71

E.—s

Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Akaroa Technical School. During the year the following classes were held : Cookery, 18 pupils ; dressmaking, 18 pupils ; woodwork, 12 pupils ; wool-sorting, 7 pupils; laundry-work, 11 pupils. In addition to these a cookery .class for school-children was held. Although excellent work was done in many of the classes, the Managers regret that in some of them the attendance was not so good towards the end of the year. This was probably due to the counter-attractions in the town during the winter months. Only one class was held in wool-sorting this year, but special endeavour will be made during the ensuing year to bring this class up to its former strength. The class in cookery was most successful, Mrs. Bell having proved herself an excellent teacher. During the year two demonstrations were given in paper-bag cookery, there being a large attendance of the public on each occasion. The woodwork class made a good start, but unfortunately the instructor could not attend during the second term, so the interest slackened. The class in woodwork for schoolboys was not held, owing to the instructor's absence; but we hope it will be continued next year. The Association has, unfortunately, lost the services of Mr. W. K. Virtue as treasurer, lie took a leading part in the initiation of the classes, and has been a most efficient treasurer since. Alex. Gray, Hon. Secretary.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1911, in respect of Associated Classes conducted by the Banks Peninsula Technical Classes Association.

Extract from the Report of the Chairman of the Board op Governors of Canterbury College. School of Engineering. —Following on the determination of the Senate to establish a travelling scholarship in engineering, I am pleased to be able to report that this year we have been able to act upon it, and to have one of our graduates appointed. I hope that ere long the Senate may see its way to enable this scholarship to be tenable for a longer period than one year, as the present term is too short for a student to acquire such a full theoretical and practical knowledge as he should. The recent alterations made in the course for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering should result in more students coming from the distant parts of the Dominion, as the shortening of the course by one year means a corresponding reduction in the cost of obtaining a degree. The cost of equipping and maintaining the School of Engineering is so great that it is our business to attract as many as intend to take a thorough course for their future profession. At one time during the past year it was freely rumoured that another University College intended to equip and maintain a similar school. Were such to be done it would not only be a great pity but a great waste of public money, for it is much better for the whole community to have one school properly equipped, staffed, and furnished with students, than to have two or more such poorly attended, and, for some tinit at all events, one of them not fully equipped. In connection with this matter it must be remembered that arrangements were made some years ago for each University College_,to specialize in one particular branch of study, and the specializa tion in engineering was allotted to Canterbury College on account of the magnitude of the equipment, and the grant made for that purpose has enabled the school to possess most of the latest appliances necessary for its work. That this work enables the students to advance in their profession is evident from the lists supplied year by year of the positions obtained by erstwhile students. School of Art. —In reference to the question of finance with regard to this department I am glad to be able to point to a decided improvement, not only because it has come as a relief from the anxiety that was naturally felt when I brought down my last statement, but also because with an improved monetary position it is possible to extend the excellent work that is being done. Again this year the work of the students has been in open competition in the Dominion very successful, and, in competition with students from the leading art schools in England, one of our students has been for the second time able to secure in the national competitions honourable mention for painting from life, while several had their work accepted for the art class and teachers' certificates in England. When the Board of Governors introduced the system of two scholarships of £25 per annum, a hope was then expressed that in the near future a travelling art scholarship might be established, to enable a really brilliant student to visit the art centres of the world. It has not as yet been possible to see the way to carry this out, but I hope the time is not so very far distant when such a scholarship may be established. As may be gathered from the report of the Director and from the various Press notices from time to time, the school is making a steady advance from year to year.

Receipts. Japitation on associated classes 'ees r oluntary contributions 'torn controlling authority, on acoount of school classes .ales ialance at end of year £ s. d. 56 11 0 31 19 6 21 6 0 13 16 11 11 8 10 4 12 6 Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 43 4 1 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 62 0 0 Office expenses (including salaries, stationery, Ac.) .. .. .. .. .. 040 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 15 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 3 17 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 4 4 7 Rent, cleaning, &c. .. .. .. 9 2 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 14 7 7 Bank charges, &c. .. .. .. 1 10 6 £139 14 9 £139 14 9 John Bruce, Chairman ) c ,, Alex. Gray, Secretary [^Managers.