E.—s

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technical subjects, or why a girl should not spend all her time learning book-keeping and shorthand —in short, why this College stands for something more than a mere glorified workshop. I would ask parents to bear in mind the interpretation of our motto, and be patient, not expecting extraordinary results to be achieved in a few months' time. Every pupil entering here should spend at least two .years in the day school —three if possible. Certainly we refuse placidly to accept judgment on the achievements of pupils who have been less than a year in the College. The evening session began on Monday, the 3rd March, and concluded on Friday, the 28th November. There was this year a greater demand than formerly for classes other than those usually undertaken by us, and this demand we could not always supply. For instance, we were asked to form classes in such subjects as French, Latin (elementary), printing, painter's work, pharmaceutical chemistry, esperanto, &c, but in all these cases there was either an insufficient number of students available to make the class a success or else we could not obtain the services of suitable instructors. Regarding instructors, I may state that we do not always get instructors of sufficient ability or personality to carry out the work in the best manner possible. Many who are thoroughly qualified cannot be persuaded to give their services, and thus we have sometimes to be content with instructors of lesser ability. This, of course, has to be expected in a town of the size of Wangamii. I must add, however, that on the whole we have a very capable body of teachers, and to them all I tender my sincere thanks for their hearty co-operation in the work of a very strenuous year. The inauguration of the compulsory continuation and technical classes lias on many occasions given some rather knotty problems to solve. Our aim is to place students in classes having a bearing upon their occupation in life. For instance, what technical class shall an apprentice to the tailoring or hairdressing trade take? Book-keeping is bound to be useful, but perhaps the student will only go into such a class under compulsion; and unless his tastes lie towards carpentrj', or some form of art or applied art, we are rather in a quandary. These difficulties are perhaps only transient, and with the lapse of time they will no doubt find a remedy. Meantime we do our best to suit every student, and if there are causes of complaint we trust that they will be temporary only. Mr. E. C. Isaac spent two or three days in the College in connexion with our Auckland exhibit. This time was devoted mainly to the practical classes, and in arranging for samples of students' work for our display at the Auckland Exhibition. An official visit was also made to the school by Mr. F. M. Spurdle, Chairman of the Technical College Committee, accompanied by the Director of Education. An excellent report was furnished on the control, administration, instruction, and sj'llabus of work carried out. Art Department. —This year Mr. Seaward instructed these classes single-handed, except that the Saturday morning juvenile art classes was taken by Mrs. Izett. The attendance in this department was not all that could be desired, owing mainly to the fact that some of our best senior students have left us and their places have not been Tilled. One is forced to the conclusion in these athletic times that drawing, painting, and sketching have not the same attractions to the youth, especially the feminine youth of the community, as formerly. We suffer in this respect in common with other centres. What is badly needed in the town is an art society, the best of all institutions to foster art in our schools and colleges. Owing to certain changes in the syllabus and conditions of the South Kensington examinations we had no candidates this year. Several of our students, however, were successful in New Zealand competitions. Applied Art Department. —This department continues to be successful as of yore under the able management of Mr. Andrews. This year Mr. Frank Tarrant was appointed assistant in the evening classes. The scholarship class, supported by the citizens of Wanganui, was well attended; but, sad to relate, two or three of the scholarship-holders did not appreciate their opportunities as they should, and there was even a difficulty in getting some apprentices to the furniture trade to accept scholarships. The students' work in wood-carving, modelling, leatherembossing, metal-work, and enamelling reached a very high standard, and many prizes were gained in Christchurch, Palmerston North, and Wanganui. This year we were able to start a class in design in connexion with the applied art, with considerable benefit to the students and to the capitation retui-ns. Commercial Department. —The instructors in this department are as follows: C. T. Cox, A.N.Z.A.A., F.R.A. (N.Z.), head of department; Misses Bamber, Inkster, and Hamilton. Owing to change in the regulations governing the Accountancy Examinations, we are forced to relinquish the class in commercial law—-a class that achieved much success under Mr. Dunkley. This department still holds the lead in the number of its students, and, judging by the success achieved in the Board's Book-keeping Examination, ami the Pitman's Shorthand Examination, it is even eclipsing the high standard of efficiency attained in previous years. Engineering Department.— -Mr. E. Crow, Assoc, Memb. A.S.C.E., A.1.M.E., continues to fill his position very ably as head of this department. During the year we lost the services of Mr. A. Morrison, assistant in this department; but his place has been filled by Mr. Frank Jackson, who comes to us with an excellent and many- v sided reputation. This department has extended its field of usefulness in undertaking a considerable amount of work about the grounds and premises, in installing electric light in the Board's offices, and in placing fire-alarms in the Girls' College. The attendance in the workshop showed a considerable improvement on last year, and a pleasing feature of the whole department was that the attendance of students was better towards the end. than even in the middle of the year. In addition to the usual classes in mechanical drawing, heat, steam, and mechanics, Mr. Crow held a class in marine engineering which proved very successful. Owing to the altered conditions of the external Technological Examinations we did not have many candidates; the majority were successful.