E.—6.

The establishment of a technical school has been a means of creating interest in art and science work among the teachers throughout the district, and their attendance (optional) at the Wednesday classes in Gisborne and the Saturday classes in Dannevirke and Napier sufficiently testifies to their earnestness and to their desire to prepare subjects that will be of value to them in the training of their pupils. Beport op the Mastee op the Napier Technical School. The following report deals with the work of the technical classes held at Napier and Gisborne during 1902. The following classes have been carried on since the Board's schools reopened on the sth February of this year. Napier. — Special Saturday classes for teachers, at which instruction is given in design, principles of ornament, and colour. One hour is devoted to each subject. The total number of attendances registered for the first quarter was 677, showing that from the first the class has been greatly appreciated. A second hour's instruction was given during the quarter in perspective as applied to modeldrawing, but, as many of the teachers had attended the previous course held during the fourth quarter of 1901, the attendance registered was comparatively small, the total being 141. Both classes were continued through the second quarter and are still in operation, in order to give the teachers an opportunity of gaining experience, and of applying practically the rules given them during the first quarter. The attendance for the second quarter was—for design 457, for perspective 127. The falling-off is entirely owing to the winter season, many of the teachers living in remote country districts, which makes their attendance impossible during the winter months. On the completion of the course in perspective instruction was given in light and shade from the cast and model-drawing. A class for model-drawing and light and shade was also held for teachers at the Training School. The total attendance for the first quarter was 185, and for the second quarter 176. Evening Classes for Painting and Draiving. —These classes have been continued on the same lines as those of last year. The fee charged is 10s. per quarter, but a reduction of 2s. 6d. is made for scholars attending public schools. The subjects of instruction are : Model, scale, geometrical, and mechanical drawing, painting in sepia and in monochrome, still life, &c. Four hours' instruction per week was given, and the total attendance for the first quarter was 448, and for the second 372. Most of the students are young, several of them not having yet left school. A system of scholarships providing for six months' free tuition has been established in connection with the evening classes at the Technical School; these scholarships, ten in number, have been distributed proportionately among the town schools. Saturday Afternoon Class. —Instruction is given in this class, which is for advanced students, in still life, painting, and sketching from nature. The class is small, but the students are enthusiastic and good results are obtained. Napier Main School. —lnstruction was given during the year in elementary design and colour to Standard VI.; the results were highly satisfactory. A similar class was held at the Hastings District School. Napier High School. —lnstruction was given during the year in model and perspective drawing, and woodwork. The programme of instruction in woodwork is based entirely on the exercises issued by the Department. The progress made has been decidedly satisfactory. I would, however, like to see more drawing in connection with the work ; but the time given to the subject does not allow of it. Gisborne. —Classes similar to those already described as " Special Saturday classes for teachers " at Napier were held at Gisborne every Wednesday, and have from their commencement in March met with the keenest appreciation ; most, if not all, of the teachers in the district within a possible radius attended the classes. Gisborne District High School. —A three-years course of work has been drawn up and will be submitted for the approval of the Department. The course embraces model-drawing, plane and solid geometry, isometric and scale drawing, design, and the principles of colour. On the whole, the scope of the work has greatly increased this year. Teachers realise the necessity of qualifying themselves in technical subjects, but the need of proper accommodation for our classes is greatly felt, especially in such subjects as light and shade, for which the gas-lighting of the building we use as a technical school is anything but satisfactory. It is, further, impossible to hold day classes, as the building is partly occupied during daytime by pupils from the Training School. In conclusion, I have to say that the total amount granted by the Department for apparatus for the schools of Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay for the present year was £74 19s. 4d.; a grant of £18 19s. was also made to the Technical School for casts and models. These are the only grants we have received for apparatus since technical classes were first established in Napier in 1899. E. N. Anderson.

MARLBOROUGH. EXTHACT PROM EePORT OP THE EDUCATION BOARD. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Up to the present time no public interest has been evinced in the direction of manual and technical education in this district, such as has been shown in many other parts of the colony by the establishment of associated technical classes, either by independent associations or in conjunction with the Education Boards. Perhaps the almost entire absence of manufacturing industries in a community exclusively occupied in agricultural or pastoral pursuits may partly account for this apparent apathy. The Board has not as yet made any

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