E.—lo,

1899. NE W ZE A L AND.

EDUCATION: THE VICTORIA COLLEGE. ("THE VICTORIA COLLEGE ACT, 1897.")

Presented in pursuance of the Act.

Visitor. —The Hon. the Minister of Education. Members of Council. Appointed by His Excellency the Governor in Counoil —J. Graham, M.H.R.; A. W. Hogg, M.H.R.; P. J. O'Regan, M.H.R. Elected by members of the Legislature—W. A. Chappie, M.A., M.D.; Rev. P. J. Watters, D.D.; C. Wilson, M.H.R. Elected by members of Education Boards—J. R. Blair, A. P. Seymour, G. Talbot. Elected by graduates —J. Firth, 8.A.; His Honour Sir R. Stout, K.C.M.G., Chief Justice; Right Rev. F. Wallis, D.D. Elected by Public School Teachers—Rev. W. A. Evans; T. R. Fleming, M.A., LL.B.; C. Watson, B.A. Appointed by His Exoellency the Governor for Professorial Board —D. P. James, F.R.O.S. Registrar. —C. P. Powles.

The Chairman, Victoria College Council, to the Secretary, Education Department. Sir,— Victoria College, Wellington, 23rd June, 1899. I have the honour to report for the information of the Hon. the Minister of Education that so soon as the Council of the Victoria College was formed and called together steps were taken by it for the appointment of Professors in order that the work of the college might be begun. Pour Professors were appointed—Classics : Mr. J. Brown, M.A. English : Mr. H. Mackenzie, M.A. Mathematics: Mr. R. C. Maclaurin, M.A., L.M. Chemistry and Physics: Mr. T. H. Easterfield, M.A., Ph.D. The Professors reached the colony at the end of March, and, as soon as practicable (Bth April), students were enrolled and work begun. Subsequently a lecturer on political economy was appointed—Mr. D. Ritchie, 8.A., W.S. Lectures are given on the following subjects : English, Latin, French, mental science, jurisprudence and constitutional history, physics (with practical work), mechanics, mathematics, chemistry (with practical work), and political economy. The number of students now on the roll is 103, attending lectures as follows: English, 38; Latin, 49 ; French, 15 ; mathematics, 37; mechanics, 15; chemistry, 30; physics, 11; jurisprudence and constitutional history, 17; political economy, 10. Temporary accommodation has been provided for the classes at the Girls' High School and the Technical School, through the courtesy of the Board of Governors of the Wellington College and Girls' High School and the Wellington Education Board. In December last the first examination for Queen's Scholarships was held; 144 candidates sat for examination from the following educational districts: Wellington, 93; Hawke's Bay, 14; Wanganui, 13 ; Taranaki, 6 ; Nelson, 13 ; Westland, 5 ; and the six scholarships were awarded to Bertram J. Jacobs, Thorndon School, Wellington; Clara M. Taylor, Stratford School, Taranaki; Donald Hall, Clyde Quay School, Wellington; Thomas Mitchell, Stafford School, Westland; Henry G. R. Mason, Clyde Quay School, Wellington; Frank W. Gamble, Petone School, Wellington. The Victoria College Act set apart as an endowent for the College a parcel of land comprising 4,000 acres in the Nukumaru Survey District, but the said land is not at present producing any revenue. I enclose a copy of the statement of receipts and expenditure for the period ended 31st March, 1899, which has been duly certified to by the Auditor-General. It appears that among other amendments desirable in "The Victoria College Act, 1897," there should be some specific