E.— 6

24

Library. The number of volumes contained in the library is as follows : Fine arts, 460; architecture and building-construction, 239 ; mechanical, 319 ; general, 545 : making a total of 1,563, an increase of 118 volumes. The number of works from the lending branch taken out by the students during the year was 1,088. 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. Exhibition. An exhibition of students' work in all branches was held in the main hall during the first week of the first quarter, and attracted a very large number of visitors, who took a keen interest in the various examples shown. Finance. The school is in credit to the extent of £11. The position, which is, however, far from satisfactory, has not come about without careful management and the obtaining of funds from every available source. It is easy enough to work an institution successfully when plenty of funds are available, but the present conditions are a constant source of anxiety to the managers. The apparatus of the school has been considerably increased during the year, with a corresponding increased efficiency in the class work generally. Extension of Work. Increased accommodation is an urgent necessity, and I sincerely hope that the Government will see the necessity of providing the necessary grant to enable additional buildings to be erected. During the past year I found considerable difficulty in accommodating the number of students enrolled. In addition to this, urgent workshop accommodation is required for mechanical engineering, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, and pattern-making ; and class-rooms for electricity, building construction, casting, lithography and photography, practical mechanics, commercial work, painting and decorating, &c. Director's Resignation. It is with considerable regret that I have tendered my resignation as Director and Secretary, after an association of eighteen years with the cause of technical education in this district. As, however, the financial conditions under which the Board is working do not offer much hope of improvement in my position, lam compelled to take this step. I shall always take a keen interest in the cause of technical education, and hope particularly to see the Wellington School extending its usefulness. Statement of Accounts. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Fees received ... .. .. .. 1,493 411 Salaries .. .. .. .. 2,761 18 4 Government capitation .. .. .. 1,203 11 3 Model fees .. .. .. .. 58 0 0 Government grants . . .. .. 433 15 6 Printing and advertising . . .. 139 11 0 Government subsidies on voluntary oontri- Examinations and prizes .. .. 51 8 4 butions .. .. .. .. 132 12 6 Apparatus .. .. .. .. 336 111 Voluntary contributions .. .. 136 17 6 Material . . .. .. .. 207 0 3 Sundry receipts .. .. .. 380 411 Buildings .. .. .. .. 89 4 1 Scholarships .. ~ .. .. 151 10 0 Travelling .. .. .. .. 12 1 6 Teachers' training .. . . .. 170 0 0 Cleaning and lighting .. . . .. 308 9 3 EducationJßoard . . .. .. 200 0 8 Rent .. . . .. .. 40 0 0 Sundries .. .. '.. .. 287 2 7 £4,301 17 3 . £4,290 17 3 Credit Balance, £11. Arthur D. Riley, Director and Secretary. Report of the Managers of the Masterton Technical Classes Association. The managers desire to place on record their appreciation of the liberality of the Trust Lands Trustees, who again voted £100 in aid of the technical classes. Largely owing to the assistance thus rendered by the Trust the managers have been enabled not only to widen the scope of the work of the classes, but also to strengthen its efficiency. The thanks of the managers are also due to the Education Department for the exceedingly liberal manner in which the school has been treated during the past year. In addition to the quarterly capitation payments, grants amounting in all to £42 18s. lid. have been voted by the Department in aid of material, apparatus, &c, required in connection with the working of the classes. In addition also to the grants thus referred to, the collection of students' works lent to the managers by the Department is still on exhibition in our school, and forms a valuable object lesson to students working in the subjects of which they are illustrative. In their report last year the managers referred to the urgent necessity that exists for securing a suitable site upon which to erect a properly equipped technical school. This necessity has become greatly accentuated during the period that has elapsed since the report referred to was submitted, and yet, notwithstanding, nothing has been accomplished in this direction. Under the prevailing conditions, not only is the scope of the work of the classes greatly limited and their successful working seriously hampered owing to the unsuitability of the present buildings, but the building itself occupies its site on sufferance only, and is liable to removal at the shortest notice. Owing to these reasons it will doubtless be recognised how urgent is the necessity for prompt action in the establishment of new premises. During the year just ended a poll of the voters of the Trust Lands Trust As a result oi this poll the Trustees were empowered, in accordance with the terms of " The Masterton Trust Lands Trust Empowering Act, 1902," to convey or transfer to the Crown land described in the schedule thereto, to be used as a site for a technical school, Here, however, the matter ends for the present. It is now