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except to the man whose wife is an economical and efficient cook, as well as a skilful needlewoman. Nothing oould have popularized the trades course more than the action of the Board in building and equipping an engineering workshop, and the course for engineering students is now one of the most attractive in the College. The boys of this year's class will leave behind them at their withdrawal a permanent and substantial memorial of their work, for they have spent much of the session in fitting up the machines and also in constructing fittings for the new wood-working-shop. The work has been done in a, most creditable manner under the supervision of Mr. Newman. The trades course is modified in order to give suitable instruction to lads who intend to enter the woodworking trades, but it, is hoped that still more can be done for them in the near future. Ample evidence has been given in the past two years of the value of the day technical-school education, and students whose training was commenced in the institution have been continuously in keen demand, and have generally received wages sufficient to make them appreciate instantly the value of the years they have spent in acquiring their secondary education. The fuller benefit they derive will come home to them in later years. Already I am able to state that our students are tilling creditably positions in many of the larger towns from Auckland to Bluff. Occasionally the remark is passed that an employee in any calling receives the best training whilst at work, and that a boy is well advised to go direct from the primary school into employment. The remark is probably true from the point of view of some employers, who require ftwn their assistants principally mechanical skill and accuracy, and not the exercise of much intelligence. But from the point of view of the State the remark is quite wrong, for the best interests of any boy or girl demand the mental training and development given by a good general education. The boy who has a good general education, and who has learned in some degree to think for himself, will ultimately fill the higher positions and assume the greater responsibilities not only in business, but in civic life. The system of technical education in vogue in New Zealand has its strength in the fact that it does not encourage the acquisition of technical skill to the exclusion of general education, and that recognition is given to the truth that the best citizen is found in the intelligent worker rather than in the skilled worker. The ideal citizen, as far as education can produce one, is the man who is skilled in the technicalities of his trade or calling and who has acquired a good general education, including a sound knowledge of the rights and duties of citizenship. An important feature of every vocational course in our day technical schools is the general education that is given, whilst in the evening classes apprentices and others are encouraged in the study and appreciation of general educational subjects. By reason of the subjects taught in the different courses, the day technical school does not lend itself readily to preparation for Public Service and similar examinations, but it will Impossible to present candidates in increasing numbers each year for examinations which are to a considerable extent carried out under actual working-conditions, Such are held by Pitman's Phonographic Association, by the Public Service Commissioners for shorthand-typists, and by the City and Guilds of London Institute. The last named holds examinations which are particularly useful in testing the capabilities of domestic science students, and one pass was recorded during the year. Altogether twenty-four students gained the elementary certificate, six the advanced theory certificate, and five the speed certificate of Pitman's Association. Besides' these examination successes, senior free places were awarded on the results of the College examinations held in December last to twenty-eight students who had held junior free places. In the annual technical exhibition the work of the students of the day school was an important feature. Possibly the work of the domestic science and trades classes lends itself best to display purposes, but all classes were creditably represented in the exhibition. In the life of the College outside of the elass'-room there has been much activity during the year. Hockey has flourished among the girls, and the junior B team, which was not beaten during the season, carried off the ladies' junior championship. The tennis-court is now in regular use, and keen interest has now been aroused by the kind offer of the Lawn Tennis Association to donate championship trophies. The senior football team gained the Invercargill fourth-grade club championship. On several Wednesday afternoons during the winter six athletic teams from the College were engaged simultaneously in playing matches, which is a very creditable number for a small school to have on the field. However, it is earnestly desired, for the sake of the students themselves, that every one of them should take an active part in some kind of sport. Probably most of the students have particularly pleasant memories of one afternoon in the second term, when school was held in the theatre, on the occasion of the recital of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" by Mr. Alexander Watson. The war has had the effect of arousing kindly feelings as well as stern ones, and I have to record with pleasure that the boys and girls have done their share in contributing to patriotic and relief funds. Early in the war the girls, under the supervision of the ladies of the staff, made up numbers of hold-alls for the Expeditionary Forces. More recently they have contributed large quantities of clothing, which has been repaired when necessary for the British relief fund. Much new clothing has also been prepared, and two large cases' altogether have been sent away. A sum of about £10 in money has also been collected, partly in cash contributions and partly as the proceeds of the sale of farm-produce and other articles" contributed by the boys. As a final event for the year the girls presented an operetta in the theatre on the 16th December under the direction of Mr. Dunn, and all profits will be given to swell the Belgian relief fund. The principal building operations undertaken during the year included the completion of the two-storied building containing the engineering and woodworking shops. The whole of the space available for building on the- present site has now been utilized, and difficulties have arisen already owing to lack of rooms, since only three are available for ordinary class purposes. Extension of our buildings must, probably take place in the near future, and it is hoped that a site or buildings will be procurable in the neighbourhood.