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and colours. The masters in academicals, and a good muster of the school, with old boys, took their places on this, and gave the Duke and Duchess an enthusiastic reception. The general conduct and tone of the boys has been very satisfactory. Public Libraey. In accordance with the powers conferred by Act of Parliament on the Board of Governors, a tender for the erection of a public reading-room and other additions to the Public Library, at a total cost of £4,307, was accepted in May last. The building will be a handsome addition to the public buildings of Christchurch, and is now rapidly approaching completion. The floor space and galleries of the circulating and reference departments are about 4,900 superficial feet. The floor space and gallery of the new building will be about 5,200 ft. The circulating library will be very much improved; the office will be removed to the new building, and the extra space thus obtained will be used for extra bookcases. The lighting will be increased by large skylights. It is anticipated that the whole of the additions and improvements will be completed in a few weeks. The old building that had done duty as a reading-room for many years was sold by auction, for removal, and realised the sum of £80 3s. sd. Since the removal of the old building, a room opposite has been rented to serve the purposes of a reading-room. Reference Department. —During the year a man was detected in the act of damaging a volume, and convicted in the Magistrate's Court; while another was sentenced for damaging books. Additional book-shelves are urgently required. A very large number of books have had to be rebound on account of destruction by gas. It is to be regretted that sufficient funds are not available for extending the present buildings, as increased accommodation is much needed. The donations for the year amount to 182 volumes, amongst which are ninety-five volumes of the Illustrated London News, from 1843 to 1898, presented by Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G. This department is much appreciated by the public. Circulating Department. —lt was. found expedient to postpone the annual stock-taking until the proposed alterations were completed. Additional space will be provided for the volumes, and new book-cases will be required. 498 volumes have been taken off the shelves as unfit for issue, while seventeen volumes have been lost and paid for by subscribers. The number of new books and renewals amounts to 1,282 volumes, bringing the total number of books in this department up to 20,026. The average number of subscribers for the year was 1894. The new catalogue is nearly completed, and will soon be ready for the printer. The library has sustained a loss by the death, last July, of Mr. P. McClenahan, who was one of the staff for over thirteen years, and was a painstaking officer. The following figures show the income from subscriptions during the last few years : 1897, £825 Is.; 1898, £857 155.; 1899, £889 10s. 6d.; 1900, £926 4s. 6d.; 1901, £943 19s. 6d. Beading-room. —The number of magazines and newspapers placed on the table are : New Zealand papers, 82 ; English papers and magazines, 21 ; Australian papers, 9 ; American papers, 3. School of Engineering, Electeicity, and Technical Science. Eeport of the Professor in charge (Mr. Eobt. J. Scott, M.lnst.C.E., M.lnst.M.E.) :— This year has marked an important development, the teaching of electricity for the arts, science, and engineering courses having been undertaken. Attendance. —Though during the year the work of the school has been carried on with difficulty (the existing accommodation being altogether overtaxed), I am able to report a gratifying increase in the number of students. 192 students attended lectures, while the total hour attendances per week amounted to 997, being an increase of 50 per cent, in the number of students and nearly 70 per cent, in hour attendances as compared with last year. Of these students, thirty were matriculated, and are taking either the course prescribed for the degree of B.Sc. in engineering or that for the Associateship of the School of Engineering. In the previous year only fourteen students were so occupied. Annual Examinations. —At the annual college examinations seven students passed in subjects of the first examination for the Associateship ; three passed in subjects of the second examination ; five passed in subjects of the second and third examinations ; and one, having completed the course, obtained the certificate of Associate of the School of Engineering. Nineteen students sat for the University examinations in engineering and electricity. Engineering Laboratory.- —There was a marked increase in the number of tests made as compared with the previous year. Tests were made on axles for the New Zealand Government railways ; oil for the Union Steamship Company; building materials for the School of Engineering, School of Art, Public Library, and the Cathedral; dumping-bands for the Wellington Harbour Board ; and boiler-plates, stone, concrete, and cement for local firms. Apparahis. —During the year a large quantity of apparatus for the experimental teaching of applied mechanics was added to the plant. This apparatus was made in Christchurch from drawings prepared by students of the school. Other additions to the plant consist of a microscope, two balances, three sets of chemical weights, two sets of commercial weights, and various scales, in addition to which a large quantity of electrical apparatus for the equipment of electrical laboratories has been received. Buildings. —The erection of the new electrical laboratories and lecture-rooms has progressed slowly during the year. On their completion the school will compare favourably, both as to accommodation and plant, with any of a similar character in the Australian Colonies. Evening Glasses. —Of the students attending evening classes, four obtained first-class and ten second-class certificates in elementary steam ; six obtained first-class and five second-class certificates in elementary applied mechanics; two obtained first-class and eight second-class certificates in mechanical drawing, section I.; four obtained first-class and two second-class certificates in