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and the dressmaking and millinery rooms, Hall of Commerce, Coburg Street. Most of these buildings are quite unsuitable for technical classes, and that classes have had to be held in such buildings has had a most depressing effect upon the students and teachers alike. It speaks well for the enthusiasm of the Auckland youth that the attendances at technical classes should have been so satisfactory under such adverse conditions. As previously mentioned, a new Technical College is now in the. course of erection, and should be ready for occupation early next year. Unfortunately, however, on account of lack of funds, it has only been possible to accept a tender for three stories instead of the, five contemplated. This means that the accommodation provided when these three stories are completed will be inadequate even for present requirements without the use of some other temporary building. Even had the five stories been erected, the acommodation thus provided would not have been more than sufficient for present requirements. It seems shortsighted policy on the part of the Government not to provide adequate buildings for technical instruction in the larger centres, and I feel sure that a considerable sum of money is wasted annually in maintenance for technical education on account of the lack of proper teaching facilities. Amongst the evening classes initiated last year were those in cookery for nurses, and special courses in electrical and mechanical engineering for Volunteers. The total number of individual students in attendance at all classes of the College last year was 1.319. The number in 1902 was 30 (about) ;in 1905, 791 : and in 1908. 1,086. The continuation classes held at the Normal School. Wellesley Street, to enable students who had left the primary school without having passed the Sixth Standard to improve their education and become eligible for admission to the Technical College by obtaining certificates of proficiency, were attended by 114 pupils. Seventy-nine of these sat for the proficiency examination at the end of the year. and. of these 39 obtained certificates of proficiency, and lo certificates of competency. St udents of the College were again most successful in the examinations held by I he City and Guilds of London Institute, and by the English Education Board. South Kensington, London. The 90 passes obtained by the students of the College in the City and Guilds Examination was 14 more than the successes obtained by Dunedin. Christchurch, and Wellington students put together, or exactly one-third of the whole of the successes of the Dominion. The most conspicuous success was again in the plumbing department, no less than 34 successes in plumbing being recorded, or 12 more than any Polytechnic Institute in London. It should be noted, too. that the Auckland students claim 9 out of the 10 Honours passes in plumbing awarded in the Dominion. The successes (160 in all) under the Board of Education. South Kensington, showed an increase of 50 per cent, over the preceding year. The most notable successes were those in machine construction and drawing, and geometry. In conclusion. I wish To thank the Board fur t he manner in which it has dealt with my recommendations, arid for the progressive spirit it has shown in the development of technical education and manual training. I wish also to thank my colleagues for their loyalty and enthusiasm in their work. George George, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure fur the Year ending 31.5/ December. 1909, in respeef of Special Classes conducted nl the Auckland Technical College. Receipts. £ s. d. j Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance at beginning ot year .. .. 18,120 310 j Salaries oi instructors .. .. .. 3,787 16 3 Capitation on special classes .. .. 3,602 1 2i Office expenses (including salaries, staCapitation on acoount of free places .. 1,781 11 10 j tionery, &c.) .. .. .. 371 4 3 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 200 00 j Advertising and printing .. .. 169 1 4 Material .. .. .. .. 214 19 1 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 160 2 6 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 1,926 11 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 68 18 0 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 818 5 8 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 466 0 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. 1,976 11 0 Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 7 7 0 Grant for training of teachers .. .. 500 0 0 j Material for class use .. .. .. 205 12 2 Rents from site .. .. .. 22 10 0 | Contracts (new buildings, additions, &c.) .. 3,371 17 2 Sale of old buildings .. .. .. 54 17 4 | Architect, &o .. .. .. 105 4 0 Interest on fixed deposits .. .. 663 10 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 132 14 11 Balance at end of year .. .. 21,035 3 10 £29,881 1 5 €29,881 1 5 R. CitowE, Secretary.

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