E.—s

14

That so large a building as that now in course of erection should be required for the proper accommodation of the classes is evidence of substantial progress. The city also possesses three wellequipped manual-training centres, while classes for instruction in various branches of art have for many years been carried on at the " Elam " School of Art, an institution that owes its origin to a bequest made by an Auckland citizen—Dr. Elam. In addition to the provision made in Auckland City, manual training and technical classes have been established at Otahuhu, Thames, Waihi, Hamilton, Cambridge, and Whangarei. Suitable buildings have either been or are about to be erected at each of these places, while Devonport, Pukekohe, and Helensville will shortly be similarly provided. At the commencement of the decade under review thought about the necessity of technical instruction in Taranaki had not sufficiently crystallized to render the erection of permanent buildings necessary. To-day New Plymouth possesses a substantial structure in brick, standing in wellkept grounds, while suitable and well-equipped buildings have been erected at Stratford and Inglewood. In 1901 matters in connection with technical instruction had assumed tangible form at Wanganui, which was one of the few places that then possessed a technical school. This building, which lias been added to and improved from time to time, is now about to give place to an imposing modern structure in brick, which, when completed, should meet requirements for some time to come. As in the town so in the district of Wanganui surprising progress has been made. Opportunities varying in degree and kind have been provided for technical instruction in between thirty and forty towns and settlements. Permanent buildings for manual training and technical classes have been provided at Hawera, Eltham, Patea, Marton, Taihape, Bull's, Apiti, Pohangina, Feilding, and Palmerston North, all of which, with the exception of the Palmerston North Technical School) are controlled by the Education Board of the district. The last-named school, a substantial, well-planned brick building, is controlled by the governing body of the local high school. Most of the buildings erected by the Education Board are in connection with the local district high schools. In every case a considerable part of the cost of erection was met by local contributions. The Wanganui district in all matters relating to manual and technical instruction may be said to be one of the best organized districts in the Dominion. Ten years ago Wellington possessed a comparatively large building in brick, in which art and other technical classes were carried on. This building, though altered and added to from time to time, cannot to-day be regarded as satisfying Wellington's requirements in the way of technical instruction. That a more extensive and modern structure is necessary has been recognized for some time past. The difficulty of securing :i suitable site has hitherto been the chief obstacle to progress. Well-graded courses in art and technology and an organized day technical school are features of the Wellington Technical School. Substantial buildings in brick, with detached workshops, have been erected at Petone and Masterton; otherwise little has been accomplished outside the capital in the way of provision for technical instruction in the Wellington District. The district high schools at Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Pahiatua, and Levin are, however, well equipped for the purpose of manual instruction. In 1901 facilities for technical instruction in llawke's Bay were limited to a few classes for art and other subjects, conducted at Napier in a rented building quite unsuitable for the purpose. To-day Napier poi esses a conveniently arranged technical college, providing fairly full courses of instruction in a variety of subjects. A day technical school is also carried on in connection with the college. Buildings for manual training and technical classes have also been erected in connection with the district high schools at Hastings, Waipawa, and Woodville. Adequate accommodation for manual training and technical classes has also been provided at Gisborne and Danneviike respectively by the governing body of the local high school. With the exception of a few isolated classes, there was little evidence in 1901 of any provision of facilities for technical instruction in the Nelson District. At the present time, however, the district is fairly well provided for in this respect. The Nelson Technical School, which commenced operations in a comparatively small way, now offers various graded courses of instruction in art and technology. Manual training and technical classes are also being carried on in well-equipped buildings at Westport, Reefton, and Wakeh'eld. A special feature of the Westport school is the engineering course. At the local district high school ironwork is taken in lieu of woodwork. Progress in the Marlborough, Grey, and Westland districts has not been so marked as elsewhere. Some advance has, however, been made during the decade. At Blenheim and at Greymouth a suitable building in brick, used mainly for manual-training classes, has been provided, while the needs of Hokitika have been satisfactorily met by the provision of a suitable wooden building. In 1901 the provision made for technical and art instruction in North Canterbury compared favourably with that made elsewhere. At Christchurch the School of Engineering and the School of Art, under the control of the governing body of Canterbury College, were in full operation in that year, as also was the School of Domestic Instruction under the control of a Board of Managers. During the period under review demands have arisen for facilities for instruction in subjects not provided for at the schools named, and have been met by the erection of the imposingly plain yet thoroughly satisfactory ion of class-rooms, laboratories, and workshops known as the Christchurch Technical < This institution is conducted by a Board of Managers, the Education Board of the district being the controlling authority. The classes originally carried on by the School of Domestic Instruction have been taken over by the Managers of the Technical College. Well-graded courses of instruction and an organized day technical school are prominent features of the college curriculum. Suitable buildings for manual training and technical classes have been, or are about to be, erected at Ashburton, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, and Akaroa.