19

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The Otago Art Society offered a silver medal for the best study of a head from life, painted in either water or oil colours. The competition for this medal was confined entirely to Signor Nerli's class for painting. Mr. Charles W. Foster, who was recommended by the secretary of the Otago Art Society, kindly acted as examiner. Owing to Mr. Foster's unfavourable report (with which I agreed) the medal was not awarded. Only four students competed. The prizes and certificates were presented by the Hon. J. MacGregor in the presence of a large number of people. The works of the students were exhibited at the close of the year, and attracted numerous visitors, who were highly pleased with the number aud the excellence of the works. The staff worked hard and earnestly. One member, without any apparent reason, unexpectedly left us in the month of October; this, however, did not materially interfere with the work of the school, though it made my work more arduous for the remainder of the year. I have, &c, David C. Hutton, Art Master, Principal. The Secretary, Otago Education Board.

The following list shows the occupations of the students who attended the evening classes: Artist, 1 ; bank clerks, 4 ; blacksmiths, 3 ; bookbinder, 1 ; brass-finisher, 1 ; butcher, 1; cabinetmakers, 2 ; carpenters, 17 ; clerks, 6 ; clicker, 1; coachbuilder, 1; coach-painter, 1; compositors, 2 ; draughtsman, 1; drapers, 5; dressmakers, 5; engineers, 16 ; framemaker, 1; iron-turner, 1 ; labourers, 2 ; lithographers, 4 ; message-boy, 1; milliners, 6; mining engineer, 1; photographic artist, 1; painters, 11; patternmakers, 2; plumbers, 3; retouchers, 4; saleswomen, 5; shopassistant 1 ; surveyor, 1; students, 32 ; tailor, 1 ; teachers, 7; tinsmith, 1; warehouseman, 1; wood-carver, 1; no occupation or home duties, 5 : total, 160.

3. EEPORTS OF TECHNICAL CLASSES ASSOCIATIONS. AUCKLAND. Second Annual Eepoet for Year ending 30th November, 1896. To the Subscribers, Auckland Technical School Association. Youb Council begs to place before you the following report, covering the second year's working of the school. As provided in the constitution of the Association, the following appointments were made to the Council by the public bodies named : namely, Mr. Kobert Farrell, Auckland City Council; Mr. Gerald L. Peacocke, University College Council ; Mr. R. Udy, College and Grammar School; Rev. Canon Bates, Board of Education; Mr. R. S. Abel, Employers' Association; Mr. J. Fawcus, Trades and Labour Council. Mr. Thomas Thompson, M.H.R., was reappointed Treasurer, and Mr. J. H. Mackie, Secretary to the Association. Twelve Council meetings and eight Executive meetings have been held during the year. The year's work comprised four terms of ten weeks each, commencing in February and concluding in November. The removal from Auckland of certain instructors necessitated some changes in the personnel of the staff in the early part of the year, and the following new appointments were made: Mr. E. W. Payton, practical plane and solid geometry ; Mr. J. T. Knight, mechanical drawing; Mr. W. A. Cumming, architectural drawing; and Mr. W. Bruce, carpentry and joinery. The other classes have been conducted by the instructors who were engaged last year. The syllabus this year contained two additional subjects: namely, graining and marbling, and staircasing and handrailing; Mr. Charles Bloomfield being appointed in charge of the former, and Mr. Bruce the latter class. Mr. Bruce has made a thorough study of the subjects he teaches, and holds a gold medal from the Melbourne Working-men's College for proficiency in staircasing and handrailing, besides first-class certificates for other branches. Much interest has been taken in both classes by the artisans, but much more might reasonably be expected. The enrolments of the several terms were as follows : First term, 99 ; second term, 170; third term, 158 ; and fourth term, 126 : the average being 138 per term. The work in the various classes was of a much improved character, a fact which has been the subject of very favourable comment of visitors to the school. This result is in a very large measure due to the instructors in the various departments, who take a great deal of personal interest in the students. Last year the progress of the students in some of the drawing-classes was hindered by the absence of suitable drawing-copies, models, &c. This has been remedied since by the importation from the Sydney Technical College of sixty-five pieces plaster casts and models. The institution named acted very generously in the matter of the order, which was limited to £10. A supply of wicker, wire, and wood models have also been obtained from local firms. We are indebted to the Railway Department, Wellington, for a series of valuable large plate-drawings in wood- and ironwork, and to Messrs. John Chambers and Son for a number of photographs of English machinery. Since "The Manual and Technical Elementary Instruction Act, 1895," came into force the school has been conducted under its provisions, one of which is the payment to technical schools and classes of capitation upon average attendance. Whilst approving of the Act generally, your Council cannot refrain from expressing its regret at the total inadequacy of the rate of capitation provided for. For the three terms ending 11th September the sum of £29 ss. Id. only has been earned and received. The capitation for the last term just ended (20th instant) is £19 11s. 10d.,