EDUCATION: CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. ("THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE AND CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ACT, 1896.") [In continuation of E.-11, 1901.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1902 Session I, E-11

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1902. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. ("THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE AND CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ACT, 1896.") [In continuation of E.-11, 1901.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Visitor. —His Excellency the Governor. Board of Governors. Appointed by His Excellency the Governor —John Rennie. Elected by members of the Legislature—George Jameson, M. Murphy, F.L.S., Hon. Edward Cephas John Stevens (Chairman). Elected by governing bodies of agricultural and pastoral associations—W. P. M. Buckley, H. A. Knight, Robert Heaton Rhodes, B.A. Staff. Director. —W. Lowrie, M.A., B.Sc. Lecturer on Chemistry. —G. Gray, F.C.S. Lecturer on Natural Science. —F. W. Hilgendorf, M.A., B.So. Lecturer on Applied Mathematics. —M. Guerin, C.E. Lecturer on Veterinary Science. — J. R. Charlton, M.R.C.V.S. Instructor in Woodwork.— F. W. Sandford.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. Sib,— I have the honour to furnish a brief report for the year 1901 on the work of this institution. College. —The late Director, Mr. J. Bayne, M.A., B.Sc, resigned his position at the end of June, and the Lecturer on Chemistry, Mr. G. Gray, was appointed Acting-Director, and held the position until the end of October. Changes on the staff, as they affect the continuity of the work, naturally result in some disorganization and are reflected on the attendance roll, but the reports of the examiners appointed by the Board of Governors evidence that consistent work was done by many of the students, and that fair success resulted. During the year thirty students were enrolled, eleven for the second year and nineteen for the first year of the course, and at the end of the year five students qualified for the College diploma. Scholarships were awarded to two students of the first year and to two of the second year. The Board of Governors took the occasion of changes in the staff to modify very considerably the course and range of studies and the organization of the institution. The curriculum has been extended from two years of two sessions each to three years of three sessions each, and the fees fixed at £40 per annum each for the first and second year's courses and £20 for the third year's course. The range of veterinary instruction has been widened and the course elaborated. That the Veterinary Lecturer may have more time for his subject proper the Lecturer on Natural Science has undertaken the subject of animal physiology, vice geology, which as such has been dropped. The syllabus of theoretical chemistry has been reduced and narrowed, and the time so saved has been devoted to agricultural chemistry. The subject " Steam and the Steam-engine " has been added to the curriculum, and will be taught by the Lecturer on Applied Mathematics. These are the subjects now studied in the course of the three years' residence : Agriculture, chemistry, botany, animal physiology, entomology, meteorology, bee-culture, mathematics, steam and the steam-engine, surveying and levelling, book-keeping, and veterinary science. The practical

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aspect of each of the several subjects of study in its relations with agriculture has been kept specially prominent. For example, as far as practicable animals for purposes of demonstration and clinical practice will be obtained from farmers in the neighbourhood for treatment in the veterinary hospital; in the course of practical chemistry such matters as milk-testing, buttertesting, and estimation of the percentage of manurial ingredients in artificial manures, among others, will be made prominent; and in practical botany the identification of grasses and seeds of grasses and weeds will be given—with other matters immediately useful to students of farming— special attention. The curriculum, lam confident, affords a most useful training for any young man desirous of qualifying himself to work land to best advantage, and will be found, by such as avail themselves fully of it, in ways many and often, of direct utility and immediate economic benefit. In August a course of manual training in woodwork was added to the curriculum, with Mr. F. W. Sandford as instructor. The course will proceed from elementary lessons in woodwork, systematized and graduated, to farm carpentry—such, for example, as the making of gates, feedboxes, and the wooden framework of various implements. On the farm it has been arranged that the students shall carry out practically the whole work under the direction of the farm overseer and shepherd. No farm-hands as such will be employed, except at special work, such as threshing. When engaged in practical farm-work students are required to apply themselves as diligently as if they were working for day wages, and activity and energetic application are specially encouraged, and, indeed, demanded. It is recognised that young men forming habits should not be allowed, to play make-believe while at work of any kind, and to the best of our ability this is prevented. The Board of Governors fully recognises that the endowments supporting the Institution are not intended to assist in the maintenance and education of such students as are not qualified to avail themselves of the opportunities it offers, or such as from want of diligence and application do not make satisfactory progress, and accordingly all such are required to cease residence. This policy will affect the average attendance for some time; but it will be admitted that the success of the College is at no time to be gauged by the number of students in residence, and that it is to be measured onty by the calibre of the men who leave it qualified. In knowledge of the importance of the farm-work every endeavour has been made to insure thoroughness and efficiency. The dry spring very materially affected results from all crops here as elsewhere in Canterbury, but increased prices have somewhat atoned for the deficiency. All the stock are of good quality, and the stud flocks of sheep especially offer high educational facilities. An experimental farm is one thing, a farm conducted so as to teach the business of farming is another, and this latter we aim at. Consequently, though some experimental work is conducted, it is never carried to a degree that would risk obscuring or evading the farming operations proper, or the financial aspect thereof. I have, &c, William Loweie, Director. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

Statement of Eeceipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1901. General Account. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Interest on capital .. .. .. 1,165 0 0 Balance, Ist January, 1901 .. .. 116 18 8 Bent of reserves .. .. .. 1,590 14 1 Salaries of staff .. .. .. 1,21113 5 Students'fees .. .. .. .. 1,059 12 3 Maintenance of staff and students .. 1,173 3 8 Studetts'books .. .. .. 23 11 11 Board-room furniture .. .. .. 218 2 3 Maintenance of students and staff—Sale of Printing and advertising .. .. 168 5 11 fat, refund of Director's board.. .. 38 8 1 Students'books .. .. .. 18 4 5 Grounds—Sale of firewood .. .. 3 4 0 Insurance, College, including guarantees.. 33 9 0 Studtnts' travelling-expenses — Fare re- Buildings, College—Repairs and repainting 46 14 2 funded .. .. .. .. 2 0 0 Grounds and plantations—Labour, trees, Laboratories—Refund for breakages .. 4 3 4 &c. .. .. .. .. .. 49 13 10 Orchard—Sale of fruit .. .. .. 15 0 Library—Books purchased, printing magaContingenciep, College—Freight refund .. 0 11 8 zinc .. .. .. .. 28 8 6 Buildings—Refund for breakage.. .. 0 6 0 Students'travelling-expenses .. .. 21 12 0 Stationery, &c—Bank exchange refunded 0 2 6 Travelling expenses —Members of Board .. 32 17 8 Balance .. .. .. .. 81 3 3 Legal expenseß .. .. .. 31 8 0 Pnzes and certificates .. .. .. 15 13 6 Laboratories —Purchase of chemicals and apparatus .. .. .. .. 46 11 2 Orchard—Labour, &o. .. .. .. 62 16 8 Workshops— Wages .. .. .. .. 50 17 6 Materials and tools .. .. .. 16 17 6 Manual training—Fees and tools .. 52 711 Examination expenses .. .. .. 61 10 6 Experimental work .. .. .. 34 11 6 Scholarships .. .. .. .. 80 0 0 Contributions to Churches .. .. 20 0 0 Contingencies (College)— Sundry expenses 94 10 1 Sp"cial votes .. .. .. .. 63 19 6 Sta'ionerv, stamps, and telegrams .. 90 6 6 Transferred to Farm Account .. .. 129 8 3 £3,970 2 1 £3,970 2 1

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Farm Account. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Sale of Grain, &c. — Purohase of Live-stock— Wheat .. .. .. .. 279 13 3 Sheep .. .. .. .. 650 13 8 Oats .. .. .. .. 58 711 Cattle .. .. .. .. 43 14 6 Potatoes .. .. .. .. 42 6 0 Horses (service of mares) .. .. 10 10 0 Barley .. .. .. .. 11 16 8 Pigs (Berkshire boars) ' .. .. 62 9 3 Peas .. .. .. .. 2 4 0 Farm wages (inoluding £250, share of Linseed .. .. .. .. 0 9 4 Director's salary) .. .. .. 858 13 10 Sacks .. .. .. .. 15 2 10 Purchase of seeds .. .. .. 47 11 10 Sale of Live-stock — Purchase of manures .. .. .. 45 2 6 Sheep .. .. .. .. 1,161 18 2 Trade accounts —Woolpacks, corn-sacks, Cattle .. .. .. .. 281 7 6 freights, saddlery, cheep-dip, veterinary Pigs .. .. .. .. 104 18 4 medicine, and sundries .. .. 250 17 7 Bale of wool .. .. .. .. 127 13 11 Farm fuel .. .. .. .. 19 4 6 Sale of dairy produce .. .. .. 161 211 Rates .. .. .. .. 34 10 0 Trade accounts—Sales of poultry and eggs, Insurance on farm buildings and contents 60 7 4 sale of old timber, rail freight refunded, Implements—Purchases and repairs .. 52 0 10 proceeds of dipping sheep .. .. 45 18 6 Permanent improvements—Draining, &c. 919 2 Sale of old implements .. .. .. 13 19 6 Repairs to gates and fences .. .. 54 18 11 Farm contingencies—Prizes gained at shows 6 10 0 Repainting and repairs—Farm buildings .. 106 10 5 Transfer from General Account .. .. 129 8 3 Farm contingencies—Entries and expenses in connection with shows, freights, incidental expenses .. .. .. 57 2 6 Students' wages .. .. .. 78 10 3 £2,442 17 1 £2,442 17 1 Capital Account. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £s. d. Balance, Ist January, 1901 .. .. 20,587 15 8 Balance, 31st Deoember, 1901 .. .. 20,587 15 8 Mortgage of Freehold Account. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balanoe, 31st Deoember, 1901 .. .. 20,000 0 0 Loan on security of 6,001 acres .. .. 20,000 0 0 Statement of Balances. Accounts. £ s. d. Bank and Investment. £ s. d. Cr. Capital Account .. .. .. 20,587 15 8 Cr. Drawing Account ..£1,013 17 6 Dr. General Account ... .. .. 81 3 3 Less outstanding oheques 507 7 6 506 10 0 Cr. Cash in hand .. .. .. 0 2 5 Mortgage on freehold .. .. 20,000 0 0 £20,506 12 5 £20,506 12 5 M. Guekin, Accountant to the Board of Governors. W. Loweie, Director. Examined and found correct. — J. K. Wabburton, Controller and Auditor-General.

REPORTS OF EXTERNAL EXAMINERS. Chemistry. —Dr. W. G. Evans reports as follows: With few exceptions, the work has, on the whole, been fairly well done. After taking into account the fact that the papers set were somewhat easier than usual, I feel justified in saying that the standard attained is higher than in any other year in which I have had the honour to act as examiner. Natural Science. —Dr. Chas. Chilton reports thus : The first-year students were examined by means of written papers on botany, entomology, and meteorology, and were also subjected to a practical and oral examination in botany. The second-year students had written papers in botany and entomology, and a practical oral examination in botany. In the first-year botany four students did poorly, but the remaining nine all did well, five of them doing very good work. Similarly, both in entomology and meteorology four students showed up poor papers, but all the remaining nine were good. In the second year one student did very poorly in all subjects, and one moderately; the remaining four did well throughout. On the whole, the results give evidence of careful and efficient teaching on the one hand, and good application by the majority of the students on the other. Applied Mathematics. —Mr. A. D. Dobson, M.1.C.E., reports as follows: 1 beg to report on the subjects which I have examined as follows: —First-year students—mensuration, surveying, plotting, and book-keeping : The surveying, plotting, and book-keeping were very well done, many of the papers obtaining full marks. The mensuration papers were very well worked by five students. Second-year students —mechanics, surveying and levelling, plotting, book-keeping :In mechanics four out of six have done well; in surveying and levelling and plotting the work was weakly done. In the former of these two papers the students evidently require more practice in reducing the levels. In plotting three out of the six did the work well. Book-keeping was very neatly and well done, and the matter arranged in a businesslike manner. In field-work six second-year and thirteen first-year students were examined—in the use of the theodolite and level

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for the former and of the chain for the latter. The work was very intelligently done throughout, and I was pleased with the manner in which the students set to work. Farm books : These were neatly kept by both classes of students. On the whole, I consider the students have been well' taught, and they have evidently made good use of their opportunities. Veterinary Science. — J. A. Gilruth, M.E.C.V.S., reports : In the first year the students' grasp of the subjects taught was on the whole good, three being especially so. In the second year one only answered three questions, hence the low percentage of marks; and one, while passing a good oral examination, produced an inferior paper, he having entirely misapprehended one question. Dairying. —Mr. Thos. Quayle reports: Six students of the second year were presented for examination. It is pleasing to state that the students showed much interest in practical dairying. The possibilities of increased wealth to the people who are engaged exclusively in dairying for a living are fully recognised by the students, who are also conscious that the success of the dairying industry depends upon the production of butter and cheese which will command favour in the English market. The class as a whole give evidence of the reading of the most modern works on dairy matters. The importance of exercising care in the selection of profitable cows has been well taught, and the necessity of careful selection of winter forage to insure against unpleasant flavours in the produce is fully understood. The dairy and utensils were quite clean ; the butter churned was of nice quality. Ploughing.- —Mr. Jarman, of Greendale, reports : Six students of the second year competed. I am pleased to state that the students had a good idea of what was required, but, owing to the hardness of the land, were not able to do such good work as would have been done in regard to finishes of last furrow had the soil contained more moisture. The horses were well and quietly handled, and the work on the whole exceeded my expectations. Agricultural Practice. —Mr. Geo. Eennie reports as follows: I have the honour to report that I examined the students in agriculture, as requested by the Board. In the first year the work was very uneven, some of the best students being particularly good and two or three of the lowest ones very indifferent. The majority of the students gave very creditable results, and the practical work was very good throughout the whole class. In the second year the average was very good, both in practical and theoretical work, the two leading students in particular showing a thorough knowledge of the subject. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printiog (1,556 copies), £2 10s. 6d.

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