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Examinations were held in all subjects, both day and evening classes. These examinations are primarily intended for free-place pupils only, but in many instances were taken advantage, of by other students. Thirty-three students sat for the Senior Free Place Examination in December; all were successful, gaining free education for a further period of three years. There were on the rolls 470 students taking technical subjects. Of these 91 held junior free places and 55 senior free places, making a total of 146 free-place students. Over 170 students took up grouped courses of work, earning the higher rate of capitation. The usual classes for teachers in drawing, chemistry, and botany were held on Monday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings. Courses of work in farm carpentry were conducted at the Boy r s' Training Farm, Stoke, and were attended by some fifty boys. The school session concluded with the annual exhibition of students' work and prize distribution. Westport Technical School. —The main feature of the school continues to be the engineering day school conducted by Mr. A. Tomkies. The number of enrolments increased to fourteen, and the high standard of work associated with this class was maintained. Efforts were made by the Board to secure a more adequate recognition for the time spent by students in the engineering day class, so far as their future apprenticeships were concerned, but apparently the authorities do not appreciate to the fullest extent the superior training afforded to youths attending the course with a view to entering the engineering professions later on. T regret that the attendances at other special classes at the school were only moderate, and that as a, consequence the majority of classes were conducted at a loss. The subjects undertaken" were commercial work, continuation subjects, carpentry, engineering, cookery, and art. In addition classes in hygiene, drawing, &c, were maintained for the benefit of teachers. Manual-training classes in ironwork and cookery were held during the year. Towards the end of the year the Board appointed Miss M. Wilkie teacher of domestic science. The ironwork classes are conducted by Mr. Tomkies and his assistant Mr. D. P. Munim. Mr. Tomkies was appointed to take temporary charge of the whole school at the beginning of the year, and it is gratifying to know that all classes are now being carried on with satisfactory roll numbers and renewed interest. The accommodation for some of the classes is most unsuitable, and a great need exists for the completion of the Technical School building. The thanks of the Board are due to the Harbour Board and Borough and County Councils for maintaining their contribution towards the support of the school. In conclusion I have to thank the Education Department for meeting the requirements of the school in so ready a manner, the staff of the Board for their ready assistance at all times during the course of the year, and the members of the school staff for their loyalty and support. F. C. Cockburn, Director. Extract from the Report of the Supervisor of the Reefton Technical School. For some years past the only classes held were those in connection with the schools at Reefton and Black's Point. The Reefton District High School Committee, feeling that the school was not filling its proper place in the community, took steps to put matters on a proper footing. Public, meetings were held, a circular issued, and the result was that public, interest was aroused. Classes were formed in dressmaking, millinery, shorthand, and typewriting. For various reasons the proposed woodwork and book-keeping classes fell through. An innovation, so far as the Nelson District is '** concerted, was the formation of a school class in dressmaking. This was attended by the Sixth and Seventh Standard girls of the Reefton District High School. All the classes held proved highly successful, but special mention must be made of the dressmaking classes. Too much praise cannot be given to Miss Jones for the able and conscientious manner in which she has conducted those under her direction. The school class in dressmaking was, to a, certain extent, an experiment, but the results exceeded our most sanguine expectations. This year's classes did not commence until April or May. This is too late, as students seem to find it inconvenient to attend classes when preparations for Christmas claim their attention. There will be nothing to prevent an earlier start next year. The attendances at the various classes were as follows: adult classes—dressmaking, 60; millinery, 7; shorthand, 19; typewriting, 18. School classes Woodwork, 60 ; cookery, 55 ; dressmaking, 23. Three exhibitions of work done at the school have been held during the year. These have been well attended, and brought the work of the school under the notice of the public in a very forcible manner. Our proposed classes for next year are dressmaking, millinery, cookeiy, woodwork, a full commercial course, and a Public Service class. The buildings are, generally speaking, in good repair. We have been compelled to use the cookery-room for all (-lasses. This course is not advisable, and 1 would respectfully suggest that at least one extra class-room be built. This room could be used by the commercial and literary classes, and the science fittings recently dismantled could be fitted up for use by the agriculture classes. The installation of electric light has been a great convenience, and the proposed new room should be similarly lit. In conclusion, I have to thank the instructors for the loyal and willing manner in which they have carried on the work of the school, the Board's office staff for their prompt attention to all matters brought under their notice, the Inangahua County Council for the use of the Council Chambers for the exhibitions, and the business people of Reefton who so willingly lent fittings for use in connection with the school and exhibitions. W, A. Rumbold, Supervisor,

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