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DUNEDIN. Sir,— I have the honour to submit my annual report on the School of Art and Design for the year 1896. The total number of students who attended the school during the past session was 394, showing an increase of thirty-four as compared with the preceding year. This total includes 116 teachers and pupil-teachers, twenty-two students, ninety-six students who attended the day classes, and 160 who attended the evening classes. Though the general total has increased, the total number of students attending the evening classes for mechanical work is comparatively small. This is much to be regretted, for, though it cannot perhaps be expected that these classes will ever be as popular as the sketching and light and shade classes, still, with the abundant opportunities for study and the advantages the Board has placed at the disposal of the young men engaged in the mechanic arts, these classes, which have a most direct bearing on their industrial pursuits, ought to attract more students than they do. On the other hand, a large number (thirty) of teachers and pupil-teachers of country schools availed themselves of the reduced railway-fares, and travelled long distances, from Palmerston, Lawrence, Milton, &c, with the utmost regularity to attend the classes on Saturdays. During the year incandescent burners were introduced, instead of the ordinary burners, thus providing a clearer and better light, enabling the students to work under more favourable conditions. A room was fitted up and set apart for lady students. This supplied a long-felt want, and is highly appreciated. The arrangement of the classes is the same as previously reported. The progress of these classes has been on the whole satisfactory. The antique and life classes have made most progress, not as shown by examination results, but as shown by their ordinary studies. The painting class made considerable progress, but the earnestness so characteristic of the other classes was lacking. The mechanical classes, including practical, plane, and solid geometry, machine construction, and building construction, did very good practical work. The work done by the teachers and pupilteachers has been of a satisfactory character.

Local Examinations. At the December examinations the total number of students and pupil-teachers examined in the second grade was as follows: —

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" The past year has been one of the most successful in the history of the school, and this has been largely due to the efficient help rendered by my staff. After serving the Board for the last six years, Miss Munnings is, at the end of this term, severing her connection with the school. Praise is due to her for the efficient way in which she has always discharged her duties, and her loss will be appreciably felt. It has been decided to appoint two assistants in her place. Thanks to the liberality of the Board, the school is now in thorough repair, having been repainted and distempered throughout, in addition to various improvements having been effected.—G. H. Elliott, Art Master." School of Art Account. 1896. Receipts. £ s. d. I Expenditure. £ s. d. To Students' fees .. .. .. 560 13 0j By Balance, Ist January, 1896 .. .. 263 19 8 Grant from Museum, Library, and School Salaries .. .. .. .. 932 17 1 of Technical Science Endowment .. 600 0 0 ; Bonuses to life classes .. .. 41 10 0 Grant from Boys' High School for in- Insurance .. .. .. .. 10 0 8 struction in drawing .. .. 50 0 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 15 15 0 Examination-fees .. .. .. 5 0 0 Incidental expenses .. .. .. 98 6 6 Cheque drawn in 1895 (cancelled) .. 2 2 0 Contribution towards expenses of RegisBalance .. .. .. .. 272 15 1 trar's office .. .. .. 30 0 0 Gas .. .. .. .. 41 16 9 Repairs .. .. .. .. 10 8 0 Repairs to skylight .. .. .. 34 5 6 Grant to Miss Crooke for long service .. 5 0 0 Interest .. .. .. .. 6 10 11 £1,490 10 1 £1,490 10 1

Passed. Subjects. Number examined. Failed. Excellent. Good. Fair. Freehand drawing ... Model drawing Geometrical drawing Perspective Drawing in light and shade ... 28 18 31 5 25 3 9 13 2 5 1(3 6 J2 1 8 4 2 4 1 12 1 2 1 Totals ... 102 32 43 23