76

E.-5

book-keeping, 35 ; dressmaking (two classes), 28 : tirst aid and home nursing, IS; English. 29 ; arithmetic. 35; plumbing, 15 ; drainage, 15 ; drawing and painting. Hi: Gregg's shorthand. 17: Standard VI work, 1": elocution, 10 : total, 846 class entries. The average attendance is about 75 per cent. When all things are taken into account the above attendances must lie considered very gratifying, and show that classes have- lost none of their interest to students, and that the work sought to lie accomplished is valuable and effective. A pleasing feature is that a number of the students have attended the school for several years, thus showing by their presence that the class of instruction given is of a high standard. Owing to the illness of the Technical Inspector, .Mr. I l '.. C. Isaac, no official visit was made to the school last year, but the- various classes were at different times inspected by the Managers, who reported on the results of their visits. At the end of the session, examinations wen- held in English, arithmetic, shorthand, book-keeping, and typewriting. Two examinations were also conducted by Inspector Kershaw to enable plumbers and drain-layers to obtain licenses from the Borough Council. A' Sixth Standard Examination was also held by the Inspectors to enable students attending the Standard VI Class to gain certificates of proficiency. Early in the year the Government granted the sum of £2,500 for the purpose of making additions to the school. The Education Board's architect, Mr. .lames Turnbull. was intrusted with the drawing of the- plans, and Messrs. R. and G. Shillito, contractors, have charge of the work. The building is now in course of erection, and it is hoped will be ready for occupation by the end of March for the beginning of the 1909 session. The thanks of the Managers are due to the Government for its liberal assistance, and Timaru is now the proud possessor of a Technical School .replete with all modern convenience and worthy the size and importance of the district. It now only remains for the youth of the town to support the school loyally, and by their attendance and interest in the work justify the demand for the school. By the- strictest economy the funds of the Association are kept in a sound condition, the statement of assets and liabilities showing a credit balance of £124. It should, however, be pointed out that, but for the voluntary contributions of the public and the different contributing bodies, the school could not exist, as it requires the whole of the fees and the capitation to pay the salaries of instructors. In summarising, the past year's work must be considered highly satisfactory. The attendance has been good, and the students have been diligent and satisfactory. There has not been one single hitch in connection with the work of the school during the year. A special word of praise is due to the teachers, who have often carried out their duties under very adverse circumstances. The whole success of the school depends on the staff, and their loyal enthusiasm in the past accounts for the position of the school to-day. It is hoped for the future that, with the better accommodation now provided, instructors will find the work more congenial, and that the school will continue to be successful and popular. The thanks of the Association are due to all local bodies and citizens who contributed liberally to the funds of the Association ; to the different examiners, who conducted their examinations gratuitously ; to the Press, who always support the school loyally, and are every ready to promote the cause of technical education in our midst. The Managers also desire to place on record the prompt attention of the Central Department to all claims and applications made during the year. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1908, in respect of Associated Classes conducted by the Timaru Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ p. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 54 12 9 Salaries of instructors .. .. 279 3 6 Capitation on associated classes .. .. 94 6 10 Office expenses (including salaries, stationCapitation on account of free places 110 4 0 cry, &c.) .. .. : 106 1! Buildings .. .. .. •• 1,900 0 0 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 16 19 0 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 52 0 0 Lighting and heating .. .. 34 19 10 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 76 16 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 2 5 5 p eeß >t .. .. .. .. 167 2 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 13 6 5 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 77 7 0 Carting .. .. .. .. 08 6 Interest, Post-Office Savings-Bank .. 0 19 Refund of fees .. .. .. .. 112 6 Instructor's travelling-expenses .. .. 3 15 0 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &c.) .. 1,300 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 55 3 4 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 717 18 10 £2,532 10 4 £2,532 10 4 J. Jackson, Chairman ' of Managers. Ritchings Grant, Secretary i ° Extract from the Report of the Temuka Technical Classes Association. The Board of Managers consisted of seven members—Messrs. H. M. Miles, Chairman, representing the South Canterbury Education Board; A. Frew, Borough Council; \V. Jefferies, Road Board; W. F. Evans, Caledonian Society; Thompson, T. Buxton, and M. McLeod, the subscribers. At the Board's October meeting Mr. Miles tendered his resignation as Chairman and Manager, owing to his leaving the district. Through of Mr. Miles the Association lost a most enthusiastic member and energetic Chairman. Mr.ljD. Mclnnes was appointed to fill the vacancy, and Mr. McLeod was elected Chairman for the remainder.of the year. In June, the Director,' Mr. D. McCaskill, resigned his office to take charge of the Fairlie School, and Mr. J. T. Smart was appointed to his place. During the year the Association conducted]|eleven different classes, or two more than the previous year—viz., cookery, 2; dressmaking, 2 carpentry, commercial work, relief carving, painting, and elocution, 1 each. One cookery class and the millinery and elocution classes were new, while blacksmithing and chemistry were abandoned. While all the classes were very well attended, it is particularly gratifying to the Managers to see that the wool-sorting class, which they regard as one of the most important in a district like this, was so well attended by young farmers ; and there is no doubt