E.—s

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Commercial Department. —This department, in point of numbers, continues to be the most satisfactory one. It would appear that there is a far greater desire for clerkship in Auckland than for a trade. Instruction was given in the following subjects: Commercial arithmetic, commercial geography, commercial correspondence, typewriting, shorthand, French, book-keeping, and English. It is disappointing to find that in this department the majority of students are satisfied with a one-year's course, comparatively few continuing for a second year. For the diploma in commerce, five students completed the first year's course, and one the second. Domestic Department. —Classes in dressmaking, plain cookery, high-class cookery, and millinery were held in this department. The latter subject was introduced for the first time, and became so popular that an afternoon as well as an evening class was held. A larger number of students attended the dressmaking classes than in any previous year. The work done was of a very high character, and was most favourably commented upon by those who visited the exhibition at the end of the session. Electrical Engineering Department. —The subjects taught in this department included the following: Magnetism and electricity, electric lighting and power-distribution, practical mathematics, machine construction and drawing, steam, applied mechanics, and workshop practice. For the first time students in this department received practical instruction in turning, fitting, &'c., in the workshop erected at the beginning of the year. The chief drawback to this department is that there is at the present time very little opening in electrical engineering in Auckland, hence comparatively few of the students are engaged in the trade. For the diploma, four students obtained the full first year's certificate and three the second. Mechanical Engineering Department. —ln addition to machine construction and drawing, practical mathematics, practical geometry, applied mechanics and steam, all of which subjects were taught the previous year, turning and fitting, practical smithing, and drawing for smiths were introduced into last year's curriculum. The weakness in mathematics, as in previous years, was again apparent. This subject is a most important one to mechanical engineers, seeing that it is the basis of so many others. Four students were successful in passing the full first year's examination for the diploma in mechanical engineering, whilst one obtained a third-year certificate. Plumbing Department. —ln this department instruction was given in practical mathematics, drawing for plumbers, physics and chemistry, and theory and practice of plumbing. As in previous years, this was amongst the most successful departments of the school, and the brillant success of the Auckland students in the " Home" examinations has been a source of general satisfaction. For the diploma in plumbing, six students passed the first year's examination, one the second, and three the third. Art Department. —ln addition to the art classes for teachers, held on four evenings of the week, and on Saturday mornings, special classes in drawing for painters, monumental masons, cabinetmakers, architects, and others were held. Considerable enthusiasm was shown by the majority of the students, and some first-class work was turned out. Photographic Department. —A class in the theory and practice of photography was inaugurated, but the number of students attending (twelve) was very small, and most of these evinced very little interest in the work, so that the class could not in any way be considered a success. Tailoring and Cutting Department. —A class in tailoring and cutting was inaugurated, but the number of enrolments was very few. The Board were fortunate in obtaining as instructor Mr. F. College, late instructor of the London Tailor and Cutter Academy, and, although the number in attendance was small, the progress made was very satisfactory. To sum up, during the year great improvement was shown in most of the work at the Technical School. The earnestness of the students was more marked, and the attendance was much more regular. The percentage of students in attendance who had little interest in their work was much smaller than in any previous year. One of the most disappointing features in connection with the evening classes was the lack of interest shown in the students by the majority of their employers. In many cases, masters employing a large number of men did not even take the trouble to point out to their employees that it would be to their advantage to attend technical classes. I am fully convinced that, if employers here would only use their influence with their workpeople to get them to avail themselves of the opportunities now offered at the Technical School, they would find it would be to their advantage. I hope the time is not far distant when legislation will make it compulsory for all apprentices to attend a technical school two or three half-days per week, as is done in some parts of the Continent of Europe. Exclusive of teachers, the number of individual students enrolled was 517, as against 312 of the previous session, whilst the number of class entries increased from 796 to 1,388. Including the teachers, the number of individuals was 791 (637 last year), and the total number of class entries increased from 1,709 to 2,401. The number of examination-papers worked by students other than teachers was 636, of which 458, or over 72 per cent., obtained passes, compared with 285 passes out of 407 papers worked last year. The future of technical education in Auckland at the present time looks more hopeful than it has ever done before. What appeared to be an insurmountable difficulty, regarding the provision of a sufficiently large site for a new Technical College, has been overcome, the City Council having provided nearly an acre of land for in an excellent position. The Government has earmarked a sum of £4,000 as an initial grant towards the new building, and the trustees of the Auckland Savings-bank have generously promised to make a donation of £10,000 for the same object, provided the Government passes the necessary legislation to enable them to do so. In my report of two years ago there appears the following: " There seems very little prospect of money for building and equipment being forthcoming, unless-the Auckland Savings-bank generously comes to the rescue." It is very gratifying to note that the thought then expressed has eventuated