Page image

E.—s

68

tution. But while our evening school has shown great progress, it is true in our case, as in that of other evening schools, that in comparison with the population the numbers taking advantage of the instruction are altogether too small, and that the progress of the pupils is for tin: most part slow. This is, in general, through no fault of the instructors or of the pupils, but on account of the conditions of the work. The time given to it is too short, and at the end of the day young students who have been engaged for eight or nine hours in their ordinary occupations are not able to give to their studies that concentrated energy which success demands. As I have pointed out before, for young students under seventeen or eighteen years of age the conditions of employment should be such that they can either attend day classes or have such relief as will compensate for evening work. The number of pupils in each of the day-school departments this year is as follows : Comiuevc J .al, 157 : industrial, 107; domestic science, 114; agricultural, 37. Our staff changes have been regrettably numerous. Acting under medical advice Miss Hood-Williams was compelled to ask for leave of absence for some months. While we have all very deeply regretted Miss Hood-Williams's temporary retirement, it has enabled the pupils to have the able services of Miss Digby and the staff to make the acquaintance of a most genial and willing colleague. Miss F. Williams joined our staff at the beginning of the year in succession to Miss Candy, and I should like to express the hope that her connexion with the school may be a long and pleasant one. Mr. Close, our instructor in engineering, left at the end of the first term to take up a similar position in the Brisbane 'leclmical College, and the Board has been fortunate in securing in Mr. Bauchop one who I am sure will render to the school, not only in the engineering class-room, but in those important activities outside, most useful services. Although Mr. Baucbop has been unable this year to take up full-time work, as he was finishing his studies for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering at Canterbury College, he has already proved a valuable addition to the staff. At the beginning of the second term Mrs. Gardner relinquished her duties us head of the domestic-science department to take up the important position of Principal of the Girls' Training Hostel, where she will be able to carry on work of oven greater value to the community. Miss Beck, who has been on our permanent staff ever since the opening of the College, has taken over the responsible position thus vacated, and is carrying out the duties in a most able manner. Miss Truman has been promoted to the position of assistant instructor, and Miss Thornton and Miss Graham appointed assistants in the department, while Miss Taylor and Miss Watson are acting as assistants at the Hostel. Partly owing to the growth of the school and the staff changes that have taken place, we have been glad to avail ourselves of the services of the following parttime instructors in the day school : Mr. Dunbar in the engineering department, Mrs. Wallwork in drawing, and Miss Schneider in general subjects. The extensions of the main buildings comprise a second story to the old woodwork and engineering shop, together with outside lavatories. This has allowed much greater accommodation both for mechanical engineering and for woodworking, and in addition to the provision of new workshops for sheet-metal work and bookbinding, has set free a shop that will be used as an electrical-engineering laboratory. But by far the most notable addition to our buildings and the most important extension of our work since the foundation of the College has been the Girls' Training Hostel and the activities connected with it. It was regrettable that it was impossible to commence work at the Hostel before the second term, because there has been & considerably larger number of girls at the Technical College who required training at-the Hostel than could be arranged for in the course of two terms. Growth in numbers and extensions to buildings are, however, no measure of success. Unless the school has succeeded better in its endeavours to train not merely for the home, for the office, the workshop, or the farm, but also to develop those qualities of mind and heart that go to the making of the good citizen, it has no cause for gratification. Now, as far as workshop instruction is concerned, there can be no doubt that its efficiency this year has been injuriously affected by the great inconvenience and distraction caused at times by the alterations to the buildings, but the great improvement in our conditions that has resulted should enable us to do much better in future. Certain of the staff changes that I have already mentioned have caused an undesirable break in the continuity of the work, so that on the whole, through circumstances which we could not avoid, we have not quite the same ground for satisfaction with the results as we had in previous years. In all other respects, arid especially in those matters which count most, the development of a healthy tone and the growth of a worthy school spirit, there has been, I am confident, marked development. Two new classes were formed during the, session, one in veterinary science arid one in motor-engine construction. The attendance at the veterinary-science class was much smaller than in this district the importance of the subject would lead us to expect; but the motorengineering class was a decided success, although, unfortunately, the equipment came to hand so late that the students were not able to get as much practical instruction as was desirable. The Board had hoped to be in a position to include in the course instruction in motor-car driving, which, in view of the gradual supersession of horse traction, is becoming of increasing importance not only to amateurs, but to trade drivers. Unfortunately, the Department could not see its way to recognize this as a technical subject, and therefore would give no grant towards the necessary equipment. We hope that further representations that have been made will induce the Department to reconsider the matter. Owing to the lack of proper accommodation pending the additions to the workshops, it was decided to drop the classes in tinsmithing and sheet-metal work for the session, but now that a special room is available for this work the classes will be recommenced under the instruction of Mr. G. Beck, who has been recommended by the Tinsmiths' and Sheet-metal Workers' Union for the position. 1 regret to report that, as regards