E.—7a,

4

In the published accounts of the Canterbury College as laid before Parliament the whole of the departments of the college have been, with one or two exceptions, grouped together in one account, so that it is impossible for any one not having access to the Registrar's books to ascertain the state of the funds of the School of Agriculture, or, indeed, any other branch of the College. We consider that separate accounts of each department should be kept and published annually. While on the subject of the accounts, we might point out that, while the Endowment Account show's a credit balance of £52,700 os. 10d., which is producing interest averaging about 5f per cent., the Buildings Account shows a debit balance of £28,089 2s. 2d., upon which interest at 7 per cent, is being paid, resulting in a loss to the institution of about £350 per annum. We think it desirable that legislation should be obtained to enable the overdraft to be paid off out of the endowment, and thus save this annual loss. In March, 1878, Mr. W. E. Ivey was appointed director of the school, which was opened on he 19th July, 1880, with sixteen students. In March, 1882, the number of students having increased to thirty-eight, tenders were called for enlarging the building so as to provide accommodation for fifty students. The total cost of the buildings, as shown by the " Buildings Account," is £34,043 11s. 7d. This, however, includes a sum of £994 11s. for interest. The buildings are very elaborate and substantial, and well fitted for the purpose for which they are intended ; but we consider that a less pretentious building, containing the same accommodation, could have been erected at a less cost. The accompanying statement (Appendix E) shows the number of students attending each term since the opening of the school, and from whence they came. In 1881 there were forty-one students in attendance, which is the highest number reached. In 1884 the fees, which at first were £40 per annum, were raised to £45, and the course of instruction was altered from three years to two years; the attendance of students was thirty-six. In 1885 the fees were further raised to £65 per annum, and the attendance next year fell off to twenty and nineteen for the first and second term respectively. The attendance for the term just ended was only sixteen. Twenty-eight students have passed their final examination since the school was opened. The sudden decrease in the number of students when the fees were raised to £65 forces us to the conclusion that the high rate has had a. great deal to do with the falling-off. We cannot leave this portion of our report without expressing our regret that so few students should be availing themselves of the advantages to be derived from an institution of this character. The teaching-staff, in addition to the director, consists of a lecturer on chemistry and physics ; lecturer on natural science, mathematics, land-surveying, and levelling; lecturer on book-keeping and meteorology; and a lecturer on veterinary science. The course of instruction is given in the attached prospectus (Appendix F). Our inspection of the farm leads us to the conclusion that it is suitable for the purpose of a school of agriculture, offering ample facilities for a large number of experiments illustrating the rotation suitable for a variety of soils. We were favourably impressed with the general condition of the land, and the excellent cereal and root crops growing thereon. We must, however, take exception to the absence of neatness and order, especially as regards the approach to the College, the orchard, fences and gateways, and general surroundings. We consider the stock on the farm generally good, but notice the absence of sufficient typical breeds of cattle and sheep, which we consider necessary for the better instruction of the students. The director states that want of means has prevented more being done in this direction. Little or no attempt has been made to carry on the kind of work incidental to the teaching of scientific and practical farming, embraced in the following subjects : No systematic attempt haa been made to carry on experimental work. Little or no attempt has been made to instruct the students in forestry, or scientific and practical gardening : this is much to be regretted, considering the importance of the subject. The present excellent and well-arranged orchard b sufficient in area to give instruction in practical pomology, whereas at present it appears to be utterly neglected. Little has been done in the matter of initiating students in the purchase and sale of all kinds of farm stock. Scientific dairying has not for some time past received the attention it deserves, considering its great importance. This subject formed part of the instruction of the students in past years, but was abandoned; we are glad, however, to notice that provision is now being made for undertaking this work with the latest improved appliances. The science of veterinary surgery is worthy of more attention than, it now receives. The reason assigned by the director for the partial neglect of the above-named important branches of agricultural education was the want of sufficient funds for the purpose. As to " whether the School of Agriculture is so managed as to answer to the fullest extent the purposes for which it was established," we have, after careful consideration, been forced to the conclusion that the Board of Governors has failed to manage the School of Agriculture so as to produce the best results; and, in making our recommendations regarding the future good government of the institution, we are of opinion that a change in the managing body is desirable. We think it is to be regretted that the management was not placed under a Board of Agriculture, as contemplated by the Provincial Council when the endowment was made. The Board of Governors having failed to manage the school in the past, we can have little hope of any improvement in the future, because the method of electing members of the Board—viz., by the graduates of the University—is likely to prove inimical to the best interests of the institution. We are of opinion that the necessary legislation should be obtained to place the institution and its endowment under the management of a Board of Agriculture, which, in the absence of a Minister of Agriculture, should work in connection with the Minister of Lands' Department. As to the constitution of the Board, we think that we cannot do better than direct your Excellency's attention to the constitution of the Council of Agricultural Education in Victoria, which was established in accordance with the provisions of " The Agricultural Colleges Act, 1884," of that colony, and consists of eleven members, three of whom are the trustees for agricultural