E.—s

the wants of those about to embark in industrial pursuits. A certain amount of literary culture is necessary in all cases, but this amount is much greater in the case of the professions, and much of the time spent in acquiring it would in the case of the ordinary citizen be better spent in more practical but not less educative studies. The nature of the course of instruction for these two classes of students. therefore, should vary considerably. Not only will the subjects treated be largely different, but, even where the subjects are the same, the treatment of each and the time devoted to each will vary so much. the aim being different, that the training of the two classes of students in one and the same institution will prove impracticable. " In and near every considerable centre of population there are large numbers of holders of proficiency certificates whom the high schools fail to attract, or for whom these schools do not provide suitable courses of instruction. Many of these pupils remain for longer or shorter periods in the primary schools as Standard VII pupils ; but a larger number of them leave school and engage in various temporary occupations until they reach the age when they may enter upon their chosen pursuit. It is for these pupils that the day Technical College is intended :at this institution, concurrently with the continuation and extension of their general education, they will be provided with that fundamental training in the mechanic arts and in practical science which is a first condition of an efficient evening Technical School. The Education Board will, as the controlling authority,associate itself with the various local bodies and public associations ; and the affairs of the College (as well as those of the evening Technical School) will be administered by a Board of Managers selected from these bodies, representation on the managing Board being in proportion to the cost of maintenance borne by the local bodies severally." A circular was also forwarded to the teachers throughout, the district asking them to make inquiries as to the probable number of students who, in the event of the College being established, would attend from their respective districts. The returns from teachers showed that the College would open with a very satisfactory number of students in attendance, and that the proposal was hailed with great satisfaction throughout the country districts as well as in the town and suburbs. Several of the local bodies forwarded sympathetic but non-committal replies, while the Borough and County Councils, from whom financial support is confidently expected, have the matter under consideration. The net result of the movement is that the question is now fairly before the public, interest has been aroused, and, provided that the local bodies render such assistance as has been given in other centres smaller than Invercargill, the success of the project is abundantly assured. Fears were entertained that the. establishment of a day Technical College would detrimentally affect the attendance at the local high schools, but the returns received from other towns where both high schools and Technical Colleges were in existence clearly indicated that such had not been their experience. As extensive additions were about to be made to the school-building, the Board deemed it wise to postpone further action until these were completed. During the current year, however, the necessary final steps will be taken to give effect to the proposal, and it is anticipated that at the beginning of next year Invercargill will, with the co-operation and support of its loyal citizens, be in the proud position of having a fully equipped Technical College in its midst, and thus step into line with those less populous centres which already have such a College as one of their most cherished and successful institutions. As has already been mentioned, grants were obtained from the Education Department for the erection and equipment of manual-training centres at Gore and Eiverton, and for a second centre at Invercargill. That at Gore has been completed, and the classes there are in full operation. The erection of the rooms at Riverton and at Invercargill is under way, and will be completed early in the year. Their occupation will mark a very decided advance in the subject of manual training not only in this district but also in the Dominion, resulting as it will in the pupils in the upper standards of not less than sixty-five schools receiving instruction in the important subjects of woodwork and cookery. A contract approximating £3,000 has also been let for the erection of additions to the Technical School, and when this work is completed the school will be fully able to deal effectively with the large number of day and evening students who will seek admission within its portals. The school is also now in possession of a room for scientific research, a fully equipped laboratory having been erected during the year equal to all the demands which will likely be made upon it for many years to come. Mr. E. C. Isaac, organizing Inspector of the Education Department, visited the Technical School and several of the primary schools in the town and suburbs, and inspected the work being carried on. Advantage was taken of his presence to deliver a lecture to teachers on "Cardboard-work and its Relation to other Subjects of the Syllabus, and to Elementary Physical Measurements." The lecture was exceedingly interesting, and gave the teachers a fresh insight into the possibilities for good which underlie a careful adaptation of various forms of technical training to the ordinary subjects of the curriculum. Mr. Isaac had a large and attentive audience, and the opinion was freely expressed that never before had the subject been so fittingly put before them as on this occasion. The examinations held annually during the month of June under the Board of Education, South Kensington, London, were taken advantage of by a considerable number of our Technical School students. The following were the results : Model-drawing, 1 first- and 3 second-class passes ; freehand drawing, 1 first- and 7 second-class passes ; geometrical drawing, 1 first-class pass ; light and shade 1 second-class pass ; building-construction and drawing, 2 second-class passes. In reviewing the history of technical education in this district, it is interesting to note the progress that has been made during the past sixteen years. To the late Mr. J. W. Bain is due the honour of being the pioneer of the movement. In 1894, when it was decided to erect the Education Office on its present site in Tay Street, it was also decided to erect a Technical School at which all boys who cared to attend on Saturdays, and who would provide themselves with the necessary tools, might learn the art of woodwork, the only subject it was at that time proposed to teach. The school was opened on the 14th September, 1895, when 6 boys attended the junior class, and 8 teachers the adult

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