The School of Art.

In January 1870, the Education Board instituted the Dunedin School of Art under the directorship of Mr. David C. Hutton, formerly Master of the Perth School of Art. Mr. Hutton was selected for the position by the late Mr. John Auld, Home Agent for Otago. Two rooms in the building now occupied by the Colonial Bank were set apart and suitably furnished as class-rooms. It was arranged that the following classes should be formed: (1) A class for girls and young women; (2) A class for the High School pupils and other youths who might desire to attend; (3) Classes for pupil teachers, schoolmasters, and schoolmistresses, whether engaged in public or private schools; (4) Evening classes for apprentices and others. When the Girls' page 174High. School was opened in 1871, Mr. Hutton's services were also secured for that institution. For a number of years Mr. Hutton and Ms assistants gave lessons in the District Schools of Dunedin and suburbs, and in some of the District High Schools, but this has been discontinued owing to so many schools being now in operation, and the consequent inability of the staff to overtake the work, except at a rate of expenditure beyond the means of the Education Board. In 1876, the School of Art was provided with an excellent suite of rooms on the upper floor of the Normal School building, consisting of a very large general drawing-class room, a painting room, a cast room, a modelling room, master's room, store room, lavatories, &c. In all these arrangements Mr. Hutton's views and wishes were consulted.

The original scheme of instruction has been adhered to almost without a change. From the very outset Mr. Hutton has devoted himself to his work with rare enthusiasm, ability, and diligence, and with distinguished success. The benefit conferred by Mr. Hutton's labours on the large numbers who have successively attended his classes is really incalculable. Probably no class of students has profited to a larger extent than that of the apprentices and other youths, who in considerable numbers have attended the evening classes. Not a few of them, owing to the taste and skill developed by such attendance, are now occupying positions of usefulness and responsibility, for which they would not otherwise have been qualified. Employers of skilled labour in Dunedin and elswhere have borne testimony to this result. Many of the High School pupils, and the students of the ladies' afternoon classes have attained very considerable proficiency in drawing and painting, and a number of them have gained no small distinction. Probably the most distinguished ex-students of the school are Miss Mary Park, Miss Sperrey (now Mrs. Mair), and Miss M. Hartley.

The evening classes meet from seven till nine o'clock. Mondays and Wednesdays are given to freehand and model drawing, shading and painting in monochrome from the antique, modelling in clay and casting, painting in oil and water colours. Tuesdays and Thursdays are devoted to the study of practical plane and solid geometry, and mechanical and architectural page 175drawing. Fridays are given to drawing and painting from the living model, draped.

The Teachers' and Pupil Teachers' classes meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5.45 to 6.45 p.m., and on Saturdays for an hour in the forenoon. Country teachers attend on Saturdays. The Normal School students in training attend for an hour every forenoon except on Friday. All these classes are organised to suit the circumstances of the students, and their several stages of advancement. The day classes meet from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the study of elementary and advanced drawing, practical plane and solid geometry, mechanical and architectural drawing, painting in water and oil colours (elementary and advanced), modelling, &c. The morning class is attended by students from the School of Mines, and by young ladies who are engaged during the day; the former are studying practical plane and solid geometry, and machine drawing; the latter, drawing and painting. These classes promise to become very popular. The afternoon class is attended chiefly by those who are studying art as a profession, or for the purpose of improvement. The High Schools are statedly visited by Mr. Hutton and his assistant, who impart instruction in drawing of a very valuable character to the pupils in nearly all the forms. Mr Hutton is aided by a well qualified assistant and a pupil teacher.

About 400 High School pupils receive instruction in drawing from Mr. Hutton or his assistant.