E.—7

20

shows most promise. If the local bodies in the larger towns could be induced to act on the suggestions made by the late Chairman —viz., to establish a scholarship of the same kind for pupils attending the engineering classes at their technical schools —further opportunities would be given to deserving students to thoroughly equip themselves for a successful career in the engineeringprofession. I would suggest that communications be opened with the various local bodies to see if such a scheme would meet with their approval, and if they could be persuaded to set apart a small portion (for it would need onlj- a small portion) of their funds for such a purpose. Ihe following table gives a list of the total number of students (matriculated and nonmatriculated) who have been in attendance at the School of Engineering from 1905 to 1909: — Matriculated. Mat Sated. Total - -1905 ... ... ... 53 ( 8 art students) 124 177 1906 ... ... ... ... 44 ( 8 ~ 116 Kid 1907 ... ... ... ... 52 (20 ~ 144 196 1908 ... ... ... ... 39 (10 ~ 134 173 1909 ... ... ... ... 38 (12 ~ 140 178 High Schools. Little need be added to the reports on the boys' and girls' high schools to those already furnished by the respective principals, reports which show that both schools are fulfilling the duties for which they were established. The question of establishing a hostel for the Boys' High School was considered during the year, and the principle thai such an addition to the school was advisable was affirmed by the Board. It seems to me that the Board should not rest content with merely affirming the principle, but that effect should be given to the resolution. Of course, it is a debatable point where such an establishment should be situated, whether close to the school or in one of the outlying suburbs, but the fact that the principle has been affirmed shows that the majority of the Board recognize the need of such an addition to the school, and all that remains is for a reasonable scheme to be well thought out. and given cli'ect to. The purchase of the property adjoining the Girls' High School has relieved the pressure that was felt (even in spite of the large addition that was put up the previous year); but it must be borne in mind that this can be regarded as only a temporary relief. The difficulty of extension and accommodation is accentuated by the fact that the endowments of the Girls' High School are so meagre. Of course, at a time when these endowments were set aside for the higher education of girls, those pioneers of the Province of Canterbury, who showed such remarkable and praiseworthy forethought in providing for the educational needs of the future, could not foresee the wonderful change that would come in the comparatively near future, with regard to what would lie necessary to equip girls to take their pari in the battle of life. Consequently endowments, which seemed at the time ample, have proved to be insufficient. It is to be hoped that some of our wealthier residents, who have been fortunate in their business transactions, will think over the needs of this institution, and determine to supplement the present meagre endowments by bequests that will gradually help to place the finances of the school in a more flourishing condition, and thus enable the Board and the staff to make the results even more successful than thej have been in the past. Below are the tables of fees for the Boys' and Girls' High Schools respectively, and from these tables it will be seen that the average fee paid is growing smaller year by year, while the number of pupils that avail themselves of the free-place system is gradually increasing. In connection with the free-place system, it may be well to note that by means of scholarships and bursaries that are now granted at the University colleges, an almost free education is open to pupils slightly above the average who avail themselves to the full of the free education given at the high schools with the intention of proceeding to the University.

Boys' High School.

End 1909—Junior free places ... ... ... ... ... 67 Senior ~ ... ... ... ... ... .-,1 lis It will be seen that 118 out of the total school roll of 217 were free-place pupils.

Year. Roll Number at End of Year. Fees. Government Payments for Capitation and Technical Classes. Total. Average Fee paid. r.'ni .. 1905 .. 1906 .. 1907 .. 1908 .. 1909 .. • • 1 i 219 190 209 228 203 217 £ 1,684 1,363 1,204 1,091 968 860 £ 34 23 243 423 540 674 £ 1,718 1,386 1,447 1,514 1,508 1,534 £ s. d. 7 13 10 7 3 5 5 15 3 4 15 8 4 15 4 3 19 3