23

E.—6

The Committee began the year with a credit balance of £18 7s. lid., and this amount was augmented by a special grant from Government of £30. The Education Board and the High Schools Board again placed their buildings at the disposal of the Committee, and this generous treatment enabled the association to carry on its operations with a minimum of expenditure. In addition to the sums above mentioned, the fees received from the students, and the capitation received from the Government, provided sufficient funds to meet all salaries and outgoings, and the balance-sheet shows a credit balance of £15 15s. 6d. on the year's operations. During last session of Parliament a new Manual and Technical Instruction Act was placed on the statute-book. Under this new Act the scope of technical instruction was materially enlarged, extending its operations to school-work and continuation classes. It was borne in upon the members of this association that to properly take advantage of the Act a more representative body than the Technical Classes Association should control the work, and a special meeting of the association was held on the 24th November to discuss the whole question. After full consideration it was unanimously resolved that the Southland Education Board should be asked to take over and carry on the classes established by the association, that the Board might the better extend the work throughout the educational district, and so take full advantage of the benefits to be derived from the Act. The Education Board, in response to this request, arranged to meet in conference with the members of the governing body of the association. Three such conferences were held, with the result that the Education Board, at its meeting held on the Ist instant, agreed to accede to the request of the association. The Education Board therefore takes the place of this association, and this body has now only to decide as to the manner of the disposal of its surplus funds, and then cease to exist. In retiring from the scene of its past labours, the association would record the pleasure it has had during the past five years in helping onwards in some small measure the cause of education in the town and neighbourhood, and would express its full conviction that under the fostering care of the Education Board technical education will advance and make rapid progress throughout the whole district. In the prosecution of this good work the Southland Technical Classes Association with its last breath cordially wishes the Southland Education Board the utmost degree of success. On behalf of the Committee, Wm. R. Riddell, President. Invercargill, Bth March, 1901. William A. McCaw, Secretary.

Balance-sheet for Year ended 28th February, 1901. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance in Bank of New South Wales .. 18 7 11 Teachers' salaries .. .. .. 97 3 0 Special grant from Government .. .. 30 0 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 11 7 0 Government capitation .. .. .. 24 5 6 Gas and janitor .. .. .. .. 915 6 „ on boys'classts .. 4 9 3 Students'materials .. .. .. 0 19 8 Students' fees .. .. .. 70 10 0 Appliances .. .. .. .. 017 9 Students' material refunded .. .. 16 0 Secretary .. .. .. .. 7 17 6 Refund Education Board (capitation) .. 4 9 3 Stamps and stationery .. .. .. 0 3 6 Bank charge for account .. .. .. 0 10 0 Balance in Bank of New South Wales .. 15 15 6 £148 18 8 £148 18 8 William A. McCaw, Treasurer. Examined and found correct.—R. J. Cumming. Auditor. Bth March, 1901.

Approximate Coat of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,600 copies), £15 lis. 6d.

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Price 9d.l