11

E.—s

hold sectional certificates, thirty-seven hold no certificates; assistant teachers—thirty-two hold full certificates, forty hold sectional certificates, ten hold no certificates ; ex-pupil-teachers—twenty-eight hold full certificates, thirty-two hold sectional certificates, two hold no certificates ; pupilteachers —fifteen hold full certificates, seventy-four hold sectional certificates, twenty-three hold no certificates. Technical School. Number of Students. —Day classes: Design —First quarter, 25 ; second, 27 ; third, 20; fourth, 20. Anatomy—First quarter, 25; second, 17 ; third, 12; fourth, 11. Drawing and painting (wholeday students) —First quarter, 13 ; second, 14 ; third, 14 ; fourth, 14. Drawing and painting (halfday students) —First quarter, 63 ; second, 69 ; third, 65 ; fourth, 62. Geometry and perspective — First quarter, 25; second, 23; third, 20; fourth, 21. Secondary-school scholars (drawing)— First quarter, 0; second, 26; third, 18; fourth, 18. Secondary-school scholars (carpentry) —First quarter, 0; second, 27 ; third, 24 ; fourth, 21. Primary-school scholars—First quarter, 61; second, 57; third, 54 ; fourth, 51. Teachers and pupil-teachers —First quarter, 92 ; second, 89 ; third, 96 ; fourth, 98. Wood-carving,—First quarter, 6; second, 8; third, 13 ; fourth, 11. Manual instruction—First quarter, 4; second, 7; third, 8; fourth, 5. Advanced geometry—First quarter, 0; second, 7 ; third, 0 ; fourth, 0. Evening classes: Architectural and building construction—First quarter, 24 ; second, 28 ; third, 31; fourth, 27. Mechanical drawing—First quarter, 31; second, 40; third, 45 ; fourth, 39. Drawing—First quarter, 76 ; second, 75 ; third, 85 ; fourth, 78. Life class—First quarter, 5; second, 6; third, 9 ; fourth, 8. Practical plumbing—First quarter, 21 ; second, 27 ; third, 25 ; fourth, 27. Theory of plumbing—First quarter, 18; second, 16 ; third, 19 ; fourth, 16. Wood carving and modelling—First quarter, 15; second, 24; third, 22; fourth, 18. Mathematics —First quarter, 27 ; second, 34 ; third, 32 ; fourth, 31. Joinery, handrailing, and carpentry—First quarter, 14; second, 24; third, 8; fourth, 0. Shorthand—First quarter, 6; second, 6 ; third, 5 ; fourth, 9. The following occupations are represented amongst the students of the evening classes : Lithographer, 1; cutter, 1; mechanics, 2 ; watchmaker, 1 ; drapers, 2 ; typist, 1; bootmaker, 1; engineers, 46 ; watchmaker, 1; joiners, 4 ; carpenters, 34 ; cabinetmaker, 1; plumbers, 28 ; clerks, 15 ; painters, 4 ; dairyman, 1; builder, 1 ; architects' assistants, 3 ; draughtsman, 1 ; teachers, 26 ; warehousemen, 2 ; clothiers, 2 ; boilermaker, 1; scholars, 8 ; Civil servants, 3 ; mason, 1; students, 25 ; farmers, 2 ; printer, 1; tailors, 3 ; cadets, 3 ; bookkeeper, 1; surveyors, 2 ; agent, 1; surgeon, 1; fitters, 3 ; grocer, 1 ; japanner, 1 ; butcher, 1; packers, 2. Draioing, Painting, and Elementary Modelling (Day and Evening). —-Mr. H. S. Wardell examined these sections and expressed satisfaction with the results obtained, and the progress of the school during the past year. The classes in design have received every encouragement and done good work, and lam satisfied that the evening class will be equally successful. The want of good illustrations is a serious drawback, but this I hope to overcome by selections of designs from various illustrated art papers, and from purchased examples. Memory-drawing, monthly competitions, and occasional set subjects have been continued as hitherto. There is, as is always the case, a difficulty in persuading students to practise memory-drawing away from the school. The mere making of an accurate copy of a cast, model, or object is in itself of little importance. The question of reflected light, shade, shadow, direction of light, and, most important of all, the actual forms requiring to be expressed, should receive very careful consideration. A student should be able to model from memory a cast or model after once drawing the same; this alone is the real test of knowledge. If a mere copy is made, it is hardly worth the paper it is drawn upon, from a knowledge point of view. There is still considerable objection on the part of many evening students to take up the subjects of practical geometry and model-drawing, as a groundwork upon which to base their future study, applicable to trade purposes. All constructive trades require this knowledge :it means a great saving of time, money, and labour to those who have that grounding. I recommend that in 1899 all trade students under twenty who have not gone through such a course, or its equivalent, shall be required to do so, for without it a considerable waste of the instructors' time takes place, and it is of the highest importance to the student himself. Machine Construction and Drawing. —This class has steadily increased in number. The work was examined by Mr. Fulton, C.8., theoretically and practically. After reporting the results as exceedingly satisfactory, he states that " The answers generally to questions concerning the design, or improvements in designs, of the machines as drawn were intelligently given, and showed a good knowledge of the work in hand. As a knowledge of mechanical drawing is essential in up-to-date machine-shop practice, the value of the work that is being done in the class cannot be overestimated." I regret very much that the applied-mechanics class cannot be held owing to an insufficient number of students presenting themselves. Architectural Drawing and Building Construction. —This class, I am glad to report, has considerably increased in number. Mr. Crichton, who examined the work, reports that " All the students have a fair grasp of constructional detail, and the draughtsmanship throughout was excellent." 1 consider the work generally decidedly in advance of last year. The Wellington Dramatic Students' Performance Fund has enabled me to assist very materially the building and machine construction classes in the matter of diagrams, plates, and text-books up to date. Mathematical Glass. —-A considerable increase in numbers has also taken place in connection with this class, proving that it has met a long-felt want. The subjects dealt with are arithmetic, geometry, algebra, Euclid, and trigonometry. Sections are arranged for beginners, as well as for candidates for matriculation, junior and senior Civil Service, pupil-teachers, South Kensington and degree examinations. No local examination was held in this case, the majority of the students desiring to enter for the Science and Art Department papers in June next.