49

E.—s

term of the next session several weeks earlier—viz., about the end of March—except for the plumbing, which has already begun, the idea being to allow of three eleven-week terms in this subject. It is unnecesary to recapitulate here the steps which led up to the foundation of the Association. Suffice it to remind the subscribers that the real beginning dates from the 10th April, 1905, when Mr. Angus Marshall, Superintendent of the Dunedin Technical Classes, kindly visited Oamaru for the purpose, and put things in train. At that meeting a provisional committee, consisting of His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. T. Wiliamson, Dewar, J. Mitchell, J. Blyth, R. Mahan, R. Milligan, W. H. Frith, Scoon, and Archdeacon Gould was appointed, and these gentlemen, with Mr. Marshall's invaluable assistance, inaugurated the Oamaru classes. At a subsequent meeting, held later on in the year, the following Managers were appointed in accordance with the Departmental regulations: Messrs. T. Williamson, Scoon, Lucas, and Archdeacon Gould (elected by the subscribers), Dr. McAdam and Mr. Mahan (Borough Council representatives), Mr. J. Blyth (nominated by the Waitaki County Council), and Mr. James Mitchell (Otago Education Board). Mr. Williamson was elected Chairman, and Mr. Scoon Hon. Secretary. In September last, on Mr. Scoon finding it impossible to continue to act as secretary, Mr. Mahan acted in that capacity pro tern, until last month Mr. Harold F. S. King was appointed permanent secretary. The Managers consider that the report would be incomplete without a special reference to the great services rendered to the Association by Mr. Angus Marshall, Superintendent of the Dunedin Technical Classes. Without his valuable assistance, ungrudgingly given, it is possible that the Oamaru classes could not have been started last year; it is quite certain, at any rate, that a large proportion of the credit due for their initiation and success rightly belongs to Mr. Marshall, and the Managers gladly place on record their real appreciation of all he has done for the Association. They also desire to lay particular stress on the good work done by Mr. Scoon, who shares with Mr. Marshall much of the credit due for starting and carrying on It will doubtless be recognised that during the past year the Association labourtsfiyWllepvl disadvantages, inasmuch as there was no suitable building in had to be spread over several different rooms, wherever, in fa« 7, _; to be able to state, however, that the Education DepartmenS\h^\l^*rfaftt(£3©?Jtos\ o ld ]Eustomhouse building in Tyne Street will be handed over to the ispjac&tef by the Benevolent Trustees, which, we understand, will be in time \vjj£& meantime we shall have to make the best arrangements possible. A R_X^*^ In regard to the results of the past year's working, from an educat?r3oWpsßfiTof view, it will be seen from the Hon. Superintendent's report that instruction was given in the following subjects : Arithmetic, dressmaking, drawing, cookery, English, plumbing, shorthand, typewriting, penmanship and correspondence, wood - carving, mathematics, book-keeping, and Latin. In almost every instance the report received was both gratifying and encouraging. The work done .was, generally speaking, excellent, and this was in great measure due to the very capable instruction given by the various teachers, and the individual attention paid to pupils. The wood-carving and drawing classes have been cut out of the syllabus for the coming session, and classes in carpentering and commercial law inserted instead. The two latter subjects will, it is thought, prove very popular and useful. At the close of last session a very satisfactory exhibition of practical work in connection with the various classes was held in the Middle School, and visited by a large number of the public, who showed a gratifying interest in every section. Special mention may be made of the refreshments, which were prepared by the teachers and students of the cookery class, and reflected the greatest credit on all. As far as the financial position of the Association is concerned, it will be observed from the accompanying balance-sheet that the receipts from all sources were £515 155., and the total expenditure £491 14s. Id., leaving a credit balance at the end of the year of £24 os. lid. This, we think, cannot be considered as other than satisfactory in the circumstances, though the balance would necessarily be swallowed up by the expenses of starting the carpentering and country dressmaking classes, and other incidentals. We must also point out that there are liabilities of over £12 for plumbing material, (fee, still outstanding, so that the balance is very considerably reduced. The fact must also be borne in mind that possibly a big outlay faces us at the conclusion of the current year in connection with taking over the old Customhouse. Our sincere thanks are due to the subscribers to the Association, especially the Oamaru Borough Council, the Waitaki County Council, and the two life members, the Hon. George Jones and Dr. Don. We should like to see more of the latter, and also the public generally, becoming subscribers to and patrons of the work of the Association, in which every resident of the town and district should be interested, and will be, directly or indirectly, benefited. In conclusion, the hearty thanks of the Managers are due to all those who have in any way assisted during the year to further the work of the Association, especially to the supervising examiners, and to the local Press for the sympathetic co-operation and assistance it has extended. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year to the 12th February, 1906, in respect of the Classes conducted by the Oamaru Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on classes .. .. .. 217 18 0 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 247 7 0 Buildings (rent) .. .. .. 25 0 0 Advertising and printing .. .. 19 12 3 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 81 011 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 11 3 6 Material .. .. •• .. 15 16 1 Insurance .. .. .. .. 0 16 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 53 10 0 Rent .. .. .. .. 34 8 0 ji ees .. .. .. 64 17 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 27 6 3 Voluntary contributions .. .. 54 15 0 Sundry accounts .. .. .. 21 14 6 Sundry receipts .. .. ■ • 217 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 129 6 7 Balance .. .. .. .. 24 0 11 £515 15 0 | £515 15 0 Thos. Williamson, Chairman. H. King, Secretary. 7--E. 5.