c.—a

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Wood and Stone Carving. —l am able to report more favourably of this class than previously. Under the new instructor the work has decidedly improved, though only elementary work is yet done. The attendance, though better than the former year, is still very small. The average has been : 1900,11; 1901, 16. Bepousse or Beaten Metal Work. —This class was started last year. Though few have so far taken it up the work done is creditable, and as the art becomes better known it will become popular. Painters' and Decorators' Work. —The average attendance in this class has been : 1900, 18 ; 1901, 20. This is the highest attendance since its establishment in 1899, and shows that the work is growing in favour with those for whom it was founded. Hitherto the work has had to be carried on under extremely unfavourable conditions as to room and convenience. These have now been remedied by the provision of a special room, which is to be fitted up with every convenience. The students will thus be able to study all the different branches of their work under proper conditions. Advance should now be speedily seen, both in quality of work and in numbers attending. Decorative Design. —The attendance in this class has for a long time been unsatisfactory, considering its importance. There is at last, however, a decided advance, which I hope will be permanent. The average for the year has been : 1900, 14 ; 1901, 33. The work has been of the same character as last year. Architecture and Building Construction. —The average attendance for the last two years has been : 1900, 20 ; 1901, 39. The elementary division is answerable for this satisfactory increase, and it is likely to be more than maintained. I attribute the very marked advance to the appointment of an additional instructor for the elementary work, thus freeing Mr. Hurst Seager for the advanced. Geometry and Perspective. —Considering the vital importance of geometry to so many industries, it is gratifying to note the very marked advance in attendance, the average for the last two years being : 1900, 27 ; 1901, 76. This indicates that the value of this subject is being appreciated as it should be. The chief inci'ease has been in the elementary (evening) class, which has been placed under a new instructor, Mr. Thompson. Scholarships, Canterbury Industrial Association. —Three scholarships were competed for in December, entitling the winners to two years' free tuition. Scholarships, Builders' Association. —Two are offered annually, one to those under twenty and over eighteen, and one to those under eighteen. The competition was held last March. Public School Scholarships. —An annual free studentship is given to the head boy in drawing in each school in the North Canterbury Education District having over 170 pupils. The Board have recently decided to offer ten scholarships for competition amongst the girls of the public schools in the district: six to schools having not less than 400 pupils on the roll, and four to those having less than 400. They will entitle the winners to free tuition for one year in the morning class. The first competition is to be held shortly. Free Studentships. —Seven free studentships offered by the Board for annual competition on the past year's work were awarded. Prizes. —The following prizes were gained by students : The Painters' Union prizes—Section 2, sign-writing; sections 1 and 3, no competition. Nicholson prizes (open to painters' apprentices attending the school) —Section 1., best work for the year in freehand and model; section 2, best work in the geometry class. Sections"3 and 4 no competition. Prizes (outside competitions) Canterbury Society of Arts) —Modelling from life (bronze medal), still life (silver medal), design for cover of catalogue. Every prize awarded was won by our students. Wellington Society of Arts—Design for cover of catalogue, figure from antique, painting from life, head from life in monochrome. Wanganui Society of Arts —Head from life in monochrome, design for cover of catalogue. Also prizes from various donors. Local Examinations. —The local examinations were held in December. The results are :— Second grade.—Freehand—Excellent, 32; pass, 40: model—excellent, 32; pass, 59: geometry —excellent, 6; pass, 3 : perspective —excellent, 2 ; pass, 6 : blackboard drawing—excellent, 1; pass, 4. Full second-grade certificates.—First-grade geometry—Excellent, 19 ; pass, 4. Modelling.—Elementary ornament —First class, 2 ; second class, 0 : advanced ornament—first class, 2 ; Second class, 1 : elementary antique —first-class, 4 ; second class, 1. Education Department of Great Britain (late Science and Art Department, South Kensington.) —The results of the examination, held last June, are not yet to hand. The extreme delay in obtaining results increasingly deters students from entering. New Buildings. —My reports for some years past have referred to the necessity for increased accommodation and convenience for applied work, none previously existing. lam pleased at last to be able to report that a beginning has been made to remedy these deficiencies. With the generous help of the Government the Board has been able to erect two fine rooms, 46 ft. by 28 ft. The lower one will be used mostly for painters' and decorators' work, the upper one for wood and stone carving, and modelling and casting. A small room has been cut out of the upper one for the purpose of a library, which will also supply a long experienced want. With such improved conditions an impetus will be given to the work in these branches, and I trust that in time similar suitable provision will be made for other equally important subjects. In reference to the library, in addition to the books it is intended to file the leading periodicals in all the different industries and manufactures connected with the students' work.