E.—s

institution, these classes having been attended regularly throughout the year by forty youths. Mention should here be made of the great assistance lent by Mr. M. Flaherty, the Manager of the Orphanage, in the conduct of these classes. A class in carpentry for adults at Wakefield has been particularly successful, averaging over 16 in attendance for the year. Dressmaking classes show an increase of over 100 per cent, on the attendance of the previous year, and well-attended classes in branches of agricultural work have been carried on at Stoke and Wakefield. A tribute to the work of these classes was paid at the recent Fruitgrowers' Conference, when one of the delegates stated that the scientific knowledge disseminated by these classes had done a considerable amount of good for the industry in his district. The teaching of wool-classing in the Wainiea. Nelson, and Bay Districts formed a new feature, and one that is deserving of as much support from Farmers' Unions as Mr. Brine's agricultural classes have received. I desire to gratefully acknowledge the financial and other assistance given to farmers' classes in the Waimea District by the Wakefield Farmers' Union and the Stoke Fruitgrowers' Association. Bay District. —The work in this district has been confined to farmers' instruction in wool-classing and agriculture, for which there was satisfactory support. Westport District. —It is in the Town of Westport that the chief development of technical work has taken place. The Technical School was officially opened in May last by the Minister of Education, and the classes established therein have since received most encouraging support. A special feature of the work at Westport is the establishment of an engineering department, which has been placed under the instruction of Mr. A. G. Tomkies, who, with the assistance of his pupils, has carried out all of the equipment of the mechanical workshop in a most creditable and economical manner, so that the Board now possesses an engineering shop which, though small, is as conveniently equipped and arranged as any in the Dominion. Day technical classes in engineering subjects, embracing twenty hours' instruction per week, were commenced in June, and attended by 6 students. I anticipate that this number will considerably increase during the coming year. Evening classes in engineering subjects, for trade apprentices and others, were held thrice weekly, and received very gratifying support. Through the energy and interest of Mr. Boswell, the local supervisor, classes in dressmaking, bookkeeping, shorthand and typing, building-construction, Latin, English, mathematics, geography, and proficiency-certificate subjects were successfully conducted, and art classes on the lines of the previous year continued. All circumstances considered, Westport has made a very auspicious commencement with technical instruction, and the institution there, with the continued interest of the public and local bodies that has already been manifested, should continue to flourish. Reefton District. —Classes in drawing and painting, and carpentry have comprised the extent of technical work at Reefton during the year. Though there is but little scope for the extension of the work at this centre, I anticipate that the appointment of Miss Lousley as teacher of cookery, and of Mr. Austin as local supervisor, will increase the classes and attendance at the most isolated school of the district. Saturday training (lasses for teachers were held during the year at Nelson and Westport, and were attended with much greater regularity than during the previous year. A very successful twelveweeks course in chemistry was conducted by Mr. Bruce at Nelson Laboratory. This course, which through unavoidable circumstances was all too short, will be conducted for an extended period during the coming year. Classes in various branches of drawing, physical measurements, and woodworkwere also carried on at Nelson. At Westport, ironwork for males, and cookery and drawing for females, were the subjects of instruction, while short courses in physical measurements were carried on at Motueka and Takaka. In conclusion, I need only point out that assured annual support from local bodies will place the Department of Manual and Technical Instruction on a sound financial basis, and enable necessary renewals of plant, increases of equipment, &c, to be carried out by the Board. It may further be mentioned that it is during the coming year, and thereafter, that the Board may expect to sec some of the results of the policy regarding manual and technical instruction which it has adopted, and has been steadily improving, during the last two years, and 1 feel confident that these results will justify the adoption of that policy and warrant its continuance. I desire to express my thanks to the Board's Inspectors and Secretary, and to the permanent and temporary technical staff, for hearty co-operation given during the past twelve months. A. A. Hintz, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December. 1909, in respect of Special Classes conducted in the Nelson Education District by the Nelson Education Hoard. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on special classes .. .. 573 16 8 Balance at beginning of year .. .. 1,796 19 3 Buildings .. .. .. .. 1,046 0 6 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 1,164 10 5 Rent .. .. .. .. 17 9 0 Office expenses (including salaries, stationFurniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 918 210 cry, &c.) .. .. .. .. 106 211 Material .. .. .. .. 82 16 3 Advertising and printing .. .. 30 3 9 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 264 0 0 Lighting and heating .. 32 2 9 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 254 4 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 13 2 6 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 191 3 0 Rem .. .. .. .. 2 0 0 Marlborough Education Board, on account Material for class use .. .. 44 5 6 of instructor in agriculture .. .. 100 0 0 Travelling-expenses of Director and instrucWestport lease .. .. .. .. 32 10 0 tors .. .. .. .. .. 38 14 5 The Governors of Nelson College, for instruc- Incidentals .. .. .. 5 7 9 tion .. .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 Contracts (new buildings, additions, &c.) .. 526 2 8 Training of teachers .. .. .. 150 0 0 Architect, &c. .. .. .. 8 3 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 827 8 5 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 764 15 9 £4,532 10 8 £4,532 10 8 N. R. Williams, Secretary.

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