51

E.—s

the term of instruction in this subject, lectures were given to the students and their friends by Messrs. W. Perry and Alfred Matthews, sheep-breeders in the district. Mr. Perry took for his subject Lincoln sheep, whilst Mr. Matthews confined his remarks to the Romney breed. Both lectures were most attentively listened to by the large number of persons present, who demonstrated their appreciation at the close of each by passing a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer. Prior to each lecture a number of sheep were judged and classified by the students, the lecturer afterwards commenting on and criticizing their written opinions. In the opinion of the Managers, 1 ctures such as the ones mentioned above, given by practical men, should prove of great benefit to the binning community as a wdiole, and the Managers trust to be able to arrange for a further series during the coming year. At the annual examination in connection with the City and Guilds of London Institute and the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, held in Masterton, nine certificates were gained. Five students obtained certificates at the local examination in the theory and practice of plumbing, conducted at this school under the auspices of the Wellington Technical School. A glance at the statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended 31st December, 1909, shows the receipts for the year to have amounted to £859 10s. lid., whilst the expenditure for the same period was £813 7s. lid., leaving a credit balance of £46 35., with which to commence the new year's operations. This is a state of affairs which the Managers consider eminently satisfactory, particularly in view of the fact that the operations of the institution are on a far wider scale than was the case a year or two ago. The work of the year has been carried on in the handsome new building formally opened by the Minister of Education, the Hon. George Fowlds, in 1908. Taken as a whole the work shows considerable advancement in attendance, in quality, and in results, due no doubt to the fact that it is now performed under comfortable and up-to-date conditions. While viewing with satisfaction the work of the past year, it is the earnest hope of the Managers that the progress accomplished will be not only maintained but also considerably augmented during the coming year. In conclusion, the Managers desire to take this opportunity of sincerely thanking all who have in any way assisted them in their efforts for the cause of technical education. In this connection special acknowledgment is made of the valuable assistance rendered by the Education Department, the Trust Lands Trust, the Masterton Borough Council, the Masterton County (louncil, and the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The Managers wish also to specially acknowledge assistance rendered on behalf of the wool-classes by the following gentlemen : Messrs. H. H. Beetham, J. Strang, James McGregor, H. Morrison, A. Mackay, J. and H. Holmes, E. Harper, G. C. Williams, W. Perry, and A. Matthews. Owing to the. liberal aid they have received from all parts of the district, the work of the Managers has been rendered possible, and they now conclude their report by giving expression to the hope that their efforts for the advancement of technical education in both town and country may long meet with similar appreciation. Edwin Feist, Chairman. N. D. Bunting, Secretary. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1909, in respect of Associated Classes conducted by the Masterton Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. ■ Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 39 16 11 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 538 19 2 Capitation on associated classes .. .. 188 5 9 Office expenses (including salaries, staCapitation on account of free places .. 81 11 0 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 72 4 4 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 17 1 1 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 14 14 0 Material .. .. .. .. 7 8 2 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 27 2 9 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 126 0 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 26 6 1 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 200 17 6 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 200 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 156 0 0 Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 2 8 6 Sales of material .. .. .. 26 10 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 21 17 8 Rent of rooms for examination purposes .. 16 0 0 Caretaker, postages, petties, &c. .. .. 26 9 10 Bank charges .. .. .. .. 015 0 Cartage, &c. .. .. .. .. 3 3 9 Wool-instructor's expenses .. .. 12 12 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 64 14 4 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 46 3 0 £859 10 11 £859 10 11 Edwin Feist, Chairman ' of Managera N. D. Bunting, Secretary; c HAWKE'S BAY. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Manual and Technical Instruction. —During 1909 the number of schools in which classes were held for manual instruction was as follows : Handwork, 44 ; agriculture, 27 ; swimming and first aid, 9. In July the Board appointed Mr. E. G. Loten, of the staff of the Sydney Training School, and formerly of the Hawkesburv Agricultural College, to undertake the instruction in agriculture throughout the district. Mr. Loten has been successful in arousing among the teachers enthusiasm in the work, and, as a result of his labours, it is anticipated that agriculture will be included in the curriculum of threefourths of the Board's schools next year. Arrangements are being made to form experimental stations at Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Waipawa, and Dannevirke, and a laboratory is being specially fitted