E.—s

XXVI

Extract from the Report op the Managers of the Waipawa Technical Classes Association. At the beginning of the session an arrangement was made with Mr. Loten, agricultural instructor for the Hawke's Bay Education Board, to open an agricultural and dairying class for farmers, but the number of students was so small that the scheme had to be abandoned. We are now asking the cooperation of the Central Agricultural and Pastoral Society to bring the advantages offered under the notice of its members, and another effort will be made this year if suitable arrangement can be made. Classes for wool-sorting and wool-classing were carried on under Mr. Wood at Waipukurau and Tikokino, and the attendance, especially at Tikokino. where there were 26 students, was highly satisfactory. Classes will be opened again this year, either at Waipawa or at any outfield where the numbers justify the experiment. A wood-carving class was carried on during the year by Mr. Wilson, but the attendance did not come up to expectations. The evening continuation classes, with the exception of that for matriculation, had to be abandoned for want of support. At Waipukurau, where a class was "asked for, no pupils whatever put in an appearance; and the same report has to be made with regard to a class for magnetism and electricity, which was offered at Waipawa to meet the requirements of the Post-office employees and others. It would seem that continuation classes on the present voluntary basis are doomed to failure, and we believe the time has now arrived when the advisability of adopting the compulsory classes of the Act of 1910 should be considered by the initiating authority. On the whole, the Managers feel that the efforts to foster and provide suitable technical education in this district have not met with that response from the community which its importance demands. At the same time, considerable advance has been made, and the sympathy and interest of the various local bodies in and around Waipawa have been practically shown by the readiness with which contributions have always been granted. Some minor improvements to the laboratory have been effected during the year, and tenders have now been invited to install gas-lighting throughout the whole building. Gas is already used in the laboratory and cooking-room for other purposes. School classes have been carried on by the Education Board as heretofore in woodwork, cookery, and dressmaking, to which two separate classes in agriculture have also been added. This part of the work will receive considerable extension this year by the introduction of a rural course into the secondary department of the District High School. About one-third of the pupils have adopted this course, and most of the othere are also receiving instruction in agriculture as part of their scientific training. A portion of the Domain— now placed by the Borough Council under the control of the School Committee- —is now being fenced off for the experimental work of these classes. The work is being done by the pupils themselves, under the supervision of Mr. Moms, who has been specially appointed by the Education Board for instruction in agriculture, theoretical and experimental, in the secondary departments of the district high schools. A. E. Jull, Chairman ) ~, J. D. Watson, Secretary f of Man^ers - Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1910, in respect of Associated Classes conducted by the Waipawa Technical Classes Association. Receipts. £ s. d. j Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 37 7 4 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 101 6 0 Capitation on associated classes .. .. 33 14 5 I Office expenses (including salaries, stationery, Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 60 0 0 &o.) .. .. .. .. 28 17 0 Pees .. .. .. • • 56 10 0 | Advertising and printing .. .. .. 610 3 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 62 10 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 416 10 Prom controlling authority on account of Material for class use .. .. .. 1 17 0 laboratory .. .. .. .. 4 9 2 Cleaning .. .. .. .. 6 0 0 Travelling-expenses of instructor in woolclassing .. .. .. 18 16 3 Carriage of wool, &c. .. .. .. 2 3 4 Sundries .. .. .. .. 1 10 0 Bank charges and exchange .. .. 015 0 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 212 2 Painting .. .. .. .. 14 3 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 78 210 £254 10 11 i £254 10 11 —^—-—— I -" A. E. Jull, Chairman ) , ~ Jno. D. Watson, Secretary | of Mana g ers - Extract from the Report of the Controlling Authority of the Gisborne Technical School. During the year special classes were carried on as follows : Book-keeping, typewriting, shorthand, woodwork, wool-classing, Latin, English, and plumbing. We must again express our regret that these classes are not attended better. The success of the wool-classing was so encouraging that the Governors have felt justified (having regard to its relation to what is perhaps the most important industry in the district) in making more permanent arrangements to carry on these classes during the next two years. Settlers realize that the classes have proved to be of real value to them and to their employees, and that this value would be even more apparent in their returns from sales when the price of wool declines and it is of great importance that the best realization should be made. The Board is anxious to have domestic economy taught more efficiently in the school, as it is felt more is needed in the direction of the education of the girls than the elements of cookery and dressmaking, and it is making inquiries as to a suitable instructress. An examination in plumbing was held under the auspices of the Wellington Board of Control; 5 pupils of the Technical School entered, and 2 succeeded in gaining second-class certificates. An examination in cookery under the auspices of the City and Guilds of London was also held ; 10 schoolteachers entered, 2 gaining first-class passes and 3 second-class. We have to thank the Borough Council and others for donations, which were of very material assistance. J. W. Nolan, Chairman. W. Morgan, Secretary.