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10

Wellington College and Girls' High School. —In the former institution the work has been carried on as formerly. This work is still, however, considered an "extra" in the upper forms, and is held out of school-hours, and at a special fee. Until these disabilities are removed success can never be expected. The work must be a part of the school's ordinary course, taught within school-hours, and without extra fee, as is the case of the lower forms. In the Girls' High School the work, I am glad to say, is given in ordinary school-hours, and, although the time allowed is short, nevertheless it is a beginning in the right direction, and I hope later to see an excellent course of lessons developed in the various sections of the work throughout the school. arts and crafts guild. The following are the objects of the guild: To assist in cultivating among art and craft students a friendly and social spirit; to exhibit at meetings of the guild illustrations in any medium of a subject or subjects chosen by the Committee, together with miscellaneous sketches and studies, and craft workmanship in embroidery, bookbinding, applied ornament in gesso, metal, carving, or other decorative forms, lithography, lead-casting, stained glass, &c.; to encourage the reading of papers and essays, and the delivery of lectures on subjects relating to art and craft, to be followed by discussion. The past year's work shows that, whilst the meetings have been generally successful and the membership large, the main objects of the guild have not been reached. The interest rather lay in still life and landscape, with a certain amount of study from the living model and a little of the craft work. It was therefore decided to reduce the membership, abandon the monthly meetings, and adopt a quarterly meeting with exhibits of practical work. Up to the present the results have been more satisfactory. The life model is posed for a definite subject, stained-glass designs are practically carried out, modelling is done for a purpose, still-life work for decoration, &c. The Art Needlework Section has already done excellent work. The Architectural Section is also fully alive to the aims of the guild; several meetings have been held and a definite course of work put in progress. The Photographic Section has also come to life again. The prospects are therefore brighter than they have ever been, and I anticipate some real results from the new arrangement. plumbers' examinations. The Board of Control is constituted as follows : J. R. Blair, Chairman of the Board of Education; A. D. Riley, Director for Technical Instruction ; W. Rounthwaite, City Engineer; J. Barry, representative of the journeymen plumbers; J. F. Adams, representative of the master plumbers. Mr. Ramsay resigned during the year, Mr. Barry being elected by the Union of Plumbers to fill the vacancy. The Board has met several times during the year, and dealt with matters affecting the conduct of examinations and other subjects connected with the general work of sanitary classes conducted by the school. There can be no question of the value of such an advisory body in connection with this very important work. examinations. The usual examinations have been held during the year. In the higher-grade work there has been a considerable diminution of candidates, practically only those who found it necessary to present themselves for teaching or trade certificates coming forward. Wherever possible, students have been dissuaded from taking these examinations unless certificates are especially required. The number of papers examined during the year was 6,835. The number of certificates issued was 3,994. Second Grade (Local). —The number of students who passed in the several subjects of examination was as follows: Freehand, 113; geometry, 33; perspective, 15; model, 79; memory and blackboard drawing, 10 ; light and shade, 20; brush-work, 6. Third Grade (Local). —Of the 66 candidates examined 45 passed. Board of Education, South Kensington.—The results of the examinations held under the above Board have not yet been received; the delay in this matter is a serious objection to the examination under this Department. The constant alterations in the syllabus, of which we receive no intimation until the month the works are required to be forwarded, is a further objection. I would urge the adoption of a Colonial Examination and a Colonial National Competition of Art Works, on the lines of the present English competitions. By this means the schools will be brought closer into touch with each other, the results will be quickly obtained, and greater efficiency secured. CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION. The examinations under this Department have been conducted as usual. Twenty-three candidates presented themselves for examination, of whom 13 passed, as follows :—Plumbers' work: Honours grade, 1; ordinary grade, 1; preliminary, 2. Electric Lighting: Honours grade, 1 ; ordinary, 2 ; preliminary, 5. Lithography: Ordinary grade, 1 ; preliminary, 1. Mechanical engineering: Ordinary grade, 1. The examinations in connection with this institution are mostly in two grades—(l) Ordinary, (2) Honours. In some subjects a preliminary examination is held. The Ordinary Examination is intended principally for apprentices and journeymen ; the Honours Examination for foremen, masters, managers, and teachers. Candidates may enter for either grade except in certain subjects, in which they are required to pass in the ordinary grade first. Candidates may obtain a first or second class in either grade. If a second class is obtained they may sit again for the higher classification. In plumbers' work candidates must present themselves for theory and practice in the same year. The examinations are held in May.