E.—ll

1905. NEW Z X ALAN D.

EDUCATION: CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. ("THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE AND CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ACT, 1896.") [In continuation of E.-11, 1904.]

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. G. J. Stevens (Chairman); M. Murphy, P.L.S.; and H. A. Knight. Elected by governing bodies of agricultural and pastoral associations—Sir George Clifford, Bart. ; W. P. M. Buckley, 8.A.; and Thomas Harrison. 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 Biology. —P. W. Hilgendorf, M.A., D.Sc. Instructor in Woodwork. —P. W. Sandford RE POET OF THE DIRECTOR. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the report of this institution for the year 1904. The College. Throughout the year work has gone on satisfactorily. Forty-seven students were enrolled, and the majority have proved themselves earnest students of farming. In the first session the conduct of four students and their attitude to work was unsatisfactory, and I had accordingly to ask them to cease residence at the end of the first term. The College is now filled to the limit of the accommodation. At a meeting of the Board of Governors in March the position of biology in the curriculum was discussed, and it was resolved that it was desirable that a biologist should be appointed to the staff so that more attention might be devoted to the teaching of agricultural botany— especially grasses and seeds—and the diseases and pests affecting field and garden crops. The very serious decrease in the rents received from the endowment lands at Hakataramea, and the difficulties met by the Board in satisfactorily leasing the smaller blocks, limited, however, any expansion of the subjects taught if such expansion necessitated an increase of the teaching staff. Prolonged consideration was given to the question, and it was ultimately decided to effect the modification desired of the course of study by a reorganization of the staff. It was resolved to terminate with regret the engagement of Mr. Guerin, C.E., who had held the position of lecturer in applied mathematics for six years, and to curtail the time devoted to mathematics. Mr. F. W. Hilgendorf, M.A., B.Sc, was appointed lecturer in biology, and to undertake in addition mathematics. It was also decided to establish during the year 1905 weekly lessons in saddlery and the repairing of harness, and that course of lessons is now in progress.