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The Board, having voted a certain sum of money to be expended in plant for the engineering laboratory, the following machine-tools have been purchased, and were erected during the term by the matriculated students : One 4Jin. centre screw cutting lathe, 6ft. gap-bed, with overhead motion, chucks and wheel-cutting appliances complete; one 4Jin. centre 3ft.-bed American woodturning lathe, complete ; one ljin. spindle drilling-machine, which has been fitted with compound table and self-centring drill-chuck; one Kennedy's patent shears, ljin. blade; one hand shaper, 6in. stroke, with automatic feed and universal joints; one 6in. instantaneous grip-vice, with taper attachment; one gas hearth, with tools, bellows, and blowpipe complete; one anvil; one swageblock ; one set smith's tools ; one high-power gas-burner, with ladle, &c.; one complete set of hand tools (wood and iron) necessary for the preparation of test-specimens, models, &c. The laboratory has also been fitted with flooring, gas, benches, cupboards, &c. The tools obtained are all of the best quality. The presence of even this small amount of machinery has been of the greatest practical value in the instruction of the matriculated students. I trust that the finances of the Board will admit of its making additions from time to time of other appliances which are urgently needed, especially the testing and experimental appliances. Giels' High School. The number of pupils attending the school last term was 136. There has been very little change in the staff during the year. One of the part-time teachers resigned at the end of last term, and another has been appointed to fill the vacancy. The cooking classes are progressing satisfactorily, and are well attended. They are now being taught by two former pupils of Mr. Morton, Mr. Jackson having resigned at the end of last year. The class for the teaching of scientific dress-cutting is doing the usual work and advancing satisfactorily. The swimming classes were larger than usual last year, and were most successful. The training in drill and calisthenics, under Major Richards, has proved even more beneficial than that in gymnastics, as almost the whole school is able to take advantage of it. Last year, for the first time, these more practical subjects, together with drawing and class-singing, were examined by experts, whose reports showed that the work done in them was careful and thorough. At the annual examination in the ordinary subjects of the school course the reports of the examiners (Professor Cook, Mr. J. Y. Colborne-Veel, Professor Hutton, Mr. B. S. Bull, Mr. T. R. Creswell, Mr. W. M. Clarke, and Mr. H. 0. Forbes) were very favourable. At the examination held last April by the Board of Education one pupil gained a scholarship in Class D. At the entrance examination of the New Zealand University held last December ten girls matriculated. Three girls entered for the junior University scholarship examination, and by one of the candidates the school had the honour of gaining the first place in the list, an honour which it had in the previous year also. The lady principal obtained leave of absence from the Board for a term and a half. Satisfactory arrangements have been made for conducting the work of the school during that period. Boys' High School. The new buildings, containing on the first floor a chemical laboratory and a new class-room, and on the ground-floor a basement, were opened on the 23rd September last year. They have been found of great service to the school, and, in fact, were a necessity owing to continued increase of numbers. The laboratory is gradually being made complete with a supply of chemicals and apparatus, &c. The basement, which has been asphalted and fitted with seats, serves excellently as a place where lunch may be eaten. Lieut.-Colonel Gordon's report of the cadet and physical drill, which he inspected in December, was the first official report made to the Board of Governors on the school drill, and was very satisfactory. One new feature this year has been the introduction of the subject of shorthand, which is taught to a limited number of boys. At the entrance examination of the University of New Zealand, held last December, eleven boys entered for matriculation, and ten passed. One passed the medical preliminary examination. Six candidates entered for junior University scholarships, and three won scholarships, being respectively third, fifth, and ninth on the list. Two others obtained good places on the honours list. One boy passed with distinction the Senior Civil Service examination, being second on the list. In the Junior Civil Service examination one boy was placed first on the list out of 112 candidates examined. Two others also passed, one in the twelfth and the other in the forty-first place. At the examination held last April by the Board of Education boys from this school obtained three out of the four scholarships awarded in Classes C and D. The school was examined in December last, and the reports of the examiners (Professor Cook, Mr. T. W. Rowe, M.A., Mr. L. Cohen, M.A., Mr. W. Michell Clarke, M.A., Mr. H. 0. Forbes, Mr. G. Gray, Mr. J. M. Madden, and Lieut.Colonel Gordon) were very satisfactory. The number of pupiis attending the school last term was 165 ; the number attending at the same time last year was 149. As regards changes in the work of the school, it should be mentioned that Mr. Michell Clarke has, with the Board's approval, discontinued to teach French at the school, and that Mr. Speight has been made a full-time master. Museum. The affairs of the Museum have of late occupied much of the attention of the Board. Two different inquiries into this department were held during the year : (1) by the Museum Committee, which reported to the Board on the 28th September, 1891; (2) by a special Committee of Inquiry, which presented their report to the Board on the 20th April last, accompanied with the minutes of