E.—s

16

possess machines of their own, or who wish to earn their livelihood as typists. Commercial geography and commercial arithmetic, however, apart from their educational value, are of farreaching utilitarian importance. The students attending the classes were examined on the same papers and at the same time as the students of the Auckland Technical School. Whilst the percentage who passed may be considered a satisfactory one under the circumstances, it is to be regretted that so small a number presented themselves for examination. In conclusion, I wish to pass special tribute to the untiring zeal and enthusiasm shown by the hon. superintendent of the classes, Mr. "V 7H. P. Marsdon, to whom the success of the classes is so largely due. His report is appended. George Gjsorge, F.1.C., F.C.S., Director of Technical Education. In February last the Director of Technical Education for Ihe Auckland District was written to on behalf of the Kauaeranga School Committee with regard to the working of technical and continuation classes. The matter having been clearly explained, and the benefits to be derived fully pointed out by the Director, the Committee, at its meeting in March, decided to make immediate application through the Board of Education to the Minister of Education for the recognition of classes, to give the use of the school buildings free of charge, and to appoint a subcommittee to attend to all details. The Technical Class Committee, consisting of Messrs. John McDonald, John E. Ensoll, E. J. Milnes, and J. L. Walton, with the headmaster, Mr. W. H. P. Marsdon, as hon. secretary, considered it desirable to deal, at first, with commercial subjects chiefly. In due time the Education Department sanctioned the formation of classes for the following subjects: English literature and commercial correspondence, practical mathematics, shorthand, commercial arithmetic, typewriting, commercial geography, book-keeping, and singing (tonic sol-fa and staff notation), and Misses L. Gibbons, E. Renshaw, and E. Wilcox, and Messrs. Grigg, Hammond, and Marsdon were appointed instructors, the last named also acting as hon. superintendent. Work was commenced on the evening of the 17th April, upwards of eighty students being in attendance. In July, the standard examinations having taken place, a second series of classes was sanctioned, and considerable increase in numbers resulted, the roll-number during the second term being 112. The students were drawn from all sections of the community, and it speaks well for their enthusiasm when it is stated that many, after a day's work, not only in offices and shops, but also in factory, farm, foundry, and mine, came considerable distances to avail themselves of the advantages afforded them. The work of each class is briefly dealt with below: — Book-keeping. —The teaching of this subject was undertaken by Miss Elizabeth Wilcox, who has had considerable experience, not only as a teacher, but also as a practical book-keeper. Those students who were in earnest did very satisfactory work, but a large number would have done better had they previously taken up a course of commercial arithmetic. Commercial Arithmetic. —Miss Ellen Renshaw, an ex-public-school-teacher of several years' experience, took this subject. The text-book used was Pendlebury's " Commercial Arithmetic." Commercial Geography. —A small class took this subject. The lessons were made as practical as possible, samples of the chief commercial products being shown and illustrative diagrams used. The class had, unfortunately, to be closed after a few weeks' work had been done, as a considerable number of the students left the district. The instructor was Mr. W. H. P. Marsdon, headmaster of the Kauaeranga School. Commercial Correspondence. —This subject was dealt with by Mr. W. Hammond, assistant master at the Kauaeranga School, in a very capable manner, and the students received" much valuable instruction. English Literature. —The book studied was Kingsley's "Westward Ho!" There was very considerable difficulty at the outset in obtaining an adequate supply of the text-book. Progress was, at first, greatly retarded in consequence. The instructors were Miss Lena Gibbons, who was for some years in the service of the Board of Education, and Mr. W. H. P. Marsdon. Practical Mathematics. —The instructor, Miss E. Renshaw, was obliged to make several subdivisions in the class owing to the varying capacity of the students. The progress of the earnest workers —young men from the foundries, &c.—was much interfered with owing to there being an exceptionally busy period, which necessitated their working overtime at night. Shorthand. —Good work was done by a large number of students. The instructor was Miss E. Wilcox. Typewriting. —Mosher's " touch " method was adopted with very considerable success, notwithstanding that the class, a large one, was greatly handicapped by the obviously inadequate supply of machines. Five only —two Foxes, two Yosts, and one Hammond—were provided. If work in future sessions is to be satisfactorily coped with, a largely increased number of machines is absolutely essential. The instructor was Miss E. Wilcox. Generally speaking, the students have but little time for practice. The great majority are employed till sor 6 o'clock, and they attend class from 7 p.m. till 9 p.m. All come on three evenings per week, and many on four or five. Summary of Income and Expenditure for the Tear 190J f . Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Students'fees .. .. .. .. 9 9 0 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 121 0 0 Capitation for first term .. .. .. 126 911 Advertising and stationery .. .. 6 9 6 Examination fees .. .. .. .. 5 0 6 Cleaning, cartage, &o. .. .. .. 612 0 Examination fees .. .. .. 5 0 6 Balance .. ~ .. .. 117 5 £140"19 5 £140 19 5