E.—s

44

Domestic Department. —Unfortunately we have to admit that this department was not nearly so successful as in previous years. In cookery there was a nurses' class for one term with an attendance of about a dozen. Another small class for ordinary students was carried on under Miss Mollison for one term, but the number was insufficient to make the class successful for a second term, and so it had to be stopped. The same apathy as regards cookery was evidenced in the dressmaking classes under Mrs. Taggart. No doubt the agitation at the beginning of the year about girls being out in the evening was responsible to a considerable extent for the paucity of numbers; but this does not altogether account for the smallness of the attendance and the want of enthusiasm among the girls. When one considers the success attending our venture in starting a domestic course among the day girls, the failure this year among the evening students is all the more marked. Woodwork Trade Glasses. —These were conducted by Mr. J. Bruce (building-construction) and Mr. E. Miller (carpentry and joinery, and elementary carpentry). Considering the support given by the Master Builders' Association, the attendance at the class in building-construction is exceedingly poor. The apprentices in the woodwork trades do not realize the opportunitj? thus slipping from them. The practical classes in carpentry have been exceedingly well attended. At the beginning of the year we had some difficulty in obtaining a successor to Mr. Law, who had resigned his position ; but in the appointment of Mr. Miller we obtained a capable instructor. To make the course of instruction in the woodwork department complete we should have classes in practical mathematics, workshop science, and architectural drawing; but in spite of all our efforts we were unable to get the students to give up sufficient of their spare time for such classes. I am glad to state, however, that we were able to commence a class in furniture-trade drawing and design. This class 'is under the able direction of Mr. William McLeod, a wellknown architect in the town. We hope to extend the scope of work and usefulness of this class very considerably next year. Plumbing Classes. —Mr. John Graham continues to manage these classes with much skill and thoroughness. We have reason to be proud of the high standard of work set and attained in this department. Not only are the classes well attended, but the students always have a keen interest in their work. Compulsory Continuation Classes. —The number of students enrolled in these classes was about one hundred and forty. As we found that a considerable number of young students were willing to enrol as Junior Free Place pupils, we enrolled them, accordingly. Had it not been for this the number enrolled as compulsory students would be over two hundred. The attendance during the first part of the year among the boys in these classes was far from satisfactory, but the enforcing of penalties by the Board's Truant Officer had a marvellous effect in correcting bad attendance. All through, the girls attended badly, and unless a penalty for non-attendance is to be enforced the position is not likely to improve. The bugbear among man}' of the compulsory students is the regulation making English and arithmetic compulsory subjects. I hope an alteration in the regulations will have the effect of making the classes more congenial to the students. The chief classes held during the year outside of the various departments mentioned above were devoted to the study of the following subjects : Maori, first aid (men), first aid (women), matriculation subjects, Public Service subjects, singing, and elocution. All these classes proved particularly successful. I desire, in conclusion, to thank the Press for the liberal manner in which it has granted space for notices of classes and meetings during the year; Mr. E. H. Clark for his assistance as organizer; the Chairman and members of the Technical Committee for their help and support; the Director of Education and the Board's official staff for assistance and courtesy at all times during the year. W. A. Armour, M.A., M.Sc, Principal. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1913, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Apiti, Ashhurst, Awahuri, Bunnythorpe, Castlecliff, Colyton, Eliham, Feilding, Foxton, Gonville, Hawera, Hunterville, Kapuni, Kimbolton, Kiwitea, Manaia, Mangatoki, Marton, Matapu, Patea, Pohangina, Rongotea, Sanson, Taihape, Wanganui, Wanganui East, and Waverley by the Wanganui Education Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation, Day Technical School .. 2,202 0 9 Dr. balanoe at beginning of year.. .. 4,628 12 8 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 1,402 2 6 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 4,567 10 10 Capitation on account of free places .. 213 14 0 Office salaries .. .. .. .. 123 11 5 Buildings .. .. .. .. 213 18 Advertising, printing, and stationery .. 246 14 3 Bent .. .. .. .. .. 31 15 0 Lighting, heating, and cleaning .. .. 411 8 2 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 1,125 510 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 126 0 5 Material .. .. .. .. 99 17 9 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 56 9 6 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 356 8 1 Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 25 15 4 Training of teachers (1912) .. .. 210 0 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 194 13 10 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 1,085 15 4 Clerical assistance .. .. .. 80 0 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. 647 6 6 Telephone .. .. .. .. 23 3 7 Instructors' coach and train fares .. 68 16 3 Instructors' travelling-expenses .. .. 230 11 2 Material sold, &c. .. .. .. 65 810 Rates .. .. .. .. .. 17 19 6 Examination fees .. .. .. 19 12 6 Library, prizes, and games .. .. 219 4 2 Contributions to instructors' salaries .. 35 4 8 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 15 18 4 Contributions to library, &c. .. .. 22 10 0 Buildings .. .. .. 52 19 5 Refunds—Miscellaneous .. .. 20 7 10 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 464 5 5 Refunds —Apparatus .. .. .. 2 2 6 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 3,662 11 5 £11,484 18 0 £11,484 18 0 W. H. Swanger, Secretary.