E.—s

47

in such anxious times. It would materially aid the Board if the local bodies could see their way to increase their grants, as it would justify them in getting a, little clerical assistance for the purpose of attending to details, which in the management of classes of this nature is very important. There will probably be a dearth of male students next year, as the district has sent so many young men to the front; but the Board trusts to be able to keep the school going, and if students come forward they will make an attempt to introduce group courses and free places. We hope that the Department wdll be sympathetic in the Board's endeavours to continue the work of increasing the efficiency of our young men and women. It. is gratifying to note that the finances of the Board are in a, perfectly sound condition, although it would be well if they could be further strengthened. Geo , |j Cartwriqht, Chairman. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Waimate Technical School. Throughout, the year classes have been conducted in wool-classing, sheep-shearing, dressmaking, cookery, carpentry, and shorthand. The wool-classing class was attended by thirty-nine students, including eleven secondary pupils from the District High School, and excellent work was done. A class for blade shearing was also held, thanks to the kindness of Mr. E. Studholme in again allowing us the use of his shed, and to tho liberal donations of the Sheepowncrs' Union and the Waimate Branch of the Farmers' Union. The class was attended by eleven students, who did very good work. The course was interrupted by the Timaru and Waimate shows and by wet weather, so that we only had some thirteen days' work during the three weeks; but the class sheared over 1,600 sheep to the complete satisfaction of the farmers who supplied them. Five classes in dressmaking were held —three at Waimate, one at Morven, and one at Makikihi — with a total of ninety-eight students. The attendance at these classes was very good, and excellent work was done. The attendance at the cookery class was very poor, considering the importance of the subject and the excellent teachers provided. Only ten students attended, but, the work done and the attendance was all that could be desired. The class for carpentry was a great disappointment, only five students attending, but the quality of the work done by these few pupils was far above the average. The shorthand class was also disappointing, there being only five students. Our finances arc in a sound condition, and wo hope next year to have better attendance at the classes. Ernest Hassall, Chairman. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Pleasant Point Technical Classes. Owing to the war and the great interest taken in Red Cross work generally, the amount of technical work done has not been so great as usual. A very successful dressmaking class was held, but attempts to conduct a cookery class were not successful. During the year arrangements were made for the painting of the building. When the work is completed the general appearance of the school will be more in keeping with its surroundings. The laboratory has been remodelled on up-to-date lines, and is now much more suitable for carrying on the work required in agricultural chemistry, <fee. j Maze, . Chairman. Extract from the Report of the Managers ok the Fairlie Tuchnical Classes. The session commenced in April and terminated in October. The subjects of instruction were dressmaking (twenty-eight pupils, including a branch class at, Albury), wool-classing (thirteen pupils), and first-aid and ambulance (twenty-nine pupils). The Technical School has also been utilized for public-school, classes in cookery and woodwork. On the whole the classes have been well attended. Particular mention may be made of the Albury branch, where 80 per cent, of the pupils made the maximum number of attendances at the dressmaking class. Praise is due to the instructors for the enthusiasm they displayed and successfully instilled into their pupils. Under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association examination of the students of the ambulance class was held, with the result that, twelve certificates were awarded. The thanks of the Managers are duo to the Mackenzie County Council, the Fairiie Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and to private subscribers for monetary assistance' given to the school. Chas. J, Talbot, Chairman.

OTAGO. Extract from the Report of the Director of the School of Art. The total number of students to whom tuition was afforded was 535, made up as follows : Day students, 88; evening students, 162; town pupil-teachers and probationers, 69; junior students in training, 65; senior students in training, 45; country pupil-teachers, 39; country teachers, 67. The number of male students was 194, and of female students 341. The war was undoubtedly responsible for a considerable reduction in the numbers of both day and evening students. Tn some classes the majority of the young men enlisted, and others unable to do so were too sensitive to attend classes in which the prevailing sentiment was " Off to the front." Next to the University the School of Art has probably suffered most in this respect, since the majority of its students are of ages ranging between eighteen and twenty-five. Nor was the effect confined to male students: the Queen Carnival and the various patriotic associations made an almost greater claim upon the time of the lad)' students, affecting not only the number joining but the average attendance of students on the roll. The Mayor of Dunedin