67

H.—2

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st December, 1878.

DRAWING-MASTEE'S EEPORT. Sir, — I have the honor to submit the following report on the School of Art and the work done in the various public schools in wbieh drawing is taught. Tho total number that received instruction in drawing in or through the agency of the school during the year 1878 has been 3,710, showing an increase of 256 over last year. The number of attendants at the various classes was as follows : —Normal School: Students, 31; teachers and pupil-teachers, 64; ladies' afternoon class, 41; mechanical and architectural, 72; free-hand model drawing, 90; modelling in clay, &c, 5. Public schools: North Dunedin, 410; South Dunedin, 247 ; Middle Dunedin, 559 ; Albany Street, 308 ; Normal, 467; Port Chalmers, 179; Caversham, 262 ; North-East A Talley, 218; Mornington, 153; Kensington, 111; Kaikorai, 186 ; Forbury, 253 ; Anderson's Bay, 54. The teachers' and pupil-teachers' class was open every Tuesday and Thursday, from 545 to 6.45 p.m., for the study of free-hand outline drawing from the flat and from solid models, practical geometry, and perspective drawing. There was a large increase in the attendance at this class, and it has been marked by the same steady progress that characterized it in former years. The same remark is also applicable to the students' class. The ladies' afternoon class was open on Mondays, AVcdnesdays, and Fridays, from 2 to 4 p.m., for the study of the elementary subjects, and for painting in oil and water-colours from copies and from nature. The interest and close application of several of the students deserve special mention. Sixteen of their works, painted from nature, were shown at the Otago Art Society's Exhibition, and were very favourably criticised. The evening classes for artisans and others engaged during the day were open on Mondays, Tuesdays, AVednesdays, and Thursdays, from 7to 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays were devoted to free-hand drawing from flat examples and from the round, drawing from the antique, painting in monochrome, and modelling in clay ; aud Tuesdays and Thursdays to practical plane and solid geometry, mechanical, and architectural drawing. Experience has taught me that, where manufactures requiring artistic talent and skilled labour are carried on, the great mass of those requiring instruction are of the artisan class, whose education in art ought to embrace all those subjects which are most useful and most closely connected with their various occupations. This I always bear in mind when conductiug such a class, so that the work done may be of the most useful description. I desire, in connection with this class, to make special mention of the names of two of the students, J. Barr and J. Gow ; the former for his designs and well-executed set of drawings for a compound engine, the latter for his faithfully-executed model of the " Discobolus " —works of great merit. The present condition of those classes demands an increase of accommodation in order that the students modelling may be separated from those drawing from the antique. Public Schools.—The most elementary instruction was given in the public schools. It consisted of free-hand outline drawing from blackboard exercises, drawing from tbe flat and from solid models, practical geometry, and perspective drawing. Each class received one hour's instruction per week. Near the end of the session I recommended that additional assistance Bhould be provided in order to carry on the work in a more systematic manner. The Education Board approved of my recommendation, and appointed Miss Burnside and Mr. Welsh, who were students, as assistants. Since then additional classes have been commenced in the junior divisions of these schools, and I think by the beginning of next session all the classes from Standard I. to Standard VX will be receiving instruction in the subjects enumerated in the regulations issued by the Governor in Council. It affords me great pleasure to state that the progress of the pupils has been very satisfactory. Miss AVright and Mr. Butter have laboured with zeal and energy in the various duties they have had to perform, and I have the satisfaction of saying that they have assisted me greatly iv all my work. I have supplied the following schools with copies : —Anderson's Bay: 1 box solid models, J set Dyce's outlines, 1 set flowers, 1 set De La Rue objects. Forbury School: 1 box solid models, i~ set Dyce's outlines. Mornington School: 1 box solid models. Kaikorai School: 1 box solid models. Kakanui School: i set Dyce's outlines, 1 set flowers, 1 set De La Rue objects. Otepopo School: 1 set De La Rue objects, 1 set flowers. Caversham School: 1 box solid models. Ravensbourne School: •§• set Dyce's outlines, 1 set De La Rue objects. North-East Valley : 1 box solid models. The annual exhibition of the students' works took place in December, and was largely attended by all classes of the citizens. The drawings were more numerous, and the free-hand and mechanical drawings were far in advance of those of any previous year. The best paintings, twenty-four in number were exhibited in the Otago Art Society's Gallery. Analysis of the occupations of the students attending the evening classes in the School of Art during 1878; 3 architects, 4 bricklayers, 6 blacksmiths, 4 boiler-makers, 2 brass-founders, 1 banker,

18/8. Assets. >ec. 31. To Cash in hand— Available Public Library deposits £ s. d. ...20,131 8 9 ... 135 17 10 1878. Liabilities. £ s. d. Dec. 31. By Liabilities — Buildings—Work in hand and under contract ... ... 16,664 0 0 Repairs, &c... ... ... 168 16 0 Maintenance — Office ... ... ... 39 7 8 Public libraries ... ... 528 0 2 Scholarships ... ... 23 13 6 Normal School ... ... 20 11 0 Drawing-master's department 2 16 0 By Balance ... ... ... 2,820 2 3 £20,267 6 7 £20,267 6 7