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himself highly satisfied with tho work done. The same applies to the work of the Normal Training College students' classes. The departmental examinations held at the end of the year showed that the instruction given was of the right order. Thanks are due to those who gave special prizes—namely, W. H. Montgomery, Esq., W. Recce, Esq., Canterbury Branch of the Institute of Architects, Mrs. Lonsdale, J. W. Gibb, Esq., W. Sey, Esq., 11. Hammond and Co., J. Ballantyne and Co., Whitcombe and Tombs, and Colonel Snow. F. G. Gurnsey, Acting-Director. OTAGO DISTRICT. Extract from" the Report op the Dunedin Technical School Board. During the year 1919 435 pupils entered the Technical High School, 130 returned soldiers attended special day classes, and 1,377 students enrolled in the technical or evening classes. There were fifty-one transfers from one department to the other during the year, so that the number of individual students entered upon the books in 1919 totalled 1,891. Returned Sold/tern. —Special full-time classes for discharged soldiers seeking instruction in commercial work, mechanical engineering, motor engineering, and wool-classing were, under an arrangement with the Repatriation Department, carried on during the day. After the classes had been in operation for some months it was deemed advisable to close the class for wool-sorting, and appoint an additional instructor for motor engineering. All the classes were well attended by men who entered upon the courses of instruction with energy and enthusiasm, applied themselves diligently, and maintained a keen interest in their own training. As soon as they had acquired sufficient knowledge and experience these men, .almost without exception, were, through the agency of the District Repatriation Board, placed in suitable civic employment. The success that has attended this scheme is a gratifying compensation for the slight disorganization of school-work and the inconvenience occasioned by the special provision for these practical classes. A large number of returned soldiers also attended evening classes, and proved themselves to be steady, attentive, reliable, and keen to learn. It is an interesting fact that practically all the discharged men who so far have availed themselves of the educational advantages offered have been of a particularly steady type. The Farm. —Part of the overgrowth on the Kempthorne Farm has been cleared during the year, and the ground brought under cultivation. When account is taken of the season 'and also of the previous neglected state of the ground, the crops of oats, turnips, and potatoes produced may be regarded as very satisfactory. The residence and farm buildings, which were in a sad state of disrepair when the property was purchased, have been put into good order, and it is anticipated that these buildings will, with a little attention from time to time, serve their purpose for many years to come. The cost of the repairs, together with the purchase of implements and stock, involved the Board in an expenditure of £1,200. This amount was taken from the Technical School Board's ordinary funds, thus considerably reducing the working balance at the disposal of the school authorities. Hutments for Boys. —The farm residence contains a large kitchen, a dining-room, and sittingroom suitable for the use of boys, so that with the erection of proper sleeping-quarters, now beingerected, accommodation will be provided for at least twenty boys. Plans and specifications for detached hutments to serve the purpose were submitted to the Education Department, and in view of the heavy outlay already incurred by the Technical School a grant equal to the estimated cost of these buildings was at once promised. Having failed to obtain satisfactory offers by tender for the erection of the buildings thus sanctioned, the work has been undertaken by day labour, and present indications are that this method will prove satisfactory and at the same time less costly. Hostels for Girls. —The Board has in previous reports referred to the unsatisfactory nature of daily long-distance travelling for girls, and has stressed the necessity for the erection of hostels. Plans showing the proposed buildings and arrangements were submitted to the Department, and in the reply received approval of the designs as well as of the project was expressed, with the suggestion that a suitable piece of ground, containing several acres, should be secured, upon which to erect such a hostel. Efforts have been made to obtain the necessary land, but up to the present time nothing definite has been done with regard to the purchase of a site. Improvements and, Extensions. —The motor-garage, erected during the year at a cost of £760, is a very important addition to the general equipment, and has been in full-time regular use since its completion. With the accommodation and facilities now at our disposal for the training of motor mechanics it is difficult to understand how we were previously able successfully to conduct classes for instruction in this branch of engineering. The Board's policy of gradually improving the school yards and grounds has been continued, and as a result the courts, paths, and fence on the York Place frontage are gradually assuming a rrruch more presentable appearance. Since the end of the year several friends of the school, noting this improved appearance, have, without any direct appeal being- made to them, forwarded contributions sufficient to render nearly £100 available for the further prosecution of this work. It is becoming increasingly evident; that the completion of the main-school building, by the erection of the west wing, cannot be much longer delayed. The policy of small classes adopted by the school authorities, and the setting-aside of rooms for soldiers' classes, has somewhat taxed the class-room accommodation, while at the same time the school science-rooms have been in such constant demand that it has not been an easy matter to arrange for the routine of the work in the chemical and physical departments. The completion of the west wing would provide six additional rooms, one of which could be fitted up as a laboratory, while a second could be arranged as a lectureroom and, if required, used on occasions as a class-room. Amended Regulations. —The regulations issued towards the end of the year provided a muchneeded increase in the capitation payable on account of pupils in attendance at technical high schools, and the funds thus provided enabled the Board to pay members of the staff salaries more in keeping with their work and responsibilities. But the new method of computing the capitation for technical or evening classes can "hardly be regarded as satisfactory. The increase in the amount receivable is practically nil. Although it was well known that a substantial increase was necessary, the practical result of the regulation is that the payments will average about the same per capita as formerly—and, indeed, perhaps even less. Further, we wish it to be noted that the fact that no increase for technical classes is forthcoming under (he amended regulations is rendered the more regrettable by the omission of any addition to the rate of payment for free places. The