E.— 5.

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work on their fathers' farms. From Easter until October we were unfortunate in having a succession of wet Mondays. This put our outdoor work back to such an extent that we had not planted all our ground by Christmas. What is urgently wanted is some one who will continue the work while we are awaj and keep the ground clear of weeds during the Christmas holidays. The second annual camp was held at Mr. Short's Almadale Farm during the first week in December. The animals studied were Clydesdale horses. Hereford cattle, and Romney sheep. A short outline of the methods of giving lessons on animals may not be uninteresting. A typical animal was taken for demonstration. The parts that interest the breeder and the buyer wenpointed out and their value explained. As soon as the boys gave proof that they had grasped the lesson another animal was brought forward and a comparison made with the previous one. This work was continued until the boys were fairly familiar with the points of the animal. To test the practical knowledge gained other animals were brought forward in small groups and the lads were required to place them in order of merit and supply the teacher with full reasons for their decisions. As a final test, on tin- last day of the camp the boys were given an exhaustive test in judging horses. Many of tin- boys acquitted themselves in a way that encourages us to go on with the teaching on the lines which we have selected. A short visit was paid to Mr. C. G. C. Dernier's Jersey herd at Cheltenham. It may be mentioned that the boys paid their own train fare to and from Feilding. the cost of transport of their swags to and from the camp—a distance of seven miles each way—and the cost of their food while in camp. 'ITiey took turns in cooking and serving the meals. As a rule the boys were up before 6 a.in., and did not go to bed until between 9 and 10 p.m. each night. Extract from the Report of the Supervisor pod the Southern District. At Feilding the total roll number was 329. There were fifteen free-place students —nine junior and six senior—on the books. Classes have been held on the following subjects, the roll numbers being shown in brackets: English and arithmetic (20), book-keeping (14), shorthand and typewriting (30), art needlework and design (28), dressmaking (l."i), millinery (.">), woodwork (14), art (28), carving and metal-work (20), veterinary science (9), agriculture (13), teachers' art (66), teachers' singing (44), teachers' woodwork (5), and agriculture and dairying (18). The attendance on the whole litis been only fair, being due no doubt to the unsettled state of the weather of the past year. 'I he number of free-place pupils is not as high as it might be, nor are the classes in commercial subjects attended as one would expect. Good work has been done by teachers and students, and the former have faithfully and zealously carried out their duties. The public bodies of the district deserve our most heartfelt thanks for their financial support during the year. Technical classes have also been conducted during the year at the following centres: Apiti, Pohangina, Bunnythorpe, Kimbolton, Hull's, Makino, Awahuri, and Ohakea. At Apiti the classes have been remarkably well attended, and excellent work has lieen done. The work at the other centres has also been good, and the instructors concerned also merit much praise. Classes in veterinary science were held at Sanson and Rongotea, the class at Sanson being very successful. Extract from the Report ok the Directok of the Wanganui Technical College. Continuation and technical classes: The evening session for 1912 began on Monday, the 4th March, and ended on Friday, the sth December. Owing to all classes being housed in our beautiful new building, the work for the year went on consistently and without interruption, and it may be well said that a very solid year's work was undertaken and carried out. The College is to be congratulated upon having so conscientious an evening staff, the members of which, without exception, have been very painstaking in trying to advance the interests of the students. Art department: The attendance at the evening classes was not as large as was expected, particularly as regards adult pupils. This department was unfortunate in losing during the year some of its best students through removal from town. One student has gone Home to continue his studies in art. The department was very successful in results achieved in connexion with the examinations of the Board of Education, London, obtaining the following passes : Modeldrawing, 3; freehand drawing, 3; geometrical drawing, 2; design, 3; drawing from the antique, 1; drawing in light and shade, I ; perspective drawing, 1; plant studies, 3: Applied-art department : This was one of the most successful departments, and the work done by the students during the year reflects -teat i edit upon the instructor. The subjects of instruction in this department are woodwork, metal-work, enamelling, design, modelling, and leatherembossing. By the system of scholarships provided many young students have a rare opportunity of attending these classes without payment of fees. The work done by some of these pupils show's exceptional ability. Commercial department: Ihis department continues to attract most students, and excellent progress was made during the year. The subjects of instruction were book-keeping, shorthand, typing, accountancy, and commercial law. For the Wanganui Education Hoard's examinations in book-keeping forty-four students sat and thirty-eight were successful. The results are as follows: Preliminary grade, twenty-six passes (three with distinction); junior grade, nine passes; senior grade, three passes (one with distinction). A large number of students also sat for the Pitman's shorthand examinations, but the results are not yet to hand. Engineering department: In spite of the fact that we possess a well-equipped workshop the attendance at the practical classes in engineering was poor early in the year, but improved during the third term. This is to be accounted for partly because the faulty gas-lighting in the workshop militated against using the lathes and machines with .any advantage, and also because during part of the year there was a decided dullness in town in the engineering trade. The classes in