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to incur the heavy expense Avhich would be involved in establishing in any other district a school of this kind. We are therefore unable to report favourably upon the proposals submitted to the Government by the Auckland Board of Education for the establishment of a school of agriculture in that district. In a new country probably no branch of practical science is of more importance than engineering. At present no provision exists in New Zealand for giving students theoretical instruction in this subject. The only preparation for the exercise of their profession which they can obtain is the practical training received by them as apprentices. In the education of civil engineers, who have to deal not unfrequently with problems presenting novel conditions, as well as affecting large interests, it is evident that too great importance cannot be attached to sound scientific instruction. We have already said that the institution of a chair of engineering in the University of Otago would add to the completeness of the School of Mines in Dunedin; and a similar chair would be of great value in connection with the Canterbury College and its School of Agriculture. We consider that it is not practicable, on the ground of expense, to establish an independent school of engineering; nor is it necessary to do so, because, by the institution of the chairs above-mentioned at the Otago University and Canterlmry College, with the addition of lectures in physics at the Otago University, sufficient provision would be made at each of these colleges for such theoretical instruction in engineering as the present circumstances of the colony require. While insisting on the importance of scientific instruction, we by no means propose that this instruction should supersede the practical training which engineering apprentices receive in the field and workshop. In organizing an engineering school, therefore, it will be necessary not only to provide efficient theoretical instruction, but also to take care that facilities be afforded to the students for obtaining the requisite practical training by means of apprenticeship to working members of the engineering profession. The suggestions which Ave have already made Avith regard to the official registration and recognition of the certificates, of the School of Mines, apply with equal force to the case of civil engineers. It is not easy to ascertain the number of persons under instruction preparatory to the practice of professions in which a knowledge of subjects connected with engineering is required. The census of 1878 gives the following numbers : —- Engaged on land : Surveyors' assistants, 34 ; cadets and pupils, 35. Engaged on building: Architects' assistants, 3; draughtsman, 1 ; pupils, 5. This statement, though derived from the descriptions which householders gave of the occupations of persons residing in their houses, is evidently defective. We have endeavoured to obtain more accurate. information by sending a circular letter, asking the architects, surveyors, and engineers whose names appear in the " New Zealand Directory " to state the number of their apprentices and articled pupils. The replies which we have received give the following numbers : Pupils in engineers' and surveyors' offices—articled, 45 ; not articled, 3. Pupils in architects' offices—■ articled, 1G; not articled, 1. We have also obtained information that there are— Government cadets in survey offices, 49; engineering cadets under Public Works Department, <i ; apprentices in the railway workshops, 4«5. In addition to the technical schools already mentioned, it seems desirable i that, in a country like New Zealand, so greatly dependent on maritime pursuits, there should be a school of navigation, and perhaps of naval architecture. Such a school might well be attached to the proposed University college at Auckland. We have recommended in the interim report that the technical schools i (under which designation we do not in this place include normal schools and * schools of art and design) be associated with the proposed University colleges, s This recommendation was made with the view of avoiding the duplication of professorships and lectureships which would be rendered necessary if separate technical schools were established. We have also suggested, and the suggestion is embodied in the draft bill, that in the case of the technical schools which have been instituted in connection with the University of Otago and Canterbury College, the management should rest in the hands of the Councils of these Colleges; but that for this purpose the Councils should establish for each of the

Engineering.

Navigation.

Boards of Advice "i^tjjshniwii schools.