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that the school is being recognised as a centre for the training of art-teachers —a fact that goes to prove that the influence of the school is extending. Attendance. —The students in attendance during 1907 numbered 1,085. The hour-attendances amounted to 93,520 during 1907, as against 48,000 in 1906 and 34,160 in 1905. This shows an increase for 1907 of 45,520 attendances over the year 1906, and an increase of 59,360 attendances over 1905, thus proving that the attendance has considerably more than doubled itself since 1906. I have made no comparisons in the number of students in attendance this year with previous years, because hitherto it has been the rule to give as totals the class entries, which tends to give an erroneous impression of the number of students. The number of actual students during 1907, taken on the basis of hour-attendances, would be more than double that of 1905. In connection with the Advanced Art examinations held by the Board of Education, South Kensington, London, the school obtained twenty-five pass certificates, and in the examinations for art class teachers' certificates three students had works accepted. The usual local examinations were held at the end of the year, and all the students submitted work for examination. In connection with the art competitions of the late International Exhibition, the school scored higher than any other art school in the colony, obtaining in all fifteen medals (seven gold, four silver, and four bronze). A certificate of the highest order of merit was awarded for the school's collection of work as a whole, and the complete furniture and decoration for a " hall " was awarded a certificate of special excellence. A bronze medal and nine free scholarships were awarded on the year's work to students of the day and evening classes, also some twenty-four scholarships to pupils of the State schools. Drawing and, Painting. —lnstruction was given in drawing and painting from life, still life, antique, and landscape. The greatly increased attendance in the day classes considerably taxed the accommodation available for the teaching of these subjects; on most days every room in the school was packed. The present rooms are small, and often necessitate a teacher having classes in three separate rooms, which does not allow any collective teaching, by which means the best class results are obtained. A large studio for figure and still-life work is urgently needed. Design. —The students have increased to such an extent in this department as to demand two additional classes per week, making a total of four classes per week in place of two as hitherto. Artistic Crafts. —A great advance has been made in this department since the appointment of the new instructor. A course of silversmiths' work and Limoges, Champleve, ami cloisonne enamelling was commenced at the beginning of the year, and several beautiful pieces of jewellerywere executed. Larger and more important work will be possible when a larger muffle furnace is available. Classes were held for repousse, gesso, wood-carving, and embossed-leather work during the morning, afternoon, and evening throughout the year. Painters' and. Decorators' Glasses. —Classes in practical work were held twice a week, and instruction was given in signwriting, glass-embossing, graining and marbling, stencilling and decorating, students also attending the special design and colour classes. The advantage to apprentices engaged in this trade by such classes being held at a school of art is obvious, as the practical work can be co-operated with the higher branches of colour and design, and so tend to raise the general standard of the trade. Architecture. —The course in this department included geometry, perspective, elementary, and advanced building-construction, quantity-surveying, mensuration, specification writing, history of architecture, interior design, historic ornament, and architectural design. The attendance in this section was fairly satisfactory 7. The duplication of several of the more elementary subjects by the authorities of the Christchurch Technical College has tended to slightly 7 reduce the number of students in this department. The course of instruction in this department ranges over five evenings per week, and the work necessitates the services of five specialists as lecturers and instructors. Cabinetmaking. —The work in this department has been chiefly directed to drawing and design, subjects which are strongly allied to a school of art. Teachers and Pupil-teachers. —A complete course of instruction in elementary drawing, colouring, and design, together with modelling, was given on Saturday mornings, to meet the requirements of the teachers' examinations held by the Education Department. The attendance at these classes has been very large, and the accommodation of the school was severely taxed in consequence. Normal College Students. —Classes were held on Tuesday afternoons in freehand, model, and blackboard drawing for students in training from the Normal School. The time devoted to these subjects—namely, two hours per week—is too small to go very- thoroughly into these subjects. Arts and Crafts Guild. —The work of the Guild was continued on similar lines to that of last year. The attendance at the monthly- meetings was excellent, and several valuable lectures and demonstrations were given by well-known artists and craftsmen. The members of the Guild number over two hundred, man}- of which are ex-students of the school. Staff. —At the beginning of the year Mr. John Cook was appointed instructor in buildingconstruction and quantity-surveying, Mr. C. F. Kelly was appointed instructor in elementary art, and Mr. J. H. Wilson lecturer in English literature and instructor in mensuration. The appointment of Mr. F. G. Gurnsey as instructor in applied art at the beginning of the year has proved very satisfactory. No resignations have been received during the year. The staff now numbers fourteen, all of whom worked loyally in the interests of the school. Thanks are due to Messrs. J. W. Gibb, A. H. Fielder, and W. Sey for prizes kindly given for painting, architecture, and decorating, and also to those gentlemen who assisted in making the monthly meetings of the Guild so instructive by lectures and demonstrations. In conclusion, I wish to thank the Board for the very careful consideration that has been given to the recommendations I have made. R. Herdman-Smith, F.S.A.M., Director.

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