E.—s

34

transferred to Temuka. The examination held at the end of the year proved that the students had done very satisfactory work, and all the students, thirty-two in number, who sat for the Senior Free Place Examinations have been granted free places by the Education Department, tenable for three years. Mr. E. C. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Schools, paid his annual visit to the school in July, and saw all the classes at work. Mr. Isaac's report was highly satisfactory, and stated that all the classes were under efficient instruction, and that the discipline and conduct of the school was most satisfactory. The buildings have been kept in efficient repair throughout the year, and since the school closed in November the whole of the outside of the building has been painted and renovated. Since the Education Board has removed its officers and office equipment to Christchurch, the Board has handed over to the Managers the control of the rooms formerly used by them as offices, and this will give accommodation for more classes if necessary. The balance-sheet shows that the school is still in a sound financial position, although the credit balance is £18 less than it was the previous year. Voluntary contributions are about £35 less than they were last year. Considering the year's work as a whole the results are highly satisfactory, and the thanks of the Managers are due to the teaching staff for the enthusiasm they have put into their work. The success of the school depends on the efficiency of the teachers, and the Managers have been fortunate in having the services of expert instructors. The Managers feel they cannot close this report without placing on record their high appreciation of the very valuable services rendered by the late Director, Mr. Ritchings Grant, who has been appointed Supervisor of Manual and Technical Education under the Canterbury Education Board. Mr. Grant has occupied the position of Director of the Timaru Technical School for the last ten years; during that time the school has made very great progress. Not only has the school grown in numbers, but a sound financial position has been built up as the result of careful administration. The Managers have appointed as Mr. Grant's successor Mr. Gavin Moffat, F.P.A. (N.Z.), as Director and Secretary. Mr, Moffat was for the past five years the book-keeping instructor at the school. Gilbert Dalglish, Chairman. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Temuka Technical School. During the year classes were conducted in dressmaking (three), wool-classing, singing, and voice-production, painting and sketching, elocution, commercial work, ambulance and home nursing, and sheep-shearing : that is, there were ten classes in all, one less than in 1915. Classes in cookery and agriculture were not well enough supported and had to be dropped, while singing and elocution classes were taken up in place of those abandoned. The wool-classing class was stronger than it has been for some years, and there are proofs that the instruction given at it is having a good effect on the marketing of farmers' clips, as some reports from London of wool classed and baled by pupils and ex-pupils of the class go to show. The wool-classers were well represented at the competition held by the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and prizes were again carried off by our men. For sheep-shearing a very good stamp of young men enrolled, and, although the class was slightly weaker numerically than it was last year, excellent work was done and satisfied even the most exacting. Mr. McCully was again most energetic in helping the Managers, and quite a number of farmers kindly came forward with mobs, of dry sheep. Altogether 2,150 sheep were shorn in three weeks, and the wool came off the sheep's backs practically undamaged. No public demonstration in shearing was given this year on account of the exigencies of war; but Mr. and Mrs. McCully were quite prepared to do their part had it been possible to guarantee a good attendance. The other classes wore as well supported as could be expected, and the Managers have every reason to be pleased with the standard of instruction given. Altogether 116 individual students attended the school, in spite of the high percentage of men in the district who have answered their country's call. Mr. J. Mclnnes, Winchester, again supplied a large quantity of wool for wool-classing, and no praise is too great for that gentleman's public-spiritedness; nor must Mr. H. Bell be forgotten for his continued interest in the welfare of the school and for his endeavours to have the wool-room stocked with stud fleeces : in this matter he generally contrives to enlist the sympathy of prominent farmers. The voluntary contributions are not quite so large as last year, but a grant from the Hobson Trust Account made through the courtesy of the Temuka Road Board was a great help, and the Managers trust that it will become an annual grant. Owing to financial stringency no subscription was received this year from the Temuka Bicycle Club, but it is more than likely that a donation will be received during 1917. In connection with the financing of the school we would again respectfully urge that it is important to keep up donations, and we would emphasize the fact that slightly increased amounts from the local bodies and an extended list of private contributors would greatly strengthen the Managers' hands, and have a direct influence for good on the school and the district. We cannot close this review of the year's work without expressing our apreciation of the valuable help rendered to our Board by Mr. Ritchings Grant, who has been removed to Christchurch. Geo. B. Cartwright, Chairman. J. T. Smart, Director.