education Department's Organizing Inspector, Mr. E. C. Isaac, paid his annual visit of inspection during the year, and much help was derived from the discussions with him on different subjects. In conclusion, grateful recognition is given to the Press for the willing assistance it has rendered throughout the year. My thanks are due also to the officers of the Education Department for their uniform courtesy, and to the Chairman and members of the Board of Managers for the consideration they have shown me and the assistance they have given me in my work. And above all, to my co-workers, my sincere thanks. D. E. Hansen, Principal. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Glasses conducted at the Southland Technical College. Receipts. £ s. d. | Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation day technical school .. .. 1,780 17 0 i Dr. balance at beginning of year .. 593 10 2 ~ other classes .. .. 384 411 Salaries of teaching staff, &o. .. .. 2,538 510 ~ free places .. .. .. 71 3 6 j Material for olaas use .. .. .. 217 1 0 Buildings .. .. .. .. 1,500 0 0 Eepairs .. .. .. .. 97 5 2 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 10 3 4 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 80 0 0 Fees and other olass payments .. .. 310 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. 89 3 2 Sales of material .. .. .. 3 5 5 Office expenses (including salaries, &c.) . . 180 10 8 Voluntary contributions .. .. 102 8 0 School sports and playgrounds .. .. *05 18 8 High School Board contribution to art To Education Board on aocount of adminismaster's salary .. .. .. 100 0 0 tration .. .. .. .. 30' 0 0 Refunds, &c. .. .. .. .. 10 2 3 Stamps .. .. .. .. 1.0 7 0 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 999 9 5 Interest on overdraft .. .. .. 43 2 6 Buildings .. .. .. .. 1,338 9 2 £5,283 13 10 £5,283 13 10 A. Bell, Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Controlling Authority of the Gore Technical School. During the year evening classes in the following subjects were held : Dressmaking, shorthand, book-keeping, English, arithmetic, electricity, wireless telegraphy and telephony, and plumbing. The total number of students in attendance was forty-four, twenty-eight males and sixteen females. Of these, nine were holders of free places and thirty-five paid fees. On the whole, the attendance at the classes was good, and the interest displayed by the students commendable. Owing to several of the students attending the classes for plumbing volunteering for active service, it was found necessary to abandon the classes in the middle of the second term. The science classes also suffered for the same reason. The wireless class had to be summarily stopped owing to orders from headquarters that all wireless plants had to be completely dismantled and removed. The other classes were successfully carried on for the full two terms. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1914, in respect of Classes conducted at the Gore Technical School by the Gore High School Board of Governors. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 30 4 0 Dr. balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 52 1 5 Capitation, free places .. .. .. 22 13 0 Salaries of teaching staff.. .. .. 108 7 0 .* Subsides on voluntary contributions .. 50 0 0 Material for olass use .. .. .. 10 19 9 Fees and other class payments .. .. 44 19 0 Office expenses (inoluding salaries) .. 10 10 0 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 28 14 2 Fees refunded .. .. .. .. 012 0 £182 11 2 £182 11 2 George Brett, Secretary.

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