E.—s

entrances being 381 for the year ; average per term, 95J. It is necessary to explain that, notwithstanding the smaller amounts received from students'fees, the revenue derived from that source has more nearly approached the cost of instructors' salaries than it did in either of the previous years, and though an amalgamation of two classes (freehand and geometrical drawing) was made at the beginning of the year, and cookery and dressmaking classes only opened when sufficient students enrolled, the progress of the classes has been in no way impaired. The personnel of the instructors' staff remains the same as last year, with two exceptions. In April Mr. J. A. Paterson, practical engineer and draughtsman, was appointed instructor in the mechanical drawing and machine-construction department, and continues in that capacity. Mr. J. H. Edwards, who had held the position of instructor in wood-carving since the establishment of the school in 1895, having entered into business in the Waikato, was obliged to resign in September. His successor, Mr. W. Batts, jun., an expert tradesman, who had on several occasions acted temporarily, was engaged to fill' the position. Considerable improvement is noticeable in the work of the students, and the bearing of the school instruction upon practical trade work is becoming more manifest to both employers of skilled labour and the workmen themselves. The carpentry, stair-work, and plumbing departments may be specially instanced as attracting a large number of workmen desirous of improving their theoretical and practical knowledge of certain branches of their work. Some samples of roof-work, sash-frames, and stair-work made in the wood department, and of lead-work in the plumbing department, are well worthy of inspection. Other important trade subjects— graining and marbling—are also receiving special attention, and some first-class results have been obtained. The results of the 1896 examinations in connection with the South Kensington Science and Art Department came to hand in March, 1897, but, as was to be expected from the fact that the school had been only twelve months in existence, and the students new to examination work, not much success was attained. The first examination under the auspices of the City and Guilds of London Institute was held in May last. The following is a summary of the candidates arid their successes : Plumbers' work, preliminary examination—Harry Jane and Benjamin Crawford each obtained a pass. Plumbers' work, ordinary grade —Benjamin Crawford, first-class pass; Harry Jane, second-class pass; one failed. Plumbers' work, practical examination—Harry Jane, Benjamin Crawford, and Charles Osborne obtained passes. Painters' and decorators' work, ordinary grade —Seven students entered for this section, but, as the range of subjects differed from that comprised in the course of instruction in the graining and marbling class, only one, Charles Flicker, made an attempt to answer the questions set. He secured a second-class pass. The results of the South Kensington Science and Art Examinations held at the Technical School in July of last year are as follows : — Science Subjects. —Machine construction and drawing: Andreas Schmidt, elementary, pass (certificate); Jos. E. Doull, elementary, fair. Building construction : George Arnold, elementary, fair ; Lewis Jackson, elementary, fair; George W. Allsop, pass (certificate) ; Frederick W. Herbert, pass (certificate); Archd. E. Carpenter, pass (certificate); Ernest H. Ehodes, fair. Mathematics, stage 1: Geo. S. Langsford, pass (certificate) ; Donald B. J. Campbell, pass (certificate); Ebenezer Wilson, pass (certificate). Art Subjects. —(The degree of success obtained is shown by —(1), meaning first-class; and (2), meaning second-class.) Drawing in light and shade (advanced stage): Jas. W. Dickson (2). Model drawing : Henry E. Stanton (2). Freehand drawing : Euth E. Lapham (1), James "W. Dickson (2). Geometrical drawing (art) : Joseph W. Finlason, pass ; James W. Dickson, pass. Drawing in light and shade (elementary stage) : James W. Dickson (2), Albert E. F. Thode (2). Model drawing: Albert E. F. Thode (1), Henry E. Stanton (1). Freehand drawing: Ehoda M. Collins (2), Euth C. Lapham (1), Dorothy M. Lapham (1), Winifred M. Cargo (2), James W. Dickson (2), Henry E. Stanton (2), Joseph A. Einlason (1), Albert E. F. Thode (1). Perspective : Henry E. Stanton (2). ' Taking into consideration the fact that this is only the second examination held in connection with the South Kensington Institution, and that the examinations are held at a very inconvenient period of the year's work, it must be considered very satisfactory indeed that there should be seven certificates won, seven first-class passes, and ten seconds secured, and four other students entitled to rank " fair." In this connection it may be well to say that the need for examinations of a different order —more adapted to colonial requirements —is much felt. Probably when some general scheme of technical education becomes an accomplished fact this object may be attained. The institution of a colonial examination would make examinations much more attractive to our young artisans, and help to draw out their latent knowledge. A number of plaster casts sent out by the South Kensington Institution for use in the last examinations have been secured to the school through representations made by our secretary to the Education Department at Wellington. These will prove a most acceptable addition to our stock. The withdrawal of subsidy upon subscriptions and substitution of a capitation payment upon average attendance of students, under the Technical Education Act of 1895, has reduced the Government aid from £238 odd in 1896 to £159 ss. 2d. in 1897, in the latter sum being included a special grant of £100. The utter insufficiency of the amount that can be obtained under the rate of capitation provided in that Act prompted your Council to take the initiative in a movement to secure further Government assistance, and after the views of all the other Technical School Associations in the colony had been ascertained a memorial was prepared by this Council for presentation to the Minister of Education, embodying the principal points of agreement, and submitted to the southern institutions for their approval and signature. Several signed the memorial as drafted, others made some modifications; Wanganui and Dunedin presented memorials of their own. A special meeting of several of the Auckland members of Parliament was held in this building on the 18th September last, and the position of the school and its needs were explained to the members by Sir Maurice O'Eorke, president of the association, and promises were made by them to give hearty

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