83

H.—la.

Summary of the School Fund Accounts for the Year ending 31st December, 1879. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. To Balances from last year brought forward 1,204 16 8 By Fuel and cleaning .. .. 2,043 17 10 Grants from Education Board, Ist quarter 1,565 4 3 Bepairs to school property .. .. 4,846 17 4 Do. do. 2nd do. 1,600 1110 Stationery, stamps, school books, &c. .. 312 11 3 Do. do. 3rd do. 1,563 2 6 Clerks' salaries .. .. .. 259 18 6 Do. do. 4th do. 1,55111 0 Prizes (raised locally) .. .. 160 9 2 Do. do. for repairs, &c. 1,305 8 6 Incidentals, insurance, &a. .. .. 397 18 7 Bents of buildings or glebes .. .. 199 15 8 Bonuses to teachers (raised locally) .. 562 19 11 Voluntary subscriptions or donations .. 550 7 4 Balances to credit of committees .. 1,841 9 8 Bevenue from all other sources .. 885 4 6 £10,426 2 3 £10,426 2 3

Art Master's Department. Sir, —I have the honor to submit my annual report for 1879 on the School of Art, and the work •done in the various public schools in which drawing is taught in connection with it. The total number that received instruction in or through the agency of the school during the year 1879 was 6,038, being an increase of 2,328 over that of the previous year. This total includes 5,642 pupils of public schools, 67 students in training, 103 teachers and pupil teachers, 54 students who attended the afternoon class, and 172 students who attended the evening classes. The teachers and pupil teachers' class was open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5.45 to 6.45 p.m., and the students' class on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 to 12, for the study of free-hand outline drawing, practical geometry, perspective and model drawing. The same arrangements have been adhered to as in previous years. With the extra assistants, granted by the Education Board, I have been able to devote more of my time to model drawing and general supervision. The students have given ample proof of their steadiness and disposition to acquire a knowledge of the subjects recommended by the Minister of Education for teachers' certificates for drawing. The ladies' class was open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1.30 to 4 p.m., for the study of free-hand drawing from copies and from the round, shading from copies and from the round, painting from copies and in monochrome from the round, painting in water and oil colours from nature. The condition of this class was satisfactory. The number of students increased, and the work done was above the average in excellence. Nineteen paintings from nature—the work of the students—-were exhibited in the Otago Art Society's Gallery. The evening classes for artisans were open on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 7 to 9 p.m., for freehand drawing and shading from copies and from the round, modelling in clay, painting in monochrome, &c, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays for practical and solid geometry, mechanical and architectural drawing, &c. The attendance at these classes was greater than in any previous year, the rooms being sometimes inconveniently crowded. The alterations lately made have given extra room, and made the school more accessible and convenient. The work done was, as usual, of the most useful kind connected with or relating to the students' usual trades. Near the end of the session the Builders' Association intimated through their Secretary, Mr. U'Ren, that they were prepared to give a prize for the best architectural drawing, and would probably give the same annually. The prospect of this prize had a very beneficial effect on the members of one class, who entered upon the competition with great spirit and industry, and produced very satisfactory work. The subject chosen was the Post Office stair, drawn from actual measurement. If kindred societies were to come forward in the same manner as the above, and offer prizes in the various stages, a great advance might reasonably be expected both in the execution and the excellence of the work produced. Public Schools.—The instruction given in these schools consisted of freehand outline drawing from blackboard exercises, drawing from copies, drawing from solid models, practical geometry aad perspective drawing, according to the regulations issued by the Minister of Education. Each class received one hour's instruction per week. In the girls' and the boys' high schools the senior divisions received two hour's instruction each week. As no provision is made for the examination of these classes by the Education Board, and as drawing is one of the recognised branches of instruction, I would suggest that at the annual examination of the public schools drawing be included as one of the ordinary subjects, and certificates granted to the successful pupils. The trouble and expense would be trifling when compared with the good this would do. By this means the Board would also be enabled to see the result of what was being done to instruct the pupils in one of the most useful branches of education. During the past year the field of operation has been extended, the number of classes considerably increased, and the progress made satisfactory. I have supplied the following schools with copies :-=-Anderson's Bay —Box of solid models, Dyce's •outlines, 1 set flowers, 1 set De La Rue objects. Forbury—Box solid models, Dyce's outlines. Mornington—Box solid models. Kaikorai—Box solid models. Kakanui—Dyce's outlines, 1 set flowers, 1 set De La Rue objects. Otepopo—Dyce's outlines, 1 set De La Rue, 1 set flowers. Caversham—Box of solid models. Ravensbourne—Dyce's outlines, 1 set De La Rue. North-East Valley—Box solid models. Oamaru—Mr. Lindsay—Box of models. Milton High School—Box of solid models. At the close of the session an exhibition of the works executed by the students was open to the public three days, and was largely attended by all classes of the citizens. I have, &c. The Secretary to the Education Board. David C. Hutton, Art Master.