E.—lc

24

The ordinary classes of the association—seventeen in number—commenced work on the 7th April, and the session closed, after the usual examinations, on the 30th September. I have again to record various changes in the teaching-staff, largely due, as in former years, to the fact that the committee is fortunate in always securing the best available teaching-talent in Dunedin, and from which appointments to better positions elsewhere are frequently made. Thus Mr. J. A. Johnson, who has been in the past one of the most efficient teachers on the staff, received the appointment of head master of the main school, Timaru, just before the commencement of our session. As the English class last year was almost too large for one teacher to handle successfully, it was resolved this session to break it up into two—viz., an English literature class, under Miss M. 8. White, and an English class, under Mr. J. E. Barrett. The former, though not largely attended, has done very good work, as is testified in Mr. Waddell's report on the papers examined by him. I regret very much that, owing to serious trouble with his eyes, Mr. Barrett was obliged to retire from the post of teacher of the English class at the close of the first quarter, and his place was taken by Mr. Walter Eudey, of Kensington School. I desire to express on my own account, as well as on that of his pupls, our sympathies with Mr. Barrett, and our hope that he will soon be completely restored to health and work. Mr. Pearce's report on the work of the English class shows that in spite of the unfortunate break in their studies very satisfactory results were achieved, and I have to thank Mr. Eudey for filling the breach as he did. The physics class was conducted by Mr. Charles O. Lillie, who was appointed at the commencement of the session on the resignation of Mr, Whetter. Mr. Lillie, however, received the appointment of Science Master in Lincoln College at the half-year, and the attendance at the class being very small, it was discontinued after the first quarter. I would again urge upon young mechanics especially the importance of mastering a knowledge of at least the principles of physics. The association has provided an excellent set of apparatus for the class. Mr. Walter Cutten, who has given his services as teacher of the class for mechanical engineering for four years past, wished to be relieved of his duty, and accordingly Mr. F. M. Payne, teacher of mechanical drawing and machine construction in the School of Art, was appointed at the beginning of the year, and has carried on the work for three quarters. The carpentry class was opened early in the year by Mr. D. Sherriff, teacher of architectural drawing and building construction in the School of Art, and as the work taken in hand was mainly the theory of the subject, the plumbing class was partly associated with it. The practical work of the plumbing-class was carried on as before by Mr. Eobert Knox. Miss Boot having resigned her position as teacher of dressmaking at the close of last session, the class was conducted this year by Mrs. Napier, who, I believe, holds the premier position in this department. In regard to two of the classes held this session, no certificates have been awarded. In the dressmaking-class excellent work was done, and the attendance in the first quarter was large. In the second, owing to a misunderstanding as to whether Mrs. Napier would be able to resume or not, there was a serious and regretable falling-off in numbers. No provision has yet been made for holding examinations in this subject. Miss Gether's wood-carving class was so numerously attended during the second quarter that accommodation for all the students could not be provided. Miss Gether had to go north just before the end of the session, and no awards were made in connection with the class, but Mr. Chisholm, who kindly examined the class while the work was in progress, bears testimony to its excellence in a report which he has furnished to me. I believe there is considerable room in the trade for skilled wood-carvers, but at present the majority of Miss Gether's pupils are ladies who take up woodcarving as a recreation rather than an occupation. A special remark is due this year to the cookery-classes. It is now four years since the association drew up a syllabus for an examination in plain cookery and domestic economy, and granted certificates for the same, to be called the "C " certificates. The question of granting a higher certificate for fancy cookery and for ability to give lessons and practical demonstrations in the art has been mooted once or twice, but has only been carried into effect this session. With the co-operation and assistance of Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. G. L. Denniston, and Mrs. GTordon Macdonald, a syllabus was drawn up, and a practical examination in accordance with it was held on Tuesday, the 28th September, these ladies supervising the work through the day. Six candidates presented themselves, all of whom passed the examination with credit. The examiners expressed themselves surprised and delighted with the character of the work done. In this connection I put it to the ladies of Dunedin whether the time has not come for the establishment of classes in which domestic servants could receive a thorough training. As far as Mrs. Miller's classes are concerned, lam sure the whole community would be great gainers if mistresses would aid their maids in becoming the winners of the association's " C " certificate. Last year I had to record that the number of students enrolled had reached its highest figure— viz., 457. This session we have enrolled 458. Of this number 316 are new pupils, and 142 former-year pupils, one or two, indeed, having attended pretty regularly at some class or other for the past eight years. The proportion of former-year students to the whole number enrolled has increased from 287 per cent, to 31 per cent. Of the total nujnber who entered, 126 obtained either one or more class certificates. One unsatisfactory feature to which I wish to draw attention is that 399, or 87 per cent, of the whole, only take one class. I regret that owing to the imperfect returns sent in, I cannot satisfactorily class the ages of students as formerly. I need not repeat the remarks made by me last year as to the occupation, &c, of the students. The figures appended speak for themselves, and are of interest. While there is a very large floating element as it were, among the students of young people who come either voluntarily or at the wish of their parents to fill up a couple of evenings per week in some useful manner, there are signs that the main work of the association is beginning to crystallize