E.— s

50

five nights a week : a few student s ha ye willingly given up their time to this extent, and one also attended art on Saturdays. It is hoped that during the ensuing year others will emulate this spirit of work. In the carpentry and architectural class instruction has been given in joinery, the art of building, and builders' geometry. Though the number of pupils was very fair, irregularity of attendance was a detriment. It is hoped that a revival of the building trade will result in fuller classes. All young carpenters would benefit by a course in architecture. In electricity the interest shown by the pupils was strong, the conditions in a room specially fitted up being a vast improvement on those of former years. Much practical work is to be done next year by the advanced students returning, and there is good prospect of an increase in numbers. In the dresscutting class the pupils showed great interest in their work, and were very regular in attendance. In the signwriting class very good progress was made by.pupils who attended the full time. The. depression in trade caused a fall in attendance, but several have intimated their intention of joining in the coming term. In the art class some light-shades are needed to improve the conditions of work. Several ex-pupils would probably return if a class were held in the evening. Some of the free pupils are showing aptitude for drawing in light and will probably take painting in the future. The Managers have reason to be pleased with the results which followed the opening of the new Technical School, which act was performed by the Hon. George Fowlds in the early part of the year. Their thanks are due to the numerous local institutions which contributed to its support during the year, and they hope that the parents and young people of the district will continue to support the school with an increase of attendance. E. King, M.A., B.Sc, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1909, in respect of Associated, Classes conducted by the Petone Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. ' Expenditure. £ h. d Balance at beginning of year .. .. 27 17 8 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 369 0 (i Capitation on associated classes .. .. 108 2 0 Office expenses (including salaries, staCapitation on account of free places .. 33 0 6 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 18 9 4 Buildings .. .. .. .. 364 14 6 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 11 10 6 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 54 12 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 35 10 6 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 419 16 3 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 6 2 0 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 104 5 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 47 11 I Fees .. .. .. .. 150 10 6 Cleaning, &c. .. .. .. .. 28 19 0 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 114 15 0 Cartage .. .. .. .. 110 6 Petone School Committee, for gas used .. 410 0 Refunds to free-place pupils '.. .. 17 0 0 Sales, &c. .. .. .. .. 7 17 9 Bank charges .. .. .. .. 0 18 6 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &o.) .. 179 5 3 Architect, &o. .. .. .. 151 8 11 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 407 19 9 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 114 15 1 '£1,390 1 2 £1,390 1 2 Alex. Thomson, Chairman , „ m r\ _r _ of Managers. J. G. Castle, Hon. Secretary i 6 Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Masterton Technical School. The classes opened in the new Technical School in March, and closed in November, during the whole of which time they were well attended. The course of the work was spread out over three terms of twelve weeks each, and instruction was given to classes in the following subjects : Perspective and model drawing, geometrical drawing, building-construction and architectural drawing, freehand drawing, light and shade, painting, dressmaking (six classes), plumbing, commercial work (short-hand, typewriting and book-keeping), signwriting and ticket-writing, wood-carving, wool-classing (three classes), English and arithmetic, Civil Service subjects, and Pitman's shorthand. In all, twenty-two classes were established, and that the instruction thus provided was appreciated is amply demonstrated by the fact that of a total average number of 281 pupils on the combined rolls of the respective classes the average number in attendance was 209. Comparison with last year's records, when the respective totals were 2(iO and 176, shows a very considerable increase. While referring to the classes generally, special mention may be made of those in dressmaking under Miss M. Johnston. These classes proved most popular amongst the ladies, as is shown by the fact that they were attended by a total of 57 pupils, whilst the average number in attendance was 40. As in former years, the holders of proficiency certificates were this year also allowed to take up their free places at this institution. The number who took advantage of the opportunity thus afforded was 44, of whom 38 succeeded in complying with the departmental regulations in reference to the attendance of free pupils. Of the balance, three failed owing to removal from the district, while two were excused owing to illness. It is a noticeable fact that by far the larger proportion of these free pupils take for their optional wink subjects connected with our commercial course, no less than 38 of them having followed this course during the past year. Early in the year the Managers found that there was a growing demand for the establishment of classes in wool-classing. The Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was approached, their active co-operation and assistance secured, and classes in thai branch of farming industry forthwith established. The Managers succeeded in securing the services of Mr. 8. Wood, instructor to the Napier, Hastings, and Waipawa Technical School wool classes, and before the term was far advanced no fewer than 60 students, mostly farmers from all parts of the district, had joined the classes. The instruction provided was greatly appreciated, and it is the opinion of the Managers that classes such as those just referred to constitute a strong claim for the support of the general public on behalf of the institution. During the. course of