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the end of each session. It will also enable them to pass in all the subjects before presenting themselves for the E or D certificate. The students who attend the day-classes' continue to give evidence of satisfactory progress. Those attending the morning class had a good deal of practice in drawing and painting in monochrome from the antique, and drawing and painting from the living model; and those attending the afternoon class, in drawing and painting foliage, fruit, and flowers from nature. Eight excursions were made on Saturdays for the purpose of studying from nature, with very good results. The Boys' and Girls' High Schools were attended as usual. The arrangement of the classes and the course of instruction have been the same as previously reported. The work, on the whole, was good, and the progress satisfactory. Each school is now furnished with a very good collection of casts. The evening classes were open every night from 7 to 9—on Mondays and Wednesdays for the study of freehand and model drawing, drawing and painting in monochrome from the antique, and modelling in clay; on Tuesdays and Thursdays for practical, plane, and solid geometry as far as the penetration of solids and the development of surfaces, mechanical and architectural drawing, drawn to scale; and on Fridays, drawing and painting from the living model. The work done was most satisfactory. Unfortunately, a good many of the oldest and best students had to leave, owing to the dull times. Several went to Sydney, others to Melbourne, where I hear they are doing very well. I would again draw your attention to the inadequate room for the accommodation of the ladies who avail themselves of these classes. As an exhibition of the work done throughout the year is the best report I can furnish of the progress or otherwise of the students, I need only say that the last exhibition, which was open three days, was the largest and best ever held in the School of Art, and attracted considerable attention. Prizes were awarded as follows : J. Shacklock, for drawing and shading from the cast; Miss E. M. Chalmer, for monochrome from the cast; Miss M. Hartley, for monochrome figure from the antique ; Miss L. Thompson, for painting in water-colours, landscape; Miss B. Eeith, for painting in water-colours, landscape ; Miss C. White, for painting in oil-colours, landscape ; Miss Wyper, for painting in water-colours, the figure ; E. E. Macgregor, for painting in oil-colours, the figure ; Miss M. Hartley, for painting fruit and flowers from nature ; Miss J. McKoan, for painting foliage and flowers from nature ; Miss M. Hartley, for p.ainting the figure from nature ; J. Mollison and E. Wilson, equal, architectural drawing ;J. Carson, mechanical drawing. These prizes were offered by gentlemen taking an interest in the school to encourage the students. If the Education Board were to set the example next year by offering a few scholarships, and, say, three medals, to be competed for annually, one for drawing and painting from the antique, one for drawing and painting from nature, and one for designing, no difficulty would be experienced in getting prizes for other subjects. I trust the Board will consider this, as it would have a very beneficial effect on the students. I have, &c, The Secretary, Otago Education Board. David C. Hutton, Art Master.

SOUTHLAND. Sik, — Education Office, Invercargill, 16th March, 1886. I have the honour, in pursuance of the provisions of section 102 of " The Education Act, 1877," to submit herewith the annual report of the Education Board of the District of Southland for the year ended the 31st December, 1885. Board.—At the beginning of the year the Board consisted of the following gentlemen: Thomas M. Macdonald, Esq. (Chairman), George Lumsden, Esq., John Morison, Esq., James Mackintosh, Esq., George McLeod, Esq., Alfred Baldey, Esq., John Turnbull, Esq., Donald L. Matheson, Esq., and James S. Shanks, Esq. In accordance with section 15 of the Education Act, the three members who retired were Messrs. G. Lumsden, J. Morison, and Donald L. Matheson. Six candidates to fill the vacancies so caused were nominated by the School Committees ; and at the annual election, held on the 6th March, 1885, the three retiring members, Messrs. George Lumsden, John Morison, and Donald L. Matheson, were re-elected members of the Board. The ordinary meetings of the Board are held on the first Friday in every month, with special meetings when necessary. The Executive Committee of the Board usually meets on Wednesdays, and as frequently as is required during the intervals between the meetings of the Board. During the year the Board held twelve ordinary and five special meetings; and the Executive Committee met thirty-two times for general and special purposes. At the beginning of the year the Executive Committee consisted of seven members of the Board; but on the 7th August last the names of the two remaining members were added, so that the Committee now consists of all the members of the Board. The attendance at meetings of the Board by the respective members was as follows : Mr. Macdonald, 17; Mr. Lumsden, 17 ; Mr. Morison, 17 ; Mr. Baldey, 17 ; Mr. McLeod, 16; Mr. Matheson, 15 ; Mr. Turnbull, 12; Mr. Shanks, 10 ; Mr. Mackintosh, 10 : and of the Executive Committee, Mr. Macdonald, 32; Mr. Lumsden, 31; Mr. Baldey, 29; Mr. McLeod, 25; Mr. Matheson, 24; Mr. Shanks, 5; Mr. Turnbull, 4; and for the five months during which they held office, Mr. Mackintosh, 5; Mr. Morison, 0. The average attendance at meetings of the Board was 7-7, and of the Executive Committee, 4-8. Schools.—The number of schools in operation at the end of 1884 was seventy-nine. During this year (1885) new schools were opened in the Kennington, Wairekiki, Eiverside, Pahia, and Gibbston Districts, thus making the number in existence at the end of this year eighty-five. This number includes Wild Bush, which had been closed in consequence of the small attendance, but which the Board decided to reopen.