E.—ll.

1903. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. ("THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE AND CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ACT, 1896.") [In continuation of E.-11, 1902.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Visitor. —His Excellency the Governor. Board of Governors. Appointed by His Excellency the Governor —E. Richardson. Elected by members of the Legislature—Hon. E. C. J. Stevens (Chairman), M. Murphy, P.L.S., and D. Macmillan. Elected by governing bodies of agricultural and pastoral associations—Sir George Clifford, Bart., W. F. M. Buckley, J. Studholme. Staff. Director. —W. Lowrie, M.A., B.Sc. Lecturer on Veterinary Science. —W. J. Colebatch, B.Sc. (Agriculture), M.R.C.V.S. Lecturer on Chemistry. —G. Gray, F.C.S. Lecturer on Applied Mathematics. —M. Guerln, C.E. Instructor in Woodwork. —F. W. Sandford.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. Sir — I have the honour to submit a brief report of the work of this institution for the year 1902. At the beginning of the first session the three-years curriculum, which had been organized by the Board of Governors at the close of the preceding year, was introduced for the first-year students"; but, for the students of the second year, the work as set out in the prospectus for a two-years curriculum was continued that they might complete the course of instruction within the period anticipated when they joined the College. lam confident that the change from a two-years to a three-years course will prove beneficial. It will enable us to widen somewhat the extent of the work, to devote more time to subjects of more practical importance and every day value, such as veterinary science, and altogether to give a more thorough training. As now organized, however, it is not imperative that all students who wish to compete for the College diploma shall take the full course of three years. Such as have had a fair preliminary education and give evidence that they are qualified to proceed direct to the work of the second year may do so, and can thus, as before, qualify for the diploma in two years The most serious difficulty that we have hitherto had to meet in organizing the work and conducting the teaching has been the deplorably low standard of elementary or preliminary education which the majority of the youths who have come up to enrol evidenced. The standard for admission has been kept low that sons of farmers who have not had the opportunity of education beyond the range of the local elementary school, might not be excluded; but that class of pupil we unfortunately do net get in sufficient numbers. Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to raise the standard of admission, as such lads as do come up come direct from the farm where they may have been occupied for two or three years after leaving the elementary school, have generally more ambition, are more anxious to take full advantage of the teaching, and make better use of their training after leaving the College. In a three-years course more or less of the first year can be devoted to preliminary or preparatory work, and in the second year all students—those who came up with a good preliminary education, and those who have taken the first year's course at the College—will begin on fairly even terms, such subjects as agriculture and veterinary science which require some preliminary knowledge of such sciences as chemistry, physiology, and anatomy. The attendance was much the same as for the preceding year. Twenty-eight students were enrolled, eighteen for the first year and ten for the second year of the course. I am sorry I am unable to report the College full, but would fain believe that public confidence in the institution and appreciation of the opportunities it offers are increasing. The policy that the Board of