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made satisfactory progress in trade courses will also receive special attention when applying for Government positions. We have nevertheless received very little help from those who select persons for the Government service, and until we do the Technical School cannot do the work it is capable of doing. The following are the numbers of pupils who passed the various examinations: Public Service Entrance, 12 (one was third on the list for the Dominion); Matriculation and Solicitors' General Knowledge, 8 (one headed the list for the Dominion); Engineering Preliminary, 1; Senior National Scholarships, 9 (three scholarships were won out of six allotted to Wanganui Education District); Junior National Scholarships, 5 (two scholarships were won by our pupils); Public Service Commisioner's Shorthand-typists' Examination, 2; Education Board Bookkeeping Examination, Senior Grade 9, Junior Grade 15; Pitman's Shorthand Theory Certificate, 53 sat; Pitman's Speed Rates, from sixty to ninety words per minute, 14 sat (the results of these examinations are not yet to hand); City and Guilds of London —Mechanical Engineering, Grade I, 2; Electrical Engineering, Grade I, 1; Surveying, 1; Plain Cookery, 1; Dressmaking, 3. Book-keeping : The Board each year holds an examination for certificates of proficiency in book-keeping. There are three grades of certificates—preliminary, junior, and senior. The examination is conducted by an outside accountant; At the examination held in November last twenty-three students passed the preliminary examination, twenty-four the junior examination, and eleven the senior examination. The total number of students who sat for these examinations was seventy-four. The College time-table provides a two-hours period on Wednesdays, when each day pupil is required to take part in organized games. The statement of accounts shows an expenditure out of the Sports Fund of over £100 in providing the necessary materials for cricket, football, hockey, tennis, and basket ball, and prizes for swimming and athletic sports. In addition to our own grounds we have had the use of Cook's Gardens and the Rugby Union's grounds. The boys won the Junior Cricket Cup for the past season, being beaten only once, and won three out of four football matches played. Our cadet team distinguished itself at Palmerston at Easter by winning the physical drill test and being placed third in a squad drill competition. The girls have had instruction in physical drill and dancing, and both girls and boys have had full provision made for their physical training. We are much indebted to the Borough Council, the Wanganui and the Waitotara County Councils, the Chamber of Commerce, the' Master Builders' Association, the Master Plumbers' Association, and numerous firms and private persons for contributions to the College funds. Without these contributions the College could not exist, and I trust that our contributors will feel that they have given in a worthy cause. An appeal for funds for additional typewriters was heartily responded to, and we were able to add seven machines to our equipment. In this connection my very hearty thanks are due to our Chairman and the members of the Committee for the great amount of their valuable timo which was given to the task of collecting. The typewriting-room is now well equipped, and though the cost of maintenance is high the students themselves are easily induced to bear the cost of this. The statement of accounts shows a total income of £5,386 16s. 10d., and the total expenses of £5,130 6s. 7d., there being an excess of £256 10s. 3d. on the income side. Of the income about £4,300 was derived from Government grants, £392 from contributions and subsidies, £405 from fees, and about £200 from sales of material, stationery, and games fees; almost £1,000 being thus derived from local sources. Of the expenses the chief item is salaries, which absorbed £3,235. For the first time we are able to show more assets than liabilities, there being at the end of 1916 an excess on the assets side of £80. Technical education has in recent years received increasing attention from the authorities, but our balance-sheet points conclusively to the fact that inadequate funds are placed at our disposal. Without liberal help from local, bodies the Technical College could not pay its way, and though the town decidedly benefits from the existence of such an institution, it is certainly a first essential of success that our position should be assured. This is certainly not yet the case, and though this year promises to be even better than last year, I feel that it is still essential that our funds should be very carefully administered. I cannot help feeling, therefore, that until the technical schools are placed on the same basis as the secondary schools in regard to capitation, and get a share in New Zealand's educational endowments, there will be difficulty in providing adequately for our students. Fifteen hundred individual students used our facilities last year, and yet the College, in order to establish itself firmly, feels induced to do without many things which are almost necessities. The capitation paid on evening classes seems adequate, but in the day school the capitation is almost absorbed by the salaries of the staff. I am pleased to be able to report that the financial assistance given for some years past by local bodies, associations, and private individuals was continued last year, the total amount received in voluntary contributions for manual and technical classes being £608 19s. lid. The thanks of the Board are due to the following, in addition to a lengthy list of private subscribers : Wanganui, Eltham, Patea, Marton, Feilding Borough Councils; Kiwitea, Pohangina, Manawatu, Rangitikei, Oroua County Councils; Raetihi Town Board; Wanganui Chamber of Commerce; Wanganui Builders' Association; Wanganui Master Plumbers' Association; Hawera Gas Company; Patea Harbour Board; St. John Ambulance Association; New Zealand Society of Accountants; Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association; Farmers' Unions or Clubs at Feilding, Alton, Rotokare, and Tokaora. W. H. Swanger, Director of Manual and Technical Instruction.