10

E.—s

examinations students who had done satisfactory work during the year were credited with a pass. The number of students in attendance at the evening and special day classes was 1,177, as against 1,218 in 1917. There were forty-three returned soldiers in at tendance at various classes during the year, and many of these did excellent work. The special classes in invalid cookery were attended by forty-three nurses from the Auckland Hospital, and most of these were successful in obtaining their certificates. At the continuation classes for pupils who had not passed the Sixth Standard 152 students were in attendance. Of these fifty-five obtained certificates of proficiency and eighteen certificates of competency. External Examination Successes. —ln external examinations the students of the College were again very successful. In the Matriculation Examination of the New Zealand University seventeen students obtained a full pass and four a partial pass. Six students passed the special examination for certificates in book-keeping of the University of New Zealand, and twenty the examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute. In the examinations of the Education Department two students passed the Public Service" Senior, five the Public Service Entrance, four the Intermediate (three of these with credit), and seventy-nine were awarded senior free places. : In the examinations of the Pharmacy Board of New Zealand two passed the " A " Examination and two the "fi." Teachers' Classes. —Students from the Auokland Training College, as in previous years, attended special classes in art, domestic science, and manual training. As in 1917, the Education Hoard made it compulsory for pupil-teachers and probationers in the city and suburban schools to attend special classes at the College in preparation for the Class D Examination. Classes for senior teachers were also provided for candidates for the Class C Examination. On the whole much better work was done by the students than in the previous year. In the Class D Examination thirty obtained the full D certificate and thirty-two a partial pass. Four obtained a pass or partial pass in four groups, twenty-one in three groups, eighteen in two groups, and seven in one fi'roup. In the Class C Examination two students obtained the full C certificate, two passed in five or more subjects, two in four subjects, nine in three subjects, and ten in two subjects. General. —For many years past it has been my misfortune to have to refer in my annual report to the fact that the completion of the College is urgently required, and this year unfortunately finds me again in the same position. Now that the war is over, with its heavy debt as a legacy, it is essential that every unit in the community should be as efficient as possible. Technical education can play a great part in our national reorganization. Much larger sums must be spent in provide adequate buildings and equipment, and our young people must be provided with technical training during the daytime as part of their apprenticeship to whatever trade or occupation they take v]). For growing boys and girls, between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years, evening classes, I am quite convinced, are nationally uneconomical. It is unreasonable to expect that young people who are working all day long can attend classes for two or three evenings per week without suffering physically. As regards the Auckland Technical College itself, there is no question whatever that its completion is of the most urgent necessity. The two top stories, the back wing, and the workshop could even now be utilized to the fullest advantage, and the efficiency of the work of the College would be greatly increased. It is to be hoped that the necessary funds will be provided by the Government at an early date. George George, Director" Extract from the Report of tin.: Supervisor ok Manual and Technical Instruction. Teachers' Classes. — Several teachers' classes were held for the purpose of giving special instruction in the methods to be adopted in teaching agriculture in primary schools. Only selected teachers were invited to attend, and the results have been exceedingly satisfactory, a marked improvement being noticed in the agriculture work at the schools from which these teachers came. Teachers' classes for practical work required for certificate examinations were held in the following subjects : Hygiene, dairy science, agriculture, and botany. A teachers' farm school held at Ruakura Government Farm of Instruction was attended by eighty teachers. Only teachers taking recognized agriculture classes at their schools were invited to attend. Mr. A. W. Green, Manager of Ruakura Farm, and the officials of the Department of Agriculture rendered most valuable assistance, and the whole gathering proved a great success. Farmers' Correspondence Classes. -Twelve sets of notes dealing with general agriculture were sent out to 114 farmers who joined the class. Towards the end of the year arrangements were made to supply six sets of notes on dairy science to a class of thirty farmers.' Experimental Plots. —ln conjunction with the Department of Agriculture the Education Board has arranged for a series of experiments in connection with pastures, forage, fodder and root crops to be carried out at Dargaville. Technical and Continuation Classes. —Classes were held at Dargaville, Te Kopuru, Whangarei, Devonport, Otahuhu, Pukekohe, Hamilton. Te Kuili, Matamata, Te .Aroha. Waihi, Thames. The numbers of students in attendance were as follows : Dargaville, 73 ; Te Kopuru, 49 ; Whangarei, 115; Devonport, 82; Otahuhu, 51; Pukekohe, 45; Hamilton. 1:,(); Te Kuiti, 61; Matamata 45Te Aroha, 59; Waihi, 130; Thames, 136. Senior free places were granted to twenty-five pupils who attended technical and continuation classes in 1918,