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the colony ?—I know that my own pupils would be glad to attend such a school, and that certainly at Dunedin the want has been felt. 22. Could you give us any idea of the number of pupils that might be expected to attend in a place of the size of Dunedin ? —I should say from twelve to twenty. 23. Is there any existing mode by which young men can become civil engineers in New Zealand ? —Only by being apprenticed to engineers, and acquiring a general scientific education by means of existing classes. 24. Are the students in the engineering classes at Glasgow and Edinburgh obliged to be apprenticed ?—No ; but, as a matter of fact, they generally are. They would not be recognized by the Institute of Civil Engineers if they had not been apprenticed. 25. Professor Sale.'] Are you acquainted with the course of instruction offered by the School of Mines at Dunedin ? —I have before me the programme of instruction. 26. What would be wanting to complete the education of an engineering student ? —Principally a teacher of the subjects relating to construction. 27. Professor Ulrich."] Suppose a Professor of Civil Engineering were appointed, would that suffice to make the scheme of theoretical instruction complete ? —Yes.

APPENDIX. A.—Lettees feom Me. John Blackett respecting the Education of Citil Engineees. Sir,— Wellington, sth February, 1880. After replying to your telegram, I began to make notes of such information as might be useful to the Royal Commission on the subject of education in reference to the engineering profession. It then occurred to me that this had been made the subject of inquiry by the Institution of Civil Engineers, London, the results of which were embodied in a volume printed by the Institute in 1870 for use of members. This volume I now send to you, with a hope that it will be of material use to the Commission in its inquiries. * You will find, in pages 3 to 16, a list of educational institutions in which instruction is given in civil engineering ; please note particularly those of Edinburgh and Glasgow. In page 171 you will find remarks in reference to the United States ; in pages 177, 178, remarks by Sir John Eennie ; in pages 179, 180, by Mr. Conybeare ; in 183-188, by Mr. J. M. Heppel, very much to the point; page 189, remarks by Mr. C. lieilly ; and in pages 192-213, extracts from writings and addresses by engineers and others, notably those by Professor Fleming Jenkyns on Engineering Education. With this volume before them the Commission will, I feel sure, excuse my troubling them with any original remarks, as the subject is therein so fully and intelligently discussed. I have, &c, The Eev. W. J. Habens, John Blackett, Secretary, Uoyal Commission on Education. M. Inst. C. E.

Sib,— Public Works Office, Wellington, 17th May, 1880. My last letter to you, dated sth February, in reply to a request that I should furnish a memorandum on the subject of " Education in reference to the Engineering Profession," referred you to a volume published by the Institution of Civil Engineers, London, in 18G8-70, "On the Education and Status of Civil Engineers," copy of which I forwarded with my letter. In this volume I think everything lias been said that can be said on the subject; but, as you may wish for some remarks from myself on the subject bearing on this question, I send you a brief outline of what may be considered as a proper course of education for a civil engineer. Up to the age of twelve or thirteen the pupil should attend a thoroughly good school, where he would be well grounded in English reading, writing, and composition, as well as in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and geography. Passing then to a higher educational institution, his studies, under proper teachers, should embrace mathematics, algebra as far as of practical application, trigonometry, astronomy, chemistry, geology, physical geography, and other branches of natural philosophy. He should also acquire the art of mechanical drawing, as well as sketching and designing. In languages, he should learn Latin, and, if possible, also Erench and German. At about sixteen he should be apprenticed to Home engineering firm —one in which a great variety of work is executed, in preference to one where any special manufacture alone is carried on. Here he should learn pattern-making, founding of iron and brass, turning and fitting, and should make acquaintance with the art of working and forging iron and steel —this is of the greatest importance. He should also have opportunities of practically assisting in the erection of various kinds of engines, mills, and machinery, and other structures, by which he would acquire information in other trades, such as masonry, bricklaying, carpentry, &c, and observe the best manner of applying various materials in engineering works. During this period he should diligently practice mechanical drawing and design, so as to make himself thoroughly acquainted and familiar with all details of engines and machines. An excellent help in this direction is to practice sketching, rapidly and correctly, anv article, by hand and eye alone, as near as possible to its natural proportions. He should also make himself fully acquainted with the rules for proportioning the ordinary parts of engines and machinery, and the method of preparing specifications and estimates for work. After a few years at such work as the above, he should turn his attention to surveying, learn thoroughly the use of the instruments, the art of levelling and of surveying and setting out roads, railways, and other works, as well as that of carefully, accurately, and neatly preparing the maps required in surveys and in engineering works.

* "The Education and Status of Civil Engineers." Published by the Institution of Civil Engineers, 25, Great Qcoi'ge Street, Westminster, S.W., for issue to members only.