E.—s

48

The work of the technical classes does not call for lengthened remark. Although the painters' class shows a falling-off for the second quarter, the work, according to the examiners, is creditable to pupils and teacher alike. This year the class for the theory of plumbing was made free to ■students attending for instruction in the practical part of the subject, but few took advantage of this concession, and it now seems to me expedient to make attendance at theory a compulsory part of the course. The classes for practical mathematics this year, under the direction of Mr. Graham, are in a different condition from those formed last year, and now more than justify their existence. Intending students of plumbing, carpentry, and mechanical engineering should realise the importance of first covering the well-arranged programme in practical mathematics before entering upon the study of the subjects mentioned. The teacher of wood-carving had more beginners than he could conveniently manage in one class, and several of the less keen, taking advantage of this, did not do satisfactory work. Next year provision will be made for additional classes, and a special effort made to attract others than amateurs. The dressmaking classes are again numerically strong, the system, of instruction followed evidently being of a popular kind. Other classes not specially mentioned may be assumed to be doing satisfactory work. For many years now the professors of chemistry, physics, and English at the University have very considerately granted free tuition in their classes to the students heading our lists in each of these subjects respectively. This year Gustav J. J. Feil secures Professor Black's prize, William Martin Dr. Shand's, while Mary E. Pearce and Doris I. Clayton divide that of Professor Gilray. These professors deserve sincere thanks for thus encouraging our students. The honorary examiners have again given considerable time and attention to a careful estimate of the work set before them, and the Association is deeply indebted to them for the concise yet valuable reports that they furnish. On the whole the behaviour of pupils has been satisfactory. In the junior classes there are at times a number of idlers, but these generally disappear long before the end of the session. Formerly our classes were attended by many men and women bent on general culture and improvement, but with the advent of the free and younger pupils the number of these adults is gradually diminishing. The falling-away in the number of paying students was particularly noticeable during the second quarter. The teachers, who now number thirty-four, have as a body been most attentive to their duties, and this has contributed not a little to the success that has attended our efforts. Angus Marshall, Superintendent. Extract from the Report of the Principal of the School of Art and Design. During the period over which this reports extends —viz., from the 6th February to the 23rd December—the total number of students who received instruction was 406. This number includes 161 teachers and pupil-teachers, 62 students of the Training College, 80 students who attended the day classes, and 130 students who attended the evening classes. The school was open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 5.45 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 9.30 a.m. to 12 noon. The courses of instruction laid down in the programme of classes have been duly carried out, and the usual class examinations have been held. Owing to the large number of students who attended the day classes, great inconvenience has been suffered from the want of proper accommodation. This has been particularly the case in regard to the students who devoted their attention to blackboard drawing, model-drawing, and modelling. The rooms have been found quite inadequate for teaching these subjects, and there has been no available room for moulding and casting, consequently this part of the programme had to be left in abeyance. The courses of day and evening work have been very similar to those of last year, and consisted of freehand and model drawing, drawing in light and shade, modelling, drawing plant-form from nature, design, drawing the figure from the antique and from life, painting groups from still life, geometrical drawing, perspective, practical plane and solid geometry, building-construction, and machine construction and drawing. Students of the Training College received special instruction in blackboard drawing, cardboard modelling, and modelling in clay, and a course of brushwork was arranged for teachers who attended the Saturday classes. This will be very useful to the majority of those who have done the work. The work of the students in the various classes excelled that of the previous year, and their conduct and diligence have been most satisfactory. At the pupil-teachers' annual examination held in July, six passed in model-drawing, twenty-five passed in geometrical drawing, and twenty-two passed in perspective. The number of students who passed at the South Kensington Science and Art Examinations were as follows: Freehand drawing in outline, 36; perspective, 5; drawing in light and shade, 6; painting from still life, 1 ; anatomy, 2; drawing from the antique, 1 ; modelling from life, 1; building-construction, Stage I, 6; building-construction, Stage 11, 3; model drawing, 12; geometrical drawing, 4; memory drawing of plant-form, 4; drawing from life, 3 ; architecture, 2; design, 3; practical plane and solid geometry, 3 ; machine construction and drawing, Stage I, 3 ; machine construction and drawing, Stage 11, 3. Two works were accepted for the Art Class Teachers' Certificate—viz., one sheet of geometrical problems and one sheet of model-drawing (shaded). The usual exhibition of the work of the students was held at the end of January, and was fairly well attended. I desire to thank my assistants for their efforts to further the well-being of the school. David C. Hutton, Principal. Extract from the Report of the Managers of the Oamaru Technical Classes Association. The Managers, in submitting their first annual report, do so believing that the work of the past year will commend itself to those most interested in the results of what has been undertaken. As the subscribers are aware, there was experienced very considerable difficulty in getting the classes launched, and, as it was, a start was not made until what must be considered, from the technical-education point of view, rather late in the year. It is intended to commence the first