EDUCATION: THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of E.-7, 1885.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1886 Session I, E-07

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1886. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE (PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of E.-7, 1885.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

STATEMENT OP CHAIEMAN OP THE BOAED OP GOVERNORS. At the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College, held on the 12th July, 1886, the Chairman, Mr. P. de C. Malet, made the following statement of the progress made and the work done in the several departments during the year:—■ This is the thirteenth annual meeting of the Board. I propose to give a short statement showing the work done in the several departments during the past twelve months. Since the last annual meeting I regret to say we have lost one of our members through death—Mr. H. P. Lance, who for eight years had been a Governor of the College. Two Governors of the College, Messrs. Bowcn and Coward, have resigned their seats. On the 21st November last the graduates on the books of Canterbury College elected Messrs. AY. Chrystall, J. V. Ross, and R. Westenra to be members of the Board of Governors. There are still two vacancies, which will be filled up at an election to be held shortly, or as soon as certain alterations shall have been made respecting the mode of procedure for nominating candidates. The College. The number of matriculated students attending the classes during the past year was 103 as against ninety-three for the previous year. The total number of matriculated and nonmatriculated students attending lectures in 1885-86 was 314, as compared with 204 for 1881-85. The number of students attending each lecture during the last term was as follows : — Classics. —Pass Latin: Translation, 49; composition, 47. Greek: Translation, 7; composition, 7. Honours Latin : Translation, 3 ; composition, 7. English Literature. —Pass Lectures: Literature of Commonwealth, 63; language of Shakespeare and George Eliot, 52; composition, 155; art of Shakespeare and George Eliot, 169. Honours Lectures: Philology, 23; criticism, 40. History (1625 to 1688), 36. Mathematics. —Lower division, 31; upper division, 2; mechanics and hydrostatics, 15; advanced mathematics, 2; elementary mathematics, 6. Chemistry and Physics. — Junior chemistry, 16; senior chemistry, 4; junior physics, 15; senior physics, 9; physics (teachers'' class), 7; laboratory practice, 14. Geology. —Junior geology, 7; senior geology, 1; laboratory practice, 7. Biology. —Pirst year botany, 8; second year botany, 13; honours botany, 4; pass biology (physiology), 11; laboratory practice, botany, 22. French.. —Senior class, 7 ; junior class, 6. German, 3. , Jurisprudence, 10. Constitutional History, 6. L,aw, 3. Five students from the College have this year obtained the degree of M.A. 11. Lamb and T. W. Rowe gained at the same time first-class honours in languages; P. Kime, first-class honours in mathematics ; H. von Haast, second-class honours in political science; and H. Cross, secondclass honours in languages. Six students of the College have passed the final section of their B.A. examination, and had the degree conferred on them (one of them under the teachers' regulations) —Misses A. Gresham, E. S. Milsom, E. Pitcaithly, and L. M. Will, and Messrs. W. D. Andrews and W. 11. A. Craddock; whilst nine have passed the first section of their B.A. examination—Misses E. Bilton, B. Gibson, M. Gibson, E. Gribben, M. Lorimer, and P. Taylor, and Messrs. W. Armitage, P. Fcndall, and A. R. Meek. Only two senior scholarships of the six offered by the New Zealand University this year were awarded, and they were gained by students of this College- —the English and Latin scholarship by W. 11. A. Craddock, and the political science scholarship by Miss E. Pitcaithly. The College exhibitions given for excellence in honours work at the College annual examinations were awarded as follows: For Latin, W. H. A. Craddock; for English, Miss A. E. Mills and O. T. J. Alpers, who were equal; for mathematics, R. Speight; for natural science, F. P. Fendall; for experimental science, T. W. Ambrose; for Greek and French, and history, political economy and French, J. H. Smith and Miss B. Gibson, who were equal. The graduates of the University of New Zealand who have been educated at the College now number fifty-one, twenty-six of whom have obtained the degree of M.A., and twenty-five the degree of B.A. Three of these have also obtained the E—l= 7.

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degree of LL.B. Of the Masters of Arts, one gained double first-class honours, one a double first-class and a second, fourteen first-class honours, one a double second, three second, and seven third-class. Thus, out of 119 who have taken degrees in the University of New Zealand, fiftyone belong to Canterbury College. Out of the forty-four who have taken the M.A. degree, twenty-seven belong to it, and of twenty-three who have taken first-class honours sixteen belong to it. Of the forty-eight senior and third year scholarships awarded by the University of New Zealand during the last six years, the period during which the present scholarship regulations have been in force, thirty-two have been awarded to students of Canterbury College. Of the eleven 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, eight have been gained by students trained in this College, whilst the only two mentioned as proxime accessit have also been of this College. Of the three Gilchrist Scholarships that have been offered in New Zealand, two have been gained by students of the Canterbury College. The last Gilchrist scholar, Mr H. M. Inglis, 8.A., of this College, has highly distinguished himself in the first year of his medical course at Edinburgh University, gaining first position in one class and appearing in the first class in his two other subjects. At the end of last year the Imperial authorities offered a commission in the Royal Engineers to each Colonial University, and that for New Zealand has been given to one of the College students, G. M. Hutton, who took his B.A. degree in 1885. Evening Lectures. For the sake of those who could not attend during the day, a course of twelve evening lectures was commenced during the last term, by Professor Bickerton, on " The Application of Electricity. " This course, for which a fee of ss. was charged, was very popular, and attended by 130 students. Boys'" High School. The following changes have taken place in the staff during the past year: At Christmas Mr. Fergusson, having been appointed master of Greenpark School, tendered his resignation, and his place was filled by Mr. Faulkner, 8.A., Trinity College, Cambridge, formerly assistant-master at King's School, Bruton, and King Edward's School, Broomgrove. Soon after the commencement of the year, Mr. T. P. Arnold resigned, having accepted an appointment as master at the central school, New Plymouth. During the third term last year applications were invited for the office of writing master, but the Board did not see its way to make an appointment. The school was visited last March by the Inspector-General, who says, "It seems to me that the school is not quite as well attended as, from its organization and method, it deserves to be." It was also examined at the end of last year by the Professors of the College, and their reports, as a whole, were favourable to the school, and reflected great credit on the work done. His Excellency the Governor was good enough to give away the prizes in December last. The following honours have been gained by pupils of the Boys' High School since July last year : R. Speight obtained an exhibition for mathematics, and J. H. Smith for Greek and French, at Canterbury College. T. 11. Green was elected to the Gillies Scholarship for chemistry and physics at Auckland University College. At the entrance examination of the New Zealand University, held last December, five boys were candidates for the junior scholarships, and two for matriculation. All seven qualified for matriculation, though unsuccessful in winning a scholarship. There are at present five old pupils of the High School at Canterbury College, and one at Auckland University College. Girls' High School. The numbers have increased from 118 pupils, who attended the school in the second term of last year, to 137, whose names are now on the books. Cooking has this year been added to the subjects, and is being taught with success by a teacher of practical experience. This subject is taught in two classes (consisting of about twenty of the older girls) every Saturday, thus causing no interference with the ordinary school routine. The work is done in a detached building on the school site, well ventilated, and specially fitted up for the purpose, with gas-stoves, cooking-utensils, water-service, &c. The school was examined at the end of last year by Professors Brown, Cook, Bickerton, and Haslam, and the Rev. C. Turrell, who expressed themselves well satisfied with the thoroughly sound nature of the education given. The InspectorGeneral visited the school in March, and in his report remarks : "My opinion as to the high merit of the school remains unchanged." He spoke very highly of the teaching staff. During the year scholarships given by the Board of Education were gained by three candidates sent up from the school—two in class E, by Maria Connon and Stella Henderson, and one in class C, by Hilda Lewis. It is worthy of note that, out of five scholarships given by the Board in cpass E during the last four years, four have been taken by pupils from this school. Junior University Scholarships were gained this year by Isabel Ecclesfield and Lillian Williams. During the last four years, out of thirty-two junior scholarships awarded to candidates from the whole of New Zealand, eight have been gained by pupils from this school. School of Art. The value of the instruction given in the school continues to be felt, as is shown by the increased number of students who have, according to the Art Master's report, received instruction during the past year. The Board, wishing to exhibit the work of the school at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition held in London this year, voted the necessary expenses connected therewith, and 300 square feet of space were secured in the New Zealand Court for this purpose. The Hon.

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Sir R. Stout paid a visit to the school in December, and saw the students at work. The Art Master, who was in attendance, explained the instruction, and submitted the general work of the school for inspection. The Premier expressed pleasure and surprise at the extent and quality of the work. A new prospectus of the school has been prepared, in which the stages of instruction have been revised. Landscape from nature has been introduced, and additional courses of lectures added to the former work of the school. Museum. During the year many donations have been received both from persons in New Zealand and in foreign countries. The appendix to the Director's report gives the lists of the donations made to the Museum and published at the end of every quarter. Most work has been done in the ornithological, skeleton, ethnological, and antiquity rooms, where numerous additions have been made to the previously-existing collections. Much has also been done in the matter of arrangement, and the taxidermist is at present occupied in setting up some animals from India. In consequence of the heavy rains this winter several repairs have had to be made in the glass-work of the Museum, and the stonework will need rcpointing in the spring. The number of visitors to the Museum during the year 1885-86 was 79,207, the week-day attendance being 54,984, the Sunday 24,223. In January, 1886, the Director received a year's leave of absence, and proceeded to England as Executive Commissioner for New Zealand at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, which was opened in London at the beginning of May, arrangements having been made to carry on his work during his absence. The Board of Governors have granted a sum of £150, in addition to the usual grant, to be placed at the disposal of the Director, to enable him to visit the Continent and obtain collections for the Museum, and for the expenses connected therewith. This opportunity of adding to the already valuable collections will doubtless render this popular institution more useful and attractive than hitherto, both to the scientific man and to the general public. Public Library. The system hitherto in force of ordering monthly parcels of hooks from London has been discontinued, and an arrangement has been made with a Christchurch firm to supply books for the circulating library to the value of £10 per month, thus affording to the Committee an opportunity of selecting the books. The same firm has also received an order for about 90 or 100 volumes, which are required to fill up gaps and complete works, parts of which are already in the reference library. New shelving, affording space for over 1,800 volumes, has been erected in the circulating library. This accommodation was very much required for proper classification. The periodicals previously sent from London are now purchased in Christchurch; this is also a great improvement, as two copies of several of the more popular ones are obtained for the same price as was before paid for one copy, owing to the saving in postage. It is still a matter of regret that the number of subscribers is so small, as the want of funds prevents the purchase of many books which should be on the shelves of such an institution ; but, owing to the necessary expenditure, the receipts do no more than meet the annual outlay, and this is only accomplished by exercising the greatest economy. The monthly ticket, instituted last year, has proved to be a success, as it is the means of inducing people to become regular subscribers. The number of books in the circulating library is 9,609, made up as follows : — Vols. Architecture and mechanics .. .. . . .. .. 374 Biography . . .. .. . . .. .. 825, Fiction . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,950 History . . . . .. .. . . .. 796 Literature (general) .. .. ... .. .. 616 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. 598 Periodicals (bound).. .. .. .. .. .. 451 Poetry and drama . . .. .. .. .. .. 253 Science (general) . . . . .. . . .. .. 624 Travels .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,122 9,609 The number in the reference library is 7,174. Twenty-one periodicals are taken in, and seven English newspapers, forty-three New Zealand, one American, and four Australian newspapers. School of Agriculture. During the past year five students, viz., Messrs Allen, Burt, Gabites, Gray, and Piercy, have gained final certificates. The school has been attended by thirty-five students, who came from the following places : Auckland, four; Canterbury, thirteen; England, two; Hawke's Bay, four; Nelson, one; New South Wales, three ; Otago, three; Southland, two; Wellington, three. These numbers show a falling-off compared with previous years, but the fact may in a measure be attributed to the existing depression, and perhaps, to a certain extent, to the raising of the fees from £46 10s. to £65 per annum. This step was found to be necessary. At the present rate the fees (which include all expenses to the student) do not cover the cost of boarding, education, &c. The regulation under which the steamer fares once a year of resident students are paid to and from the nearest port to their homes in New Zealand is still in force; also that providing for payment to the students for work done on the farm. There have been no changes in the teaching staff of the school since the last annual meeting. The past year has been an exceptionally dry one, and the crops on the farm were lighter than usual. Although the feed was

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scarce, the quantity of live stock has not been ieduced. The turnip crop, though late, is a very fair one. The school was visited at different times by the examiners in farm-work, viz., Messrs J. W. Overton and J. Rennie, and the following short extracts from their annual report to the Board will show their opinion of the work done by the students, and of the management:— "In April," they state, " the students were working a threshing-machine in such a way as to give each one an opportunity of learning all about feeding, filling the sacks, clearing the chaff away, and stacking the straw, and they all did their work very well. The engine was in charge of a driver." On another occasion they state that, " accompanied by the students, we walked round each paddock and questioned them on the crop—when it was sown, what manure, if any, was used, what the previous crop had been, the quantity of seed per acre, whether the seed was dressed before it was sown, and how the land was prepared for it? And after carefully making notes of the answers given to us, and comparing them with the facts regarding each paddock obtained from the Director, we were able to judge of the interest taken, and were much pleased to see how large an amount of attention was bestowed by the students on the every-day work of the farm. In August we examined the laborious part of the farm-work, and, taking into consideration the fact that many, if not all, of the students are still growing, and that their muscles are not yet fully developed, we think it very creditable that they were able to plough as well as they did in such heavy grass-land. The ploughs were well set, the horses driven steadily (though, perhaps, in this there might be a little improvement), and the ploughs firmly guided. In November we found the students sheep-shearing, and we particularly noticed two things, viz., the quality of the work and the time taken in doing it. Of the first we can only speak in terms of the highest praise. In the carpenter's shop four students were busily engaged making hayslides. The work appeared to be well and neatly done. The blacksmith's shop was occupied by students repairing machines, rakes, &c. The remarks made about the carpenter's shop might also apply to this department. In the dairy the students were busy making butter, but had not commenced cheese-making. We were pleased to note that the churns, vats, &c., and all the utensils used, were clean and bright. In conclusion, we cannot help remarking that judicious management was everywhere apparent, and without it the amount of stock on the farm could not possibly be so large and in such good condition, nor the crops as healthy." These remarks, from two gentlemen who are well known as practical farmers, show that the school is doing good work, and imparting to the students a thoroughly practical education in agriculture.

Abstract of Accounts of the Boakd of Governors of Canterbury College for the Year ending 31st December, 1885. Receipts. £ 8. d, I Expenditure. g s. d. Balance from last year.. .. .. 3,104 310 College— Bents— Fees paid to Professors .. .. 1,032 2 0 Classical school .. .. .. 3,913 1 8 Salaries paid to Professors .. .. 4,877 10 0 Superior education .. .. .. 1,847 11 4 Maintenance and exhibitions .. 880 6 7 School of Technical Science .. .. 1,456 13 7 Boys'High School— Boys'High School .. .. .. 2,422 8 9 Salaries .. .. .. .. 2,61110 6 Giiis' High School .. .. .. 232 0 6 Fees paid to teachers .. .. 99 2 8 School of Agriculture .. .. 973 18 8 Maintenance .. .. .. 490 12 3 Medical School .. .. .. 326 14 9 Girls' High SchoolLoans, repayment of .. .. .. 10,014 2 9 1 Salaries .. .. .. .. 1,124 310 Loans, interest from .. .. .. 4,600 511 Pees to teachers .. .. .. 282 5 4 College— Maintenance, &c. .. .. .. 630 3 1 Fees from students .. .. .. 1,032 2 0 School of Agriculture—Bents, text-hooks, &c. .. .. 207 8 6 Salaries .. .. .. .. 1,398 0 0 Boys'High School— Board of students and staff .. .. 1,590 19 7 Fees .. .. .. .. 1,143 9 0 Students' travelling expenses .. .. 131 8 10' Buildings .. .. .. .. 23 3 6 Students' labour .. .. .. 201 5 4 Girls' High School— Labour .. .. .. .. 782 1 n Fees .. .. .. .. 1,477 7 0 Live-stock and implements .. .. 405 13 10 Government grant .. .. .. 200 0 0 Milk, seeds, manures.. .. .. 345 0 7 School of Agriculture — Maintenance .. .. .. 847 7 10 Fees .. .. .. .. 1,740 17 9 Permanent works .. .. .. 45 11 9 Sale of produce, wool, grain, live-stock, Public Library— dairy .. .. .. .. 2,450 810 Salaries .. .. .. .. 280 9 4 Bent, refunds, &c. .. .. .. 98 7 9 Maintenance and reference .. .. 577 9 9 Public Library— Museum— Subscriptions, &c, .. .. .. 385 11 2 Salaries .. .. .. .. 1,074 0 O Government subsidy .. .. .. 50 0 0 Maintenance .. .. .. 289 18 1 School of Art— School of Art— Fees from students .. .. .. 286 0 0 Salaries and fees .. .. .. 864 9 6 Grant from Board of Education .. 300 0 0 Maintenance .. .. .. 242 17 0 School of Medicine .. .. ~ 58 16 0 Interest .. .. .. .. 4,07118 O £38,285 17 3 Advances .. .. .. .. 14,904 2 9 Balance due to bank.. .. 2,023 11 8 Land purchases .. .. .. no 2 1 £40,309 8 11 j40,309~ 8 11 I have audited this account, and have compared the items with the vouchers, and find it correct.—J. Ollivier, Provincial District Auditor, Ist March, 1886. [Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, nil; printing {I,GOO copies), £2 145.]

By Authority: Geobge Lidsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBo.