E.—s.

Director of the Invercargill Technical School, from the Education Board, and also from the Department. But oui greatest hindrance has been the Lack of suitable accommodation. The classes have had to be. scattered through the town, meeting in three widely separated rooms. As a result there was some lacls of enthusiasm. In spite, however, of these difficulties we have to report very fair attend ance, good order, and good work done. Teachers and pupils have worked well together. This year we endeavoured to make it possible for free pupils to take a larger number of subjects by taking the classes for the two compulsory subjects—English and arithmetic —together, tints reducing the teaching of each of these subjects to one hour per evening. The result was not altogether satisfactory ; we have therefore resolved to revert next session to the previous method. During the year 58 students were enrolled, of whom 25 were free pupils. The subjects taken were English (average attendance. 19), arithmetic (20). dressmaking (15), wood-carving (10), shorthand (11), and book-keeping (5). Other classes could have been started, notably cookery and architectural and machine drawing, but it was impossible to obtain a teacher sufficiently well qualified. While the attendance and progress of the students have been satisfactory, the fact remains that we do not find that the response even to special personal canvassing for enrolment is what may reasonably be expected. The few take advantage of the opportunities provided; the many stand aloof. This does not promise well for the future of our community. Employers generally, urge their employees to enter the classes, so also do the parents to a less extent, but the majority of young persons object to giving the necessary time. Can anything short of compulsion be done to bring more students within the scope of the benefits which such training confers ? This would appear a grave question for those who have the control of technical instruction. Andrew Martin. Chairman. George Brett, Secretary. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1909, in respect of Special Glasses conducted by the Gore High School Board of Governors. ReceijtU. £ s. d. Ex}ienditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of j ear (from Southland Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 75 14 S Education Board) .. .. .. 43 3 7 Office expenses (inoluding salaries, stationery, Capitation on special clases .. .. 21 17 0 &c.) .. .. .. .. .. 11 12 0 Capitation on account of free places .. 12 0 3 Advertising and printing .. .. 12 10 0 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 2 8 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 414 5 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 50 0 0 Rent .. .. .. .. ..2126 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 21 0 0 , Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 2 8 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 50 001 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 90 17 9 £200 8 10 £200 8 10 George Brett, Secretary.

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