E.—s

36

Extract fkom the Ebpobt of the Waimate Technical Classes Association. Classes for the following subjects were carried on during the year: Book-keeping, typewriting, shorthand, dressmaking, woodwork, cookery, English, arithmetic, and brush drawing. The rollnumbers were: Book-keeping (three classes), 94; typewriting (two classes), 45; cookery, 49; woodwork, 35; dressmaking, 41; English, 35 ; arithmetic, 12 ; brushwork, 10. On the completion of the Technical School the managers arranged for classes in cookery and woodwork. These classes have proved very successful. Before long the equipment of the laboratory will be completed, when classes for chemistry and elementary electricity will be commenced. It is the intention of the managers to systematize the subjects next year. The following "courses will, it is hoped, be arranged : (1) Agricultural course, including agricultural chemistry, botany, mensuration, woodwork, book-keeping, wool-classing, and veterinary surgery; (2) domestic course, including cookery, dressmaking, and book-keeping; (3) commercial course, including book-keeping, shorthand, typewriting, and commercial correspondence. During the year eight instructors have been employed, and the work, although not all one could desire, has steadily improved. The managers have been put to considerable expense in the endeavour to provide suitable equipment for the classes. Their thanks are due to the members of the Technical Classes Association and the local bodies for their support, and also to the following:—Messrs. Nicol and Son, Messrs. Gregg and Co., Mr. Akhurst, and Mr. W. Coltman—for donations of material and special appliances. It will be seen from the balance-sheet that, although there have been many calls upon the funds of the managers (as there always must be in connection with the establishment of classes), the financial position is satisfactory. The residents of the borough and county are now provided with an excellent opportunity of obtaining technical instruction at very moderate rates. In conclusion, the managers express the desire that still greater interest will be taken in the classes during the coming session, and that that interest will exhibit itself not only by an increased attendance at the classes, but by liberal donations by the local bodies and by the residents of the district. A. S. Mobeison, Chairman. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1904. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 711 9 Administration— Grants from Government —■ Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 86 10 0 Capitation on classes .. .. .. 28 0 5 Office expenses (including salaries, stationBuildings .. .. .. .. 400 0 0 cry, &c.) .. .. .. 35 18 0 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 283 7 5 Advertising and printing .. .. 11 5 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 17 6 0 Lighting and heating .. .. ... 419 9 Other receipts, viz.— Insuranoe and repairs .. .. .. 2 10 0 Fees .. .. .. .. 41 4 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 7 5 6 Voluntary contributions .. .. 27 18 0 BuildingsContracts (new buildings, additions, &0.).. 329 16 6 Architect, &0... .. .. .. 49 12 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 276 15 4 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 0 15 6 £805 8 1 £805 8 1 A. S. Moeeison, Chairman ) f Manasers J. E. Hutchinson, Secretary} 01 iVJ - ana g ers - I have examined the books and vouchers of the above association, and hereby certify that the above statement of the receipts and expenditure is correct. —W. Thomas, Auditor. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Temuka Technical Classes Association. In presenting the second annual report of the Temuka Technical Classes Association, the Managers feel that there is reason for congratulation on the increased popularity and prosperity of the classes. The year was started with a credit balance of £20 os. 4d., which, after the payment of all current expenses for the past session, has now been increased to £42 3s. 9d. About £40, apart from Government grants, has been expended in the purchase of necessary apparatus. The Road Board and Temuka District High School Committee again generously made donations towards our funds, but, unfortunately, the Borough Council did not see its way to renew the previous year's grant. The experiment of making technical education free, and relying solely on receipts from the Government and voluntary contributions to provide the necessary revenue, has been justified financially, and was to a considerable extent responsible for the large increase of pupils; but it is doubtful if the privileges offered were as valued as they should have been. Several of those who joined as junior technical scholars appeared to have done so mainly out of curiosity, and evinced little or no enthusiasm in the work they had commenced. It has also been generally observed by the instructors that a number of the younger pupils, for whom the benefits of the school are chiefly intended, received no encouragement from parents to pursue their studies. Did parents and employers but know the help they would accord the classes by taking an intelligent interest in the progress of the pupils, this help would be less sparingly given. Youths have attended the commercial classes, and because they have not become competent stenographers in a few weeks' time they have discontinued their studies, lacking that incentive to work which can often be fostered by home encouragement. The commercial classes were well instructed by Mr. J. Clark, and had the largest attendances of pupils during the year. A serious drawback to Mr. Clark's work was the irregularity of attendance on the part of many of the Dupils. The dressmaking