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General and Commercial Classes. Mathematics. —This class has made progress upon last year's work. The work has been separated into four distinct sections —elementary, advanced, and practical mathematics —thus insuring a more thorough course of instruction. Greater regularity in attendance and more individual effort are requisite in this section. Book-keeping. —The numbers have considerably increased upon the previous year. Several of the students presented themselves for the Institute of Accountants' examination, two of whom headed the list of the students'section. The advance d class established during the year has met with success. Shorthand and Typewriting. —All classes have proved successful, and good work has been done throughout. A considerable number of students have left the school to take up permanent positions in various city offices. Students have the advantage of dealing with the office correspondence daily. Increased accommodation is necessary for the evening classes. In connection with the examinations, I should like to see a Colonial Board of Examiners appointed by the Government for the control of this work. Arithmetic. —This class steadily maintains its numbers. It is highly essential that all students requiring a technical training should be well grounded ; it is therefore a pleasure to see the steady progress, which means greater efficiency in the more advanced and special instruction to follow. Considerable difficulty is experienced with students joining this class in the third and fourth quarters, instead of attending a yearly course. Latin and English. —These classes have been continued as formerly, with gratifying success in the Matriculation and Civil Service Examinations. French and German were begun in the third quarter, and as these subjects are of considerable importance to commercial students, it is hoped that the classes will be well attended. Wellington College and Girls' High School. —In the former institution the work of drawing, design, and manual instruction has been continued as formerly. It is still held out of school-hours, and considered an extra in the upper forms. The Headmaster is, however, desirous of removing this restriction, and it is hoped that the work may shortly be considered a part of the ordinary school course within school-hours, and without extra payment. The Girls' High School classes in drawing and brushwork have continued, as during the previous year, within school-hours and without extra payment; and, although the time allowed is short, nevertheless it is a beginning in the right direction, and I hope to see an excellent course of lessons developed in the various sections of the work throughout the school, with a reasonable amount of time at our disposal for the carrying-out of such a course. Plumbers , Examinations. The Board of Control has met several times during the year, and dealt with matters affecting the conduct of examinations and other subjects connected with the general work of sanitary classes conducted by the school. In January last, at the meeting of masters and journeymen plumbers called by the Board, an amended scheme of instruction for the plumbing trade was agreed upon, and is now in full operation. A suggestion for the registration of all plumbers, and a Board of Control for the whole colony in relation to instruction and examination, was also put forward. Examinations. The usual examinations have been held during the year. In the higher grade work there has been a considerable diminution of candidates, practically only those who found it necessary to present themselves for teaching or trade certificates coming forward. Wherever possible, students have been dissuaded from taking these examinations unless certificates are specially required. The number of certificates issued in all grades since the school was established in 1886 is 54,036, subdivided as follows : Primary or first grade, 44,750 ; intermediate or second grade, 5,151 ; higher or third grade, 1,650 ; South Kensington, 2,316 ; and the City and Guilds of London, 169. Second Grade (Local). —Total number of papers taken, 393 ; number of individual candidates examined, 251; passed, 199. Third Grade (Local). —Number of papers worked, 62 ; number of passes, 45. Board of Education, South Kensington. The school has again recorded success in the National Art Competition under the above Board, Miss Alcorn having been awarded a National Book Prize for a design worked upon material. For 1902, 51 candidates presented themselves for examination under this department; 36 passes were obtained, and 15 failed. The results for 1903 are not yet to hand. I would urge the adoption of a Colonial Examination in all branches of technical and art work, and a Colonial National Competition of Art Works, on the lines of the present English competitions. By this means the schools will be brought closer into touch with each other, the results will be quickly obtained, and greater efficiency secured. City and Guilds of London Institute. The examinations held in connection with the above institution are now conducted by the Education Department, which has taken the entire control. Examinations were held as usual, the number of candidates being 22 —10 passes, 12 failures. Free Studentships. The holders of the free studentships awarded for two years by the Industrial Association and the Education Board have all done satisfactory work.