E.—s.

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a friendlier relationship existed between pupils and staff; and this experience is'corroborated by that of my colleagues. In a worthy school one of the most helpful agencies in the formation of right habits of thought and conduct is that subtle influence known as the school spirit. The growth of this is a matter of time, but we have every reason for believing that it is here, and that it is becoming effective. I may not be in the best position for analysing this spirit or gauging its strength, but I hope, and would fain believe, that its chief characteristics are kindliness and helpfulness one to another, and the recog nition of that truth embodied in the College motto, " The useful is the noble." Evening School. —Owing to the depression in trade, which made itself generally felt throughout the Dominion, the past year has been for technical institutions one of no marked growth ; but I am glad to be able to report that even in these circumstances there has been a satisfactory increase in the number of students taking the trade courses. As regards the commercial classes, there has been a decrease, which is largely explained by the fact that the age at which pupils were admitted to free places in the evening school was raised last year to fifteen. This raising of the age has been, lam sure, a step altogether in the right direction, for it has prevented from joining us a number of boys and girls who, after a long day's work would have been too tired to profit by the instruction. It has further had the effect of causing a number of pupils to enter the day-school, where they spend a much longer time over the same subjects, and where they are brought under the wholesome discipline and influences of school life. Of the trade classes, that of wool classing and sorting has made the most marked progress, there being an average attendance of over fifty adult students per week, while the numbers taking fitting and turning have nearly doubled. In two classes started last year —viz., bookbinding and photography— I regret to say that we have to record comparative failure. An endeavour will be made later on to re-form the class in bookbinding, as soon as we have a suitable room in which to carry on the work, and it is hoped that sufficient interest will have been by that time awakened amongst the young workers in the trade to make it successful. Thirteen students passed the City and Guilds of London Examination, three of them taking Honours in cabinetmaking. Domestic Science Department. —The number of students taking advantage of the facilities afforded for instruction in this branch was much larger than at any previous period, no less than 274 adults attending the classes in cookery, dressmaking, millinery, and needlework. In directing the work and policy of this department the Board has the great advantage of the assistance of an advisory committee of ladies, who have always taken a great interest in the work of the institution, and offered many valuable suggestions. In order to complete our system of training in domestic economy, the advisory committee has strongly urged the Board to establish ;i training hostel, so that students may receive instruction in the care and management of the home ; and for this object they have already succeeded in raising the sum of £255. They hope that this hostel will serve a further purpose as a place of residence for students from country districts who at present have to spend many hours in the train going to and from school. In addition to the annual contributions from local bodies, which have been renewed this year, great encouragement has been received from a number of local firms, who have very generously contributed towards prizes in the various departments, while the Canterbury Carpenters and Joiners' Union, in addition to its annual subscription, has granted special prizes to the value of £5 to the apprentices making most progress during the year in the principles and practice of carpentry and ■* joinery. John H. Howell, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 3\st December, 1909, wi respect of Associated Classes conducted by the Christchurch Technical Glasses Association. Receipts. £ s. d. | Expenditure. £ s. A. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 346 0 2 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 3,498 14 6 Capitation on associated classes .. .. 1,988 18 9 Office and general expenses (including Capitation on account of free places .. 1,099 17 2 salaries, stationery, &o.) .. .. 684 6 11 Buildings .. .. .. .. 117 12 2 Advertising and printing .. .. 112 9 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 Lighting, heating, and cleaning .. .. 379 110 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 208 11 6 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 34 1 8 Material .. .. .. .. 273 12 6 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 520 9 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 413 13 8 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 766 1 3 Prizes .. .. .. .. 45 3 1 Voluntary contributions .. .. 557 10 0 Purchases, books, &c. .. .. .. 192 19 11 Capitation refunded by Education Board 18 0: Students' fees—refunds .. .. .. 44 18 9 Rent -part-payment by Education Board 50 0 0 Deposits—refunds .. .. .. 0 5 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus —refunds 3 19 2 Cadet Corps— advance for uniforms .. HO 0 6 Materials — part-payment by Education Contracts (architect, &c.) .. .. 182 8 0 Board —charges, &c. .. .. .. 135 15 1 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 562 17 7 Sales—books, stationery, &c. .. .. 287 15 8 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 440 19 7 Students' deposits .. .. .. 24 2 6 Prize-fund donations .. .. .. 55 19 10 Salaries—part - payments and refunds by Education Board .. .. .. 2G7 3 2 Lighting and cleaning—part-payments and refunds by Education Board .. .. 68 12 4 , Working-expenses—refunds .. .. 5 0 0 Sessional charges for typewriting and material .. .. .. .. 45 5 9 Cadet Corps Account —repayments .. 28 6 0 £6,902 0 0 £6,902 0 0 James Hight, Chairman i , M John H. Howell, Secretary |ot ivlana g ers -