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Christchurch Public Library. In view of the handsome donations given by Mr. Andrew Carnegie for library purposes in various parts of the world, it was deemed expedient to enter into communication with that gentleman and ascertain if any assistance could be obtained towards the funds of the Public Library. A full description of the institution was furnished and photographs forwarded, but success did not attend our application. Reference Department. —The donations of books and pamphlets to this department during the past year number 257, while 475 volumes were added by purchase, making the total number of books on the shelves at the end of the year 14,845. More shelving for the books is urgently required. There have been no special changes in this department during the past year. A steady increase is noticeable in the number of visitors. A large number of books require rebinding as the result of the destructive action of the gas. Circulating Department. —This department was closed for stock-taking from the 11th to the 16th January, when ninety-seven volumes were found to be missing. The majority of these will probably be returned. 1,132 volumes were added to this department during the year, making a total of 22,299 volumes on the shelves. Owing to a large number of volumes of fiction being in such a dilapidated condition that they were unfit for issue they had to be removed from the shelves, but those that are worth renewing will be replaced by new copies. The average number of subscribers during the year was 1,861. The numbers were no doubt affected by the prevalence in Christchurch of scarlet fever and the attendant fear of contagion through the circulation of the books. A new book-stack, capable of holding 2,000 volumes, has been placed in the library. The appearance of the subscribers' reading-room has been considerably improved by the hanging of several pictures and paintings which have been presented to the institution during the year, notable amongst which is a fine water-colour painting of a view in the vicinity of the Sutherland Fall from the head of Roaring Creek, painted and presented by the well-known local artist, Mr. S. H. Moreton. Ten additional magazines and papers have been ordered for the use of subscribers. Mr. H. G. Ell has taken considerable trouble in collecting funds for the purchase of " Illustrations " to accompany the late E. J. Wakefield's work entitled "Adventure in New Zealand," 1839-1844, lithographed from original drawings. These have been presented to the public library through the efforts of Mr. Ell, and the thanks of the public are due to him. Beading-room. —Three additional newspapers have been provided during the past year. Part of the gallery in the reading-room was set apart during the year for the exclusive use of lady readers. It is supplied with magazines and newspapers, and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The facilities thus afforded have, however, not been availed of to the extent anticipated, the daily attendance so far having been very limited. It is a matter for deep regret that the papers and magazines have in some cases been mutilated, while others have been wholly removed. School of Engineering, Electricity, and Technical Science. Report of the Professor in charge (Mr. Robert J. Scott, M.1.C.E., M.1.M.E.) :— Students. —During the year 201 students attended lectures, the hour attendances per week being 1,425, which gives an increase of 6 per cent, in students and 26 per cent, in hour attendances on the numbers for the previous year. There were forty-eight matriculated students taking the full course for the University degree or the associateship in engineering, this being an increase of 23 per cent, as compared with the number in 1902. In addition to these, nine College students taking the 8.A., B.Sc, or medical courses attended lectures and laboratory work in electricity and magnetism at the School of Engineering. Besults of Examinations. —University examinations, 1902: Ten students passed part of the first examination for B.Sc. in Engineering ; six completed the first examination; and two passed part of the second examination. Associateship of the School of Engineering. —At the annual examination, 1903, the passes were, in electricity and magnetism, 5 ; advanced electricity, 1; freehand mechanical drawing, 13 ; descriptive geometry (advanced), 10; steam-engine (elementary), 10; elementary applied mechanics, 8; mechanical drawing (second year), 5; applied mechanics, 6; mechanics of machinery, 5 ; steam-engine (advanced), 7; strength of materials, 6; theory of workshop practice, 2 ; and elementary electrical engineering, 3. Two passed the final examination. Evening Students.--Oi the students attending evening lectures 118 passed satisfactory examinations, and certificates were awarded as follows : First Class—The steam-engine (elementary), 12; elementary applied mechanics, 10; elementary strength of materials, 1; mechanical drawing, Section I. 7, Section 11. 2, Section 111. 2 ; freehand mechanical drawing, Sections I. and 11., 11; descriptive geometry and setting-out work, 12; elementary electricity, 4; electricity and magnetism, 1 ; advanced electrical engineering, 2. Second Class—The steam-engine (elementary), 13; elementary strength of materials, 1 ; mechanical drawing, Section I. 7, Section 11. 4, Section III: 1; freehand mechanical drawing, Sections I. and 11., 13; descriptive geometry and setting-out work, 7 ; theory of workshop practice, 3; advanced electricity, 1; elementary electrical engineering, 4. Testing in Engineering Laboratory. —The tests conducted in the Engineering Laboratory during the year comprised a comprehensive test of the properties of certain coals for the Westport Coal Company ; of overhead and other gear for the contractors of the Dunedin tramways, Messrs. Noyes Bros. ; and sundry minor tests for several engineering firms and individuals. New Apparatus. —Only a comparatively small quantity of apparatus was obtained during the year. This was chiefly electrical, and comprised voltmeters and ammeters, resistance-frames, &c. University Senate.—- The Board of Governors of Canterbury College, under the new University Act, elected the professor in charge as one of their representatives on the University Senate.