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Board to secure compulsory attendance at Technical schools, ably seconded as it was by the Committees, contributed greatly to awaken interest in the matter. The problem now is not whether such attendance is desirable, but how to make provision for it without unduly interfering with the rights of parents and employers. That educational and economic needs will compel the solution of the problem there is little reason to doubt. The success of the wool-classing classes has been due very largely to the ability and enthusiasm of the instructor, who has been assured again and again that his work has resulted in better prices at the wool-sales. Outside of wool-classing nothing has been done in the direction of adult education for farmers. At Feilding the opinion has been expressed that what has been done in wool-classing may be done in other departments of the farmer's work, and it is due to the farming part of the community, in view of the liberal support that it has given to the technical schools, that the possibilities of this proposition should be squarely faced. The personnel of the Technical Department changed somewhat during the year. Mr. Fossey, who had charge of the Southern District, has gone to Napier as Director of Manual and Technical Instruction for the Hawke's Bay Education Board, and his place at Feilding has been taken by Mr. L. .1. Watkin. Miss Fergus, Cookery Instructor in the Southern District, resigned at the close of the year, and her place has been taken by .Miss Grant, whose position in the North has been tilled by the appointment vi' Miss Strack. Mr. Gill, Woodwork Instructor for the Southern District, resigned in December, and Mr. R. 11. Anker succeeds him. In view of the additional work entailed by the establishment of courses in rural instruction, Mr. .1. Williams. 15.Sc. has been added to the list of science teachers. Mr. Hawson, who did excellent work in connection with the commercial classes in the Northern District last year, has been appointed instructor in the chief centres except Wanganui. where Mr. Cox's time is now fully occupied. Instruction in various branches of elementary handwork was given in a large Dumber of schools. In addition, instruction was given in agriculture in 78 schools, in agriculture and dairying combined in 40 schools, in dairying in I schools, in cookery in 14 schools, in woodwork in 13 schools, and in physical measurements in in schools. G. D. Braik, Superintendent. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Central District (Mr. A. Varney). Wanganui. —Art : This year has witnessed the inauguration of a day course of instruction in ait. ten students taking the full course. This necessitated the appointment of an assistant. Mr. H. Collins being appointed. Much excellent work has been executed, and students have worked exceedingly well for their Board of Education examinations. The work reflects great credit on Mr. Seaward and his students. We have now few students who attempt painting without the accompaniment of instruction in the various branches of drawing. It is pleasing to note that students are gaining sufficient confidence in their teachers to place themselves in their hands and to follow their advice. The evening classes have been well attended, and capital results have been obtained. Applied An : The course of study for children noted last year has been a success in every way, the students entering zealously into the spirit of the work. This remark also applies to the appliedart classes allied with the art course, students originating their designs, afterwards modelling them in clay or plasticine, and working them out in wood, leather, or copper. Mr. Andrews has applied himself to the work with enthusiasm. There has been much improvement in the modelling classes, both in the number of students and the quality of the work turned out. In order to establish a more intimate relation between the work of the two art sections, they will next year (1910) be amalgamated under Mr. Seawards supervision. This new order of things will benefit both departments. Engineering : During the year twenty-three students have taken a course of instruction in engineering. In drawing up our scheme of instruction, two main objects have been kept in view. In the first place, the instruction is largely of a practical character, learning by doing : but side by side with this is carried on the general education of the boys. The State has a right to expect from every system of education that the cultural side should not be neglected, but that those who are to be the future citizens should be educated not merely to earn their livings, but so as to be fitted for the responsibilities of citizenship. This course we endeavour to pursue in all our classes. Mr. A. Morrison was appointed lo the position of assistant instructor during the year. He has proved himself to be a most faithful workman. In his report Mr. Crow points out that the students of our Engineering School secured a larger number of passes in the City and Guilds Examinations than any other school in the Dominion, one student gaining Honours, a distinction attained by few engineers in New Zealand. He also points out that the day students have constructed for school purposes the following apparatus : A 5-horse power vertical steam-engine, a small dynamo, a 3-horse power horizontal steam-engine, and details for a 6-horse power producer-gas engine. It is pleasing to note that the boys have taken also such a keen interest in their cricket, football, swimming, and athletic clubs, the latter winning the Rangitikei School Athletic Shield. All the boys are now able to swim. Much credit is due to Messrs. Crow and Morrison for their year's enthusiastic work. Artisan Classes : Owing to slackness of trade and so much country work, the attendance in these classes has been rather less than in previous years. With the advent of better limes. 1910 will show much improvement. Splendid work has been done, however, especially in plumbing. It is to be hoped that for the sake of the boys some arrangement will in the near future be made for time off from work for those who attend evening technical classes. Domestic Classes: The office still appears to be the attraction for most girls. The teachers in dressmaking and millinery, cookery, and home nursing have during the year done excellent work. Miss Bohan must again be complimented on the success of her classes. The evening cookery classes, strange to say, are still small in numbers. The class for nurses proved most satisfactory.