45

E.—s

Extract fj<om the Report of the Director of the Palmekstou Nobth Technical School. The work for this year has gone on smoothly and well. In all there were fifty-two classes working. The commercial classes still attract a large number of students, and good work has been done, the averages in the classes keeping up very well indeed. It speaks well for the popularity of the school that so far there has been no necessity to employ compulsion to get the boys and girls to attend evening classes. With one or two exceptions all students who left the primary schools at the end of the last year with competency or proficiency certificates to take up work are attending evening classes at the Technical School. The number of free-place students increased from about ninety to 130, and seventeen are being recommended this year for Senior Free Places. The science classes were not so good this year, but promise to be better next year. The work of the engineering classes has gone on smoothly, and the attendances have kept up very well; extra machinery is now being installed, so that by next year we should have one of the best-fitted workshops in the Dominion. Next year we hope to enter some candidates for the South Kensington and London City and Guilds Examinations. The plumbing class still continues to do good work, as was evidenced by the recent successes at the London City and Guilds Examinations, there being only two failures out of ten candidates. The agriculture and woolclassing classes, though only small in numbers, have been very well attended, and the students have made good progress. One of the classes won the wool-classing competitions at the recent Manawatu Agriculture and Pastoral Show. The domestic department shows a considerable advance in numbers, especially the dressmaking, there having been nine classes, with an average attendance of about fourteen for the whole year : in fact, the numbers in one term reached as high as 135. Millinery and cookery classes were well attended, with very satisfactory results. The work of the woodwork and cabmetmaking students has this year reached high-water mark, and the instructor deserves great credit for the splendid work turned out. The Standard VI class continues to be well patronized, and about fifteen are sitting for their proficiency and competency certificates. This class is one of the most useful in the school, and its success is chiefly owing to the interest shown in his pupils by the teacher. A course of instruction in subjects necessary for the Public Service Entrance Examination as well as Senior Free Places has been fairly well attended. Sheep-shearing classes were again conducted with great success. The necessary sheds and grounds were lent by the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association. As showing the interest in. these classes and the- appreciation of the good work done, the Director of the Technical School has been able to raise by contributions from the farmers and \arious local bodies sufficient money, with the Government subsidy, to procure four stands of shearing-machines and one grinder for the school, so that we now have our own machines. The people of Palmerston North certainly contribute liberally to assist the funds of their Technical School. The art department shows an improvement in numbers since last year, and excellent work has been done by the students. In the recent Agricultural and Pastoral Association Show entries were made in twenty-three classes out of twenty-eight, and eighteen first-classes were taken. The best work has been forwarded to Auckland for exhibition purposes. In the National Competitions of the Board of Education, London, out of four book prizes won by New Zealand students one came to Palmerston North. The buildings and equipment have been maintained in good order and repair during the year. The thanks of the school are due to the numerous well-wishers for prizes, trophies, and donations received during the year, and to the Press for their ready assistance at all times. The instructors have been punctual and regular in attendance, and ready at all times to assist in promoting the welfare of the school. F. D. Opie, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1913, in respect of Special Classes conducted at the Palmerston North Technical School by the Palmerston North High School Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 626 16 i Dr. balance at beginning of year .. .. 331 17 5 Capitation on account of free places .. 229 17 3 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 893 9 6 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 19 10 2 Office expenses (including salaries, staMaterial .. .. .. .. 51 7 0 tionery, &o.) .. .. .. 311 13 3 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 156 13 6 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 33 6 7 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 341 19 11 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 82 14 3 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 181 710 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 28 1 9 On account of public-school olasses .. 20 7 0 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 52 0 0 Sales of material.. .. .. .. 45 17 7 Material for class use .. .. .. 126 14 6 High School— Freight, cartage, and sundry expenses .. 55 2 11 Material .. .. .. .. 7 0 0" Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 134 4 i Proportion art-master's salary .. .. 50 0 0 Eefunds .. .. .. .. 10 0 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 317 711 £2,049 4 6 £2,049 4 6 William Huntee, Secretary. WELLINGTON. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Manual Instruction. —The growth of the work in this department led the Board to appoint an additional instructress in domestic science, an additional instructor in woodwork, and an additional instructor in agricultural science. The Board desire to urge that without any sacri-