25

E.—s

I shall be glad to receive, and will publicly acknowledge, all books sent to me as donations. In conclusion, I desire to express my thanks to the teaching staff for the zeal and regularity they have shown in their work during the past session. George M. Thomson, Honorary Secretary and Superintendent. 11th October, 1898.

Total number of students enrolled, 731; new students, 532 ; former students, 199 ; male students, 480; female students, 251. Number entered—for one class only, 607; two classes, 105; three classes, 8; four classes, 10; five classes, 1.

BALCLUTHA TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION. The classes carried on by this association were shorthand, bookkeeping, dressmaking, carpentry, and others not recognised by the Education Department. Not so many pupils enrolled as during former years, but sound work was done, and many who, their school-life over, felt the need of further mental and manual training, were afforded suitable opportunity for it. Altogether some thirty-two pupils took advantage of the classes, most of them enrolling under the shorthand, the bookkeeping, and the carpentry teachers. The majority of the pupils acquitted themselves to the satisfaction of their teachers. J. A. Valentine, Hon. Secretary. 20th February, 1899.

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL TECHNICAL CLASSES. Classes in woodwork were held in the workshop of the Technical Classes Association for the quarters ending 30th June and 30th September, 1898. For the first term the average attendance was twenty-seven, for the second twenty-four. Mr. Burley was again instructor, and the work of the pupils included such articles as stool, salt-box, small table, writing-desk, music-cabinet, go-cart, small wash-stand. In most cases the pupils made drawings of their work. Pupils supplied their own material, and the Balclutha Technical Classes Association gave the use of their tools. The Government capitation for the two quarters was £9 12s. id., and this was handed over to the instructor. Wμ. Mcßlkba, Head Teacher.

TOKOMARIRO DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL TECHNICAL CLASSES. As usual the classes were held during the second and third quarters of the year. Eighteen boys, with an average attendance of fifteen, were occupied with the analysis of soils. Twenty-three, with an average attendance of sixteen, made various articles in woodwork for themselves, such as bookcases, tables, steps, boxes, cheffoniers, and various pieces of fretwork, for the material ©f which they paid £13 17s. sd. The subsidy from the Government, amounting to £8 18s. 10d., was spent as under: Chemicals, £2 Is. 9d.; carpenter's tools, £1 95.; microscope for examination of plants, £5 6s. 9d.: total, £8 17s. 6d. James Eeid, Head Teacher.

SOUTHLAND TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION. Youb Committee has much pleasure in presenting to members the third annual report. The subjects placed on the syllabus were as follows: English, arithmetic, wood-carving, dressmaking (theoretical and practical), including cutting, fitting, and making up, with demonstrations by means of model; practical plane and solid geometry and building construction, chemistry or botany, freehand and model drawing, carpentry, photography, mechanical drawing, cookery,, sign-writing, and graining. Of these classes, six failed to proceed owing to lack of students —viz., arithmetic, geometry, photography, cookery, graining, and sign-writing. The others, with the addition of a bookkeeping class, were successfully carried on during the two terms. The average attendance in each class for each term is as follows:-—English, 6, 59; bookkeeping, 5-5, 8-3; wood-carving, 74, 10-3; dressmaking, 8-7, 11 ; chemistry, 8-6, 7-3; carpentry, 99,11-5; mechanical drawing, 12-4, 14-8; freehand drawing, 103, 10: totals, 68-8, 791. From these figures it will be seen that the classes grew in numbers and in interest, the second term showing a decided advance on the first. Altogether the results of the session were very encouraging to those interested in the work. The teachers received the same salary as they did last year—viz., guineas for each term. In addition a bonus was paid to the teachers for each student in excess of six in any class—the bonus this year being increased from ss. to 10s. T,his was felt to be only fair to the teachers who had taken a lively interest in the success of their classes. The Government very generously came to the assistance of the association by granting a special subsidy of £30. Whether or not we shall receive anything this year is doubtful, owing to the condition in which the question of technical education was left by the Legislature last session. The Education Department replied to our application on the subject, " That the Government have reluctantly had to determine to make no payments on this account other than the capitation allowances required by the Act." We hope, however, better counsels may yet prevail. 4— E. 5.