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The instrumental-drawing class at the beginning of the year was a very large one, and some of the pupils were drafted to the building-construction class. The work by the older students was particularly good. It is proposed next year to extend the scope of this class by including practical mathematics. The class for drawing and painting is still for the most part composed of primary-school children. It is doing good work, but the older pupils require more advanced work than they can get in this particular class. The work in the class for plumbing still maintains the high standard of previous years. The Inspector's report on this and the other trade classes shows that the standard of work is particularly high. The book-keeping class has distinctly advanced during the year, and if it continues to progress wo must very shortly hold these classes twice weekly. Apart from enabling the school to accommodate more pupils, it would be in the interests of the pupils if they were able to attend on two nights instead of only one. Cadets in some of the Government offices, such as tho Post and Telegraph, have not been so regular in attendance as one could wish. No doubt, owing to the shortage of clerks brought about by the war, this could not be helped, but I think even taking this into consideration their attendance might have been better than it was. The Public Service Commissioners might, I think, see that cadets get more opportunity of attending technical schools. The chemistry class is growing and now has a, satisfactory number of pupils. We have had rather a broken year owing to several unavoidable changes in the staff. The continuation classes have been well attended, and good progress has been made. The work shows a distinct advance on that of previous years, I have as far as possible given the boys a course in elementary mathematics correlated with the various trades which they are following. It may be possible to extend this next year and so supply the trade pupils with the mathematics essential to the proper understanding of the problems arising out of their work. The writing in the class has also received attention, with very gratifying results. During the the secondary classes of the District High School have been held i,n the Technical School buildings. They have not interfered in any way with the working of the school, and I have found no difficulty in making satisfactory arrangements. The cadets have had a very successful year. The roll number is over one hundred. I have had very great help from Sergeant-major Stewart, who is ever willing to do what he can to lighten my work. A little more assistance, however, in the way of supplying lieutenants may well be given by the Defence Department. Both of the lieutenants are serving their country in another way, and yet I cannot get assistance in this most important work. A great number of students have enlisted during the year, and some of our old students have given up their lives for the Empire. It has been suggested that the carpentry class might make an honours board to be placed in a conspicuous place in the school. There is one matter that I desire to bring particularly under the notice of the Managers, and that is the unsatisfactory conditions under which some of the apprentices have to carry on their studies. For the sake of illustration I shall take the plumbing trade. The apprentices have to do their eight hours a day at work. In such a place as, say, Lower Hutt they would have to add to that one hour and a half travelling to and from Wellington to their work. Added to this they have to come to a technical school for instruction. This, with travelling, would take two hours and a half, so the minimum time they are working is practically twelve hours a day. When they arrive at night they are not fit to do justice to their work. It seems to me that the time has come when some better method should be adopted. Thus the Dominion might be divided into districts, and a permanent instructor appointed for each. The employers should give their apprentices four hours a week off to enable them to attend classes. With an additional two hours at night once a week, they would make far more progress than at, present. Our annual social was a distinct success from every point of view. The manner in which it was carried out reflected great credit on the management committee, who carried out their work in a very able way. Thanks are due to the following bodies for generous donations : Pctone Borough Council, Gear Company, Working-men's Club, Wellington Woollen Company, Upper Hutt Town Board, Hutt County Council, Lower Hutt Sports Club, Lower Hutt Bowling Club, Upper Hutt Technical Committee, Lower Hutt Council, also to numerous private subscribers. The outlook for the school is very bright, and the staff are painstaking and energetic. The report from the Upper Hutt branch is very satisfactory, and the committee are enthusiastic in their work, There is no doubt that they fully appreciate the work that lies before them, and they are fully confident that their classes are going to be a big asset to the district. The support they are getting in the way of donations should urge them on to still greater efforts. This is practically the first year that the Lower Hutt has taken seriously the matter of technical education. The secretary and his energetic committee have reason to feel proud of their first year's work, and the results show that in a very short time the classes established will make their influence felt in the district. Generous support has been given by various local bodies and private individuals. In conclusion, I must thank the staff for the generous support they have given me throughout the year. They have indeed made my work a pleasure. I must also thank the Chairman and Board of Managers for the generous support they have given me at all times. The officers of the Education Board and the Education Department have rendered every assistance, and the work throughout the year has proceeded without the slightest friction. Jas. H. Lynskey, Director.

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