21

E.—7

Girls' High School.

End 1909—Junior free places ... ... ... ... ... 140 Senior ,, ... ... ■■■ ... •■• 67 School ,, ... ... .... ■ ■ •■■ 3 210 li will be seen that 210 out of the total school roll of 22(> were free-place pupils. Museum. By the appointment of Mr. R. Speight, M.A., B.Sc, to the position of Assistant Curator the work of the Curator has been so far relieved that he is able to devote more of his time to that portion of the exhibits that belong especially to his particular trend of thought. Thus he can mors rapidly complete for display the arrangement of the mat, rial at hand so thai it will be advantageous both from the popular as well as the educational side. Mr. Speight's energies at present are devoted to the better arrangement and classification of tha mineralogical specimens, so that the value of the collection, looked at from the scientific standpoint, will be materially increased. The setting-up of the magnificent skeleton of the blue whale, generally spoken of as the Okarito whale, has added greatly to the popularity of the Museum, and "when the rearrangement of the other whale skeletons is complete it is intended in the space thus set free to so arrange the native ornithological specimens that it will he comparatively easy for those who make a study of New Zealand birds to trace the life-story of our birds from the earlier limes up to the present. Many of the specimens in the building are id' great monetary value, and it is a matter of congratulation that wo have in the taxidermist a man who is not only skilled in his work, but also tut enthusiast, who spares neither time nor trouble in helping to arrange and preserve in perfect condition those exhibits that are in danger of destruction. With reference to the remarks made in connection with the vandalism that is rife in some of the other museums, it is pleasing to he able to record that bur visitors, though not absolutely free from this crime, cannot l>c charged with such wilful and wholesale destruction as is complained of in other places. I hope that year by year this thoughtless vandalism "ill, with a fuller knowledge of the value of the exhibits, altogether disappear. School of Art. Very little need be added by me to the exhaustive report given by (he Director on the depart ment over which he has control, but the suggestions contained in it seem so valuable that it will be "ell for us to consider whether in the coming year effect can be given to some at least of the more important. The provision made by the Board for establishing scholarships at the school is already making itself felt by increasing keenness among the senior students, and when the finances are able to bear it I hope that a scheme will be devised by which a brilliant student will be helped to visit the ail centres of the Old World, and obtain there a fuller knowledge which may be used mi his return for the advancement of art in the Dominion. The Library. One very important matter in connection with this institution—viz., the reclassification by the Dewey system of the books in the Reference Department—was undertaken by Mr. James, of the Parliamentary Library, Wellington, and the completion of the work by the local staff is well within view. The finances of the Public Library suffered greatly by the attempt to still further popularize it—viz., by reducing the subscription; so much so that this year it has been found necessary to return to the higher fee charged, in the hope that the constant drain on the funds may by this means to a certain extent be relieved. Another and very important departure was made this year: Following the example of many of the large libraries in the Old World and in America, it was determined to establish a juvenile section. The subcommittee who undertook the work of selecting the books for this section fortunately found that a large number suitable for the purpose were already on the shelves of the circulating library, and could easily be transferred to the juvenile department. It was thus equipped at a very small extra expense. That this section is much appreciated by those for whom it was established is shown by the fact that then are already a large number of subscribers. The thanks of the Board ate due to the member who advocated the change and helped largely to bring it to a successful issue.

Y Year. fei r. „ ,. „ , Government Roll Number Payments at End of Fees. for Capitation and Year - Technical Classes. Total. Average Fee paid. .904*.. .905 .. .906 .. .907 .. .908 .. .909 .. £ £ 145 1,170 344 166 726 842 189 398 1,163 217 413 1,690 202 325 1,716 226 133 2,247 £ I..'ill 1,568 1,561 2,103 2,041 2,380 £ s. 8 1 4 7 2 2 1 18 1 12 0 11 d. 4 5 1 0 2 9 * Free-place system introduced.