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Certificates of proficiency, Grade 11., in freehand and model drawing from the Christchuroh School of Arc. There are four classes. The highest class does drawing in light and shade (charcoal or sepia, &o.) from flat examples of rigid forms, models, casts, and objects of still life, and painting from nature of flowers and still life (Manual and Technical Act Eegulations, 1902, 22, Nos. 7 and 9) ; the second class does elementary design and brushwork (Manual and Technical Act Eegulations, 1902, 22, No. 8); the third class, freehand and elementary design and brushwork; the fourth class, the same but of a more elementary character. Each class has two hours' drawing per week throughout the school year. Manual, commercial, and technical instruction : Plain sewing is taught throughout the Lower and Middle School by the regular staff. There is a special class for dress-cutting and dressmaking on Saturday mornings; this is taught by a specially appointed teacher. The instruction includes theoretical drafting of patterns by aid of the Anglo-Parisian chart ; practical measuring and cutting from patterns; the cutting-out, fitting, making, trimming, and finishing of a dress (bodice and skirt) ; the use of the sewing-machine. Instruction is given for two hours per week throughout the school year. The class is free. Cooking is taught by a specially appointed and certificated teacher of cookery. The school has a class-room fitted up with two gas-stoves, and a pantry, with a sink, &c. Two hours' instruction is given in cookery on Saturday mornings, the lessons being alternately demonstration and practice lessons. A fee of 3s. per term is charged for this class. Shorthand is taught for one hour per week before morning school by one of the teachers of the regular staff. A class in book-keeping is now being formed under a specially appointed teacher. Gymnastics, drill, swimming : Drill is compulsory, except under special circumstances. Instruction is given by a specially appointed drill-instructor, who gives each drill squad two lessons per week (weather permitting), each lesson being of half an hour's duration. The newest forms of physical exercises for girls are in use. In addition, a class of sixty-five pupils from the school attended a gymnasium (Mr. Tankard's) during the winter term one afternoon a week, immediately after school hours. A small extra fee of 4s. was charged for this. The lesson was of one and a half hours' duration. Swimming is taught by a specially appointed lady teacher during the summer months (October to March). The girls have the use of the bath at the Boys' High School on two afternoons (Wednesday and Saturday) a week, when a lesson of forty minutes' duration is given (weather permitting). Life-saving practice is included in the instruction.

5. Sholarships. The scholarships held at the school were four exhibition and six senior and six junior entrance scholarships granted by the Governors of Canterbury College, five senior and thirteen junior scholarships granted by the North Canterbury Education Board, and one scholarship granted by the Caledonian Society.

AKABOA HIGH SCHOOL. General Statement of Accounts for the Year ended 31st December, 1902. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. A. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 161 0 0 Office expenses .. .. .. 110 0 Current income from reserves .. .. 88 8 6 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 110 Interest .. .. .. .. 3 4 5 Books and stationery for sale to pupils, and other temporary advances .. .. 5 0 0 Expenses of survey, sales, management, &o. 3 3 0 Bank charges .. .. .. ..020 North Canterbury Board of Eduoation .. 100 0 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 141 16 11 £252 12 11 £252 12 11 H. C. Jacobson, Chairman and Secretary. Examined and found correct.—J. K. Warburton, Controller and Auditor-General.

ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL. Staff. Mr. J. S. Tennant, M.A., 8.50.; Mr. C. F. Salmond, M.A. ; Miss A. Bauchop, M.A. 1. Report of the Governors. I have the honour to report that during the current year the attendance has been maintained, though the school has refused to admit pupils who have not attained the Fifth Standard. Nine pupils were sent up for various public examinations, and all passed. The school staff remains the same. A woodwork class under Mr. F. W. Sandford of Christchurch was inaugurated, and has proved eminently successful. Sir William Stewart resigned his position on the Board, and his place has been filled by Mr. D. Thomas. Andrew Orr, Chairman.

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