E.—7

1895. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of E.-7 1894.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

ANNUAL STATEMENT OP THE CHAIRMAN OP THE BOARD OP GOVERNORS. At the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College, held on Monday, the Bth July, 1895, the Chairman's statement of the progress made and the work done in the several departments during the year was read, as follows : — The College. The meeting of the Board held on the 9th July, 1894, was the twenty-first anniversary of this institution. Mr H. E. Webb was at that date elected Chairman for the year During the past year several changes have taken place on the Board, Messrs. John Grigg, A. E. G. Ehodes, and H. F - von Haast having for various reasons resigned their seats. These were all valued members in their respective departments. Mr Grigg's special knowledge in the subject of agriculture was always at the sendee of the Board, and it was at the special request of members that he retained his seat for some time past. Mr A. B G Ehodes, contemplating a visit to England, sent in his resignation. Mr. H. F yon Haast left the colony, and is now in practice at the Melbourne Bar These vacancies have been filled by the election of the Eev Canon Harper, M.A., and the Eev Gordon Webster, M.A., and the re-election of the Hon. E. C. J Stevens. At the beginning of the session of 1895, Professor J. Macmillan Brown resigned the chair of English language, literature, and history The professor has been connected with the College since his appointment in the year 1874. He was in point of time the second professor appointed on the College staff. At first he occupied the position of professor of classics, history, and English literature. In 1880 a special professor of classics was appointed. Professor Macmillan Brown brought to bear on the duties of his office great enthusiasm and industry It may well be said that the success of the Canterbury College in those early days was in a great measure due to the untiring zeal and ability displayed by the professor. During the long period of his service, extending over more than twenty-one years, he laboured assiduously to advance the interests of the institution, and at the same time displayed a deep personal interest in the advancement of each individual student. On his arrival to enter upon the duties intrusted to him, the College practically was non-existent, except in so far as the classes in chemistry were concerned. The many initial difficulties overcome, the number that have attended the classes, and the numerous successes obtained, may well gratify the retiring professor On the receipt of his resignation, the Board unanimously passed the following resolution " That the Board of Governors of this College, having received from Professor J Macmillan Brown his resignation of the chair of English literature and history owing to his failing sight, wishes to place on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered by the professor, and the sincere regret with which his resignation is accepted." With the view of obtaining a successor, the Board has appointed a Commission in England, consisting of the Agent-General and Mr Kennaway, together with Professor Dowden, Trinity College, Dublin, Professor Masson, Edinburgh, and Dr. Edward Caird, Master of Balliol, and has empowered them to select and appoint a Professor of English literature and history for the college. The salary has been fixed at £600 per annum. The Board has recently decided that the professors and lecturers on the staff of the College should no longer be remunerated for their services partly by salary and partly by fees derived from the attendance of students at lectures, but that they should receive from the College a fixed annual salary independent of any fluctuations in the number of those attending classes. With this object in view, the Board has given the professors of chemistry, mathematics, and classics the option of accepting fresh appointments to the chairs at present occupied by them on the basis of receiving a fixed annual salary of £900, irrespective of fees from students, the appointments to be subject to twelve months' notice on either side. These proposals have already been accepted by the professor of chemistry The number of matriculated and non-matriculated students who have attended lectures during the academic year, from March to November, 1894, is as follows : Matriculated, 185, non-matnculated, 141: total, 326.

I—E. 7.