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E.— 6

Architectural Drawing and Building-construction. —This class has made considerable progress. The passes in the local, South Kensington, and Technological examinations for trade purposes have been much above the average. New examples and diagrams have been added during the year, and proved valuable aids to the class instructor. The attendances have been so good as to make more accommodation necessary. The examiner, Mr. Crichton, speaks highly of the work done. Carpentry and Joinery. —This class has been well attended throughout, and the examiner, Mr. Graham, reports very satisfactorily of the year's work. He, however, condemns the conditions under which the instructor of this class is compelled to work, and expresses surprise that such good results have been obtained. It is absolutely necessary that better provision be made for the accommodation of students, and this, I hope, will be satisfactorily done when possession is obtained of our new premises. Plumbing, Theory and Practice. —The attendances in both sections have continued to increase. In the theoretical class less time was taken up in purely sanitary work, as the improved methods of drainage are now more general in Wellington. The work undertaken has been of a more advanced character, such work as is not obtainable in the shop or by text-books. A number of students joined the class apparently with the object of scraping through the theoretical examination with the least amount of knowledge or trouble to themselves ; these met with deserved defeat. Several of the students worked excellent papers. In the practical work, steady progress has been made by a large number of young plumbers. It is pleasing to note students returning to the classes for the purpose of continuing their study after the necessary trade-examinations have been passed. The effect of these classes upon the general well-being of the community cannot be overestimated. Mathematics. —This class has also increased in number, and, in order to meet the requirements of the students, two evenings have been devoted instead of one as formerly, the class being arranged in sections in accordance with the nature of their studies in geometry, algebra, Euclid, or trigonometry. Wood Caning and Modelling. —The accommodation provided for these classes is anything but satisfactory, and has seriously affected the attendances. Provision will be made for these sections in the new wing of the school. Good work has been done by those in attendance in both the classical and Gothic styles and in natural ornament. In modelling also several specimens of advanced work were highly creditable productions. The examiner states that the work shows considerable advance upon last year. Shorthand. — The class in this subject has increased more than threefold. A number of students have been successful in obtaining Sir Isaac Pitman's certificates, and others are presenting themselves for speed certificates. The general progress is undoubtedly satisfactory. Plane and Solid Geometry and Perspective. —A fair number of students have attended regularly in these subjects. Want of effort is apparently one of the troubles connected with this section of work, and want of appreciation of the value of these subjects is another. Arrangements have now been made whereby geometrical and model drawing may be taken by trade students upon the same evening, and as it is a compulsory subject for certain trade students under the age of eighteen, lam hopeful of better results. It is useless trade students attempting to shirk this work; it is an absolute necessity to success, and a great saving of valuable time in after-study. Design. —This study has progressed steadily and surely in the right direction, and is appreciated by the students. The difficulties of attending the evening class will, I hope, be gradually surmounted by those to whom this work is of importance. Brush-work and development of plantforrn, as well as historic and geometric construction, have formed the basis of the year's work. Several prize competitions have been secured by students during the past year. New Classes. —It has been decided to establish classes in iron- and brass-moulding and in brickwork and masonry, at the commencement of the second quarter of 1899 in the new wing of the Technical School. Wellington College Classes. —Drawing and manual instruction have been continued as formerly. These subjects are, however, classed under the unfortunate term of " extras," and are found inconvenient studies to associate with the ordinary curriculum; thus few in comparison take advantage of them; although fairly satisfactory work is done under great disadvantages, no real solid work is obtained. Drawing, in particular, requires to be taught as an ordinary school subject, and in ordinary school hours, and to every boy in the school, and until this is so no real satisfaction can be expected. English secondary schools make special and thorough provision for this subject, and it is one of the main subjects of instruction, as in the primary schools. Under present conditions the great majority of boys leaving the primary school cease the study at a time when its continuance is of importance, for fully two-thirds will find a necessity for it in their future occupations. I sincerely trust arrangements may be made for instruction in drawing throughout the Wellington College and the Girls' High School. Local. Examinations held in connection with. the majority of our classes are of a practical nature, therefore " cram " is an impossibility. lam anxious, as far as possible, to reduce the examination evil, and have therefore advised students not to present themselves unless they require certificates as teachers or for trade purposes. As far as results go and percentages, I in no wise recognise these as the criterion of the school's position, for the value of the school's work is as much if not more in the groundwork as in anything else. Owing to modern requirements, trades-workers are required to possess certain qualifications which can only be obtained by some sort of examination, and there can be no doubt of the incentive to advance which this method gives, but where the examination is of the text-book order the results may be altogether useless for practical purposes. I shall endeavour to make all examinations under the heading of "Technical Instruction" as thoroughly practical as possible.

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