CANTERBURY COLLEGE

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10086, 11 July 1893, Page 2

CANTERBURY COLLEGE

ANNUAL REPORT. At the animal meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College, held yesterday, the Chairman's statement of the progress made and the work done in the several departments during the year, was read as follows ; THE COLLEGE. During the year ending June 30 several changes have taken place on the Board of Governors. Mr G. G. Stead was elected by the graduates to fill the position previously occupied by Mr J. D. Enys. In March Mr T. W. Maude resigned, and the seat of Mr Leonard Harper was declared to be vacant. The election to replace these members came off in April, and resulted in the return of Mr T. S. Foster, M.A., a graduate of the College, and Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R. Leave of absence for a few months has been given to the Right Eev the Bishop of Christchurch, and to Mr P. de C. Malet, the Chairman of the Board. Mr H. E. Webb was appointed to perform the duties of Chairman daring the absence of Mr Malet. The number of students who have attended lectures during the past two years is aa follows:—1891-92: Matriculated, 239 ; non-raatrieulatcd, 194; total, 433 j 1892-93 : Matriculated, 244; non-matricu-latod, 182; total, 42G. The number of students attending each lecture during the last term was ss follows: Classics Pass Latin : Translation, 40 ; composition, 43. Greek: Translation, 6; composition, 7. Honours Latin: Translation, 9; composition, 6. English Literature—Pass Lectures: Queen Anno literature, 69; language of Shakspere and Lamb, 69; composition, 148; essay class, 121; art of Shakspere and Lamb. 129. Honours Lectures : Philology, 27; criticism, 37 ; history, 51. Mathematics—Pass Lectures : Pure mathematics, 60; mechanics and hydrostatics, 16. Honours Lectures : Section 1,2; section 2, 6; section 3,2; section 4,1; elementary mechanics and hydrostatics, 6. Chemistry and Physics— Pass chemistry, 12; honours chemistry, 5; teachers’ chemistry and physics, 7; pass physics, 17; practical physics, 16; honours physics, 1; elementary science (teachers E and D), 28; laboratory practice (chemical), 33. Geology—Junior, 12; senior, 9. Biology General biology. 10; senior botany, 11. French —Elementary, 22. Pass lectures: Grammar and history of language, 15; translation, 29; composition, 28; literature, 2S. Honours Lectures : Philology and etymology, 9; esoey and sight translation into French, 6; authors, 3. German —Composition, 3; translation and composition, 3, Jurisprudence Pass, II; honours, 9. Constitutional History—9. Law—LL.B. (second section), 8; LL.B. (third section), 2. Music—Rudiments and harmony (first year students), 21; harmony (intermediate second year students), 19; harmony and counterpoint (third year students); 18 ; harmony and counterpoint (third year students, evening class), 4. Eight students from the College have this year obtained the degree of M.A. Miss Stella Henderson gained at the same time first-class honours in languages and E. Hardcastle first-class honours in mathemotics; MissE. Stevenson and Messrs F. G. Gibson, E. T. Norris, W. G. Pye and H. B. Watson second-class honours in languages and Miss A. C. Tendall thirdclass in languages, whilst C. E. Adams as B. Sc. gained second-class honours in mathematics. Sixteen students of the College have passed the final section of their B. A. examination: Misses M. G. Connon, M. E. Hyndman, L. Lewis, Florence Sheard and F. Sfcoddart, and Messrs J. E. Bannister, E. S. Buchanan, T. W. Cane, W. G. Ivens, W. S. Marris, D. Purchas, Q. Q. S. Robison, F. J. Rowley, E. Rutherford and A. H. Thorpe; whilst forty have passed the first section of their B.A. examination : Misses M. Baldwin, A. G, Banks, L, E. ’ .Bing, E. R. Broom, A. A. Carter, H. Davy, i R. G. Deck, A. Dykes, A. M, Fordham, E. Y. von Haast, J. Inglis, Iv. leherwood, G. H. Johnston, H. E. Lewis, C. Locking, B. A, Orr, M. E. Oswin, H. S. Piercy, B. Richmond, A. Rogers, E. M. Rowley, Fanny Sheard, A. M. Thompson and M, Todhunter, and Messrs A. J. Buchanan, A. N. Burns, G. W. Chatwin, J. U. Collins, C. A. Craig, W. H. Dawson, A. Dunn, J. A. Erskine, C. J. Goldatoae, J. Eight, E. L. M’llroy, H. Muff, A. T. Ngats, IT. H. Ward, W. C. Wigley aud H. Williams. J. C. Wentall, T. W. lieare, T. S. Weston, M.A., aud T. H. G. Lloyd, 8.A., obtained the degree of LL.B,; R. Tolhurst, 8.A., passed the second section of the LL.B. examination;, and Messrs A. Dunn, A. T. Ngata and W. C. Wigley the first. W. H. Dawson passed the first section of 1 the B.Se. examination. W. S. Marris | gained the Senior Scholarship in Latin, J. E. Bannister that in Greek, E. Rutherford that in mathematics, e! S. Buchanan that in English and French, and Miss Florence Sheard that in political science. J. C. Westall. an exempt student, gained the Bowen Prize for 1892 for an essay on "The influence of tg* ■{financial relations of _ Great Britain and the Australian Colonies on the past and

future development of the latter.” The College exhibitions, given for excellence in honours work at the College annual examination, were awarded ai follow : For Latin, W. S. Harris (Mr Mama having left the Colony, this was sub-je-quently granted to J. E. Bannister, who was proxime accessit) ; for English, J. Hight; lor mathematics, E. Rutherford and W. S. Marris (equal) 5 for experimental science, E. S. Buchanan and E. Rutherford (equal); for political science, Miss Florence Sueard; for natural science. Miss E. V. von Haast and A. H. Thorpe (equal); for French, A. J. Buchanan. The graduates of the University of New Zealand who havo been educated at the College now number 144, eixfcythree of whom have obtained the degree of M.A., seventy-five the degree of 8.A., four that; of LL.B., and two that of B.So, Seven arts graduates have also obtained the degree of LL.B., four that of B.Sc., and one that of LL.B. Of the Masters of Arts, two gained double first-class honours, one a double first-class and a second, one a first-class and a second, one ; a first-claaa in arts and a second-class in science, thirty first-class honours, two double second, fifteen second and twelve third-class, and of the Bachelors of Science one gained second-class. Thus out of 828 who have taken degrees in the University of New Zealand (exclusive of medical degrees, for which this College cannot enter caudidates) 144 belong to Canterbury College. Out of the 134 who have taken the M.A. 63 belong to it; and of the 60 who have taken first-class honours 36 belong to it. Of the 98 senior and third-year and John Tinline Scholarships awarded by the University of New Zealand during the last sixteen years-the period during which the present scholarship regulations havo been in force—62 have been awarded to the students of Canterbury College. Of the 18 Bowen Prizes which have been awarded by the University for an essay on a subject connected with English history, and open to all undergraduates of the University of New Zealand, 13 havo been gained by students trained in this College, whilst the only three menus proximo accessit have also been of this College. Various changes have taken place in the staff of professors and lecturers attached to the institution. Captain Hutton has resigned the Chair of Geology and Botany, and accepted the position of Lecturer on Geology,' as also the Curatorship of the Museum. Applications were invited iu this Colony and Australia for the position of Lecturer on Biology, wit h the result that Dr Arthur Bendy, of the Victoria University, England, and at present demonstrator in biology at the Melbourne University, has been selected for the appointment. His duties will commence on Feb. 1, 1894, In the meantime Captain Hutton has kindly consented to carry on the lectures in biology during the current session. Terms and Vacations.—The question as to the duration of terms and vacations has occupied much time and attention. The Board has lengthened the period allowed for lectures by 22 days. Formerly the session comprised 130 days for lectures, whereas, under the new arrangement the time allotted is 202 days 5 in both cases Sundays being reckoned in. For the future the first term and lectures will commence on March 10, and extend to June 30, four days’ recess being allowed at Easter. The second term and lectures will begin on July 28. Lectures will continue to October 24 inclusive, and the term will end on Nov. 7. The interval between these two dates. being taken up by the College examinations. Examinations for exempted students havo been held during the year at Wellington, Nelson, Napier, Wanganui, Hokitika and Blenheim. An examination in music has also been held at Timaru.

Music.'—lt is gratifying to find that a number of students who began to attend the lectures in music in 1891, the year in which classes were first instituted, are still continuing their studies after having passed tbair examinations at the end of the two proceeding years. The total number of students attending the lectures in music is aixby-two. Of these twentytwo are now in their third year, twenty in their second and twenty in their first year. The subjects now being taught are rudiments of music, harmony, harmonizing of melodies and counterpoint in two parts. At the end of tbe second term of this year there will be three grades of examination for first, second and third-year students. A catalogue of the books in the College Library has lately been printed. Since then the number has been increased by 456 volumes, presented by Mrs Tancred, in memory of the late Mr H. J. Tancred, one of the first appointed members of the Board, and one who always took great interest in the cause of education. The total number of books in the library now amounts to 3641. Several improvements have,been effected in the buildings and surroundings; the most noticeable being the re-arrangement of the quadrangle. girls’ high school. The number of pupils attending the school last term was 123. A few changes in the staff have taken place during the ■year. The cooking classes and dresscutting classes are well attended and are progressing satisfactorily. Some slight changes have been made in the arrangements of the latter, so that more time might be given to the subject. The swimming classes were large last season, and were conducted with tho usual success. As a large part of the school ground baa lately been asphalted, the classes in drill and gymnastics will bo held more continuously than they otherwise could have been during the winter months. The reports last year of the examiners in these practical subjects, together with drawing aud singing, show that they are carefully and thoroughly taught. At the annual examination" in the ordinary subjects of tho school course, the reports of the examiners (Mr A. C. Gifford, Mr T. R. Cressweil, Mr W. M. Clarke, Miss L. Williams, Mr L. Cohen and Mr B. S. Bull) were very favourable. At tho examination held last December by the Board of Education, two pupils gained scholarships m the Senior class. At the entrance examination of the New Zealand University, held last December, out of thirteen girls who entered for matriculation twelve passed. Three girls entered (or the Junior University scholarship examination, two of whom were successful in gaining scholarships, and the third candidate had a good place in the honours list. These bring up the number of Junior University scholarships which the school has gained during the last ton years to seventeen. BOTS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

There has been little change in the staff, Mr 0. T. J. Alpera has been appointed full-time master. The number of pupils attending last term was 188; the number last year was IGS. The school was examined in all subjects (including drawing and drill) in December last by Mr A. C. Gifford, M.A., Mr T. W, Eowe, M.A., Mr L. Cohen, M.A., Mr W. M. Clarke, M.A., Mr G. Grey, Mr E. J. Scott, and Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon. Their reports, as a whole, were very satisfactory. The distinctions gained by pupils during the year are as follow : —Two boys won Junior University scholarships, oao being first and the other third on the list of twelve New Zealand scholars. Six boys matriculated, two passed the medical preliminary examination, and one the barristers’ general knowledge examination. Three out of the five Senior Scholarships awarded by the North Canterbmy Board of Education were won by pupils of the school. P. Oxford passed the senior Civil Service examination, and E. C. Smith wao fourth of New Zealand candidates for the junior Civil Service. Mr it. Buchanan, a former pupil, won a Senior University scholarship for English and French. Mr E. G. Norris and Mr W, G. Pye obtained their M.A. degree with seoond-clasa honours in Latin and English. In the school workshop boys are being taught to make objects which they have previously drawn to scale under the supervision of the drawing master; it ia hoped that this connection between drawing and carpentry wiil be strengthened. THE MUSEUM. This department remained under the temporary charge of Captain Hutton from May 21 to Dec. 31, 1892. He having resigned his position o' Professor on the staff of the College, entered upon his

duties as curator on Jan. 1, 1893. During the few months lie hss had control, various re-/irrengemeut’) have been, effected, to the manifest advantage of the various collections under hia charge. SCHOOL OF AKT. During the year ended June 30, the numbers attending the classes ac the School of Art were ns follow; 1892—Morning chs*, second term, 31; third term, 30; first term, 1893, 28, Evening ciis?, second terra, 66; third term, 72; first ti rm, 1893, 85. Saturday tcachern’ class, second ferni. 83; third term, 94; first term, 1893, 80. Normal School stud ants (individual). 1892-93, 45; 1891-92, 42. Boys’ High School pupils (individual), 1892-93, 181; 1891-92, 160, Morning Class. —This has been arranged in three divisions, and the following subjects taught.:—First division—freehand, model and elementary light and shade; second division—drawing from the cast (antique) ia outline and light and shade and still life in monochrome and colour ; third division Drawing and painting from the life (both nude and draped) and advanced still life in colour. The class for sketching from nature has gone out once a week, working in outline, monochrome and colour.

Evening Class.—The work has comprised freehand, model, geometry,, perspective, light and shade, architectural drawing, decorative design and drawing, painting and modelling from the figure.

The Normal ntudenta have received instruction in freehand, model, geometry, perspective and drawing the cast. The High School boya have been taught freehand, model, geometry and plan drawing. A special class has been lately started for making working drawings of various obj acts. Instruction h»a au bsequently been given in the workshop by a carpenter, showing how these things may be made in wood.

Saturday Teachers’ Class (State School Teachers) —This class is instructed in freehand, model, geometry, perspective and memory drawing on the black-board- Some of the more advanced students are taught outline and light and shade from the cast. Life classes for drawing from the figure, both nude and draped, have been regularly held, and have been well attended. The prizes offered by a friend of the School for designs for carriage entrance gates, &c., were awarded, the first to Mr A. Harr and the second divided between Messrs A. W. Fielder and C. E. Brunsden. Mr A. J. White, as also Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, gave various prizes for the encouragement of those attending the school. Six free studentships were offered for competition to the morning and evening students, and were awarded as follow ; Morning Students. Drawing from the life. Miss E. E. Budden; landscape from nature, not awarded; painting from still life, Mrs A. E. Turner. Evening Students. —Drawing from life. Miss E. R, Budden; drawing from the antique, Mias E. M. Clarke; architectural drawing, Mr C. E. Bruusdon.

The annual free studentships offered to the head boy in drawing in each of ten district State schools were competed for Inst February. Six schools competed. The following were the successful competitors :—Normal School, L. E. Burrell; Ferry Road, E. Archbold ; West Christchurch, D. Reese; St Albans, C. E. Briggs 5 Papanui, R. Morgan; East Christchurch, M. Malthus.

Mr P. Van der Yelden judged the advanced work in the fine arte and Mr W. B. Mounfcfort that in architecture and decorative work. The following are the results: —Freehand —First prize, Mias A. Sorensen; second prize, C. Pieraon and E. Archbold. Model—First prize, J. L. Noaworthy s second prize, E. England. Light and shade from the antique—Prize, Miss B. Simpson. Still life in colour—Prize, Mr H. Speasley. Head or figure from life in colour—Miss E. R. Sudden. Copied decorative designs—Mr C. E. Piercy. Mr St G. Atkinson, one of the teachers under the Board of Education, obtained the prize for freehand in competition with the whole of New Zealand.

Mr S. Hurst Seager has been appointed to take charge of the branch in architectural and decorative design and drawing. Hia work will commence with the third term.

The annual second grade examinations were held last December, with the following results: —Freehand 83, model 50, geometry 10, perspective 4, blackboard 9, full certificates 6. Advanced second grade or art class teacher’s certificate was gained by Mias E. E. Mannings. The annual exhibition of students’ work was held last February, when the prizes were distributed by Mr H. R. Webb. The bronze medal for the beat painting from life was awarded to Miss E. R. Budden. For some time past additional accommodation has been required at the School of Art. The Board has lately authorised the acceptance of a tender for adding two rooms to the building at a cost of .£87218s -—one on the ground floor 25ft x 25fc, the other on the upper floor, the whole area of which, Ssft x 23ft, will be available as a claos-room. Provision will be made for heating the new rooms by materially improving and extending the present heating apparatus. It is a matter of regret that the plaster easts imported from India, in consequence of the inferior quality of the material used and the defective packing, arrived in very bad condition. PUBLIC LIEBABT. During the past year it has been found necessary to make various alterations and repairs to the cottage adjacent to the Public Library, necessitating a considerable outlay. For some time past the accommodation at the Public Library has been inadequate. In April a contract was let for an addition in brick of 49ft by 31ffc, height of walla 25ft. The new building will bo used for the Reference Library. Ths space occupied by the Reference Library at the present time will be added to the Circulating Library. The floor area of the' new building will be 1488 superficial feet, or a total of 530 ft more than the floor space of the existing Reference Library. The Circulating Library has a floor space of 1360 ft, and when the area of the present Reference Library is added to it there will bo 2320 ft, or an increase of 960 ft.

The books in the present Reference Library cover a wall space of 750 ft, while the similar space available in the new building will be about 1230 ft. The latter is planned in such a way that two galleries may be added at any time, should occasion require. The total wall space in the new building would then amount to 3750 ft. The wall will be of brick, and plastered. There will be an open timbered roof of kauri and .rimu, and the light will be obtained from skylights. The hot*water pipes in the present building will bo extended through the new building. The amount of the contract for the now building is „£GB4, and it is expected to bo completed in sis or eight weeks. The work of putting up the shelving will bo proceeded with as circumstances demand.

Reference Department. —The attendance at the Reference Library hag been larger than in previous years. The Society of Musicians has presented its bocks, consisting cf fifty-mac works and parts of works, to this department. The Society has also banded over the Musical Times, tne Musical Standard and the Monthly Musical. It is understood that the subscriptions to these periodicals will be continued by the Society, and they will be placed on the tables for reference. Two hundred and seventy-one new books have been added during the year, bringing ths total number of volumes up to 8894. Circulating Department. Complaints have again been made as to the disappearance of various volumes from the shelves. Greater care might reasonably be expected from fiubserbers in the treatment of the books taken out. During the year 669 new books have been added, while 231 worn out volumes have been replaced, and 22G in addition have been ordered from England, and may be expected to arrive shortly. The magazines now taken in number 62. The total number of books in this department is 14.5C9. The number of subscribers is 1578.

Reading Room.-—This department is much frequented. The Melbourne Argus is now regularly taken in, together with the follow.ng papers :— English 6, Irish 1,

Scotch 1, American 1, Australian 8, New Zealand about 40 acd 16 jDagnzines. BCHOOL OF AGIMC'JL’IUKK. The number or students that attended the School 0? Agriculture during the second term of 1892 was thirty-seven, and during the first term of 1893 twenty. The cost of maintenance, fuel, light, &c. (or each student and member of the leaching staff during the year has been £45 17s 7d, viz., for the second term. 1892, £l9 Os sd, and for the first term, 1893, £26 17- 2d.

Final certificates of the school were obtained iu December last by the following students :-~R. IT. Martin, E. E, Martin, J, Gardner and J. E. Burt. Certificates of merit have also been awarded to J. Gardner E. H. Martin, E. E. Martin, W. C. Leys, E, C. Fryer, I, E. Crawford and C. J. Barron,

During the past year, in the absence of the Direo tor, the work of the farm has been under the supervision of Mr Henry Overton, Chairman of the Board of Advice, and the management of the school proper under Mr George Gray. The lectures on agriculture have been supplemented by practical demonstrations to second year students, on stock, kindly undertaken by members of the Board of Advice and other gentlemen, thus keeping the work up to the usual standard. Several changes ia the teaching staff have been made, Mr C. E. Adams having been appointed to succeed Mr E. C. Buckley as mathematical master, and Mr P. Marshall as natural science master in the place of Mr E, Wilkinson, resigned.

Arrangements have been made by which the students have the use of a readingroom well supplied with newspapers and agricultural periodicals. This appears to be much appreciated. A smoking-room hae also been provided for the use of students.

Board of Advice.—During the year Mr J, W. Overton resigned his seat on the Lincoln College Board of Advics. The vacancy was subsequently filled by Mr Henry Overton. The seat on the Board vacated by Mr Henry Overton, at the expiration of his year of office »a Chairman of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, was filled by his successor, Mr John Grigg. The members of the Board retiring by rotation to-day, ia accordance with the rules, are Messrs William Boag and Henry Overton. They are eligible for re-election. Since its establishment the Board of Advice has rendered valuable assistance to the Department. The Chairman of that body, Mr Henry Overton, has taken the greatest interest in the welfare of the Institution. He has regularly visited Lincoln, and been untiring iu the endeavour to place the farm m first-class order.

Mr Gray’s house and the various cottages on the estate have been added to and placed in thorough repair. In response to advertisements inserted in the Home and Colonial newspapers, applications to the number of fifty-two were received for the position of Director of the School of Agriculture, Lincoln. These were very carefully examined by the members of the Board. Two or three names were selected and referred to the Agent-General with a request that he would kindly interview the gentlemen named, and report the result by cable. Unfortunately, the candidates selected, though possessing very high honours and qualifications, and of high scientific attainments, proved to be too young and inexperienced for a post of such responsibility. The best thanks of the Board are due to the Agent-General and to Mr Kennaway for the care and attention devoted to the questions submitted to them. Finding that it was almost impossible to select a gentleman in every way suitable for the position, without the opportunity of a personal interview, it was decided to appoint a Commission in England with full power to take such steps as may be necessary to fill the Directorship. The following gentlemen were asked to act on the Commission: The Agent-General, Lord Onslow, Mr F. Cunningham and Mr J. N. Toss will. As Mr Toss will is at present residing on the Continent it is possible that he will not be in a position to take part in the selection. The others have intimated their willingness to act. Applications for the position were sent to the Agent-General, and it is hoped that in five or six weeks news will be received from England stating that an appointment has been made.

With a view to do away with the difficulty, previously existing, of scholarships gained at Government primary schools being held at the Lincoln College, the Board agreed to permit the institution to be inspected by a Government officer, as required by Section 51 of “ The Education Act, 1877.” The Chairman of the Board of Advice reports :—“ The past year has been a most peculiar one as regards weather, the winter being unusually wet, followed by, perhaps, the driest spring ever known in the Lincoln district. The consequence was that the wheats suffered most severely from the drought and rust, and gave the lowest yield on record. One field of wheat, specially laid out, was treated with four different manures, without giving the slightest perceptible benefit in any way, unless it is yet to be. shown by the analysis of the grain. The oat crop, which was saved by the splendid early summer rain, was above an average one. The root crops, which were treated with different manures, are all good; and are now being fed off with advantage. The stock upon the farm are now looking well, and comprise 1220 sheep, 73 head of cattle, 97 pigs and 18 horses. The above numbers have been carried daring the year. A good deal of culling has been done, yet there is need for improvement, and especially in the sheep; for it would be of great advantage if many of the latter could be replaced by stud stock. This would have a splendid effect financially, as may be seen from the returns of the little flock of Border Leicesters now upon the farm. A good deal of additional expense has been incurred during the year by a determination to rid the farm of all weeds, and we may now say, to the best of our knowledge, not one single weed has seeded upon the farm during the past season. The work of changing the water-race courses from the north-west to the south-west side of the fences, has received a good deal of attention. A great improvement has been effected in the cow and pig yards, by having the same paved with brick and grouted with cement, and the proper storage of all liquid manure from the above yards and stable provided for by the building of a very large concrete reservoir. The liquid from here will be made use of by either the water-cart upon the grass land or through the water-drill for root growing. The annual valuation of the stock and plant upon the farm has been again done by Messrs M’Millan, Boagaud H. Overton, in the presence of all the second year students. The result has shown an increased value, owing chiefly to the improvement in the cattle and sheep. During the year the farm has had to be worked to considerable disadvantage, owing to the fact that no permanent employment of hands could take place, as it was considered most desirable that the incoming director should in no way have hia hands tied by not being able to make any changes he might think necessary upon his arrival. SCHOOL OP ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SCIENCE. Mr R. J. Scott reports as follows on the work of the School of Engineering and Technical Science : —Lectures are at present delivered and instruction given in the following subjects : Freehand mechanical drawing and dimension sketching, practical geometry, mechanical drawing, steam and the steam engine, applied mechanics, the mechanics of machinery, advanced geometrical chawing, advanced mechanical drawing and designing, the strength of materials and design of bridges, roofs and other structures, advanced steam engine, engineering laboratory. The number of students attending lectures is 53, 8 being matriculated and 45 non-matri-oulated or " extra.” The number of hour attendances per week is 219. The majority of the extra students are either mechanics or apprentices who are engaged in practical work during the day, and in the evening attend tbe lectures, which are now delivered every night with the exception of Saturday. A diminution in the number of matriculated students has been caused by the impracticable nature of the course in engineering at first decided on by the

University Senate, tbe reward for the completion <>i which was t:o have been a certificate only. The Senate, however, has been prevailed on to reconsider its decision, and the course, as now laid down, is an excellent one. The degree of “ Bachelor otiScience in Engineering” will be granted on its completion, terms having been kept by the student at the School of Engineering, Canterbury College. The effect of this temporary check is, therefore, fur more than compensated by the great advantages of a University course and the official recognition of the school. The engagement of a demonstrator has allowed arrangements to be made for the extension of the technical classes. Mr A. F. Morrison, a former student and exhibition holder of the school, received the appointment, An “experimental” engine has been ordered for the laboratory, and should be in position early next year. The presence of this engine will bo of the greatest advantage, enabling much of the theory of the steam engine to be verified experimentally by the students themselves, whilst much important information concerning the most suitable conditions for the combustion of New Zealand fuels will doubtless be obtained. I would now bring under your attention tbe fact that the School of Engineering has to fulfil the two-fold function of a department of the University and a technical school. To do this successfully a considerable expenditure must be incurred. Engineering cannot be taught without practical illustration. The examples which abound in the older countries are not to be found here, a fact which renders doubly necessary the presence of the well-equipped laboratory which forms so important a part of engineering colleges and technical schools throughout the world. The University Senate, too, insists on a large amount of experimental work, and their examiners are to be “English engineering professors of standing,” accustomed to this method of instruction. Tbe New Zealand students, if without such advantages, must, therefore, be heavily handicapped. That early action is required is evident from the fact that a third-year student sits for his University examination in November next; ho will then be required to pass in "The Practical Testing of Materials/* and to carry out experiments in the “Calorific Power of Fuels,” “ Efficiency of Steam Boilers and Engines,” “ Determination of Frictional and Fluid Resistances,” &e> In none of these subjects, owing to the want of facilities, has he received practical instruction. Tho same student desires to take electrical engineering as his fourth-year subject. No electrical plant exists at the school. Finally, I am convinced that it now requires only the thorough equipment of the school to ensure its complete success. The advantages of the present course are so great that students will be drawn from all parts of tho Colony. It will also have the support of all members of the profession, some of whom regard with natural doubt the absence of practical illustration. To many my thanks are due for assistance and support during tho past year, notably the Railway Commissioners, Locomotive Superintendent, officers of the Locomotive Department, and Messrs Scott Bros., who received matriculated students in their works during the vacation free of charge.