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LIBRARY. The number of volumes contained in the library is as follows : Fine arts, 373 ; architecture and building-construction, 188; mechanical, 232; general, 512. The number of works from the lending branch taken out by the students during the year was 957. The library is much valued by all sections of students. The space set apart for readers is too small, and the space for works exhausted. Another objectionable feature is that the office and library being combined leads to serious interruption of the office duties. EXHIBITIONS AND LECTURES. An exhibition of French and English posters, kindly loaned by Messers. Cowan and Co., together with illustrations of colour-printing methods supplied by the London Graphic and by Messrs. Turnbull and Palmer, of Wellington, was held in June, and attracted considerable attention. Lectures upon photography were delivered by Messrs. Gifford and Pringle in connection with the Arts and Crafts Guild. VICTORIA COLLEGE LABORATORIES. The College chemical and physical courses are held in Rooms Nos. 5 and 6 on the first floor of the Victoria Street building. Advantage has been taken of this course by several technical students. I have suggested the recognition of the University College by the City and Guild of London, in order that students may qualify in the laboratories of the College for certain science subjects, and thus be enabled to dispense with the English examinations. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION ACT. The above Act has greatly relieved the finances as affecting the Technical School. A sum of £362 was granted towards apparatus and material for the year, enabling several of the classes to be equipped with very necessary appliances, and considerably increasing the efficiency of the work. The result of the year's work is still a financial loss to the Board, but this is mainly owing to the fact that outstanding amounts due by the Department cannot be paid to our credit in time for the close of the year's accounts on the 31st December. EXTENSION OF WORK. Increased accommodation is an urgent necessity, and I sincerely hope that the City Council will, now that the Board has decided to come under the " associated classes " clause of the Technical Instruction Act, see its way to assist with the necessary grant of land and funds. During the past year I have found considerable difficulty in accommodating the number of students enrolled. In addition to this, urgent workshop accommodation is required on behalf of the mechanical engineering, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, and pattern-making classes; and class-rooms for electricity, building-construction, &c. The library, owing to want of accommodation, cannot be properly arranged, and is overcrowded, whilst the office arrangements are most inconvenient. The long hours, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., during which the classes are held, has necessitated the appointment of Mr. H. Bastings as assistant to myself in the general control of the classes. WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL. A special committee of the Council has been set up to consider what steps may be taken to assist the cause of technical education. Representatives of the committee have met the representatives of the Board's Technical Instruction Committee and the Industrial Association representatives, but up to the present no decision has been arrived at; this, however, is, I trust, only a question of time, and I hope shortly to report progress of a satisfactory character. WELLINGTON INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION. The committee appointed by the above association has visited the classes during the year, and has contributed a sum of £25 towards the funds of the school. The association, as stated above, has a representative upon the joint committee set up to deal with the question of the school's extension and its management. The free studentships given on behalf of the association have been continued as formerly. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Pees received .. .. .. .. 1,370 15 1 Salaries .. .. .. .. 2,379 14 1 Government capitation .. .. .. 843 011 Cleaning, lighting, &c. .. .. .. 263 7 1 Government grants .. .. .. 559 10 5 Printing and advertising .. .. 103 8 3 Government subsidies on voluntary contri- Cookery classes .. .. .. .. 191 5 0 butions .. .. .. .. 152 0 0 Buildings, apparatus, and material .. 542 7 1 Voluntary contributions .. . 118 17 0 Sundries .. .. 277 3 10 Sundry receipts .. .. .. 64 11 4 Debit balance .. .. .. .. 6tB 10 7 £3,757 5 4 £3,757 5 4 The following statement of accounts will give a fairer idea of the financial position for the year : — Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. 3,108 14 9 £3,757 5 4 Outstanding claims — Cookery .. .. .. .. 504 15 0 Sundry amounts .. .. .. 156 10 8 13,770 0 5 £3,757 5 4