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The war has, of course, affected our school, as it has all similar institutions. During the last year twenty-eight of our students have enlisted and gone to the front, and as, of course, these students arc adult and experienced workers, our advanced work has suffered accordingly, but we are all proud to think that our school is doing its part in helping to provide men and nurses for the needs of the Empire. During the year Mr. E. Fristrom resigned his position as instructor of the life and antique classes, and his place was taken by Mr. Robert Proctor, whose work is well known in Europe as well as in the Dominion. The classes in applied art have largely increased during the year, and will, I believe, grow still more in the coming year, as the instructor's good work is becoming known in Auckland. His classes have produced a large amount of work in all branches of a very high order. The classes in design and its application to stencilling, decoration, and posters are becoming increasingly popular. One of our smaller rooms was fitted up early in the year with all appliances for the production of etchings on copper and zinc and the printing of the same, and an excellent start was made with a highly interested class. A. photographic studio has also just been added on a portion of the flat roof which was not required in connection with the open-air studio for the painting classes. I have had a large number of applications lately to have photography taught, and anticipate a very popular and well-attended class. Our annual exhibition of students' works, held at the beginning of December, was well attended, and 1 was very pleased that the Minister of Education, the Hon. J. A. Hanan, and Mr. M. H. Browne, Inspector of Technical Education, were both in Auckland at the time and were able to pay visits to the exhibition, E # -\y Payton Director. Extract from the Report of the Controlling Authority of the Hamilton Technical Classes. The only evening technical class conducted by the High School Board was one in cookery, attended by about ten students. Classes in woodwork, dressmaking, and plumbing were offered, but sufficient students were not forthcoming to warrant their establishment. Towards the end of the year the Auckland Education Board introduced in Hamilton compulsory attendance at certain evening continuation classes, and the High School Board sanctioned the use of one of the rooms at the High School for instruction in woodwork. My Board is of the opinion that no system of continuation classes is likely to meet with success till legislation is introduced making it obligatory for employers to give their apprentices the opportunity of securing technical instruction during ordinary working-hours, ft* English, Secretary.

TARANAKI. Extract from the Report of the Director of the New Plymouth Technical College. During the year various classes were held at New Plymouth, Stratford, and Inglewood, while classes for agriculture instruction were held at the following centres : Omata, Oakura, Okato, Warea, Pungarehu, Oaonui, Opunake, Pihama, Te Kiri, Awatuna, Kent Road, Egmont Village, Bell Block, Waitara Road, Tikorangi, Lepperton, Waiongona, Norfolk Road, Tariki, Midhirst, Ngaere, Pembroke Road, Beaconsfield Road, Kahouri Bridge, Kaimiro, Durham Road, Tuna, Hurford Road. Much good work was done among the farmers, and many expressions of appreciation have readied me. Many of the farmers are carrying out experiments suggested by the instructor, Mr. Sergei. The competition instituted among the sons of farmers produced some keen rivalry. Nev> Plymouth Technical School. —During the year the day classes more than doubled in numbers, and the Whiteley Ball was hired as a class-room for some of the students of tin' engineering class. The engineering workshop proved far too small, and the work was much retarded thereby. Increased accommodation is absolutely imperative. As I mentioned in last year's report, there is a great necessity for a closer relation between technical schools and the various trades. In my opinion the whole future of technical work in this country depends on the steps taken in the immediate future to secure some adequate allowance for time spent in taking a technical course. The commercial class was a very strong one, and good work was done. All our senior students secured good positions. The domestic class was not so large as it ought to have been. The disinclination of girls to take up domestic work is so very marked that it will soon become a, very serious problem. The natural result will be a lowering of the standard of home management, which means a corresponding lowering of the efficiency of the nation. The agriculture class was a- small one, and was hampered by lack of implements and horses, but notwithstanding this some very fine work was done on the plot at Fitzroy. A large number of the day-class students travel by train, and I have to thank the railway officials for the kindness and care they have bestowed on these students. The outstanding feature of the year was the bringing into operation of regulations for compulsory attendance at evening classes. The results were very satisfactory, although a number of parents omitted to register their children, an omission for which there appears to be no penalty. At the various examinations held during the year students were successful as follows : City and Guilds—Electrical engineering (Grade 1), seven students passed; dressmaking, one passed; matriculation, one partial pass; Public Service Senior, one student passed in three subjects and one in four; Public Service Entrance, four passed. I wish to tender my thanks to the members of the staff, who worked harmoniously and well for the good of the school.