E.—ll.

1904. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. ("THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE AND CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ACT, 1896.")

[In continuation of E.-11, 1903.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. Visitor. —His Excellency the Governor. Board of Governors, Appointed by His Exoellency the Governor —E. Richardson. Elected by members of the Legislature—Hon. E. C. J. Stevens (Chairman), M. Murphy, F.L.S., and D. Maomillan. Eleoted by governing bodies of agricultural and pastoral associations—Sir George CliSord, Bart., W. P. M. Buckley, 8.A., and J. Studholme. Staff, Director. —W. Lowrifi, M.A., B.Sc, Lecturer on Veterinary Science. —W. J. Oolebatch, B.Sc. (Agriculture), M.R.C V.S. Lecturer on Chemistry. —G. Gray, E.C.B. Lecturer on Applied Mathematics. —M. Guerin, C.E. Instructor in Woodwork. — ¥. W. Sandford.

Beport of the Director. Sir,— I have the honour to submit a brief report on the work of this institution for the year ending the 31st December, 1903. College. The change in the curriculum brought about at the end of 1901, whereby the course of instruction was extended from two years of two sessions each to three years of three sessions each, has been in operation; but students, so far, have been confined to the first- and second-year courses, and the curriculum will be in full working in 1904 with students of the first, second, and third year respectively. As anticipated in my last report, this extension of the period of study and training is proving advantageous. More time is now available to follow up the elementary general courses of instruction in the sciences having relation to agriculture by a more detailed study of such branches of these sciences as are of more immediate practical importance. The addition of a resident veterinary surgeon to the staff has enabled us to make the teaching of veterinary science take a more applied and useful form. The veterinary practice which has been worked up offers opportunity for valuable clinical instruction. The cases of disease, ailments, and injuries of farm stock, which farmers in the neighbourhood bring to the College or for which they seek the services of the veterinary surgeon, are just such eases as the students will meet on their farms when they leave the College. On such cases (and the number is much greater than we anticipated would be forthcoming when the practice was initiated) the development of symptoms can be observed, the causes investigated, and the treatment and progress watched with the obvious result that a real live interest is awakened to study the subject, and the information gained is sound and of the highest utility. There is no doubt that a student who has taken the full course here and is of average ability will be enabled from his training and experience to treat intelligently