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Extract fbom the Repobt of the Chairman of the Board of Govebnoks of the Palmebston North High School. urn During the past year the number of classes at the Technical School shows an increase over that of the preceding years. Among the new classes were 3 for engineering, 2 for veterinary science, and 2 ior" sheep-shearing, the total number of classes being about 56, with an average attendance of about 14 students in each class. The work of the students has been of better quality, while excellent results have been obtained in the various science and art examinations. During the year an exhibition of school-work was held, the school being thrown open for a week, and demonstrations were given by the students of various classes. Large numbers of people visited the school, and expressed their surprise and pleasure that such good work was done. It is proposed to hold another exhibition on similar lines this year. The number of students holding free places was 96, an increase of 30 over the number for the previous year. An engineering workshop has been erected and fitted up. The highest number of enrolments at any time during the year was 770, as against 680 for 1910. The numbers for 1912, however, promise to eclipse all previous records, for although the session has only just commenced the numbers now are 792, which for a town of the size of Palmerston North is, 1 think, a record. Although the fees for the year do not produce sufficient to cover teaching expenses, yet through the generosity of the public the receipts for the year show a credit balance of between £40 and £50 over the expenditure, thus proving that the school is actually paying its way. This refers to the actual working-expenses only —not to outside expenditure, such as purchase of section, &c. Owing to the successful efforts of the Mayoress, the land adjoining the Technical School recently purchased on an agreement was paid for, the balance owing being £400. There are no outstanding liabilities on the Technical School Account. The Director has spared no pains to make the school successful, and the Government Inspectors have furnished the most pleasing reports on the ability of the teaching staff. It is impossible to really separate the finance of the High School and Technical School, as the Board is responsible for the administration of both. For the purposes of book-keeping, however, separate accounts are kept, and separate statements furnished in the balance-sheet. While, therefore, at the end of the financial year the balancesheet shows a considerable debit, the financial affairs of the Board, as before stated, have since been placed in a thoroughly sound position, and the pressure of the overdraft removed. In conclusion, the thanks of the Board are due to the various public bodies for donations, to the Press for readiness to publish anything of interest in connection with the schools, and particularly to all those who assisted in carrying out the function arranged by the Mayoress. On my own behalf I desire to thank the members of the Board and the officials for thtir unfailing courtesy and assistance in carrying out the duties appertaining to the position of Chairman. W. H. Collingwood, Chairman. Extract from the Report ov the Director of the Palmerston North Technical School. The technical and continuation classes show a considerable increase on last year, both in the number of classes and the number of students. The art department, however, has suffered slightly, but will in all probability right itself next year. There is a great improvement noticeable in the attendance and quality of the work done by the free-place students. A better class of student seems to have come forward. The students generally recognize the value of the opportunities offered, and are doing their best to take advantage of the same. An earnest spirit of endeavour seems to be spurring them on. Commercial classes: These were well attended, and show an improvement on the work of last year. The Standard VI class conducted by Mr. Warden continues to be well attended, and does good work, the number attending being 28. Trade classes : Building-construction is still a difficult class to keep going, although a good teacher has been in charge. The plumbing class has, however, done good work, there being more apprentices attending now than at any former time. The engineering class has been specially well attended, and promises very well for the future. A new engineering workshop was opened at the commencement of the third term, and the class for workshop practice has been attended by about 15 students. The woodwork classes have also been well attended. Domestic classes : The classes in dressmaking and cookery have been exceedingly well attended, and much good work has been done, several of the students sitting for the City and Guilds and South Kensington Examinations. Agricultural classes : These classes, although small in number, have been very well attended, and a course in general agriculture, farm carpentry, .estimating areas, &c, has been taken. The wool-classing, veterinary science, and sheep-shearing classes have also been well patronized. Twenty-six students took veterinary science for the first time this year. The course included practical demonstrations upon the bodies of dead animals. Nineteen students took sheep-shearing. This class is the first of its kind to start in the North Island, and was most successful. Not only was machine and blade shearing taught, but wool-classing, baling, and pressing as well. In the shearing the students were taught how to catch the sheep, and to hold it in the right position before commencing shearing. The Director and five students of the wool-classing class went to Mr. W. Dixon's sheep-station Papanui, Mataroa, and rolled and classed his clip of about 20,000 sheep. Mr. Dixon expressed his pleasure and satisfaction at the workmanlike manner in which the work was done, and requested that another lot of students should be sent up to him for the shearing next year. This indicates that the instruction has been of a sound and practical nature. The report of his wool sales is being awaited with great interest. In the electricity and chemistry classes a splendid course of instruction has been taken, several of the students sitting for the South Kensington Science Examinations. The art classes, although not so well attended this year, have done excellent work, as was evidenced by the number of prizes taken at the Palmerston North show. During the month of June an exhibition week was kept at the Technical School, when the various branches of technical work were exhibited. The school was thrown open to the public for four afternoons and evenings, and on each evening demonstrations were given by the students of the various classes.