41

E.—s

Awahuri. The work done at these centres has been of good quality, and the instructors concerned are deserving of special thanks. The people of Apiti still maintain a keen interest in technical education. At Eongotea an endeavour is being made to erect a fully equipped building. A good start was made at Foxton during the last term. At Feilding the total roll was 551. There were thirty-seven free-place students —twenty-six junior and eleven senior—on the rolls. Classes were held in the following subjects, the roll numbers being shown in parentheses : English (35), arithmetic (35), book-keeping (17), shorthand and typewriting (37), plumbing (14), agriculture (8), woodwork (9), art (23), wood-carving and metal-work (18), dressmaking (45), art needlework (34), cookery (4), elocution (13), ladies' tailoring (26), home nursing (13), motor class (31), first aid (24), teachers' singing (58), teachers' art (80), teachers' agriculture (31). In conclusion, I wish to thank the Chairman of the Board, the Director of Education, and all those ladies and gentlemen who so willingly assisted in the formation of classes at the various centres, and also the teachers for their co-operation. Mr. 0. A. Banner reports as follows : — During the year all the school-gardens except two have been visited. Forty-eight schools took the agricultural course, having an approximate total enrolment of 700, with an average attendance of 612. Thirteen schools took the combined course of agriculture and dairying, having a total approximate enrolment of 268, and an average of 244. The work is showing a decided improvement, more attention being paid to school-grounds. Fruit-trees are occupying an important place in the school-garden, which adds more interest in the various operations of culture. The notebooks could in a number of cases be largely improved upon, the main objection being that too often they are written up at the dictation of the teacher, and so individual effort is crushed. The garden tools were well kept. In some instances fresh supply of tools will soon have to be made, the tools having outlived their usefulness. The year has been a most successful one in the secondary work. Our heartiest thanks are due to Mr. F. Lethbridge and his manager, Mr. McLeod, for their assistance in making the practical farm-work possible. Thirty-five boys of the Feilding District High School completed the course of work taken at the farm, out of a total enrolment for the year of forty-two. Potatoes have been the main crop sown this year. The Christmas vacation was upon us before the completion of operations, but thanks to the enthusiasm of the boys we were able to complete the spraying, &c. One important point comes to light, in view of the probability of agricultural high schools, and that is the great advisability of having a short vacation at Christmas and a long one at midwinter, when farm operations are almost suspended. During the mouth of June an onslaught was made on a number of orchards around the town, where the boys pruned the trees and mixed and applied sprays. More orchards were offered by the residents than could be availed of. The science work was also taken at the Feilding District High School, which included four matriculation boys, thirteen boys for other examinations (chiefly Public Service), and twenty-five rural-course boys. Botany, chemistry, and physical measurements were the subjects taken. At Bull's agriculture was taken, the main difficulty being the practical work. Ihe work was done in the school plots, which is not altogether satisfactory working with the primary pupils. The prospects for the Southern District for next year are exceedingly bright. At the teachers' class on agriculture at Feilding the syllabus for Class C was worked through, the main difficulty being the practical work. Plenty of laboratory practice was given, pruning, &c, being carried out. Our main difficulty is the distance of the farm plot from town. In view of departmental regulations regarding practical work (total of eighty hours), I beg to strongly recommend that next year's agricultural class for teachers be taken at Marton. Having a class-room, land to work, convenience of trains, all make for more satisfactory conditions both for instructors and students. The attendance dwindled down towards the end of the year, and in future I think it will be better to award ihe certificates during November. An examination was given at the end of the year, ten being in attendance, and all doing well. Extract prom the Report of the Principal op the Wanganui Technical College. The College opened on Tuesday, the 4th February, with 174 pupils. The total number of pupils enrolled during the year was 190, made up as follows : Girls, 94; boys, 96 : total, 190. We have completed the year with some 134 pupils on the roll (60 boys and 74 girls). Many of our senior pupils have left within the last month to go to positions in town, but in practically all these cases the maximum amount of capitation has been earned. I feel, however, that the Education Department is not sufficiently stringent in safeguarding the Free Place Regulations from abuse. These regulations were not framed with a view to allowing irresponsible pupils, at the instance of irresponsible parents, to attend for a few months only and then leave for the first offer of work that comes along. Such pupils are of little use to any school, and mean a great financial loss to the country. We have reason to feel gratified at the improved financial position of the day classes this year, our capitation earnings being about £350 in excess of last year's. There is still room, however, for much improvement, as out of the five departments (high school, commercial, engineering, agricultural, and domestic) only the two first mentioned can show revenue in excess of expenditure. I am glad to say that of the three immediate requirements outlined in my last annual report we have this year been successful in attaining one—viz., the institution of a domestic course. This course was established with an attendance of some fifteen girls, and, though it is not yet carrying out the whole scheme of work proposed for it, still it has made a fine start, and promises great success for the future. lam still looking forward with eagerness to the time when we can have a science master. With three laboratories to be maintained in an efficient state, with a wide range of science subjects to be taught under more exacting conditions than formerly, and with a growing demand for evening science classes, there is quite sufficient

6—E. 5.