17

E.—s

CANTERBURY MANUAL-TRAINING CLASSES. NoBMAL-SCHOOL CLASSES. The work of the year has been very fair, showing an improvement on last year's work, so far as drawing is concerned. This, I think, is caused by the masters, who have attended the classes, and have now some idea of what is required; further, several schools are now using our models in teaching the scale-drawing, and consequently the boys are more familiar with their construction. The third quarter shows a large increase in the attendance, which was maintained to the end of the year. The tools are in good order, though the breakage is somewhat heavier than last year, bow-saw blades and the iron bench-screws being the chief items. I beg to recommend that in any future benches which may be required, no iron stops or bench-screws be used, experience showing that they are a continual source of trouble, boys damaging the chisels and planes very much by contact with them. Several of the boys took part in the exhibition of work held at the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show in October. The exhibition was very favourably commented on by the Press and the public. The masters' classes held on Saturdays have only been moderately attended, but the work done has been good. Four masters sat for the first-year examination of the London and City Guilds Institute in woodwork, all of whom passed, and nine masters sat for the final examination, six of whom passed. The attendance of the boys was affected by some leaving to go to work, but I am glad to be able to inform you that the Wednesday evening class, which was started during the second quarter, is enabling boys to continue their work. I hope you will be able to authorise the continuation of this class. I wish to suggest that elementary solid geometry should receive more attention from the teachers who attend the classes at the School of Art.

Lbeston Classes. The classes have been well attended, and for the two last quarters it has been found necessary to use a second class-room and add a number of benches. Considerable impetus was given by the action of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association in adding a new clause in their pro; gramme—viz., juvenile competitions (male and female) for manual work. Prizes were given for gate-, hurdle-, and ladder-making for the boys. These drew large entries and keen competition ; and there were also other articles, such as carving, entered for exhibition. The judges were practical mechanics, and expressed themselves as well satisfied with the work done. During the year Messrs. Anderson and Burns have been appointed assistant instructors. Considerable interest is taken in this class by the public, some of whom visit the class-room every week. lam much indebted to several residents for their assistance on the day of the exhibition, particularly to Mrs. Osborne, who kindly provided a dinner for the Christchurch boys who exhibited. F. W. Sandfoed, Instructor.

Normal-school Classes.

Noemal-school Classes.—Balance-sheet for 1899. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure, £ c. d. Fees .. .. .. .. 45 2 9 Instructor's salary .. .. .. 63 17 6 Capitation .. .. .. 33 10 0 Timber for use in school .. .. .. 712 0 Leeston classes .. .. 31 1 10 Gas .. .. .. .. .. 408 Amberley classes .. .. 25 16 2 Advertising .. .. .. .. 212 11 Stationery .. .. .. .. 0 7 6 Paid to Leeston classes .. .. .. 32 2 8 „ Amberley classes .. .. .. 24 15 4 Balance .. ~. .. .. 0 2 2 £135 10 9 . £135 10 9 3—E. 5.

Quarter commencing Number of Classes. Teachers. Boys. Total Roll- Average Attendnumber. anee. * February IT tlay... "uly ... )ctober 7 7 6 7 17 7 10 72 49 98 92 89 56 98 102 57-12 47'39 73-80 63-84 February Lβ 3BSTON Classes. 11 15 18 20 8-70 9-28 14-60 15-16 tlay... uly... )ctober 1 1 1 1 3 I 3 2 2 8 12 16 18