E.— 5

XX

second class ; 12 students passed the practical examination in the first class, while first-class certificates were awarded to 5 candidates, and second-class certificates to 4 candidates. Electric-wire men— 10 students passed in theory and 12 in practice, and 9 certificates were awarded. Electric fitters— 5 students passed in theory and in practice, and 5 certificates were awarded. The buildings and equipment have been maintained in good order and repair during the year. Cleaning and caretaking have been careful and thorough. To eke out the slender resources of the school in the way of floor-space the Board has continued the arrangement made for paying rent for rooms in the Victoria Street building to the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association, and has also been compelled to hire a room in Willis Si net in which to hold the wool-classing, veterinary science, and other classes. Much more room is sorely needed to enable us to place the classes on a firm footing, and the present lack is seriously hampering the work and detracting from the efficiency of the school. The following contributions, among others, were received during the year : Wellington City Council, £300 : Wellington Provincial Industrial Association, £25. W. S. la Trobe, M.A., Director. Statement of Receipt* and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1910, in respect of Associated Classes conducted at the Wellington Technical School. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 557 3 0 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 5,681 18 0 Capi'aiion on associated classes .. .. 1,258 16 3 Office expenses (including salaries, etaCapitation on account of frte places .. 960 1 6 tionery, &c.) .. .. .. 529 14 6 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 145 710 j Advertising and printing .. .. 31 2 6 Material .. .. .. .. 401 18 6 ' Lighting and heating .. .. 150 8 8 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 476 1 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 49 16 10 Pees .. .. .. .. .. 1,049 10 6 i Rent .. .. .. .. .. 125 11 0 Voluntary or ntributions .. .. 480 12 0 j Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 78 0 0 From controlling authority, on account of I Material for class use .. .. .. 704 3 2 teacher*' classes .. .. .. 50 0 0 Typewriter repairs .. .. .. 25 19 8 Sales of material .. .. .. B'J 2 4 Library .. .. .. .. 44 7 5 From the Governors, Wellington Colleges, Prizes .. .. .. .. 29 13 9 for instruction .. .. .. 132 0 0 j Sundries .. .. .. .. 34 13 10 From Marine Department, for "Amokura ,, Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 118 10 5 class .. .. .. .. 115 17 8 ; Balance at end of year .. .. .. 1,178 11 0 Piize-money, Palmerston North Show .. 25 18 0 j Sundries .. .. .. .. 19 2 2 I £8,752 10 9 j JE8.752 10 9 David Robertson, Chairman i , . T W. 8. la Trobe, Secretary | of Mana B ers ' Extract prom the Report of the Director of the Petone Technical School. A review of the year's work shows that steady progress has been made in different directions, but that still the advantages offered to the young people of the district are not fully appreciated. Attempts have been made during the year to bring the people of the town and district into closer touch with the school. In May a cooking demonstration was given by the girls of the Petone District High School, and by this means a class in cookery was formed for adults. This class has been most successful, and the interest taken in it by sonic of tlie adult pupils has been most gratifying. If the same amount of enthusiasm continues the success of this undoubtedly useful class will be assured. In November the school was thrown open to parents and visitors, and the following classes were at work : Plumbing,. carpentry, dressmaking, cookery, art drawing, mechanical drawing, typewriting, electricity, and chemistry. This was well attended by people from all parts of the district, many of whom expressed their surprise that so much was being done in the matter of technical education. It is hoped that displays of this kind will do much to popularize the school. It is intended to hold more of these " open nights " in the future. The attendance in some of the classes shows a falling-off, due to various causes. In some cases there has been a slackness of trade in the district, and this affects such classes as plumbing, carpentry, and signwriting. It is a deplorable fact, however, that full advantage is not taken by the young people of this and other districts of the educational facilities that are offered by Technical Schools. The Government of the day have recognized this fact, and have introduced compulsory clauses in their new Education Act for youths between the ages of fourteen and seventeen. This, however, is not going to work miracles. What, we want to do is to get the parents interested in the matter of Technical Schools. Unless the parents are with us in the matter of technical education there can be no real progress. Although the school has now been in existence seven years, there are parents in Petone and the Lower Hutt who have no idea of what is taught at the school. There are, however, signs that the parents are waking up to the fact that the school is a live institution, and one that will within a very few years play an important part in fitting out the young men and the young women to take their part in the battle of life. There is now a steady demand for boys and girls who have gone somewhat further than Standard VI, and it is to be hoped that boys and girls themselves will soon recognize that a few nights each week spent in systematic study will be to their advantage in time to come. If not, lam afraid that the same old cry of " Neglected opportunity " will be as prevalent in twenty years' time as it is to-day. One pleasing feature of the present year is the fact that far more pupils who have attained Senior Free Places are taking advantage of the school, and are doing excellent work. New classes have been formed during the year in cookery, chemistry, steam, and one for matriculation students. These classes as yet are only in their infancy, and they are generally showing signs