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hoped that the Trustees will at an early date place the managers in such a position that they will be enabled to approach the Government with a request for a substantial subsidy in aid of the erection of a technical-school building suited to the requirements of the town and district. In response to a request from the plumbers of Masterton, classes for instruction in the theory and practice of plumbing were inaugurated in April last, and were successfully conducted for three consecutive°terms of ten weeks each. These classes were well attended, students travelling considerable distances in order to take advantage of the facilities thus afforded. At the close of the course of instruction two of the students sat for the plumber's certificate issued by the Wellington Technical School. Mr. Barry, the examiner sent up by the Wellington Technical Board to conduct the practical part of the examination, in referring to the work done by the class, stated that it compared most favourably with the work of the Wellington plumbing class. Several samples of the work done were exhibited at the Masterton Industrial Exhibition, and were there very favourably commented upon by persons well qualified to judge. These facts speak for themselves, and encourage the managers in the belief that efforts for the furtherance of technical education in Masterton will, as the range of the work expands, prove of much benefit to the district at large. During the year three sessions were held, classes being established in the following subjects : Drawing, painting, dressmaking, woodwork, plumbing, book-keeping, shorthand, typewriting, general knowledge, and Civil Service and matriculation subjects. The classes in drawing and painting were carried on for a fourth term. The average number of pupils on the roll of the drawing and painting classes was forty-four. Several of the pupils sat for the South Kensington (London) Art Examinations held here in July last. Seven passed in freehand drawing, one in geometrical drawing, two in model-drawing, and one in light and shade. A number of pupils also passed the examinations held here in December last in connection with the Wellington Technical Board. The dressmaking class was fairly well attended during the three terms, the average roll number being nine. The attendance at the carpentry class was well maintained, the average roll number being nine. This class works under the serious drawback of being cramped for room. The book-keeping class did not meet with the success that a class of this nature should exact, the average roll number for the three terms being only six. In the case of the shorthand classes the average roll number was six. The general-knowledge class is a class formed with the object of assisting pupils who have left school in carrying on their studies, and may almost be regarded as introductory to the Civil Service and matriculation class. This class received a fair amount of support during the year, and gives promise of greater success in the future. The average roll number was eight. The average roll number for the Civil Service and matriculation class was ten. To students entering for the Civil Service and Matriculation Examinations this'class affords excellent facilities, and should, therefore, command considerable support during the coming year. At the end of the second term the managers secured two typewriters. A typewriting class was held during the third term with a roll number of four pupils. A glance at the accompanying statement of receipts and expenditure reveals the fact that on the 31st December the managers' account at the Bank of New South Wales showed a credit balance of £87 Os. 4d. After all claims for the year were settled, this balance was reduced by £79 3s. 5d., leaving the sum of £7 16s. lid. to be carried forward to next year's operations. During the coming year the managers hope to be able to arrange for a series of lectures on popular subjects being delivered from time to time under the auspices of the association. In conclusion, the managers desire to express the hope that the general public may be induced to show a more lively interest in matters connected with this school, and afford it the amount of support and encouragement so worthy a cause merits. At present the work is being carried on under great disadvantages, but, given fair opportunities, there is every prospect of the school developing into an institution which will prove of lasting benefit to the community. Edwin Feist, Chairman. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1903. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from year 1902 . . .. 83 19 5 Salaries for year 1903 .. .. .. 340 10 0 Class fees for year 1903 .. .. .. 120 5 0 Printing and advertising .. .. 9 8 6 Rent received for use of rooms .. .. 6 7 6 Lighting and cleaning .. .. .. 24 11 4 Grant from Trust Lands Trustees .. 100 0 0 Apparatus from Chapman and Hall, London 32 9 2 Capitation, 1903 .. .. .. 82 12 6 Charges on same .. .. .. 17 10 7 Receipts from lecture .. .. .. 2 8 6 Apparatus for plumbing, woodwork and Grant from Department in aid of one year's drawing classes .. .. .. 18 7 3 rent of workshops .. .. .. 13 0 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 5 11 0 Grant from Department in aid of charges Sundries .. .. .. .. 4118 on apparatus ordered from London .. 815 3 Balance, 31st December, 1903 .. .. 87 0 4 Grant from Department in aid of apparatus for plumbing, woodwork, and drawing classes .. .. .. .. 9 3 8 Grant from Department in aid of material for plumbing class .. .. .. 12 0 0 Pound-for-pound subsidy on account of grant voted by Trust Lands Trustees .. 100 0 0 Cash in hand (voluntary contributions) . . 18 0 £539 19 10 £539 19 10 Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Balance, 31st December; 1903 .. .. 87 0 4 Typewriters .. .. .. .. 32 0 0 Salary of instructor .. .. .. 917 6 Rent of workshops .. .. .. 28 15 0 Printing, advertising, and material .. 8 10 11 Balance .. .. .. .. 7 16 11 £87 0 4 £87 0 4 N. D. Bunting, Treasurer.

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