E.—s

50

Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Dunedin Technical Classes Association. The Managers beg herewith to submit the eighteenth annual report. The Board of Management for flic past year was composed of Messrs. A. Burt, D. R. Eunson, T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., and D. R. White, M.A., elected by the Otago Education Board; Messrs. J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., A. Sligo, and G. M. Thomson, F.L.S., reappointed by members of the Association; and Crs. T. Scott and J. H. Walker, representing the Dunedin City Council. Mr. Burt was re-elected Chairman and Mr. Eunson Hon, Treasurer. Since the formation of the associated classes four years ago the constitution of this Committee of Management has remained practically unaltered, seven of the nine original Managers still retaining their scats. The representatives of the various associated bodies have always worked in nerfect accord, while members of the Education Board have shown every sympathy with our efforts. The increased grants obtainable for schools working as " associated classes " have enabled us to obtain the much-needed and long-desired extension of our building. A detailed account of the past year's work is given in the Director's report. The number of individual pupils enrolled during the year was 828. Of the 61 classes in operation this j ear, 15 were for continuation subjects, 21 for commercial subjects, and 25 for technical subjects. A satisfactory feature of this division is the increased provision that is year b}' year being made for technical subjects and for working these in as parts of recognised courses. The recent additions to the school provide us with a plumbers' workshop, a carpentry workshop, an engine and dynamo room, a cell-room, a large room for practical electrical work, a cookery room, a chemical laboratory, and three large class-rooms. Although the additional accommodation thus secured has relieved the congestion and overcrowding, still the rooms at our disposal are not sufficient for the courses of instruction. Adjoining our well-equipped and up-to-date plumbers' workshop we require a lecture-room for demonstration, experimental work, and theory generally, anil our arrangements cannot be regarded as complete until this special room is provided. Next, in connection with our carpentry workshop, a room is required where instruction may be given in the necessary drawing, demonstration, and theory. Further, although our classes for mechanical engineering have always been self-supporting (forty-nine students last year attending the classes for this subject), yet we have neither special rooms nor suitable provision for giving instruction in this important branch, and in order to remedy the defect other two rooms are urgently required. Mr. Rodger (the Board's architect) is now busy preparing plans for the necessary rooms. This addition, it should be mentioned, will complete the building and leave no room for further extension on the present site. Until the suggested building can be erected it may be necessary to modify the furnishing and fittings of the electrical workshop, that it may during the next few months serve a double purpose. With the object of meeting the anticipated demand for day technical classes, your Managers had a first year's scheme of work prepared, wherein provision was made for three separate courses. These were a thorough domestic course, a very full commercial course, and a first year's technical course, the science, drawing, and mathematics of the last-mentioned being such as would admit? of subdivision and specialisation during the second year. Enrolments on behalf of intending pupils were invited, but the number of applications in reply thereto was insignificant. Seeing that {he establishment of day classes would necessitate the employment of a permanent day staff, and involve considerable financial risk, your Committee did not deem it advisable to proceed further with the matter this year. The afternoon classes will, however, be still further extended, and in all likelihood the outcome will be the establishment next year of day classes somewhat on the lines indicated above. That the classes of our Technical School are free to holders of proficiency certificates is a fact the Managers would like to be more generally known. The concession is granted for two years, regardless of age, and if the attendance and progress are satisfactory the period may be extended to five years. Further, it is understood that pupils not entitled to free places, and whose circumstances are such that they cannot well afford to pay fees, will, on giving the necessary information, be granted remission of fees. Another fact that the Managers wish to direct attention to is the liberality of the University professors, who grant free tuition to our leading scholars in English, physics, and chemistry. This concession has been an incentive to many of the students, several of those taking advantage of the tuition thus gained having afterwards distinguished themselves. The balance on the credit side is £101 4s. Id. Since the end of the financial year, however, the allowances for the last quarter have come to hand. We again tender thanks to the lion, examiners for their services so freely rendered, and also to the Press for its ever-ready assistance. And once again the Managers desire to express appreciation of the services of the Director and the teaching staff. Much credit is due to them for the honourable position that the school has now attained, as well as for the excellent work done during the past year. Alex. Sligo, Acting-Chairman. Angus Marshall, Secretary. Extract from the Report of the Director of the Dunedin Technical School. I beg to submit the following report of the work done during the session now closed. Building operations delayed the opening of the classes for three weeks, and, owing to the removal of the portion of the building, the accommodation at our disposal was more inadequate than ever; consequently, several classes, of which the most important was that for instruction in practical electrical work, could not be held. For the first time for many years past operations were confined