43

8.—5

Extract frOm the Report of the Managers of the Temuka Technical Classes Association. The past session, the most successful in the short history of the Association, has been marked by a distinct progress in the work which has now been carried on in Temuka for three years. Formerly our classes provided principally a continuation of the work which is carried on in the public schools, but last year marked the inauguration—in a small way, it is true —of technical classes in the true sense of the word. These classes were carried on under conditions which greatly militated against the success aimed at, but nevertheless fair results were obtained, and during the coming session, with better facilities in accommodation, apparatus, and teaching staff, definite courses of technical instruction for pupils in the district should be put on a thoroughly sound basis. A great difficulty which the Association has had to labour under in the past has been the obtaining of certificated instructors. Tho inability to procure these is a drawback under which all small associations such as ours labour, but it is satisfactory to know that it will be largely overcome during the coming session by the various technical bodies in South Canterbury co-operating with the Education Board in the procuring of well-trained teachers. In March last, the Temuka Odd Fellows' Hall was leased at a rental of £25 per annum, and equipped for the teaching of cookery and woodwork. Later in the year, the long-promised grant for a technical school was passed by the Government, and the Education Board received a sum of £1,435, £1,000 of which was to build science, cookery, and woodwork rooms, and the remainder to erect and equip a highschool room. Plans were prepared by the Board's architect, a tender accepted, and the buildings are now on a fair way to completion. Plans of fittings on the most approved modern lines have been prepared, and science apparatus, for which the Department has authorised a grant of £123, ordered from the Old Country, so that, with the apparatus already in the Association's possession, the building, when complete, will be as up to date as any in the South Island. The following classes were held during the session : At Temuka—cookery, 2 classes, average 30; commercial work, 2 classes, average 29; dressmaking, 2 classes, average 32; woodwork, 1 class, average, 19: wool-classing, average, 6. At Geraldine —dressmaking, 2 classes, average 41; commercial class, average 15. At Pleasant Point—dressmaking, 2 classes, average 29. A photography class, average 15, was also held at Temuka during the first quarter, but was discontinued owing to the difficulty of obtaining an instructor. It will thus be seen that the classes have been well attended during the session, there being an average of 210 pupils a week at the three centres. The pupils, too, appear to be of a better stamp, and more in earnest over their work, than those of previous years. The financial position of the Association is sound, the balance-sheet showing a credit of £118 10s. Bd., though through having to close this on the 31st December our position is made rather brighter than it really is, several liabilities having yet to be met. The thanks of the Association are due to the Temuka Borough Council, Temuka Road Board, the District High School Committee, and private subscribers for valuable financial assistance; also to the Education Department, Wellington, for the ready and courteous way in which it has met our requirements, and to the officials of the controlling authority for willing assistance rendered. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1905, in respect of the Classes conducted by the Temuka Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 42 3 9 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 184 10 0 Capitation on olasses .. .. .. 236 14 4 Office expenses (including salaries, stationRent .. .. .. .. •• 350 cry, &c.) .. .. .. 56 0 9 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 71 0 6 Advertising and printing .. .. .. 219 6 Material .. .. .. .. 915 8 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 11 1 4 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 36 5 6 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 2 7 0 Pees .. .. .. •• 49 18 6 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 210 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 36 5 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 11 14 5 Grant from Education Board .. .. 7 10 0 Cartage.. .. .. .. .. 2 0 0 Sundry receipts .. .. .. .. 15 4 Caretaker .. .. .. .. 20 14 0 Travelling-expenses, &c, of instructors .. 8 5 0 Bank charges, exchange, &c. .. .. 116 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 75 3 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 115 16 8 £494 4 1 £494 4 1 G. W. Abmitage, Chairman) . Mana „ erq Alf. A. Hintz, Secretary )ot Mana g ers - Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Waimate Technical Classes Association. There has been again a steady increase in the numbers attending the classes as a whole, and the public are commencing to appreciate the value of these classes not only to young women and youths, but also to those who from various reasons did not receive a great amount of education in their young days. The purely technical classes are much better attended than the continuation classes, probably because they do not savour so much of " school." Throughout the year classes have been conducted in the following subjects: Chemistry (12), English (38), arithmetic (40), mensuration (17), cookery (40), woodwork (44), shorthand (92), typewriting (98), book-keeping (98), dressmaking (37), wool-classing (23), wood-carving (20), painting (24). The numbers in brackets show the roll-number of each class. Owing to the departure of Mr. Wood and the consequent lack of interest in the subject, the chemistry class was discontinued during the second quarter. Wool-classing also was continued for one quarter only. This proved a most useful class to the small farmers, and was on the whole well attended. The woodwork class did some splendid work, and proved most useful and instructive. It is the intention of the Managers to open the