21

E.—s

APPENDIX.

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE SEVERAL EDUCATION DISTRICTS. AUCKLAND. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Farmers' classes were conducted at Matamata, Mamaku, Nctherton, Clevedon, Di-ui-y, and I'atuinahoc. The classes at Matamata were particularly successful, and experimental work is being at present carried out on Matamata farms under the supervision of Mr. Hadlield. A strong endeavour will be made to establish farmers' classes in various centres during 1916. Technical and continuation classes have been held throughout the year at the technical schools at Auckland, Whangaroi, Devonport, Waihi, Thames, Pukekohe, Te Aroha, Te Kopuru, and Dargaville, and excepting those at Pukekohe these classes were very successful. Classes started late in the year at Hamilton were well attended, and gave strong evidence that the facilities provided were appreciated by the residents of that town. Attendance at technical and continuation classes has been made compulsory for both boys and girls between fourteen and seventeen years at Devonport, Pukekohe, Te Kopuru, and Dargaville, and compulsory for boys only at Thames, Waihi, and Hamilton, kike many other institutions, the Seddon Memorial Technical College was considerably affected by the war. Between four and five hundred past and present students volunteered for active service. Three old students specially distinguished themselves—viz., Cyril A. G. Bassctt, who obtained the Victoria Cross, Robert Tilsley, and Kenneth W. Watson, both of whom were awarded Distinguished Conduct Medals. In the Technical High School the number of individual pupils was 464, as against 397 in 19.14. The total number of individual students in all classes, day and evening, was 1915, whioh was 102 less than in the previous year. This falling-oIT was largely accounted for by male students of eighteen to twenty-five years of age being away on active service. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Auckland Technical College.. Technical High School,.- —ln spite of the war the number of students enrolled last year was greater than in the previous year, having increased from 397 to 464. The numbers taking the various courses were as follows: Agriculture, 47 j business training, 227; domestic science, 55; science and technological, 118; engineering, 17. The agricultural course: It was in this course that the greatest increase took place, the number of boys enrolled being forty-seven, as compared with nineteen in 1914. In addition to the usual theoretical, laboratory, and workshop subjects, considerable attention was given to the practical side of farming, full use being made of the paddock at Otahuhu loaned by the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association. In addition to this practical work, the students paid various visits of inspection to farms, orchards, &c, and two farm camps were held during the year. The first, which was held for a week in September on Mr. VV. Hill's farm, " Titi," Mauku, was so successful that another was held for a fortnight in November on Mr. Reynolds's farm. " Treoame," Leamington, Cambridge. At both of these camps the owners of the farms did their utmost to provide practical instruction for the boys, such instruction including milking (hand and machine), shearing, stock-judging, fencing, drain-laying, farm tillage, &c, and the Instructor, Mr. A. V. Donnan, as well as the students, were most enthusiastic over the treatment received from the farm-owners above mentioned. I should like to pay a special tribute to the energy and enthusiasm shown by Mr. Donnan during the year. The College suffered a very sevei'e loss when he obtained leave of absence at the end of the session to join the Expeditionary Forces. During his absence the agricultural classes will be taken by Mi. F. E. Ward, a diploma of the llawkesbury Agricultural College. The business-training course still continues to lie the most, popular course, the number of students enrolled in 1915 being fifty-seven boys and 170 girls. The work done during the year was of the same high standard as that of previous years, and the demand for students who had taken the course was far greater than the supply. It is to be regretted that a larger percentage of students do not remain for the third year's course, but whilst students who have taken two, and even one, year's instruction in the College are able to command such good wages this state of affairs is not likely to improve very much. Two students in the third year's course passed the examination in practical mercantile book-keeping held under the auspices of the New Zealand University. The number of students who took the domestic-science course was fifty-five, as against fortynine in the previous year. So far as the practical subjects are concerned, whilst fairly good accommodation is provided in the College for tho teaching of cookery, needlework, dressmaking, and millinery, the girls are very much handicapped by not having a. house attached to the College for practice in housewifery. A modern laundry is also much needed. Last year, by the courtesy of the Matron in charge of the Campbell Creche, second-year students attended the creche to receive practical instruction in the feeding and care of infants. The introduction of this work into the curriculum proved most popular with the girls, and the training which they received was most valuable.

AUCKLAND. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Farmers' classes were conducted tit Matamata, Mauiaku, Netherton, Clevedon, Drury, and I'atuinahoc. The classes at Mataniata were particularly successful, and experimental work is being at present carried out on Matamata farms under the supervision of Mr. Hadncld. A strong endeavour will be made to establish farmers' classes in various centres during 1910. Technical and continuation classes have been held throughout the year at the technical schools at Auckland, Whangarei, Devonport, Waihi, Thames, Pukekohe, Te Aroha, Te Kopuru, and Dargaville, and excepting those at Pukekohe these classes were very successful. Classes started late in the year at Hamilton were well attended, and gave strong evidence that the facilities provided were appreciated by the residents of that town. Attendance at technical and continuation classes has been made compulsory for both boys and girls between fourteen and seventeen years at Devonport, Pukekohe, Te Kopuru, and Dargaville, and compulsory for boys only at Thames, Waihi, and Hamilton. Like many other institutions, the Seddon Memorial Technical College was considerably affected by the war. Between four and five hundred past and present students volunteered for active service. Three old students specially distinguished themselves —viz., Cyril A. G. Bassett, who obtained the Victoria Cross, Robert Tilsley, and Kenneth W. Watson, both of whom were awarded Distinguished Conduct Medals. In tho Technical High School the number of individual pupils was 4(54, as against 397 in 1914. The total number of individual students in all classes, day and evening, was 1915, which was 1(12 less than in the previous year. This falling-oIT was largely accounted for by male students of eighteen to twenty-five years of age being away on active service. Extract from the Report ok the Direotob op the Auckland Technical College.. Teehnioal High School.- —ln spite of the war the number of students enrolled last year was greater than in the previous year, having increased from -'i!) 7 to -164. The numbers taking the various courses were as follows: Agriculture, 47; business training, 227; domestic science, 55; science and technological, 118; engineering, 17. The agricultural course : It was in this course that the greatest increase look place, the number of boys enrolled being forty-seven, as compared with nineteen in 1914. In addition to the usual theoretical, laboratory, and workshop subjects, considerable attention was given to the practical side of farming, full use being made of the paddock at Otahuhu loaned by the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association. In addition to this practical work, the students paid various visits of inspection to farms, orchards, ivc. and two farm camps were held during the year. The first, which was held for a week in September on Mr. W. Hill's farm, " Titi," Mauku, was so successful that another was held for a fortnight in November on Mr. Reynolds's farm. " Treoame," Leamington, Cambridge. At both of these camps the owners of the farms did their utmost to provide practical instruction for the boys, such instruction including milking (hand and machine), shearing, stock-judging, fencing, drain-laying, farm tillage, <fee, and the Instructor, Mr. A. V. Donnan, as well as the students, were most enthusiastic over the treatment received from the farm-owners above mentioned. I should like to pay a special tribute to the energy and enthusiasm shown by Mr. Donnan during the year. The College suffered a very severe loss when he obtained leave of absence at the end of the session to join the Expeditionary Forces. During his absence the agricultural classes will be taken by Mi-. F. E. Ward, a diplome of the Hawkesbury Agricultural College. The business-training course still continues to bo the most popular course, the number of students enrolled in 1915 being fifty-seven boys and 1 7() girls. The work done during the year was of the same high standard as that of previous years, and the demand for students who had taken the course was far greater than the supply. It is to be regretted that a larger percentage of students do not remain for the third year's course, but whilst students who have taken two, and even one, year's instruction in the College are able to command such good wages this state of affairs is not likely to improve very much. Two students in the third year's course passed the examination in practical mercantile book-keeping held under the auspices of the New Zealand University. The number of students who took the domestic-science course was fifty-five, as against fortynine in the previous year. So far as the practical subjects are concerned, whilst fairly good accommodation is provided in the College for the teaching of cookery, needlework, dressmaking, and millinery, the girls are very much handicapped by not having a. house attached to the College for practice in housewifery. A modern laundry is also much needed. Last year, by the courtesy of the Matron in charge of the Campbell Creche, second-year students attended the creche to receive practical instruction in the feeding and care of infants. The introduction of this work into the curriculum proved most popular with the girls, and the training which they received was most valuable.