E.—s

20

The committee would like to see a wider interest than is manifested at present taken in the work of the technical school by some of our public bodies. The City Corporation, the Trades and Labour Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Association of Otago, and other bodies are all, either directly or indirectly, interested in the work which is done, and might reasonably be expected to render some assistance to the association.

Balance-sheet. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance, 31st January, 1899 .. .. 530 18 10 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. 673 710 Glasa-fees .. .. .. .. 531 19 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 74 4 4 Subscriptions— Rent, taxes, and insurance .. .. 100 611 General .. .. .. 66 4 6 Gas and coal .. .. .. 33 14 5 Building fund .. .. .. .. 125 17 6 Incidental expenses .. .. .. 6 0 3 Cookery School .. .. .. 810 3 Apparatus and material for practical classes 13 710 Bent .. .. .. .. .. 812 0 Premises and furniture .. .. .. 94 0 7 Interest.. .. .. .. ..342 Electrical plant .. .. .'. .. 1991111 Government subsidy .. .. .. 80 16 0 BalanceEducation Board .. .. 75 0 0 Bank of New Zealand .. .. .. 121 911 Dunedin Savirgs-Bank .. .. .. 114 15 6 £1,431 2 3 £1,431 _2_B Examined and found correct.—C. Gbateb, Auditor.

Supebintendent's Bepobt foe 1899. The total number of students enrolled was 767, an increase of thirty-six on last year's figures. This number, however, includes those students who carried on their work at Port Chalmers, so that the real increase was only small. An analysis of the roll is appended to this report. At the outset of the association's work classes were carried on only during the winter months, but of late years there has been a summer session as well. Thus, as soon as the 1898 session closed, the work of the new year began with the spring botany class, as well as senior classes for theoretical carpentry and plumbing, and chemistry. Throughout the session thirty ; five classes were carried on in twenty-three subjects. Two projected classes, for modelling and for painters and decorators' art, were not carried on, as a sufficient number of students did not enrol for them. During the session sixteen students applied for and received either partial or total remission of their fees. Classes in two new subjects were opened during the session—viz., commercial law and elocution. The former was an entirely new departure, which fully justifies its initiation. A better class of students could not be desired, and they maintained their interest in the work to the close of the session. The elocution classes were well attended, and the results obtained were very satisfactory. In the final examination, the first of the kind held here, fourteen passed the first grade and twelve the second. The examination for the third and highest grade is to be held at the close of next session. As was the case last year, the classes for book-keeping were the most largely attended in the school. The mathematics class was almost too large for manipulation, and will require subdivision in future. It is satisfactory to find that the necessity for this subject is being more fully recognised by our students. Three classes for typewriting were held, and the numbers attending were limited only by the number of machines available. In addition to the ordinary class in theoretical chemistry, a special class was carried on in connection with the New Zealand Pharmacy Board, and also a small senior class in practical chemistry. Professor Black offers free tuition at the University for one session to the student who succeeds in gaining first place in the annual examination. The physics class was better attended than has been the case for many years, and in view of the special teaching in practical electricity which it is hoped to undertake next session this is very gratifying. In this class also free tuition at the University is offered by Professor Shand. In connection with the wood-carving class, the substitution of relief for chip-carving has led to a very considerable increase in the number of men in attendance. The class was a very large one. The dressmaking classes were so large at the outset that after enrolling forty pupils several had to be turned away. As was stated in my last report, Mrs. Eeynolds and Mrs. Denniston, assisted by several other ladies who have in the past materially helped the association, undertook to raise funds for the better fitting up of the cookery room. This was accomplished during the summer recess, and the improvement is very noticeable. The classes have been very largely attended during this session. At the final examination thirteen candidates gained the 0, and three the B, certificates of the association. At the commencement of the session a deputation appointed by the engineers' apprentices employed at Port Chalmers called on me to see whether classes could be opened down there. In response to their request a number of the committee of the association went down to the Port, and at a meeting held under the presidency of Mr. John Mill (the Mayor) it was resolved to open classes for engineering and mechanical drawing. These classes were very well attended during the first quarter, and, though the numbers fell off greatly during the second, the result on the whole has been satisfactory. I have not specified several of the other classes because the work went on unchanged, the attendances being well sustained, and the quality of the work done being satisfactory. The reports