5

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parts of New Zealand with Dr F. Hochstetter, the geologist of the Austrian frigate " Novara." Further collections were made by Dr yon Haast during his explorations as Provincial Geologist of Canterbury A large number of geological specimens were presented by Dr yon Hochstetter, and several purchases were made by the Provincial Government. These collections were temporarily placed in three rooms in the Government Buildings, and were first exhibited to the public on the 3rd December, 1867 In 1866 a large number of moa bones had been found in a swamp at Glenmark, and the whole of them were presented to the museum by Mr G. H. Moore, the owner of the station. Up to that time nearly all the moa bones found in New Zealand had been sent to the museums in London and Oxford , the European and American museums had none. Full advantage was taken of this by Sir Julius yon Haast, and the large collections from Glenmark enabled him to make very advantageous exchanges with most of the larger museums all over the world. In this way the collections increased rapidly In 1869 a grant of £1,200 was made by the Provincial Council to erect a separate building, and this amount was increased to £1,683 11s. by public subscription. Work was commenced in March, 1869. The building was handed over to the Curator at the end of the year, and was opened to the public on the Ist October, 1870. This (the original museum) now forms the New Zealand Boom in the present building. Meantime, the Provincial Government had passed an Act—called "The Canterbury Museum and Library Ordinance, 1870" —constituting a Board of Trustees to manage these institutions. Under the energetic Curatorship of Sir Julius yon Haast, the collections accumulated so fast that three additions were successively added to the building—the first in 1872, the second in 1876, and the third in 1881. The designer and architect of the buildings was Mr B. W Mountfort. In June, 1874, the management was handed over to the Board of Governors of Canterbury College. Sir Julius yon Haast died in September, 1887 Pie was succeeded as Curator, in December, 1888, by Mr H. 0. Forbes, who resigned in May, 1892. The Curatorship was then given to Captain F W Hutton, who had had temporary charge of the museum between the death of Sir Julius yon Haast and the arrival of Mr. Forbes. School of Act. During the year ended 30th June, the number of students that have received instruction compared with the two previous years is as follows : — Year 1891-92— Second Term. Third Term. First Term. Morning class . 28 30 30 Evening class 74 74 70 Saturday teachers' class 78 86 81 Year 1892-93— Morning class 31 30 28 Evening class 66 72 85 Saturday teacher' class 88 94 80 Year 1893-94— Morning class . 31 32 32 Evening class ... 90 91 115 Saturday teachers' class 94 102 95 1891-92. 1892-93. 1893-94. Normal School students (individual) 42 45 45 Boys' High School pupils (individual) 160 181 190 Morning Glass. —This has been divided into four main divisions during the past year, instead of three, and the following subjects taught First, or elementary division Freehand from the " flat," elementary model drawing, and light and shade in monochrome. Second, or intermediate division . Light and shade in monochrome, more advanced model drawing, and drawing in outline from the cast. Third division Light and shade and outline from the cast, and still life in colour Fourth or advanced division Drawing and painting from the life (both nude and draped), and advanced still-life work in colour Memory work has been carried on, and has again been found of great advantage as an addition to merely imitative work. The sketching class has been largely attended, and several of the students have produced good work. They have gone out every Tuesday during the summer months. A large proportion of the morning students are this year attending classes in geometry and perspective. Evening Class. —The attendance during the first term of 1894 shows an increase of thirty students, as compared with the corresponding term of the previous year The work, in addition to the second-grade subjects (in which it is compulsory for the students to pass) has comprised architecture and decorative design, modelling from the cast and from life, light aad shade from the cast and from still life, and drawing and painting from the human figure (nude and draped) In September last Mr S. Hurst Seager commenced his duties as lecturer in architecture and decorative design, and the courses of instruction are now being given in these subjects in accordance with the detailed syllabus published at the beginning of this year Twenty-eight students are at present attending these lectures. Advanced Geometry. —This class has been formed for the study of more advanced problems in plane and solid geometry and their practical application. It is at present attended by sixteen students. Mr S. Hurst Seager is also lecturing to a class of twenty-eight in elementary perspective , , and Mr Kidson to a class of thirty-six in elementary geometry Life Classes have been held on Monday and Friday for the study of the draped figure, and on Wednesday and Thusday for the study of the nude. Prizes. —Messrs. A. J White and Whitcombe and Tombs have again kindly presented prizes for competition during the past year, Messrs. Strange and Co. have also offered prizes amounting to