December 28, 1899J 



NATURE 



209 



was 1844, and the preceding year, 1896-7, 1520. The relative 

 popularity of the different departments among evening class 

 students can he seen at a glance from the number of class 

 entries during the session 1897-8, which was as follows : — 



Mathematics 85 



Physics and Electrical Engineering 578 



Mechanical Engineering and Building Trades 942 



Chemistry 185 



Natural Sciences ... ... ... .. 137 



Languages 246 



Commerce 342 



Domestic Economy 233 



Art 287 



Music 455 



Gymnastics 306 



Miscellaneous 233 



The trades and industries of the evening class students show 

 great variety, and indicate graphically]the widespread influence 



he wishes to be trained as a mechanical or electrical engineer, 

 whether he wishes to be edu^ted with a view to some branch 

 of chemical industry or of the building trade, or whelher he 

 desires to study applied art. Except in the last contingency, 

 complete courses of study have been arranged, involving libor- 

 atory instruction, tutorial work, attendance at lectures, mathe- 

 matical exerci.ses, drawing, and workshop instruction. 



The general department of the day college, on the other 

 hand, aims at giving either a good all-round education or special 

 training in each of its various sections. 



Students admitted to a regular and fully prescribed course of 

 study in the technical department are first required to pass an 

 elementary examination in mathematics and to give evid-nce 

 of possessing a fair knowledge of English. In the general 

 department the students are not required to pa«s any entrance 

 examination. Students in the technical department who suc- 

 cessfully work through the second year's course may compete 

 for a college diploma. 



A few words about the diflFerent courses of instruction in the 



-The Chemical Laboratory, South-\Ve>tciii Polytechnii 



which a polytechnic is able to exert. Of the 1844 students 

 unending evening classes during 1897-8, 304 were clerks, 192 

 teachers of one kind or another, 183 were salesmen and shop- 

 ussistants, 175 apprentices, 65 servants, 59 carpenters and 

 joiners, 42 artists, 37 electricians, 37 painters, 34 builders' 

 clerks, 32 civil servants, and 31 telegraphists. In addition to 

 these, rather smaller numbers of bricklayers, plumbers, fitters, 

 engineers, draughtsmen, dressmakers, milliners were in attend- 

 ance, while doctors, architects, and merchants were represented ; 

 one or two postmen, porters, and others were also reaping the 

 benefits of education. 



Day College for Men. 

 ♦JThis college is intended for miles above the age of fifteen, 

 ind is at the present time attended by over a hundred students, 

 whose a jes range from fifteen to forty. It comprises two de- 

 pirtmeiits— -Dne technical, the other general. The courses of 

 iiistrdction in the former are arranged to occupy at least two 

 y.-irs. Oi entering, the student is expected to state whether 



NO. 1574, VOL. 61] 



technical department will best indicate the nature or the work 

 in this part of the day college for men. The full scheme of 

 work is : — 



(a) The Mechanical Engineering and Architecture Section is 

 spread over two years, and aims at providing progressive in- 

 struction of a theoretical and practical nature, suitable for 

 students just leaving school and who intend in the near future 

 entering the works of an engineer or the office of an architect. 

 At the same time it is designed to be of service to those who 

 have already spent three or more years in a workshop, and 

 i who require a course of technical instruction to fit them for 



positions of greater responsibility. 

 ' (b) The Civil Engineering and Surveying Section also takes 

 : up two years, and trains young men who will hereafter be en- 

 I gaged in surveying, civil engineering, constructional work of 



any kind, or who propose to proceed to the colonies. 

 ! (c) The Electrical Engineering and Applied I'/iysics Section 

 I is intended to familiarise students with methods of accurate 

 measurement and observation, as well as to give a sound know- 



