E.—B

6

that they may obtain evening instruction in drawing and elementary applied science ; (3) the fact that numerous apprentices were working overtime in connection with the Exhibition, and therefore unable to attend lectures ; (4) the change in the University Regulations, which now provide that a student must take a preliminary year in an affiliated college before entering the School of Engineering. The effect of this regulation has been to temporarily divert the supply of men taking the University course. There are, however, indications that a considerable influx of matriculated students may be shortly expected ; whilst if a system of scholarships is inaugurated by which the best students of local technical schools are enabled to pass on to a course of instruction here, these schools will become feeders to this establishment, and the number of advanced students be still further increased. By such a system of scholarships costly duplication in the higher work will be prevented, and the efficiency of technical instruction in the colony greatly improved. Results of Examination. —At the University examination in 1905-6 students passed part of the first examination and 9 completed the first examination, 7 passed part of the second examination, and 7 passed the final examination, for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Associateship of the School of Engineering. —Four students passed the final examination for the Associateship in Mechanical Engineering of the School of Engineering and Electricity. The passes in the courses for the associateship in the subjects taught in the School of Engineering were : In freehand mechanical drawing, 4 ; advanced descriptive geometry, 2 ; steam-engine (elementary), 3 ; steam-engine (intermediate), 3 ; steam-engine (advanced), 3 ; applied mechanics, 5 ; mechanics of machinery. 5 ; hydraulics, 3 ; mechanical drawing (second year), 6 ; strength of materials (elementary), 4 ; strength of materials (intermediate), 4 ; strength of materials (advanced), 4 ; theory of workshop practice, 4 ; electrical engineering (intermediate). 1 ; electrical engineering (advanced), 1 ; surveying (elementary), 1 ; mechanical drawing and designing (final), 3. Associateship students taking subjects outside their regular course passed examinations and gained certificates as follows : 1 in locomotive and railway engineering, 2nd-ciass certificate; lin electrical engineering (intermediate), 2nd-class certificate : 1 in surveying (elementary), 2nd-class certificate. Evening Students. —104 certificates were obtained by students attending evening lectures, who passed in the following subjects at the annual examination : First Class : Freehand mechanical draw ing, 11 ; descriptive geometry and setting out work, 14 ; mechanical drawing, Section I, 7 . mechanical drawing, Section 11, 3 ; mechanical drawing, Section 111, 3 ; steam-engine (elementary), 10 ; elementary applied mechanics, 9 ; elementary strength of materials, 1 ; elementary electricity, 2 ; elementary electrical engineering, I.' Second Class: Freehand mechanical drawing, 4; descriptive geometry and setting out work, 3 ; mechanical drawing, Section I, 6 ; mechanical drawing, Section 11, 5 ; mechanical drawing, Section II (electrical), 2; mechanical drawing, Section 111 (electrical), 1 ; steam - engine (elementary), 6 ; elementary applied mechanics, 5 ; elementary strength of materials, 1 ; theory of workshop practice, 1 ; elementary electricity, 9. Additional Lectures. —The following subjects were added to the syllabus of lectures : Building instruction, advanced surveying. Testing.— Tests were carried out for the Government, local bodies, and private firms on steel plates, bridge-bolts, wire, hooks, cast steel, suction-gas plant, pumping plant, drainpipes, wire for power-pipe line, cement, bricks ; sand, pumice, and burnt-clay bricks; stone, and coal. Apparatus. —The following new apparatus was added to the plant: A high-lift turbine-pump, capable of delivering 300 gallons per minute against a head of 280 ft., directly driven by a 35-horse-power motor; a 12-horse-power experimental gas-engine, together with an experimental suction-gas plant: a Whipple temperature-indicator and 5 Callender pyrometers for the measurement of high temperatures ; furnaces and plant for heat-treatment of steel; a mercury pressure gauge and recorder ; a boiler-pressure indicator : portable gear for the determination of brake horse-power ; oxygen cylinder and fittings ; a 2-horse-power motor and field rheostat; 3 volt-meters, 5 am-meters, a milli-volt and ampere-meter, 2 watt-meters, current-transformer, resistances, 1 galvanometer and fittings, a circuitbreaker, a digester switchboard, plugboard and fittings, inertia wheel, spring balances, laboratorytools, 80 lecture diagrams, and 120 lantern-slides. Exhibit in Exhibition. —A comprehensive exhibit illustrating the work of the school was prepared and placed in the Exhibition. Museum. Report of the Curator (Mr. Edgar R. Waite) :— In presenting this, my first report, I have the honour to inform you that I took over charge of the Museum on the 16th April last, from Dr. Chilton, who acted as Curator from March, 1905, when the late Captain Hutton left on a visit to Europe. I desire to record my appreciation of the kindness shown to me by Dr. Chilton, and of the assistance rendered during the early weeks of my administration. Structural. —In consequence of the extensive and costly repairs to the roof, indicated in the report for 1905, I was instructed to exercise economy in carrying on the work. While, therefore, the standard of excellence of the collections has been maintained, the additions and alterations have been comparatively small. The architect reported that the spire of the Museum was also in a decaying condition, but a subsequent interview indicates that the damage does not require immediate repair; it will, however, be necessary to have the structure inspected from time to time. It appears that early in the year the windows of the Maori house were provided with iron bars ; the approach of warm weather showed that the means of ventilation has been thereby obstructed. The architect has been asked to report on the matter. New lavatory-accommodation has been provided. A small fire-pump, long out of use, was repaired and placed at the top of the main staircase, and additional fire-buckets were obtained and placed in the various galleries.