E.—s

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Artisans' Classes. —The plumbing classes have done good work, but unfortunately the attendance of students has neither been as regular nor as punctual as could be desired. In December, Inspector Schauer conducted the local examination : 7 presented themselves for the theory, and 5 for the practical test; 5 being successful in the former, and 3 in the latter examination. The examiner remarked that the work, especially in theory, was first class. Under the able guidance of Mr. James Bruce, the building-construction and practical woodwork classes have done excellent work, and students have shown a lively interest in their exercises. The course of instructiondrawing, sign-writing, design, and graining—provided for painters and decorators has undoubtedly provided some of the best examples of work ever turned out from the school. The boys in this class deserve every credit for the excellent and painstaking results they have achieved. Commercial Department. —This section, as usual, has been attended most largely, and yet in many ways is the most unsatisfactory. Students will not remain long enough in the classes to gain a thorough knowledge of the subjects they study. They appear to expect to become experts in a few months, where years are required. Of course this does not apply to a not inconsiderable section, who study most'assiduously. During 1908 a special class will be formed for coaching for the A.I.A. New Zealand, and for the A.N.Z.A.A. Domestic Department. —The dressmaking and millinery classes, under the able management of Miss Bohan, have done excellent work. The domestic science and cookery classes have not been so successful numerically as in the previous year, but admirable results have been achieved. The home nursing class did well for two years, and then circumstances arose that made it impossible to continue the class. With the advent of a new term, a strong class should again result in this important branch of home study. Wood-carving Department. —Mr. W. Andrews, sen., proceeded to England in March last to equip himself more thoroughly for his work among us. During his absence Mr. Andrews, jun., has kept the classes together well, and much good work has beer, done by the students. Science and other classes have proceeded, as in former years, very satisfactorily. General. —Mr. E. C. Isaac, Organizing Inspector for Manual and Technical Instruction, visited the school in April. He was thoroughly satisfied with the work of the school. The school reference library continues to grow in the number of volumes and in usefulness. The day classes for girls have proved most successful; forty being enrolled during 1907. Great interest is shown by the public and the Press of Wanganui in the school. The various trade associations have established a lead which might with advantage be followed in other centres. It is to be hoped that before long the two years spent in the day classes will be deducted from the number of years of apprenticeship. Waverley. —The Waverley Committee, with Mr. Banks, worked hard, and had the satisfaction of forming successful classes in book-keeping and commercial arithmetic, dressmaking, and drawing and painting. Turakina. —At present, dressmaking classes only have been attempted, but the classes were carried out to a successful issue. Marton. —The Technical School is now an established fact. £60 was raised locally, and a commercial class-room has been added to the three rooms previously authorised. The Hon. G. Fowlds performed the opening ceremony in August. Mr. Wilkes, the energetic local director, is to be congratulated on the success of his first year's work. Bull's. —Classes in English, commercial arithmetic, book-keeping, dressmaking, and millinery have been conducted in this township. The students and Mr. Gray, the headmaster, have worked hard, and excellent work has been the result. The near future should see the erection of woodwork, cookery, and ordinary class-rooms, nearly £200 having been raised locally. Ilunterville. —Dressmaking and wood-carving classes continue to receive good support. Taihape. —Dressmaking and wood-carving were the only subjects taught here. A grant of £400 has just been sanctioned towards the cost of a suitable Technical School. This, with £200 locally subscribed, and the Government subsidy thereon, will be sufficient to cover the cost of science, woodwork, and cookery rooms. I anticipate much success from my work in this centre. A. Varney, Director. Extract from the Report of the Superintendent of the Southern District. During the year classes have been conducted in the district at the following places : Feilding, Kimbolton, Colyton, Bunnythorpe, Halcombe, Apiti, Pohangina, Rongotea, and Ashhurst. In all, forty-seven classes, attended by 664 pupils, were held. A feature of the year's work has been the establishment of country classes. These have been a decided success, thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of the school-teachers. The work of the classes in Feilding has been much hampered by the unsuitability of the rooms in which the classes have been held, but, with the opening of the new Technical School next year, good work should be done. The unsuitable accommodation and equipment, and the difficulty in securing suitable instructors, have prevented pupils from sitting for the various technological examinations, but, with the appointment of special instructors for the district next year, this defect should be remedied. H. Amos. Extract from the Report of the Superintendent of the Northern District. The year just ending marks, in this district, the beginning of a scheme of procedure in connection with technical instruction which should in the near future produce such beneficial results as will fully justify the initial expenditure necessary on the part of Government, Education Board, and local authorities. Previously, technical classes of an elementary nature have been successfully carried on, under the control of local headmasters of schools, at Eltham, Hawera, and Mangatoki,