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cut put. Also, it is very difficult and undesirable to carry diagrams, specimens, and experiments to and fro for the science classes, and impossible in wet weather. Then, in regard to laundry-work, we have only the small washhousc and ironing-room at Studholm House, in which the house washing has to be done every week. This is quite inadequate for teaching a class of any size. It is difficult for even eight girls to be taught properly, and Ido not know what we shall do during the approaching summer session. We shall probably have to work the classes in sections, thereby doubling, or even trebling, the time and labour involved in teaching, and even then, not doing it to our satisfaction. Moreover, it creates a very bad impression, to have the work done in such small, dark, inadequate quarters. Outsiders who wish to "pick holes" can readily bring up points to find fault with, which are not in the least the fault of the course, but are entirely due to our very deficient accommodation; and they take full advantage of this opportunity. Others who are not wilfully critical find it difficult to believe that we really are doing what we profess to do. They ask, " How can you teach the girls properly in those surroundings? " If the Council would see the difference in doing that work in a large and properly equipped laundry, and in the poor accommodation we have got, they would be surprised at the different impression it would create. W. L. Boys-Smith, Dean.

SOUTHLAND. Extract from the Report of the Director of Technical Instruction. Very successful classes in wool-sorting were carried on at six country centres in the eastern district, the number of students in attendance at each being as follows: Knapdale, 13; Gore, 20; Waimumu, 12; Mandeville, 7; Balfour, 21; Waikaia, 13. Other centres also were anxiou' to have classes established, but could not be taken owing to the instructor's time being full; occupied. That the students fully appreciated the value of the instruction given was shown. in the high average attendance recorded at each centre. There can be no doubt but that farmers arc realizing that students who have gone through the course intelligently are enabled to grade their wools in a manner that enables buyers to put their utmost limit of value on them with certainty. The instructor was fortunate in securing the co-operation of a number of studmasters who very obligingly placed their best sheep at the disposal of the classes for demonstration purposes. In only one other centre was a country class carried on during the year—Greenhills, where a class in drawing and painting v\ as held with the satisfactory roll number of twenty-two. For some years now this has been practically the only centre where it has been found possible lo establish evening classes, and the fact that these have been so successful is entirely due to the enthusiasm of the instructress. Knowing that all country children passing out of the Sixth Standard do not avail themselves of. a course at a secondary school, one feels disappointed on reflecting that there should be so little evidence of a desire amongst those Who have left school to pursue their education any further. In conclusion, I have to acknowledge the fairness with which all claims have been met by the Education Department. To the Inspectors and the Secretary a word of thanks is due for willing assistance at all times, and to the various instructors I have also to record my thanks for their untiring efforts to make their classes a success. R. Brownlie, Director of Technical Instruction. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Southland Technical College. The Managers held regular monthly meetings during the year, and special sub-committees were set up at each meeting to attend to matters requiring consideration during the month. This Board was one of the first to move in connection with the provision of special education for returned soldiers, and had actually decided to provide instruction at its own expense for ten men before the present arrangements were made by the Government. One of the most pleasing features of the year's work has been the donation by Mr. W. B. Scandrett of £200 to found two scholarships, one for domestic science students and one for apprentices in the wood or metal working trades. Since the Technical High School was established in 1912 the roll number has increased steadily. In that year the roll was 139, as compared with 223 in 1916. Free places were held by 213 students, including 190 holders of junior free places and twenty-three holders of senior free places. The numbers enrolled for the different courses were as follows: Commercial, 154; domestic science, 28; trades, 33; agricultural, 8: total, 223, an increase of 23. The number of boys is slightly lower than it was last year, when ninety-nine were in attendance, whereas the number of girls has increased from 101 to 133. Undoubtedly the war has been principally responsible for this, as boys with secondary training are in keen demand in the professions and the skilled trades, and during the year it has been impossible to fill even half the positions for which boys were required. A greater proportion of the boys are also going to work immediately on leaving the primary schools, otherwise one would have expected increased enrolments in the boys' as well as the girls' classes. The proportion of students taking the commercial classes is always very considerable, but this is only natural as shown by the large number of junior clerks and typists who attend for

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