£.—ic

20

making in all £78 16s. lid. We are given to understand that some more liberal assistance may be obtained from the Government, and steps are now being taken with that object in view. In the meantime, and because, probably, of the altered system of Government aid, the public have not this year subscribed to the same extent as last. This may be accounted for to some extent, too, by the fact that canvassing for this purpose means a great sacrifice of time, which few can spare or feel called upon to devote to the work. Certainly some more active and systematic means of increasing the revenue will have to be undertaken to successfully carry on the work of the school. With a view of securing the permanency of the school, and possibly extending the scope of its operations, a deputation consisting of the members of this Council waited on the Education Board, and laid before that body the position of the school, and urged the Board to take it over in order that it might be worked by the Board in conjunction with the public schools. It was pointed out to the Board that, if it so desired, the present Council would act in the capacity of a managing or advisory committee. The various members of the deputation expressed their views upon the question, and thanked the Board for the opportunity afforded them of placing the matter before the Board. The Chairman intimated that a committee would be set up for the purpose of further investigation. At the Board's request, full particulars have been supplied by the secretary. Owing to the absence at Wellington of a prominent member of the committee, the meeting has only recently been held, and your Council awaits the results. Having regard to the future growth of the school, a request was made to the Auckland City Council asking for the free gift of the allotments in Wellesley Street Bast above the school, as a site for a new and larger building. We were prompted to make this request more particularly because a sympathizer and supporter of the cause of technical education had spontaneously offered to advance, upon reasonable security, an amount sufficient to build substantial school premises. So far no reply has been received from the Council, further than that the matter had been referred to the Reserves Committee for consideration. In January last the balance of subsidy, due upon subscription amounting to £79 Os. Bd., was received from the Government. A further sum of £100 was also obtained by way of subsidy upon the Taranaki Fund. This amount was secured as a result of the secretary's visit to Wellington in October, 1895, for this purpose. The receipt of this money enabled the Council, in January last, to place the sum of £200 upon fixed deposit at the National Bank. The Council desires to emphasize the fact that, but for the receipt of the Taranaki Fund, which was £357 19s. 5d., it would have been absolutely impossible to have provided the necessary appliances for the school, or carried out its work. As a similar handsome donation cannot be relied upon in the near future, the question of ways will require the serious consideration of the incoming Council. At the suggestion of some of the instructors, overtures were made to the promoters of the Auckland Industrial Exhibition with a view of exhibiting there some of the work of the students. The management have generously offered a stall free of charge, and arrangements will be made for it to be duly fitted up. The Council expressly desires that all subscribers to the association, parents and friends of students, and others generally interested in technical school work should visit the school periodically and judge for themselves of the character of the instruction provided. This request refers particularly to masters and journeymen tradesmen. We are sure it would dispel the erroneous idea, unfortunately very prevalent, that the school affords no real or practical benefit to the artisan class. One instance, at least, has come to the knowledge of our secretary. A young man, a former student of the school, left for America to extend his trade-knowledge. He met with no success until happening by chance to come across some of his school-drawings, which he submitted with his application at a second interview, the work done therein being considered very satisfactory, led to his immediate engagement. It has since been learnt that the same technical knowledge has secured ready employment to our old student which he states would not have been received without it. As the balance on hand at the end of the financial year is £220 15s. 6d., there has been a deficit during the year of £42 10s., the balance at the end of the previous year being £263 6s. 3d. There are accounts outstanding to the amount of about £30, so that the real deficiency for the year is about £72. The income for next year may be estimated as under : — £ s. d. Government grant ... ... ... ... ~, ... 80 0 0 Fees ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 246 0 0 £326 0 0 The expenditure is as follows : — £ s. d. Secretary and caretaker .-.. ... ~. ... ... 100 0 0 Instructors' salaries ... ... ... .. ... ~. 316 0 0 Printing and advertising ... ~, ... ~. ... 27 0 0 Eent ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 90 0 0 Taxes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 0 Sundries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 35 0 0 £570 0 0 This would leave a deficiency of £244, and as less than £200 will be available, it is evident that the financial position of the association demands the most serious consideration.