E.—ll

2

Prizes in practical farm work have been gained by the following students: First year— B. North, W. H. Black, F. Westenra; second year—D. J. Willis, H. C. Pockley, W. T. Grant, W. C. Cameron. Annual certificates have been gained by the following students of the first year : W. H. Black —First in agriculture, general chemistry, agricultural chemistry, botany, practical botany (ceq.); N. Powell—First in entomology, mensuration, and veterinary science; G. M. Wallace—First in surveying and practical chemistry (tsq.) ; A. J. Mactavish—First in meteorology and physiography and practical botany (ceq.) ; B. North—First in book-keeping and farm books {ceq.) ; W. Stewart— First in plotting ; E. M. Wason—First (ceq.) in farm books; W. J. Henderson—First (aq.) in farm books; W. Dunsterville—First (ceq.) in practical chemistry; D. Friedlander—First (<zq.) in practical chemistry. Annual certificates have been gained by the following students of the second year : D. J. Willis —First in agriculture, dairying, theoretical botany, practical botany, mechanics (ceq.), farm books (ceq.), and veterinary science ; H, C. Pockley—First in theoretical chemistry, mechanics (mq.), and farm books (ceq.) ; A. J. Gurr—First in practical chemistry, agricultural chemistry, book-keeping, surveying and levelling, and farm books (ceq.) ; W. T. Grant—First in entomology ; S. Smith— First (ceq.) in mechanics; J. Blunden —First (ceq.) in farm books ;W. 0. Eennie—First (ceq.) in farm books ; W. C. Cameron —First (ceq.) in farm books. Messrs. G. Gray, F.C.S., and J. E. Charlton, M.E.C.V.S., are still in charge of the chemical and veterinary departments respectively. A change has occurred in the teaching staff, Mr. J. W. Mellor, B.Sc, New Zealand University, having been appointed lecturer on natural science, and Mr. M. Guerin, C.8., having been appointed lecturer on applied mechanics. Farm. —The farm is in good order. During the year several lines of old decayed gorse hedges have been replaced by the erection of new wire fences. The autumn and spring cereal crops promise to yield abundantly. The turnips, mangels, carrots, and potatoes are looking well. A very good prospect of sheep and cattle feed for the winter months is already apparent. The haycrop was good, and at the time of stacking was put through the mill and a large quantity of good seed secured. The aftermath intended for clover-seed is poor. Many experiments have been carried out on the farm. New kinds of wheat were sown to test which are the best varieties to grow in the colony, and which are best suited for spring or for autumn sowing. About forty varieties of imported potatoes were planted; the seed from these has met with a ready demand from farmers and others interested in potato-growing. Different manures were applied to mangels, carrots, turnips, and rape to test the agricultural value of the manures as compared with the money values respectively. A great many improvements have been effected throughout the year in connection with the farm, garden, orchard, and workers' cottages. The live-stock are up to the former standard, and stud animals of all kinds are being inquired after and purchased by people throughout New Zealand and even Australia. The cattle consist of a shorthorn herd and two typical cows of each of the following breeds: Jersey, Ayrshire, Polled Angus, and Hereford. The stud sheep consist of Border Leicesters, English Leicesters, Bomney Marsh, Shropshire Downs, and Lincolns. A repetition of last year's experiment to determine which are the best cross-bred lambs for freezing purposes is being tried. The lambs will be tested in the local market, instead of being sent Home, as was done last year. The number of live-stock stands as follows : Cattle, 81 ; sheep and lambs, 1,222 ; horses, 20; pigs, 27 ; poultry, 236. The valuation of live-stock and farm plant was conducted by Messrs. H. Overton, W. Boag, H. F. Gray, and D. McMillan, and the valuations stand slightly higher than those of last year. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. J. Bayne, Director.

Statements of Receipts and Expenditube for the Year ending 31st December, 1898. FABM ACCOUNT. Receipts. £ s. d. I Expenditure. £ s. d. To Bent of land.. .. .. .*. 10 00[ By Farm wages (including share of Director's Sale of grain, &o.—• salary) .. .. .. 715 7 1 Wheat .. .. .. 814 17 2 Students'wages .. .. .. 31 5 7 Grass-seed.. .. .. .. 24 15 3 Trade accounts—Repairs, sheep-dip, cornLinseed .. .. .. .. 6 5 0 sacks, &o. .. .. .. 251 8 5 Sacks .. .... .. 911 3 Manures .. .. .. .. 31 15 3 Potatoes .. .. .. .. 74 2 9 Seeds .. .. .. .. 22 9 0 Sale of live-stock— Fuel .. .. .. .. 7 11 5 Sheep .. .. .. .. 594 3 4 Rates .. .. .. .. 35 14 3 Cattle .. .. .. • • 104 6 7 Insuranoe of farm buildings and impleHorses .. .. .. .. 82 15 6 ments .. .. .. .. 32 5 7 Pigs .. .. .. .. 241 1 0 Repairs to gates and fences .. .. 156 13 2 Sale of dairy produoe.. .. .. 189 18 4 Permanent improvements .. .. 617 0 Sale of wool .. .. .. .. 11l 14 10 Contingencies (farm) .. .. .. 24 16 9 Sale of dairy engine .. .. .. 25 0 0 Repairs to cottages .. .. .. 10 18 0 Trade accounts —Sale of eggs and poultry, Purchase of livestock — and dipping sheep .. .. .. 53 6 Sheep .. .. .. .. 102 18 2 Farm contingencies—Prizes gained at Horses .. .. .. .. 30 10 0 shows .. .. .. . • 11 9 0 Balance carried to General Account .. 408 011 Repairs to gates and fences—Refund of half-cost of boundary-fence .. .. 12 9 1 Grazing .. .. .. .. 2 12 0 £1,868 10 7 £1,868 10 7