E.—s

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and applied art with the idea of adopting the work as a means of living. The work of some of these men has been excellent, and, so far as their health has permitted, they have been very industrious. The number of returned soldiers attending during the year was twenty-three, anil 2,727 hour-attendances have been registered for them. In a number of instances the health of wounded men broke down, and they were ordered away to Rotorua, Hanmer, &c, just when their work was getting interesting and useful. Miss 1. G. Eise, an old and successful student of the school, who had been in charge of the art classes at the New Plymouth Technical School for sonic years, joined the staff of the school at the beginning of the year, and has been doing excellent work. As in the case of other schools of this kind, the curtailment of the railway services had a marked effect on the attendances, for a considerable number of students live at a distance ; the reinstatement of the usual time-table came too late in the year to be of much use to country students. The number of students attending the applied art classes was considerably greater than in 1918, and some of the best work ever done in Auckland has been produced by these classes during the year under review. The exhibit of applied art at the school exhibition in December was much appreciated by the public, many of whom expressed their astonishment at the discovery that such high-class work in metal, leather, enamelling, &c, could be done in New Zealand. The instructor is to be congratulated on the excellent display made. It is a matter for regret that the Education Department still refuses to recognize the special classes for school-children. These young students, who freely give up their Saturdays to attend the school, are amongst the keenest students we have, and are most regular in their attendance. They have a very obvious liking for art work, and are willing to devote their leisure time to the practice of it. When their school days are over they will probably be amongst the best and most serious students on the roll of the school, and they will certainly have been much benefited by their early training here, which the Education Department does nothing to encourage. Ai\ exhibition of students' work held early in December attracted large numbers of visitors, who expressed their gratification at the quality of the work displayed. E. W. Payton, Director. TARANAKI DISTRICT. Extract from the Report of the Director of the New Plymouth Technical School. During the year classes were held at New Plymouth (399 students), Hawera (150 students), Stratford (123 students), and Eltham (fifty-six students). New Plymouth Technical School. —Full-time day classes were conducted in engineering, commercial, domestic, agriculture, and general high school subjects. Seventy-one pupils and seven discharged soldiers took the engineering course. Mr. Kirkpatrick returned from active service, and Mr. Skelton from camp at the commencement of the year, and despite certain adverse conditions good work has been done. In the City and Guilds of London examination three passes were obtained in electrical engineering and seven passes in motor-car engineering. In the commercial course the students numbered eighty-three, including three discharged soldiers. Good work was done, and the following successes at outside examinations were obtained : Nineteen Pitman's speed certificates, twelve Pitman's theory certificates, and fourteen Pitman's elementary certificates; and in the competitive book-keeping examination held by the Society of Accountants for the whole of the Taranaki District one of our pupils obtained first prize, and another second equal. Nineteen pupils took the general course, in which a thorough training is given, especially for those who intend entering the teaching profession. Examination results were: Four passes at the Intermediate Examination, four partial passes for teachers' D certificate, four passes in liana work for the D certificate. Although the number (ten students) entering for the domestic course was small, a sound course was carried out. One pupil secured a second-class pass for dressmaking at the City and Guilds examination. Only five students enrolled for the agriculture course, lt cannot be hoped that the number will show any decided increase until such time as the Board can provide full facilities for practical and observation work on a suitable experimental area of our own. All day-class pupils are encouraged to take an art or an art-craft subject, and the ultimate benefit to be derived will fully justify the work of this course. Work generally has been very much disorganized by the railway-train curtailments, and also by staff-changes following upon the influenza epidemic of the previous year. Of the day-class students thirty-four were awarded senior free places. Evening classes: Classes were conducted in typewriting, book-keeping, shorthand, woodwork, engineering workshop practice, electrical engineerisg, motor engineering, steam, gas, and oil; mechanical drawing; mathematics, English, and arithemtic. These are mainly attended by compulsory students, and the results are not wholly satisfactory. It is practically useless to send a tired boy to evening classes, and the sooner this is realized by the authorities and all others interested the sooner will the money thus spent lie put to better use, and a more satisfactory return obtained for the outlay. _■. . _ Hawera Technical High School—On the Ist May the status of the Hawera Technical School was changed to that of a technical high school. The lack of suitable accommodation was severely felt, but the best possible was done in the circumstances. It will be a great boon to us all when the new building is erected. One pupil gained a Senior National Scholarship. Evening classes: The majority of these students entered under the compulsory clause, and, generally speaking, good work was'done. The discipline certainly improved very much on that ot previous years. , . ~ . ~ »,, _. Stratford Technical Classes.— Technical and continuation classes were held in the following subjects- English, arithmetic, typewriting, shorthand, book-keeping, and dressmaking. Ihe evening classes were attended by compulsory and free-place students with fair y satisfactory results. Eltham Technical Classes.— At this centre classes were conducted ,n English, arithmetic, engineering, woodwork, shorthand, and typewriting, which were mainly attended by compulsory pupils. The remarks made re compulsory students attending New Plymouth apply here also. A. L. Moore, Director.