17

E.—s

the great importance of this subject, especially to young men seeking to fit themselves for business pursuits, this should be one of our largest and most popular classes. The General Knowledge Class. —This class was formed for the benefit of those desiring to improve their education. It included youths and men, all of whom were earnest in their work, and whose regularity of attendance showed their desire to take the fullest advantage of the opportunity afforded them. The class was not a technical class, and no grant was obtained in regard to it. The Committee greatly regret they were unable to inaugurate wood-working classes last year. Many applications were made for enrolment of intending students. A request was therefore made to the trustees to allow wood-working classes in the technical school. This, owing to the effect on the insurances of the Town Hall and Drill Hall, the trustees were unable to comply with. In concluding this report of a very successful year's work, the Committee desire to again thank the trust for its assistance, and they respectfully ask that a grant of £100 be made for the continuance of the classes during the current year. J. P. Elliot, Secretary. C. E. Daniell, Chairman.

Balance-sheet. Btceipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance .. .. .. 016 8 By Salaries .. .. .. .. 234 8 7 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 79 10 0 Advertising .. .. .. .. 11 15 9 Capitation .. ~ .. .. 108 5 8 Furniture .. .. .. 115 0 Town Landa Trust, grant .. .. 75 0 0 Books, stationery, &o. .. .. .. 119 0 Rent Town Hall .. .. .. 10 0 Cleaning .. .. ~ ..400 Sundries .. .. .. 4 17 11 Balanoe .. .. .. ..411 £263 _12__4 £263 12 4 9th March, 1899. Edwin Feist, Treasurer.

KUMARA SCHOOL.—CLASS FOR MANUAL INSTRUCTION. This class is composed of twenty-four pupils of the Kumara School, two teachers, and two students not connected with the school; total, twenty-eight. Of ths school pupils attending only one is below eleven years of age, and, with the exception of five, all belong to standards above the fourth. During the past year good progress has been made. The more advanced pupils have completed the course of exercises in woodwork set by the Education Department, and have constructed such articles as wheelbarrows, steps, towel-rails, and cupboards. The attention bestowed on the class by the Instructor is very commendable, and the result encouraging, in spite of an insufficiency of tools, a defect that, it is hoped, is only temporary. A. J. Moeton, Inspector. Education Office, Hokitika, 10th January, 1899.

Eeceipts and Expendituee. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance .. .. .. .. 112 10 By Salary of instructor .. .. .. 81 8 6 Fees of pupils.. .. .. .. 814 6 Timb.r, &c. .. .. .. 118 0 Sale nf goods .. .. .. ..170 Exchange on cheques .. .. .. 016 Capitation grants .. .. .. 23 110 Balance .. .. .. ..182 £34 16_2 £34 16 2

MANUAL-TRATNING CLASSES, CHRISTCHURCH AND LEESTON. All the manual training classes have completed the specified number of hours necessary to obtain the capitation-grant. The boys' classes have been well attended, and the interest in the work well sustained. The average attendance is somewhat spoiled by boys leaving to go to work. I have had several applications for letters to state that the applicant has been at work in the shop ; and I think that the public are beginning to understand the training given. The discipline has been good; the boys reflect great credit on their schools. The teachers' classes have not been so well attended during the third term ; but the work has been good. Seventeen teachers have passed the first year's examination for the London and City Guilds Teacher's certificate. Several teachers are working for the second year's examination, and about six are preparing for the first year. The Leeston class is in a good condition, but is handicapped by want of room. The attendance is remarkably good. Considerable interest is shown by the residents in the class, and there is no doubt that it is having a good effect in the district. Normal School, 27th December, 1898. F. W. Sandfobd, Instructor. 3-E. 5.