H.—2o.

" The past year's class was a particularly good one and, considering the limited time devoted to the work, I am quite satisfied with the progress made. Once again we have to thank the trustees of the MacKinnon Trust for their continued interest and practical help in donating a sum of money to provide prizes for both classes in the form of text-books dealing with wool-classing and agricultural subjects." Under the auspices of the local branch of the Workers' Educational Association a special class during the winter months has been conducted in economics by Mr. J. Stobo, M.A., First Assistant at the Southland Technical College. His report reads as follows: — " Twelve meetings of the class were held and the programme for the session was similar to that of the previous year.. Each meeting was opened with a talk by the tutor dealing with current topics. The remainder of the evening was taken up by class-members according to a syllabus drawn up at the beginning of the session. The class was visited, one evening by members of the Invercargill Workers' Educational Association Play Reading Class, who read two plays, which were much appreciated. " Looking back I feel that the 1934 session was a most successful one. The class showed exemplary keenness, and when it came to portioning the work there were no shirkers; in fact, the general tone of the class this year was excellent." The winter class held by Mr. A. J. Deaker, M.A., in conjunction with members of the local branch of the League of Nations Union again attained excellent results. The lecturer's report states: — " I have to report that the League of Nations Union is very satisfied with the results achieved by its class held this year in your institution. After Sunday evening addresses were given a class of about thirty volunteers was formed, and to this class a course of seven onehour lessons and readings was given. Thirty-two boys sat the short examination at the end of the course, and the work produced was of a very good standard. My union had pleasure in awarding nine book prizes to those boys who were awarded high marks. In future years I have no doubt the League of Nations Union will be glad again to conduct a class of your boys in the study of the League." Much care and attention has been given to the furtherance of the recreational side of the work, and every boy is encouraged to take part in some form of recreation. During the football season two teams were entered in the Southland Rugby Union Competition—viz., third and fourth grades respectively. Both teams, which were ably coached by Mr. E. C. Kelly, did very well, being runners-up in their respective grades. The finals in these matches were played at Rugby Park. In the Third Grade we were beaten by our old rivals, the Southland Boys' High School, and in the Fourth Grade by the Southland Technical College. In this connection we are indebted to the Southland Rugby Union for providing transport facilities. Several matches were played during the season under the House System, thus inculcating a friendly spirit of competition among the four houses. The cricket season comes in two separate periods of the year, and during the first half of the season eight friendly matches were played against outside teams, of which we won six and lost two. When it is considered that most of the teams played were up to Junior A Grade Standard, our boys did exceedingly well. In the last half the season was opened by His Worship the Mayor, Mr. J. Miller, who bowled the first ball which started a friendly game consisting of a team chosen from, visitors and members of the staff versus the boys. The game resulted in a win for the boys. During the two periods house matches were played each Saturday and the competition between the various houses was very keen. A team was entered in. the Junior "B " Grade Competition. To date ten matches have been played, of which the institution won six and lost four, and are leading in the competition (Advice'has now been received that the Borstal team won the competition and the " Times" cup.) Our thanks are due to the Southland Cricket Association for a generous supply of cricket gear, which was very much appreciated. Special athletic sports meetings were held under the House System on New Year's Day, King's Birthday, Boxing Day, and Labour Day. Wakatipu House was again successful in retaining the cup for highest aggregate in all branches of sport. The tennis-court on the recreation-ground appears to be most popular with the Maori boys, who take a very keen interest in the game. Both Fives and volley ball have their followers, and it "is considered a wise policy to allow the inmates who so desire to follow these games as much as possible, as they are mainly lads who do not seem interested in other branches of recreation. Impromptu swimming carnivals were held during the summer months. Members of the Oreti Life-saving Club conducted a Life-saving Class, thus giving the boys an opportunity of becoming proficient in this branch of sport. The Rotary Club members still take an active interest in the welfare of the boys attending the association class. Each Thursday evening visiting members give lectures, talks, and other items of interest, which are eagerly looked forward to by the boys. I regret to state that Mr. J. S. McGrath, 8.A., who has been associated with the evening school classes for a number of years, has been laid aside by illness for a considerable time. During his absence the work has been carried on under the supervision of Mr. L. J. Clapp, Headmaster of the Wa.ikiwi School, and ably assisted by Mr. T. McFarlane, First Assistant of St. George School. The general working of the classes is embodied in the following precis of Mr. Clapp's report:—

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