47

E.—s

class from the Feilding Catholic School. The attendance and conduct were very good. The practical work done by the pupils was quite up to the " Home " standard, but I was somewhat disappointed with the drawing, which was not so good as it might be; and I would suggest that a little more practice might be given in the lower classes to a scheme of drawing that involved the use of a pencil, ruler, and set-square, particular attention being paid by the teacher to the class of pencil used (" H ") and the condition of the point. I would also suggest that a " drill "in drawing fine lines be taken for a few minutes at the commencement of the earlier lessons in the lower standards. Country Classes : Classes were commenced at Ashhurst, Apiti, Kimbolton, Foxton, Rangiwahia, Pohangina, and Halcombe, which continued throughout the year, except at Ashhurst, which finished in October, and Foxton, which did not commence till September, the attendance in all cases being good and maintained right up to the last. The value of the work done is very considerable, and is also keenly appreciated by the people in these remote districts, and reflects very great credit on all the teachers concerned. In conclusion, I desire to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the staff, especially Mr. Ritchie, M.A., who has been most indefatigable in assisting me at all times, for the keen interest displayed by them in the welfare of the school in this the first year of its existence, necessarily a most difficult time ; also to Mr. J. Grant, 8.A., for so ably arranging the scheme of work at the commencement of the year ; to the members of the Committee for at all times being ready to assist me with advice with reference to the need of the district; and to the proprietors of the Feilding Star for the valuable aid, always ungrudgingly given, in advertising and making known the work of the school. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending Slst December, 1908, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Alton, Apiti, Ashhurst, BulVs, Bunnythorpe, Eltham, Feilding, Foxton, Halcombe, Hawera. Hunter oille, Kaponga, Kapuni, Kimbolton, Manaia, Mangatoki, Marton, Matapu, Normanby, Okaiawa, Patea, Pohangina. Rongotea, Taihape, Turakina, Waitotara, Waverley, and Wanganui. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on special classes .. .. 2,390 16 0 Balance at beginning of year .. .. 4,480 16 9 Capitation on account of free places .. 386 8 0 Salaries of instructors (including travelling Buildings .. .. .. .. 2,807 12 3 expenses) .. .. .. .. 3,951 10 7 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 9 12 0 Office expenses (including salaries, staPurniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 2,288 15 9 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 Material .. .. .. .. 11l 10 11 Advertising, printing, and stationery .. 117 7 2 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 860 4 7 Lighting, heating, and cleaning .. .. 241 12 5 Training of teachers .. .. .. 395 0 0 Insurance and repaiis .. .. .. 44 18 3 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 1,524 16 3 Material for class use .. .. .. 245 14 4 Voluntary contributions .. .. 694 3 11 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 19 11 10 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 150 Telephone .. .. .. &15 6 Furniture sold .. .. .. .. 2 15 0 Fees refunded .. .. .. .. 3 15 0 Material sold .. .. .. .. 11 18 6 Library and prizes .. .. .: 16 7 4 Refunds— Administration—Transfer for office adRent .. .. .. .. 715 0 ministration (1906-7-8) .. .. 278 6 2 Material .. .. .. .. 0 19 9 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &c.) and Apparatus .. .. .. .. 512 7 rent .. .. .. .. 3,633 5 0 Balance at end of year .. .. 4,007 5 7 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 2,454 10 9 £15,506 11 1 £15,506 11 1 W. J. Carson, Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Controlling Authority of the Palmerston North Technical School. The year 1908 has been one of steady progress and development in all classes of the school. Being the first year in which the classes have run for three terms, the work, as a result, shows to better advantage. The free-place students, however, show an inclination to drop off after filling in the prescribed number of attendances. This is not a good thing, as it shows a lack of desire to get the fall value of the advantages given. The paying students, however, are more earnestin their desire to get on and make the most of their opportunities, and no doubt in time all will realise the necessity for steady application, if desirous of succeeding in life. During the year new classes have been formed in millinery, ladies' tailoring, practical tailoring, agriculture, singing, typewriting, motor-car engineering, German, and wool-classing, and have all proved successful. The number of classes in operation for the year was thirty-nine and the average roll for the year was 420, as against 235 in twenty-nine classes for two terms last year. Artisans Classes. —The carriage-drafting class has done exceptionally good work, and the attendance has been excellent. In the building-construction and staircasing classes, however, there is lack of interest. One or two only keep up their interest and attendance. In a place like Palmerston North these classes should be well patronised. The plumbers' class is well attended, and good work has been done.'_r|ln June last sixteen students presented themselves for the City and Guilds of London examination in plumbing. A scholarship for plumbers' apprentices has been established, being supported by most of the master plumbers of Palmerston North. This provides a two-years free place in the plumbing classes for the successful candidate. The wool-classing and agriculture classes were very successful, and were well attended, the majority of the students in the latter being teachers preparing for the teachers' C and D Certificate Examinations. The wool-classing class put their knowledge to a practical use by visiting Mr. Hugh Akers' farm, and skirting, rolling, classing, and baling several hundred fleeces. A special report is to be solicited from the and forwarded to the Technical School, in order that we may prove to the farmers that it pays them to class their wool.