8.—6.

56

lead on more to the technical schools than it. does at present. The cookery class, with a roll of seventeen, is doing good work. It is undoubtedly the most expensive class in the school, but the character of the work done warrants the expenditure. The English and arithmetic classes have been somewhat larger this year than in former years. There is no doubt that there will be two large classes in these subjects next year. About twenty-five new pupils with proficiency passes have intimated their intention of attending. As I anticipate that most of the present free-place pupils will also continue to .attend-, some of the classes will be fairly large, but I have no doubt, that the instructors will be able to cope satisfactorily with them. The shorthand and typewriting class has done very good work during the year. However, I have certain recommendations to make with regard to this class, which I hope will make it more efficient. At present the typewriting is done: in the- same room as the shorthand. As shorthand cannot be taught while the typewriters tin- at work, the typewriting-machines are idle half the time-. This means that the pupils do not get the practice they should. I would recommend that the typewriters be placed in another room and the pupils put under my supervision, and also that a special class for speed be formed for the more advanced shorthand pupils. This would not mean a new teacher, as one of the pupils could act as reader while the teacher was correcting the work done. The question of additional room is opened up here. It seems to mc that with the growth of classes the time has come when we should see about additional class-room accommodation. The school is well equipped now in many respects, but next year I am afraid that we shall be pushed for accommodation. The time is coming when this matter should be gone into and the whole matter looked at from every point of view. The book-keeping class has not been largely attended this year. This is in part due to the fact that it is held on Wednesday evening, the night of the compulsory drill. The number of free-place pupils is increasing year by year. As the pupils increase in number there is a greater danger of the attendance becoming less regular. As it is, a somewhat better standard of attend ance must lie aimed ar in some classes. The free-place capitation earned is higher by far this year than it has ever been before, but with greater regularity on the part of the pupils there would be far re funds to push on the wink of the school. The cadet company in connexion with the school is a credit to the institution, and 1 must take this opportunity of thanking Sergeant-major Ryan for the large amount of work he has done ami the great assistance he has been to mc in carrying out the work. The cadets who competed at the military tournament' at Christchurch gave an excellent account of themselves. Their behaviour was a credit alike to themselves and the company they represented, while by obtaining a first, a second, and two thirds their proficiency could not be questioned, considering there were over forty teams competing in some of the events. I must thank the staff, one and all, for their loyal and generous support throughout the year, the Board of Managers for their never-failing courtesy and hearty co-operation in anything I have brought forward, the- secretary for his help at all times, the Education Board and Educa tion Department for their hints and advice on the many things inseparable from an institution of this kind. 1 must not omit to thank the Petone and Hutt Borough Councils, the Gear Company, Woollen Company, the Petone Working-men's (Tub. and the Seddon Memorial subscribers for their donations. So long as we have the support of the various bodies the work of the school should continue to go forward. J. H. Lynskey, Director. Statement of Receipts ami Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1912. in respect of Associated Classes at the Petone Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 73 12 10 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 463 6 8 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 200 3 8 Office expenses (including salaries, staCapitation on account of free places .. 98 10 9 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. 19 5 1 Buildings .. .. .. .. 12 10 0 Advertising and printing.. 8 15 (i Furniture, fittings, and apparatus 52 19 5 ■ Lighting and heating .. .. 48 18 9 Material .. .. .. 27 18 0 Insurance and repairs .. 10 2 9 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 101 14 0 j Material for class use .. 50 8 0 Fees .. .. .. .. 11l 11 2 Caretaker .. .. 75 10 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 92 3 6 Cartage .. .. .. 14 8 From controlling authority, on account of Bank commission and cheque books 0 19 0 sohool classes.. .. .. 26 18 8 Refunds to pupils .. ..- .. 015 0 Saleß of material .. .. .. 8 19 11 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus 59 5 11 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 68 10 7 £807 1 11 £807 1 11 Alexander Thomson, Chairman! , „ .1. G. Castle, Secretary \ oi Ahl "^"'*- Extract prom the Report ok the Managers op the Masterton Technical School. The classes commenced on the 18th March, and completed three full terms on the 6th December. Instruction was given in the following subjects: Painting, light and shade drawing, general drawing, building-construction, dressmaking, art needlework, plumbing, book-keeping, shorthand, typewriting, Civil Service subjects, cookery, English, and arithmetic. The roll for the first term was 203, and the average attendance 162, and for the third term 217 am! IG7. The peroentage of attendance for the year was 80. Free tuition was provided tin 125 pupils, who were granted tree places on their Sixth Standard proficiency certificates. The only income received by tin- Managers in respect of these free-place holders was the capitation grant on the basis of their attendances. This amounted to £122. The total working-expenses for the year were £596 Ills. "id. From these figures it will be seen that the school has afforded very libera] educational