22

E.—s

work done in the Technical School, it is intended to have on exhibition during the distribution of certificates a few of the unfinished carvings done by our students. The attendance in photography and in Latin has fallen off considerably, and that in chemistry and mathematics slightly. The French class is again becoming popular, and very good work is being done in junior English, arithmetic, and commercial law. Along with the new classes mentioned as having been undertaken at Port Chalmers were continued those in drawing and mechanical engineering. The attendance thereat was satisfactory, and the examination results, which will appear separately, distinctly good. The collection of fees still involves a considerable amount of labour. Students sometimes attend a few weeks and then leave when the demand for fees is likely to be made. On the other hand, several students this year paid fees for classes which they did not attend. Remission of fees was granted to fifteen students. In conclusion, I have to report that the teachers have been punctual and diligent, have worked in harmony, and have rendered me a hearty co-operation. Angus Marshall, Secretary and Superintendent.

TOKOMAIRIRO MANUAL AND TECHNICAL CLASSES. In agricultural chemistry a study was made of the value of phosphorus as plant-food, its sources and compounds; and an analysis of a superphospate was conducted by the class working in four groups. . . . A large amount of work was done during the winter months in woodwork —jointing, turnery, and fretwork —each by making some article for his own or parent's use. The sum of £6 6s. 7d. was obtained from the Government, and expended as follows : Chemicals and chemical appliances, £2 19s. lid. ; spirit-lamp and kerosene, 14s. 6d. ; tools and appliances for workshop, £1 12s. lOd. ; typewriting material, 19s. 4d. James Reid.

SOUTHLAND TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION. Annual Bepoet foe the Year ended 28th Febbuaby, 1901. Your Committee begs to report as follows on the work of the association during the fifth year of its existence: — . Fourteen classes were placed on the syllabus, and the best teachers available in all tne subjects were induced to place their services at the disposal of the Committee. Four of the classes— viz., mathematics, applied mechanics, chemistry, and cookery—did not receive sufficient encouragement in the number of students who enrolled to justify their being proceeded with. The other ten classes began work, and continued right through the session, with very gratifying results. During -the session the teachers of the freehand-drawing and mechanical-drawing classes found that they were unable to carry on their duties, and, with the consent of the Education Department, Miss Neill and Mr. J. 0. Imlay were appointed as their successors. These teachers entered upon and discharged their duties with great energy and enthusiasm, and fully maintained the reputation to which these classes had already attained. The Committee has every reason to be gratified at the interest taken by the teachers in their various classes, and at the earnest and conscientious manner in which they strove to advance the interests of the association. The number of students enrolled, and the average attendance in each class, are given in the following table : —

The salary paid to the teachers was on the same basis as previous years—viz., three guineas and a half for each term, with an added bonus of 6s. for each student in excess of six in An exhibition of work performed by the students in the wood-carving, the carpentry, and the various drawing classes was held in the Education Board's room at the close of the session, with the result that the townspeople are now most favourably impressed with the efforts of the association to provide means whereby our young people may advance their interests in life.

Class. Roil-number, Fitst Term. Average Attendance. Roll-number, Second Term. Average Attendance. English Book-keeping Electricity ... •■■ Architectural drawing Mechanical drawing ... Freehand and model drawing ... Dressmaking Wood-carving Carpentry ... Shorthand ... 7 15 9 12 15 7 11 27 7 6 6-6 14-1 7-5 9-7 130 6-1 9-6 24-7 6-6 3-5 9 11 8 12 17 7 14 23 8 3 8-0 100 6-8 9-6 16-4 ;e-o 11-5 21-0 8-0 2-4 Totals 116 101-4 112 99-7