E.—B

1898. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of E.-7, Sess. II., 1897.]

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 meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College held on Monday, 28th March, 1898, the Chairman's statement of the progress made and work done in the several departments for the year 1897 was read as follows :— The College. The last annual statement of the Chairman of the Board, under the "Canterbury College Ordinance 1873 " was delivered on the 31st May last. The final meeting of the Board, under the old constitution' was held on the 28th June ; and the new members elected under "The Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Act, 1896," met for the first time on the The members comprising the new Board are as follows: Elected by members of Parliament—Hon William Montgomery, M.L.C., Bey. William Morley, Hon. Edward Cephas John Stevens ML C • elected by the graduates—William Chrystall, Bey. Walter Harper, M.A., George Gatonby Stead, Henry Richard Webb, E.8.M.5., Bey. Gordon Webster, MA., Richard Westenra- elected by Teachers — Charles Smith Howard, Thomas Hughes, 8.A., Thomas Shailer Weston ■ elected by School Committees—Thomas William Adams, George Warren Bussell, John Lee Scott'- elected by Professorial Board—Arthur Edgar Gravenor Rhodes, 8.A., LL.B.; appointed by His Excellency the Administrator of the GovermnenWlhe Right Rev Churchill Julius DD the Right Rev. John Joseph Grimes, D.D., Henry Bland Kirk. The following members were unable to be present: The Right Rev. Bishop Julius, the Bight Bey. Bi°shop Grimes Bey. W. Morley, and Mr. G. G. Stead. Mr. H. B. Webb was elected Chairman. For carrying out the work of the Board, three committees were appointed: The College, having control also of the Boys' and Girls' High Schools; Finance and Estates; and the Museum and Library the latter having under its care, in addition to the museum and public library, the School of Engineering and the School of Art. Each committee consists of eight members, and the Chairman of the Board is Chairman ex officio. , Under the new Act a report of the progress and of the work done during the year has to be drawn up and forwarded to the Minister of Education for presentation to the Houses of the General Assembly during the month of January. The particular date selected is somewhat unfortunate, inasmuch as the results of the University examinations are not usually available until the end of February owing to the fact that the degree examinations are conducted by English examiners. One of the most important provisions of the " Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Act 1896 " required that the financial matters in question between the two institutions should be submitted to a Judge of the Supreme Court for decision. His Honour Judge Denniston awarded the payment by the Canterbury College of the sum of £6,250, with interest from the date of the award at the rate of five per cent, per annum. This judgment has considerably crippled the resources of the College, requiring a payment from the Canterbury College for interest alone of £300 per annum In addition to which, provision for the repayment of the principal must be made sooner or later With a view to the division of assets, and to the handing over to the Canterbury Agricultural College funds invested on account of that institution, it has been found necessary to realise certain securities held. These securities fell into the hands of the Board of Governors in the years 1887 and 1888. One property alone remains to be finally dealt with between the Canterbury College and the Canterbury Agricultural College. This is under lease for an unexpired term of four or five years.

I—E. 8.