35

E.—s

few the higher classes also participated in the instruction. In the Waimate District High School and in the Timaru Main School the girls of the upper standards did very good work in the cookery classes, while the boys took up woodwork with all the enthusiasm of a new game. In three or four schools the boys were fortunate in having the privilege of belonging to a swimming class. For years past children's gardens have been a pleasing feature of the surroundings of several schools, each child or group of children having a plot to attend to. So far these gardens have been kept for the recreation of the pupils during their hours of play, and for the beautifying of the playground; but with the introduction of nature-study to the course of instruction much more may be made of the gardens than formerly, and in a future report we may be able to record that school gardens are as common as they are now rare. If the lessons in nature-study are in all cases to have immediate reference to the local surroundings, surely in an agricultural district like ours the school garden will come to be regarded as indispensable. During the winter months Saturday classes for the training of teachers were held in Timaru and Waimate. In Timaru botany, drawing, needlework, and woodwork were taken; and in Waimate botany, physiology, and drawing. Except in woodwork, the attendance in the Timaru classes was by no means satisfactorily maintained; at Waimate the attendance was very good. The progress made in woodwork was particularly noticeable, and the instructor has now a class of sixteen teachers who are being prepared for examination with the view of obtaining the certificate of the City and Guilds of London Institute. EXTBACT FROM THE RePOHT OF THE MANAGERS OF THE TIMARU TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATION. The classes held during the winter months of 1904 were probably the most useful and popular yet held in Timaru. The total number of individual students was 310, taking about 440 subjects, while last year 254 pupils took 330 subjects. With the exception of those in senior shorthand and senior book-keeping, all the established classes were large and regularly attended, the classes in junior book-keeping and shorthand being worthy of special mention in this respect. Classes in woodwork and cookery were commenced in June, and were so successfully conducted that we expect that during the 1905 session we shall have at least two full classes in each of these technical subjects. The following shows the numbers attending the various classes in each term: Painting, 18; dressmaking, three classes, 68, 38; architectural drawing, 36, 20; wood-carving, 16, 14; drawing, 19, 13; modelling, 12, 5; junior shorthand, 33, 24; senior shorthand, 14, 12; typewriting, two classes, 42, 30; Latin, 13, 9; English, 30, 22; arithmetic, 21, 11; senior book-keeping, 7, one term only; cookery, two classes, 34, 28; woodwork, 24. Having received a petition from fifteen local plumbers to form a class in plumbing, the necessary apparatus and fittings have been applied for, and as it is desired to carry the class on throughout the year, the class will be commenced during the coming month. At the close of the session, examinations were offered in all subjects, and were held in shorthand (speed, theory, and elementary), book-keeping, English, arithmetic, and typewriting. It is confidently expected that during next session we shall be able to present pupils for the City and Guilds of London Institute's examinations in woodwork, cookery, and plumbing, and for the South Kensington examination in art subjects. The new buildings were completed in June, and were at once made use of. We have now a well-fitted cookery-room and an excellently equipped carpenter's shop, and we are daily expecting the tools and fitings of the plumbers' shop. The art-room is practically unfurnished. The surroundings of the new school have not yet been attended to, as for some months we have been without funds; but, with the arrival of the subsidy and capitation, which are now due, the work of fencing and asphalting will be put in hand. The thanks of the association are due to those citizens and local bodies who contributed to the funds. It is most encouraging to the managers to see interest being taken in the work by such bodies as the Builders' Association, who donated £5; it is by such interest on the part of the employers that the younger students are led to take up the work. Thanks are also due to Messrs. Wilson and Fleming, who conducted examinations, and to the local Press, to whose willing assistance is due in no small degree the success of the 1904 session. G. Craw Shaw, Secretary. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending '31st December, 190£. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 186 17 1 AdministrationGrants from Government— Salaries of instructors.. .. .. 245 0 0 Capitation on classes .. •• 59 6 6 Office expenses (including salaries, stationBuildings .. .. •• ■• 1.000 0 0 cry, &c.) .. .. .. .. 53 2 3 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 218 12 10 Advertising and printing .. .. 410 9 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 33 12 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 9 13 Other receipts, viz.— Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 016 0 Fees.. .. .. ■• .. 145 7 4 Rent.. .. .. .. .. 410 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. 419 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 25 12 8 Interest .. .. •• •'• 1 9 11 BuildingsBalance at end of year .. .. .. 49 6 6 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &o.) 1,068 15 0 Architect, &o. .. .. .. 62 16 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 261 17 9 £1,736 1 8 £1,736 1 8 .'James Ckaigie, Chairman) ~, G. Cbawbhaw, Secretary |of Ma ™gers. I have examined the books and vouchers of the above association, and hereby certify that the statement of receipts and expenditure is correct. —Wμ. Irwin, Auditor. Note. —There is now due from the Department on account of 1904 capitation £151 9s. Id., and subsidy on 1904 voluntary contributions £42 9s. 6d., so that the financial position of the association is most satisfactory.