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ASHBURTON TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION. A public meeting was held on the 2nd July, 1900, to consider the advisability of forming evening classes in Ashburton, and the following committee were appointed : Rev. R. A. Woodthorpe (chairman), Miss Jones, Messrs. S. Hardley, Brock, Cawsey, Ferriman, Grant, Salmond, Hiskens, and Tennant (secretary). At a subsequent meeting Messrs. H. Friedlander, D. Thomas, C. Reid, and C. D. Hardie were added to the number. This committee met three times, arranged a scheme of work (which is appended), procured teachers, obtained the use of the Borough and High Schools, adopted the rules of the Dunedin Technical School, and fixed the fees at a figure (7s. 6d.) well within the reach of every one. In order, however, that no deserving youth might be prevented by money considerations from attending, all honorary members are granted the privilege of nominating free pupils. Programme of work : (a) Literary—English language and literature, Latin, and French ; (b) commercial —arithmetic, book-keeping, shorthand, penmanship, typewriting; (c) technical — drawing, mathematics, chemistry, electricity, theoretical plumbing, carpentry. The threefold course was arranged—(a) to suit Civil Service and Matriculation candidates ; (b) accountants and clerks ; (c) mechanics who might desire to fit themselves for technological examinations. On the 18th July students met for the first time, and were addressed by the Rev. R. A. Woodthorpe, after which a time-table was drawn up, and the regular class-work began the following week. The question of continuing classes where the attendance was below a certain minimum (six) was discussed, and it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the teachers. We are pleased to say that, having given their services gratuitously, the teachers had sufficient enthusiasm in their work to carry on all those classes where even two or three pupils presented themselves. The Committee, however, did not see their way during the present session to continue the classes in penmanship, plumbing, and carpentering, as there seemed to be little or no demand for such instruction. Some difficulty was at first experienced in procuring a suitable meeting-place, but, owing to the kindness of the High School Board and the Borough School Committee, the classes were able to meet in what proved to be most convenient rooms. The thanks of the association are also due to the vestry of St. Stephen's for granting the use of their schoolroom, where the very large literature class was able to meet in the afternoon. I have appended a list of attendances, &c, from which it will be seen something like a hundred persons have taken advantage of our classes: English literature (Rev. Woodthorpe, M.A.), 40; French (Miss Mulholland, M.A.), 4 ; Latin (C. D. Hardy, 8.A.), 4 ; English grammar (G. F. Salmond, M.A.), 5; book-keeping (C. Dixon, Esq.), 10; typewriting (Miss M. Graham), 7; shorthand (Miss E. Gates), 5; arithmetic (D. Grant, Esq.), 5; drawing (A. Ager, F.R.1.8.A.), 12; mathematics'(W. Brock, Esq.), 2 ; chemistry (J. S. Tennant, M.A.), 2; electricity (J. S. Tennant, M.A.), 5 : total, 101. The Committee would take this opportunity of pointing out the mutual benefits which may accrue if employers would give a word of advice to their juniors about these classes. The session of 1901 will begin in April next, and with the Government subsidy now available it is hoped that the more technical part of the work may be extended. From the appended balance- ■ sheet it will be seen that it was impossible in this the initial term to have attempted more. The thanks of the association are specially due to Miss Mulholland, the Rev. R. A. Woodthorpe, Messrs. Dixon, Salmond, Grant, Brock, Hardie, and Tennant for giving their services gratuitously, and thus enabling us to close our first session with a small credit balance. In conclusion, it is to be hoped that with a roll of 101 pupils, and a body of capable and enthusiastic teachers, we may next year appeal to the public of Ashburton for the support which the movement deserves. I am, &c, J. S. Tennant, Hon. Secretary. Balance-sheet at 28th November, 1900. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. dFees and subscriptions received .. .. 22 12 6 Gas Company (gas and fittings) .. .. 214 0 Rent of Arcade room and furniture .. 0 18 0 Stationery and advertising .. .. ..203 Teachers' fees .. .. .. ..660 Rent of three typewriters .. ' .. .. 315 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. .. 4 14 11 Cash at Ashburton Permanent Building Sooiety 14 4 22 12 6 22 12 6 DUNEDIN SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN. During the year the total number of students enrolled was 395, showing a slight increase on that of the previous year. This total includes 104 students who attended the day classes, 41 pupilteachers, 22 students from the Training College, 184 students who attended the evening classes, and 44 teachers and pupil-teachers who attended the Saturday classes. Freehand, Model, and Light and shade Glasses. —The work done in the elementary sections of these classes consisted of freehand drawing from copies and from solid models, and shading from simple casts of ornament. The advanced sections comprised drawing and shading from casts of ornament and from the figure. The students evinced great interest in their work, and made considerable progress. Practical Geometry, Solid Geometry, and Perspective Classes were held throughout the year. The courses of instruction were very similar to those of last year, and the work accomplished was