E.—s

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still be done in the majority of the sole-teacher schools, especially when such schools are generally in the vicinity of small patches of native bush, where plants can easily be obtained. The notebooks, in the main, show little improvement. They are undoubtedly the worst feature of the work. In some schools they are totally neglected, in others the pupils' written remarks are seldom corrected. It is important to remember that, during the winter months, when outside work is often an impossibility, experimental work, as set out in the " Leaflet," is essential. These should be set down in the notebooks by the pupils. Some pupils' notes consist of blackboard transcriptions ; others of notes dictated by the teacher. In other cases no notes are taken after the Christmas holdiays, and useful work in weighing and estimating yields is lost. However, some schools still maintain their high standard in the note- ' book work, but these are only very few. As the tools of some of the schools are becoming the worse for wear, it may be found advisable to put aside a percentage of the capitation for renewals and depreciation. A number of renewals were made during the year. On Mondays and Fridays throughout the year I took the boys of Feilding District High School for chemistry, botany, agriculture, and dairy science. In chemistry the senior boys spent some time in the qualitative analysis of fertilizers, chemical changes brought about by promiscuous mixing of fertilizers, and soil physics. In botany, seed-testing, pasture plants, fruit-trees, and farm plants generally were studied. In dairy science the Public, Service Entrance syllabus was worked through and a lot of work covered. It is interesting to note that six boys took this subject for examination purposes. In agriculture practical work was taken at the farm, and I must again record my heartiest thanks to Mr. Lcthbridge and Mr. MoLeod for assisting us in our practical work. Two acres were planted in oats and two in maize. About fifty small experimental plots were laid out to conduct a variety trial in grasses and legumes. Practical work in pruning and spraying occupied one week in June. Apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, and quince trees were dealt with, and the boys evidently enjoyed the work. Bordeaux mixture and red oil were the main sprays used. During the latter part of the year I visited the Marton school farm once a week and conducted lessons in farm mechanics, pigs and their management, and home doctoring of animals. A pruning demonstration was conducted at Kimbolton for the benefit of farmers. The class foi teachers opened with an enrolment of ten for the first term. This was increased to thirteen in the second term, and decreased to nine in the third term. The average attendance for the year was about eight. The syllabus for class C examination was worked through. Tcaeheis preparing for the C certificate attended two hours each day, while those preparing for the D certificate attended one hour and a half. With the new train arrangements, all will be able to attend for two hours next year. The work comprised mainly lectures, laboratory-work, and outside practical work. Extract from the Report of the Principal of the Wanganui Technical College. Technical and Continuation Classes —The evening session began on Monday, the 2nd March, and ended on Friday, the 4th December. Classes were revived in show-card writing, and in tailors' cutting, while classes in magnetism and electricity, photography, Maori, and elocution were not held, either because there was no demand for them or because suitable instructors were not forthcoming. Our experience goes to show that classes can be successfully carried out in any recognized subject provided that instructors can be obtained who know their work, who can handle a class, and who can impart the knowledge they possess. The position we have arrived at is this : that we can obtain pupils for many classes not at present in operation if we can obtain instructors to fulfil the requirements just stated. The enrolment this year establishes a record, the number of individual pupils entered for the year being 792, as against 666 last year. Including day pupils, our total enrolment for 1914 stands "•"at 977, or 121 in excess of that for'l9l3. Owing to the fact that the Board took over the control of the day classes, and to certain changes in the constitution of the Technical Committee, the number of members on that Committee was considerably reduced. Altogether seven meetings were hold, and much good work was carried out. A very severe loss was experienced by the Committee and by the whole school in the demise of our esteemed Chairman, Mr. F. M. Spurdle, who had been for so long intimately associated with all that concerned technical education in this community. A special minute in the minute-book of the Committee records the Committee's deep sense of loss and its appreciation of the services rendered so faithfully and well by Mr. Spurdle. For the balance of the year, the Rev. J. D. McKenzie, 8.D., was elected Chairman, and C. P. Brown, Esq., M.A., L.L.8., Vice-chairman. The following bodies were represented on the Committee : Wanganui Education Board, Wanganui Borough Council, Wanganui County Council, Builders' Association, Wanganui Schools' Committee, Suburban Schools' Committee, and householders. During the year the College received two inspection visits, one from Dr. Anderson, Assistant Inspector-General of Schools, and the other from Mr. E. C. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Education. Dr. Anderson concerned himself mainly with the day school and the general or high school course of the day school. Reference is made to this visit in my annual,report on the day classes. At the time of writing the report of Mr. Isaac is not to hand. A large exhibit, including students' work in art, applied art, engineering, plumbing, and woodwork was sent forward towards the end of last year to form part of the Education exhibit at Auckland. Our display was considered on all hands very creditable to the College, and as the Education Department undertook the whole cost of transit, Wanganui received an excellent advertisement without undergoing any expense. The splendid organization in assembling and returning all exhibits without the least damage whatever reflects great credit upon Mr. Isaac, who acted as officer in charge. During the year there have been some changes on the staff. Mr. William Andrews, long in charge of the applied art department, received a more remunerative appointment at the Elam School of Art, Auckland, and left us about the middle of the year. One of his students, Mr. Frank Tarrant,