E.—7

8

" The work has been based on the same principles as during the last three or four years—viz., division into four branches. In the first, or elementary, stress is laid more particularly on the study of form by means of outline, both pencil and brush being employed for this purpose. In the next two gradually the study of tone and colour is introduced combined with form; and in the fourth more advanced work is given from the cast, still life, and life. Various modes of expression are employed, the point, ' stump,' and brush, both in water-colour and oil-colour, being used for representing objects on aflat surface, whilst the modelling tool and fingers are mainly used for representation in concrete form. The medium in and with which he shall work is largely left to a student's own choice, as it is found that a preference is soon shown for that one in which by nature he is best fitted to excel. For instance, a student whose object it is to prepare himself for illustration work naturally chooses the point, both pen and pencil, and also occasionally the water-colour brush. The modelling class, under Mr. Kidson, has been held on Wednesdays from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The work so far has been of an elementary nature, the copies being simple casts of ornament and portions of the figure. The class for painting landscapes from nature, under Mr. Walsh, has gone out every Tuesday during the first and third terms, while Miss Munnings has had charge of an elementary class in the same subject, going out on the same day as the others. Life classes, for the study of the draped model, have been held on Mondays and Fridays from 10 to 1, and for the study of the nude on Thursday. These have been under the charge of the headmaster, and have been more largely attended than ever before, excellent work having been produced both in black and white and colour. Entrance into the life classes is by competition, held at the end of every term. As only an average of two can be admitted each term, the competition is severe, and, considering this, the result is very satisfactory and encouraging. The faculty for memorising forms, as well as the imitative faculty, has been cultivated with good results. The benefit of this system is beginning to show itself in the more advanced work. A series of drawings was shown in the annual exhibition illustrating the extent to which memory drawing can be carried. " Evening Class. —Compared with the two previous years the numbers attending have been as follows :— First Term. Second Term. Third Term. 1894 ... ... ... ... ... 115 108 93 1895 ... ... ... ... ... 102 105 102 1896 ... ... ... ... 98 98 104 "In 1887 the numbers were as follows: First term, 58; second term, 73 ; third term, 72. " The students in this class are mainly drawn from trades and industries associated in anyway with art, and so the instruction is more specially arranged to meet the wants of these. Besides elementary drawing it has comprised architecture, decorative design, modelling from the cast and from life, light and shade from the cast and still life, and drawing and painting from the human figure both nude and draped. Although the attendance of the night class of students is much more satisfactory and encouraging than formerly, there is still much to be desired in this respect, and until the employers more effectively co-operate in securing the attendance of their apprentices by realising the benefit accruing to themselves as well as to the community in general by the increased skill and taste of the workman we fear that the influence such an institution as the School of Art should exert on the industrial well-being of the district will not be w 7 hat it might and should. Whilst referring generally to the work of this class I would again emphasize the necessity for a students' technical museum of objects of industrial art. The progress of the students is being severely retarded for lack of this ; for, after a student has gone through a certain amount of training and learnt the principles applicable to all design, the best means of developing his further education is by surrounding him with examples showing how these principles have been applied by various peoples and at various times. Life classes have been held on Mondays and Fridays for the study of the draped model, and on Wednesdays for the nude. These, similarly to the morning, have been attended by a larger number than at any former period, and the results have also been better and of a more advanced character. Students deserving mention are S. L. Thompson for having gained first place and the free studentship in drawing and painting from the life, and C. Brassington for his admirable set of bas-reliefs and marble bust from life, W. Thompson for some good decorative designs founded on native flora, and G. Hart for architectural drawing. The two latter reflect great credit upon their teacher, Mr. S. Hurst Seager. " The class for modelling in clay has been held on Mondays, and has been attended by an average of about twenty students, under the charge of Mr. Kidson. Good progress was visible, and a larger and better display was made at the annual exhibition than at any previous time. " Saturday Students. —The teachers and pupil-teachers under the North Canterbury Board of Education have attended on Saturday mornings from 9.30 to 12.30, and have been taught freehand, model, geometry, perspective, drawing on the black-board from memory and elementary light and shade. Two of them have this year completed their full second-grade certificate—viz., T. Doudsand I. Newton. Compared with the two previous years the numbers have been as follows :— First Term. Second Term. Third Term. 1894 ... ... ... ... ... 95 86 98 1895 ... ... ■ ... ... ... 75 79 84 1896 ... ... ... ... ... 77 ■ 100 106 " Wood-carving and Sloyd.— -The classes for wood-carving and sloyd have been held under Mr. Hurst Seager, from 10 to 11.30 and 11.30 to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. They are increasing in attendance and interest, especially in the former one, where there are now this term fifteen students. "Boys' High School. —The boys from the High School have attended in two divisions, the junior on Mondays from 3.20 to 4, and the senior on Thursdays at the same time. Both have been taught model-drawing.