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lectures upon building construction, with satisfactory results. Four students obtained passes in elementary building construction, the examiner being Mr P de J Clere. Drawing and Painting, Day and Evening Classes.—These classes have all shown a steady increase in numbers, and the value of the work done is quietly advancing, although the year's work was considerably disturbed by the work of fitting up the class-rooms being in progress for about six weeks during class-days, altogether fully two months maybe taken from the year's work owing to removal and consequent new arrangements. In connection with these classes the following prizes were awarded by the Science and Art Department of South Kensington in the national competition Painting from still life, Jessie M. Hardy third-grade prize , painting from plant form, Mabel Hill, national book and third-grade prizes, painting from the cast, Margaret Campbell, third-grade prize painting from the cast, Edith Glover, third-grade prize geometrical drawing, Minnie Kelly third-grade prize, geometrical drawing, Kate Lawson, third-grade prize. About twenty-five teachers in the Board s service have availed themselves of the evening-class instruction. I regret that no adequate provision is made by the authorities of the Girls' High School for the teaching of this important branch of education. A number of the students are in attendance, but they arrive at from 3.30 to 3.45 (not by any means fit for the work, coming, as they do, direct from school labours) This leaves only about three-quarters of an hour for class work. Under these conditions no satisfactory work can be done. I would urge that one afternoon be set aside, as at the College and other secondary schools, there will then be a prospect of something being done. Examinations. —The usual examinations were held during the year As some misunderstanding exists with regard to the grades, an explanation of the same is here given. First grade is the lowest, and relates to drawing as taught in primary schools only second grade is the intermediate stage and third the highest grade, and includes technical and ordinary drawing and painting in all stages. Examinations are held locally as well as by the South Kensington authorities. No better instance of the value of examinations in our case can be given than the returns showing the number of papers presented at the first annual examination and at the last. In the first year, 1886, the number was 1,157, and in the last examination, 1891, the number was 4,228. This is conclusive proof of the impetus given, and, further, the work being in all cases practical, good results ensue even if success is not individually obtained, as time-sketching is of considerable importance at the present day Second- and Third-gbade Local Examinations. —Total number of papers taken, 478, as follows In second grade, 354 in third grade, 124. Subdivision of Second Grade. —Blackboard drawing, 39 candidates—l 9 passes, 20 failures, Freehand drawing, 126 candidates 84 passes, 42 failures model-drawing, 105 candidates — 60 passes, 45 failures geometrical drawing, 44 candidates—22 passes, 22 failures, perspective drawing, 40 candidates —30 passes, 10 failures total, 354 candidates —215 passes, 139 failures. Number of individual candidates examined, 208 and successful, 149. In the third-grade subjects 44 candidates were examined, and 31 were successful. Science and Art Department, South Kensington.— Third-grade works for the national competition were submitted as in previous years, seven prizes being awarded, as previously mentioned. The total number of works submitted by 241 48,636, and, of these, 2,015 works were selected for competition. The results concerning our own school may therefore be considered satisfactory In the certificate works 48 were submitted and 33 were accepted. In the personal examinations 35 papers were taken in the various stages, and 24 passes were obtained, as follows Painting from still life—Second Class, Mary E. Richardson, Mabel Hill. plant-drawing—First Class, Mabel Hill shading from the cast—First Class, Eobert Anderson, Madeline Browne, Edith Given, Mary Lingard, Clara Treadwell, Mary Young, Second Class, Maria Evans, Ida Watty shading from models —First Class, Eobert Anderson, Madeline Browne, Mary Young, Second Class, Maria Evans, Mary Lingard outline from the cast —First Class, Eobert Anderson, Madeline Browne, Mary Lawson, Clara Treadwell, Mary Young Second Class, Maria Evans, Edith Given, Mary Lingard. The following now hold the full art-class teacher's certificate, the names being placed in order of seniority Mary E. Eichardson, Marion Bronsdon (partially taken in England), Emma Holmes, Mary Allan, Eobert N Anderson, Mabel Hill, Madeline Browne (Wangamii Art School) The results of the second grade examinations, South Kensington, were as follows Freehand— 98 papers, 50 passes —7 First Class excellent, 8 First Class, 35 Second Class ; perspective —39 papers, 12 passes—4 First Class excellent, 4 First Class, 4 Second Class, model —57 papers, 37 passes —6 First Class excellent, 9 First Class, 22 Second Class, Geometrical—34 papers, 30 passes (pass only required) total, 228 papers, 129 passes —17 First Class excellent, 21 First Class, 61 Second Class. The above includes students from various places who are not students of the school. The following have this year completed their Kensington full second-grade certificate Eobert Anderson, Mary Allan, Madeline Browne, Julia Hart, George Jones, Kate Lawson, Mary Newton, Harry Seed, Clara Treadwell. The total number of local papers examined during the year was 4,228, being a considerable increase upon the previous year The number of certificates issued in all grades since the school was established is 9,062, subdivided as follows . Primary or first grade, 6,830 , second grade, 1,503 , third grade, 347 , South Kensington certificates, 382. Distribution of Prizes and Certificates.—The prizes and certificates were presented in the large hall, in September last, by Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G., &c, Chancellor of the New Zealand University, the Chairman of the Board, Mr J E. Blair, presiding. The rooms of the school were afterwards thrown open, and the work of the students inspected. 9—E 1.