THE WOMBAT. ig 



GORDON TECHNICAL COLLEGE 

 ANNUAL REPORT. 



In presenting the report of operations during 1898, the 

 council desire to congratulate governors and subscribers upon 

 the fact that the year just closed has been in many respects 

 the best for some years. The financial difficulties under 

 which the institution had laboured for a considerable period 

 were thoroughly gone into at the beginning of the year, and, 

 as a result of a deputation to the Minister of Lands on the 

 subject, the Government grant has been raised to ^"350. 



FINANCE. 



The year commenced with an overdraft of ^"90 3s., but 

 owing to the extension of the Government grant and reduc- 

 tion in salaries paid to secretary and caretaker, and the 

 increase in donations and students' fees, your council are able 

 to report that a small credit balance is in hand. A satisfac- 

 tory item in the receipts for the year is the advance in the 

 amount donated by the public, the aggregate received being 

 the largest since 1892. The same can also be said of fees 

 paid by students ; this amount shows an increase of £10 5s. 

 on last year's total, and also exceeds that of any previous 

 year since 1892. 



CLASSES. 



The classes conducted at the college are the same as last 

 year, with the exception of German, while new classes have 

 been formed in Geometry and Elocution. Reference must be 

 made to the satisfactory increase in the Plumbing and 

 Chemistry classes. The formation of a Physics class has 

 occupied the attention of the council, but principally owing to 

 lack of funds the subject has not been included in the 

 syllabus. It is to be hoped, however, that in the coming year 

 this important study will be taught. 



ENROLMENTS. 



Owing to changes in administration and instructors, and 

 other circumstances, which had a deterring influence, the 

 enrolments for the first term were below the average. The 

 following terms, however, show a gratifying increase, especially 

 in the 3rd and 4th, there being an increase in the latter of 7o 

 over the corresponding period last year, and in both terms the 

 enrolments are the largest since 1892. 



COUNCIL. 



Messrs J. Hill and H. W. Day resigned office during the 

 year, and Messrs. J. Blakiston and A. B. F. Wilson were 

 appointed to fill the vacancies. The five retiring members of 



