E.—B

6

Stencilling: Some creditable though elementary work has for the first time been done in this direction. A few of the students applied their studies in plant-form to stencil designs for cushions, table-centres, &c, carrying them out on silk, &c. A few others carried out designs in needlework. It is hoped to still further extend "applied" work in other directions, as in gesso, leather-embossing, &c. A valuable adjunct to this work is the class for plant-form in relation to design. This was held one afternoon & week, and attended by an average of sixteen students. As far as possible a plant in all stages of its development was taken, studying its growth, character, and decorative capacity, and then applied to the ornamental filling of spaces. Painters' and Decorators' Work. —The attendance in this class has slightly improved, there being an average of fourteen per term. This is, however, still small considering the number of youths engaged in this business. During the second and third terms the class was held twice a week with such success that it is to be a permanent feature. Various branches of work have been practised, including glass gilding and embossing, stencilling, grisaille, sign-writing, graining, marbling, &c. The Painters' Union and Mr. Sey have again been helpful to the class. Prizes have also been given by Messrs. Davis, Bush, and Button. Decorative Design. —Classes for the study of principles of ornament were held once a week in the morning and evening, and attended by an average of seventeen and twelve respectively. This was an improvement on the previous year, and much better work was done. Geometry ani Pattern-drawing for Tinsmiths. —Similar to last year, a short course in elementary geometry was given, followed by applications to trade requirements. Models were also made in cardboard and tin. The average attendance was eight. This was discouraging in view the importance of giving to the workmen scientific methods instead of the rule of thumb so generally in vogue at present. Geometry and Perspective. — There has again been a satisfactory attendance, especially in geometry, the average numbers being in 1903, eighty-six ; 1904, eighty-one. Architecture and Building-construction. —ln the latter class there was an average attendance of thirty-three. The class in architecture was not held the first term, having practically died out at the end of 1903. A new lecturer was appointed, and the class started again the second term with an attendance of twelve. Last term there were thirteen. This is more satisfactory than it has been for some years past, and the term just commenced shows a still further advance to fifteen. After waiting for upwards of fifteen years, we shall be able to get a few of the more necessary models required in these subjects by means of the sum allotted for apparatus, &c. Carpentry and Joinery. —The average on the roll for this class has been thirteen, compared with sixteen the previous year. It has been worked in association with building-construction and geometry, and has done good useful work. Cabinet-work. —Up to the end of 1903 no separate class was held in this subject, the students taking their work as far as possible with other classes. At the beginning of last year it was placed under the separate charge of a well-qualified instructor, and bids fair to become a useful class. There was an average roll-number of eight. Instruction to Teachers and Pupil-teachers. — This work has comprised freehand, model, geometry, perspective, brush-work, modelling in plasticine, cardboard-modelling, free-arm and blackboard drawing, and carving. The last was the class most largely attended, owing to the regulation making it compulsory for the D certificate. The same unsatisfactory arrangement was continued as to fees—viz., compelling teachers to take two particular subjects if they wished their fees paid, instead of allowing them a wider choice. Scholarships : Builders Association. —These were competed for in December. Both were given to candidates in the Senior Division ; none in the Junior were considered well enough qualified. The winners were —first, D. B. Green, carpenter, age eighteen ; second, J. Novis, carpenter, age eighteen. State School Scholarships (Boys). —-At the beginning of the year scholarships entitling to a year's free tuition were awarded to the head boy in drawing in fifteen public schools. State School Scholarships (Girls). —On the results of the annual competition, ten scholarships were awarded to girls from public schools. Free Studentships. —The seven studentships offered by the Board for annual competition on the past year's work were awarded as usual. Prizes. —Prizes were presented by Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs, G. Kidson, A. W. Fielder, The Architectural Association, The Painters' Dnion, and Messrs. Bush, Button, and Davis, and Mr. W. Sey. Local Examinations. —The results were:—Second-grade passes: Freehand, 42; model, 56; geometry, 14 ; perspective, 10; blackboard, 38. Full second-grade certificates, 2. Passes in other subjects : Brushwork —Elementary stage, 13 ; advanced stage, 4. Modelling in plasticine—■ Elementary stage, 18. Modelling from the cast —Elementary ornament, 5; elementary antique, 2. Plant form, 9. First-grade geometry, 22. Tinsmiths' geometry and pattern drawing—First year, 2; second year, 2 ; third year, 1; mensuration, 5. Carpentry and joinery—First year, 1 ; second year, 5. Building construction—First year, 5; second year, 8; third year, 5; fourth year, 2. Architecture, 11. Cabinet-work—First year, 4. Cardboard modelling, 3. Free-arm and blackboard drawing, 7. Principles of ornament, 15. Education Department of Great Britain Examinations, 1904. —-Passes : Freehand, 7 ; model, 6 ; still life, 3 ; plant form, 2 ; drawing from life, 1; anatomy, 1 ; design (stage 1) 1; modelling head from life, 2 ; plane and solid geometry, 1; building construction, 1. Annual Exhibition and Prize Distribution. —These were held in February, 1904. The exhibition was opened and the prizes distributed by G. W. Eussell, Esq., member of the Board of Governors. Our thanks are due to all those who have by gifts of prizes or scholarships helped forward the work of the school, and to Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs for the Studio periodical.