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Elam School op Act, Auckland. —Art Master's Report. Sir, — Elam School of Art, Auckland, February, 1898. The Elam School of Art differs from other art and technical schools in New Zealand inasmuch as it was founded and is maintained entirely by a bequest from the late Dr. J. E. Elam (whose name it bears), the trust being administered by three trustees resident in Auckland. Under the will of the founder all tuition is absolutely free, but students are to be chosen preferably from those whose circumstances do not admit of their paying for tuition. Four morning and four afternoon classes are held each week, and the number of students entered for each class is about twenty-two or twenty-three, with an average attendance of about eighteen per class. The number of individual students attending the school during the past year was seventy-one. Since the foundation of the school in 1890, 221 students (among whom were a large number of teachers and pupil-teachers) have passed through the school, the usual time spent in the school varying from one to three years. In every case tuition has been absolutely free. On Saturdays the school is open all day, for the sake of the teachers and pupil-teachers in the public schools and others engaged during the rest of the week, who can only attend on Saturdays. The work taught in the school includes: Freehand and model drawing, shading from models and casts, geometrical and perspective drawing, painting in monochrome, painting from still-life in colour, painting from life, while during the summer the advanced students are taken out to sketch from nature. The trustees are unable for the present, on account of the expense, to have the rooms occupied by the school fitted up for night-work, or to maintain an evening school, which is to be regretted, as such classes are much wanted in Auckland. The school has a large and useful set of casts and models, and the rooms, in spite of their not having been built for the purpose of an art school, are commodious and by no means ill-suited to the purpose. The students generally have shown considerable industry and ability, and appear to desire by their work to show their appreciation of what the founder of the school has done for them. I am, &c, E. W. Patton, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Art Master.

Mb. W. I. Robinson's Classes, Auckland and Suburbs.—lnsteuctoe's Repokt. Sir,— Auckland, February, 1898. I have the honour to submit the following report of my work in connection with these classes for 1897, which is the thirteenth year the classes have been in operation: — The principal class meets in the Wellesley Street Public School. There are four terms in the year, each of thirteen weeks, with the exception of a week at the beginning and end of the year. The class meets twice a week, from 7to 9.30 p.m. The subjects of instruction include all branches of geometry, mechanical drawing, machine and building construction, applied mechanics, steam and the steam-engine, and mechanical engineering, on the lines laid down by the South Kensington Science and Art Department and the City and Guilds of London Institute for the Advancement of Technical Education. The courses also prepare engineers for the examinations of the New Zealand Board of Trade. The class is well equipped with all necessary models, diagrams, and appliances required in the above branches of technical instruction. Under the head of " Mechanical drawing and geometry are included the latest courses in graphic statics, carriage-drafting, handrail and stairs, and a course in metal-plate work for plumbers and tin-plate workers. The number of pupils attending during the four terms were respectively twenty-four, thirty, twenty-seven, and thirty, which represents a slight increase on the attendance of the preceding year. These pupils are engineers and apprentices employed at the railway-works and the machine-shops of the city. There are also carpenters, carriage- builders, and river-engineers preparing for the examinations of the New Zealand Board of Trade. Thirteen pupils were presented in 1896 in the Science and Art Department's examination in machine construction and drawing, and the results returned last year were very satisfactory. Seven obtained pass certificates, and one "fair," which results were over the English average for that year in that subject. This was the first examination of the London department held in Auckland. Under the New Zealand Government Examination of Engineers, the following pupils during the year obtained certificates of proficiency as third-class marine engineers : Alexander Currie, J. Carson, H. M. Williams, T. B. Whyte, and D. Robertson. Locomotive and traction engineer certificates were also awarded to J. Moyle, E. M. Kirchoff, and D. K. Talbot. To meet the convenience of pupils who cannot attend the central class at Wellesley Street School, branch classes have been held at Onehunga, Ponsonby, and Remuera public schools. These classes meet one evening in the week; they have four terms of thirteen weeks each, with the exception of one or two evenings in the first term during the Christmas holidays. At the Onehunga class the number of pupils attending in the four terms of the year was respectively ten, nine, thirteen, and twelve. The subjects of instruction were mechanical drawing, machine construction, applied mechanics, and marine engineering. At the Ponsonby School the number of pupils attending during the four terms was respectively ten, twelve, twelve, and twelve. Subjects of instruction : Mechanical drawing and machine construction, carriage-drafting and marine engineering. At Remuera School the number of pupils attending during the four terms was respectively five, six, six, and four. Subjects of instruction : Machine construction and mechanical drawing. All these branch classes are provided with suitable models, reference drawings, and examples required in the various branches of instruction.