E.-l

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The classes for teachers and pupil-teachers were open every evening, except Fridays, from 5.45 to 6.45, and those for the students in training every day from 11 to 12, except Fridays, the course of instruction being freehand drawing, model drawing, practical geometry, perspective, and drawing exercises on the blackboard. The pupil-teachers were very regular in their attendance, and took great interest in the work. Several of those belonging to country schools who were unable to attend the regular class attended on Saturdays to receive instruction. At the pupil-teachers annual examination thirty-nine passed in freehand drawing, forty-six passed in model drawing, thirty-four passed in practical geometry, and twelve in perspective. The students in training did very good work in the limited time they were able to devote to drawing. Their being away every fifth week naturally interfered somewhat with their studies, and prevented part of the necessary work from being taken up. The senior students who had completed their certificate devoted their whole time to sketching from the cast, and drawing on the blackboard. This practice will enable them to conduct the drawing lesson with confidence in any school. From the excellence of the exercises, and the facility with which most of them can enlarge a drawing on the blackboard, I have no doubt they will give a good account of themselves in the near future. The day classes were open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the study dLelementary and advanced drawing, painting in oil and water colours, modelling in clay, &c. TL.e attendance was about the same as last year, but the studies, especially the drawings from the antique, and the painting generally, were in advance of the previous year. One of the students was awarded the Otago Art Society's medal for the best-drawn figure from the antique. The evening classes were open every evening from 7 to 9 —Mondays and Wednesdays for the study of freehand and model drawing, drawing and painting from the antique, and modelling in clay; Tuesdays and Thursdays for practical, plane, and solid geometry, mechanical and architectural drawing to scale; and Fridays for advanced students, drawing and painting from the living model. The work done during the session was of the most useful and practical kind, connected with the occupation of the students. The practical geometry class and the advanced class for drawing from the antique show a slight increase in the attendance; the freehand class shows a slight decrease ; the average attendance throughout the school being about the same as last year. The attendance of the students was regular, their conduct excellent, and their work above the average in excellence. Several of the best students left during the session for Melbourne and Sydney, where, I hear, they are continuing their studies. Several of the ex-pupils continue to give a good account of themselves : at the recent examination of the Science and Art Department, London, two obtained high honours for drawing the figure; one, who is attending the Slade School, informs me he is making rapid progress in his studies: and several first- and second-class certificates have been awarded by the fine art judges, Melbourne Exhibition, to old pupils. The Boys' and Girls' High Schools were attended as usual. The course of instruction was as follows : —Boys' School: Freehand drawing from blackboard exercises and from copies, model drawing, and drawing from the cast; practical, plane, and solid geometery; and mechanical and architectural details drawn to scale. Girls' School: Freehand drawing, model drawing, practical geometery, perspective, and drawing and shading from the cast. The various classes were examined at the end of the session, with very satisfactory results. The drawings executed in a given time, in competition for the Otago Art Society's medals, were very good. An exhibition of the works clone by the students during the year was open for three days, and attracted a large number of visitors. The work exhibited included all kinds of freehand and model drawings, mechanical and architectural drawings, paintings in oil and water colours, from copies and from nature, models in plaster, &c. I cannot close my report without referring to the pressing necessity there is of appointing some one to assist me in the discharge of my duties. The number of classes and the large number of pupils attending these classes render it impossible for any one unassisted to do the work efficiently. During the session I tried my very best to do the pupils justice, and, to economize time, combined classes, but the pupils were often left to their own resources without my supervision. This is not at all desirable, and is sure to have a prejudicial effect on the classes. I therefore trust the Education Board may see the necessity of appointing a thoroughly-qualified assistant, so that the work may be done in a more efficient manner. I have, &c, The Secretary, Otago Education Board. David C. Hutton, Art Master. SOUTHLAND. Sic, — Education Office, Invercargill, 22nd March, 1889. The Education Board of the District of Southland has the honour, in compliance with the terms of clause 102 of "The Education Act, 1877," to present the usual report of its proceedings for the year ended the 31st December, 1888 : — The Boaed and its Meetings.—At the annual election of members held in March last the constitution of the Board underwent no change, the three retiring members—viz., Messrs. G. Lumsden, D. L. Matheson, and John Morison—being re-elected. The ordinary meetings of the Board continue to be held on the first Friday of each month, those of the Executive Committee on suitable dates between. Thirteen meetings of the Board were held during the year, and the Executive Committee met twenty-eight times, the average attendance of members at the former being 8 (nearly) and at the latter 6-1. The following represent the attendances made by each member: —Meetings of Board : Mr. Bain, 13; Mr. Baldey, 13; Mr. Froggatt,l3; Mr. Lumsden, 13; Mr. Macdonald, 12; Mr. McLeod, 12; Mr. Turnbull, 10; Mr. Matheson, 9; Mr. Morison, 8. Meetings of Executive Committee: Mr. Lumsden, 27; Mr. Froggatt, 26; Mr. Macdonald, 25; Mr. Bain, 22; Mr. Baldey, 22; Mr. Mathe-