E.—s.

shorthand-writer may perhaps be unable to spell his transcription, give a precis of the matter, or expand stated facts into a satisfactory letter. In the same way, something more than mechanical work is often required from the typist, and the same weakness in composition and spelling is sometimes apparent. Similarly.a knowledge of commercial arithmetic and, to some extent, of commercial law, is an advantage, if not essential, to a book-keeper. But in the majority of cases students will not attend instruction in these kindred subjects unless such subjects are grouped and treated as one. Next year, therefore, an attempt will be made to arrange the course in such a way that students will be induced to take up the study of kindred subjects. Of the classes for science, that for botany continues satisfactory, while that for chemistry showed a marked falling-off, and perhaps during the second quarter hardly justified the employment of two teachers. On the other hand, the attendance of students at the class for electricity was great enough to tax the capacity of a single teacher, and is a good indication of the demand for a practical class in this subject. In the classes for physics and chemistry the prizes of free tuition at the University granted by Professors Shand and Black respectively lead to remarkably keen and earnest work among the more advanced students. The class for applied mechanics may also be regarded as satisfactory, but appliances for demonstration are urgently required, and a strong effort should be made to obtain these before next session. To suit the requirements of students intending to sit for the City and Guilds of London examination, a special class in mechanical engineering was held during the summer. The results are not yet to hand. The next group of classes is known under the designation " trade classes." Owing to the assistance of master plumbers, expressed through their association, the theory class for plumbing was this year better attended, and, according to the examiner, the work of the practical class in the same subject is equal to, if it does not excel, that of any former year. The class for carpentry, although not large, was sufficient to tax the space at disposal for practical work, and the examiner specially commends the work done during the past year. The class for tailors' cutting and fitting was a small one, and when the class of work that is being done becomes known the attendance is sure to increase. Mr. John McDonald, who examined the class, reports that good progress has already been made. During the first quarter the attendance at the dressmaking class was so great that an extra class had to be formed, but during the second quarter the number of students was sufficient to form only one fair-sized class. Hitherto the class has not followed any system of cutting and fitting, but this year, by arrangement between the teacher and the patentee, a trial was made of the " Frisco system," and the results are such as to justify giving the system a further trial next year. The teacher suggests that a sewing-machine should be procured for the use of students attending the class, and the suggestion certainly has much to recommend it. A class for instruction in wool-classing was carried on during the year, and is likely to become permanent. Through the courtesy of the wool-brokers, ample wool for the practical instruction of the students was provided, and by the end of the year the wool-sorting branch of the subject was mastered. The class for wood-carving continues to be rather large for a single teacher to manage, and probably the best solution of the difficulty is to divide the class and charge the more advanced pupils a higher fee. Next year an attempt will be made to carry on a class specially for apprentices of the carpentry and furniture trades. In all three cookery classes practical work is done, and the classes were fairly well attended, students coming in regularly every week from such distant places as Balclutha and Lawrence. Very few of the students sat for the certificate examination, but several candidates are preparing for the examination held annually by the Education Department of England. The result of the year's work, taken as a whole, may be regarded as entirely satisfactory ; indeed, in many classes it was probably of a higher standard than that done in former years. During the past year there were fewer applications than usual for remission of fees; a few students, however, have not yet paid, and should not require to be reminded. The examiners, many of whom undertake the work at great inconvenience to themselves, are again entitled to the thanks of the association. The various members of the staff have been regular in attendance and diligent in the discharge of their duties. I have to thank them for assistance rendered. Angus Mabshall, Superintendent.

SOUTHLAND. Extract feom Ebpobt of the Education Boabd. Training of Teachers. —The Board in its last report acknowledged receipt from the Government of a special grant of £150 for the training of its teaching staff in the various departments of kindergarten, manual, and technical work. This year a similar vote for this purpose was placed at the Board's disposal. Special Saturday classes for the instruction of teachers in these subjects were held in Invercargill and Gore throughout the year. To enable students from all parts of the district accessible to the railway system to attend, free passes were issued. A large majority of the Board's staff of teachers took advantage of the concession offered of gaining some practical knowledge of the various subjects above enumerated—a knowledge that, judging by the spirit of the times, seems now to be an indispensable adjunct to the teacher's stock-in-trade. The fact that so many of the Board's staff of teachers are willing, and indeed in many cases anxious, to sacrifice their statutory weekly holiday to equip themselves more fully for their life's work speaks volumes for their earnestness and enthusiasm. EXTBACT FBOM EePOBT OF THE InSPBCTOBS OF SCHOOLS. Manual Training. —Great progress was made in this branch of school-work during the year In almost all the infant departments some form of handwork was successfully taken up, and in several schools, notably the South (Standards I. to IV.) and Middle (Standards I. to VI.), the upper classes did work of capital quality. In this district manual training is now beyond the

35