E.— s

16

CHRISTCH-ÜBCH SCHOOL OF DOMESTIC INSTRUCTION. Report foe the Year ending December, 1899. The school continues to enjoy a vigorous life, and, to judge by the number of pupils who have during the year taken advantage of the opportunity it affords, maintains its position well in the confidence of the people. It is particularly gratifying to find the elementary schools of the city and suburbs keeping up their interest. From this source we have derived a varying but numerous body of pupils, and we trust that the schools which have not yet made arrangements for classes will see their way to do so. We need scarcely urge the importance of the practical instruction of young girls in the chief of their future domestic duties, and we welcome this class of pupils all the more readily that we look to them to furnish a substantial proportion seeking further instruction in after years. The following are the numbers in attendance in the several quarters of the year now closing, together with the number of classes held in each of the three branches, cooking, dressmaking, and laundrywork : First quarter—On roll, 255; average attendance, 2057 ; number of classes, 15; cooking, 12 ; dressmaking, 2 ; laundrywork 1. Second quarter—On roll, 126 ; average attendance, 112-4; number of classes, 11; cooking, 8; dressmaking, 2; laundrywork, 1. Third quarter —On roll, 336; average attendance, 279 ; number of classes, 15 ; cooking, 11; dressmaking, 3 ; laundrywork, 1. Fourth quarter —On roll, 384; average attendance, 341-1; number of classes, 17 ; cooking, 14; dressmaking, 3 ; laundrywork, 0. In the first quarter out of the above totals the public schools were represented by 114 pupils from three schools; in the second there were no pupils from this source, the children being required for other instruction at the time available; in the third quarter there were again three schools, with 176 pupils ; and in the fourth five schools, with the large total of 261 out of the 384 included in the various classes. In our last report reference was made to an examination held during the year for cooking certificates under the auspices of the City and Guilds of London Institute. At the end of the year we had received notice that twelve of the thirteen candidates entered had qualified in the theoretical part of the examination, but the result of the practical part was not then known. It is gratifying to have now to report that the whole of the twelve satisfied the further test, two receiving firstclass certificates, and the remainder certificates of the second class. A number of candidates was again prepared to enter for a similar examination during this year, but to the disappointment both of the intending candidates and their teachers the examination through some misunderstanding as to the date fixed was not held. Our own annual certificate examination has just been completed. The examination was, as on previous occasions, conducted by Mrs. Harman, whose report is appended. That Mrs. Harman has been able to express so favourable an opinion of the character of the work done cannot but be highly gratifying to those who take an interest in the school. It may further be noted that the school has maintained its country connection during the year by supplying a teacher for the classes established at Amberley and Leeston, a special arrangement being made with a local committee in each case for weekly services. The committee are disappointed that another year has been allowed to pass without the introduction of a new Technical Education Act, providing a more liberal capitation allowance. There had been a considerable correspondence with the Education Department during the year as to the inadequacy of the present allowance, and the Minister had held out hopes that a new measure would be brought forward. The considerably increased attendance has somewhat strained the financial resources at the disposal of the committee. Details of income are furnished in the accompanying statement. Charlotte W. Turrell, Vice-President. 13th December, 1899.

Mrs. Harman's Report. Mrs. R. D. Harman begs to state that she held the annual examination in cookery at the School for Domestic Instruction, and judging by the result both teachers and pupils had done their year's work thoroughly, a large number of those going in for certificates taking very high marks, the average being good. The practical work was well and carefully done, and the papers showed that careful attention had been paid to the study of the rules and principles of cookery, and also to the scientific facts upon which such rules are based, the reasons for each method of cookery being very clearly explained. The practical work also showed that excellent discipline had been maintained, the work of the school-children in that respect being exceptionally good, great attention being also paid to neatness and method in all the minor details of the work. There were four classes in all —one for high-class-cookery certificates, two for plain-cookery certificates, and one class of schoolchildren for prizes, the ages in this latter class differing so much they were divided according to age.

Balance-sheet for the Year ending 7th December, 1899. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance .. ■ ■ • • 55 13 8 Salaries .. .. .. .. 206 13 0 Petty cash .. .. .. .. 8 9 3 Cooking materials .. £158 8 11 Subscriptions and donations — Less for sales .. .. 84 5 2 Prom Government, special .. .. 65 0 0 74 3 9 „ subsidy on attendance 105 3 9 General expenses—Bent, gas, advertising, Prom subscribers, Christchurch .. .. 215 0 coala, sundries .. .. .. 155 7 9 School-fees .. .. .. .. 267 4 0 Preliminary expenses .. .. .. 21 710 ; Petty cash .. .. .. .. 240 Balanoe .. .. ~ .. 44 9 4 £504 5 8 £504 5 8 W. Chrystall, Treasurer.