47

E.—s

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1909, in respect of Technical and Continuation Classes in Country Districts.

G. L. Stewabt, Secretary.

Extract from the Report of the Director of the Wellington Technical School. The attendance during the year 1909 was on the whole satisfactory. The total members were in most classes as great as the room available would allow. The average attendance was good, being somewhat better than in previous years, and the proportion of earnest students was also larger than usual. The number of free places held at the school was greater than in former years, but the increase was confined to the evening classes. Owing to the recent opening of other schools to free-place day students, the numbers at this school have been affected to a slight degree, and probably will not settle down to normal conditions for a year or two. It is, however, abundantly evident that this school fills a real want in the day educational system as judged by parents and guardians : and the success of old daystudents is a further justification of the existence of these classes. The results of the year's working have further confirmed me in the opinion that the attendance of junior free-place students between fourteen and sixteen years of age at evening classes should be discouraged as much as possible. Numbers of those who began well were compelled —according to the statements of their parents, in some cases supported by medical opinion—to resign their free places in consequence of overstrain due to day and evening work. Indeed, evidence of this overstrain was very strong in some of the classes. The difficulties of teaching are largely increased when students come to class in a tired and unreceptive state, and it is often impossible to insist on home work being adequately performed. Further experience makes it very plain that two years in the junior day classes forms the best preparation for the evening trade classes. Many of our best evening students in the trade and applied-art classes are drawn from those who have completed a preparatory day course. The totals of averages of class entries in the various departments were as follows : Art, 1,071 ; science, 772 ; trades. 479 : commerce, &c, 1,861 ; domestic economy, 263 ; giving a grand total of 4,446. Art Classes. —These classes have been satisfactorily attended during the year, and marked progress has been made by the majority of the students. The average quality of the work done is higher than in the previous year, and gives promise of good results as time goes on, and our younger students, well grounded in the elementary work have larger scope in more advanced subjects. The life and anatomy classes have been well attended, and good work has been done. In the applied-art classes excellent work was done in jewellery and metal-work and in stencilling and needlework design. The modelling classes have been large, and the results are very promising. A pleasing feature is the attendance of boys in the plastering trade at the evening classes ; as also is the attendance of trade apprentices in the evening design class. Science und Mathematics. —These classes have been well attended, largely by students reading for Civil Service and Matriculation Examinations. It is, however, cheering to notice that a considerable proportion of the students are apprentices in the engineering and building trades. Engineering Department. —The classes in electrical engineering have been strong, and good workis being done. The institution of a Board of Control, and the necessity for passing a qualifying examination before being granted a license by the City Council to work as electric wiremen and fitters, have had a good effect. The City Council contributed a special grant of £100 to the funds of these classes during the year, and also a special annual contribution of £5(1 to assist in running the classes,

'eceiptx. f'ent re. n i , Grants from li.ilance at Government: Other Receipt) : n 7vl«? g Captation on Fees. ot vear - Special Classes. Balance at Knil of Year. Totals. Garterton Greytown Masterton £ s. d. £ p. d. i s. d. (1 17 8 2 17 2 2 5 0 9 7 9 e p. d. 8 6 10 £ s. d. 11 19 G 9 7 !> 8 6 10 Totals 1C 5 0 2 17 2 2 5 0 2 17 3 2 5 0 8 f> 10 8 6 1(1 29 14 0 29 14 0 ■*> V ■ ' V » 4I« • I —* *-* * I I Expenditure. I Administration. Balance at Hi'ginninjt of Vear. Salaries ol Incidental Advertising Instructors. Expenses. and Printing. Administrntioii I Balance at End of Year. Centre. It; Be lalanoe a egtnntng Year. at .' hi Administration. if Salaries ol Incidental Advertising Instructors. ExDenses. and Printinir. Balance at End o( Year. lance at End I Year. Totals. Totals. instruftors. Expenses. and muting. £ a. d. 2 4 3 !) 7 9 £ s. d. 11 19 5 9 7 9 8 6 10 Carterton Greytown Masterton £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 2 17 2 6 6 0 0 12 0 8 6 10 £ s. 8 G (1 1( 1. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 2 17 2 ! 0 0 fi 0 12 0 0 £ s. d. 2 4 3 !) 7 9 £ s. d. 2 4 3 !) 7 9 £ s. d. 11 19 5 9 7 9 8 G 10 Totals 8 6 8 6 10 l< 0 2 17 2 0 6 0 0 12 0 2 17 2 r> r> o 0 12 0 11 12 0 11 12 0 29 14 0 29 14 0 1