75

E.—s

month, and official visits were paid to the classes whilst at work, and reports sent in to the different meeting's. The Inspector of Technical Schools also paid a visit of inspection to the school about the beginning of November; he saw some of the classes at work, and expressed himself as highly pleased with what lie had seen, especially in connection with tire sheep-shearing class. At the close of the session examinations were held in the different subjects taught at the school, and certificates were granted to successful students. Twenty-two candidates sat for the Senior Free Place Examination, and they were all granted senior free places by the Education Department. Five plumbers succeeded in passing the examination held by the Plumbers' Registration Board. As the South Canterbury Art Society's exhibition had only been held recently, and on account of the unsettled state of things over the war, it was decided not to hold an exhibition of student's work as had been done in previous years. This was a very wise proceeding, as after war was declared students became extremely unsettled, and it, was found very difficult to get them to settle down to anything like hard work. The buildings were kept in good order and repair throughout the year. It was found necessary to have the typewriting-room and the cookery-room distempered and done up afresh, and it will be necessary during the coming year- to do something of the kind with the other rooms, as some of the walls are becoming very much cracked and discoloured. The same definite courses of instruction were undertaken last year as have been carried out in previous years. The courses carried on were a domestic course, a trades course, a commercial course, and an arts course. Ihe domestic course, consisting of English, arithmetic, dressmaking, millinery, cookery, and domestic economy, was well attended, and there can be no doubt that the practical value of this course is highly appreciated in the community. The commercial course, consisting of English, arithmetic, book-keeping, typewriting, shorthand, and commercial correspondence, was exceptionally well attended, and the same reasons may be given this year as were given last year —viz., the instruction given is all in the hands of experienced teachers, and the course of instruction is specially arranged to benefit those looking for employment or those who aro already in employment. Commercial classes were also carried on during the daytime for girls attending the High School, and the idea worked out quite satisfactorily. There is still a lack of interest in the trades' course, although a great deal has been done to popularize the different classes included in this course. The arts course was better attended last year than it has been since the inception of the classes. This result is no doubt largely due to the fillip given to the work by the holding of an art exhibition. Two hundred and forty-nine students took up work in unrelated subjects, as they could not find the time to devote themselves to a course of study. The plumbing class, which has been successfully carried on at the school for the past ten years, shows signs that the supply of students is running out, as nearly all the plumbers in Timaru art; already certificated and the apprentices are not coming on. The new wool-classing room was occupied for the first time last year, and it, proved very suitable for all requirements. There was no lack of students : two large classes were carried on during the year, and it was sometimes found difficult to find accommodation for all the students who made application for admission. The experiment of conducting -a class for boys attending the High School proved very successful, as the boys evinced keen interest in the work. The comparative progress of the boys with Ilie adult class clearly demonstrated the fact that the necessary deftness of touch and quickness of perception essential to the expert wool-classer can be much more easily acciuired in youth than in later years. It is .evidence of the popularity of the evening class when it is stated that out of twenty-nine students one had been attending the school for four years, four had been attending for three years, and eight were second-year students. When students attend a class of this description year after year it is certain that the course of Instruction must be proving beneficial, and we have a large amount of documentary evidence in- hand to prove that the course of instruction in wool-classing is proving a great pecuniary benefit to the farming community of South Canterbury. A sheepshearing class was again carried on at the Smithh'eld Works. The rather poor supply of sheep offered by the farmers restricted the number of students; there were fourteen in all, but several had to be refused admission for the reason above mentioned. The students were of an excellent stamp, keen, alert, and anxious to learn. Under Mr. Mercer's able instruction they made rapid progress,, and at the end of the time there was no hesitation in granting them all first-class certificates. .There can be no doubt but that the sheep-shearing class must be considered one of the most important carried on by the Managers, as the number of young men who are by this means put on the road to become expert shearers must form a valuable asset to the farming community of the Dominion. Miss Lucy Cowan, of Christchurch, carried on a successful class in elocution, voice-cultivation, and the study of English. Her efforts were highly appreciated. The delightful concert given by her students at the end of the session gave evidence of the good work done by the class. A glance at the balance-sheet will show that the funds of the school are still in a sound healthy condition. To bring this about the Managers have to practise the strictest economy, as the school has no endowments, but has to depend on its own resources for its very existence. When everything is taken into consideration the year's work must be considered highly satisfactory. The attendance during the past year was all that could be desired. The examiners report that the different classes did good work, and the diligence and general behaviour of the students was quite exemplary, not a single case of insubordination having to be reported. The thanks of the association are due to all who in any way contributed to the success of the sohool during the past year —to local bodies and citizens, who gave liberally to the funds; to the Press, who always loyally support the school, and are ever ready to help on the cause of technical education in the town. A special word of thanks' is due to the teachers for the very