H.—la.

88

schools, but for the first time since the foundation of the school have the majority of the second-year students been allowed to complete their course. Pupil-teachers who had completed their term of service were allowed to join the senior class, and the majority of them took high positions in it, but a few, though apparently studying diligently, made little or no improvement. Hitherto few candidates, if any, passing the entrance examination, have failed to take their certificate and pass into the service of the Board. The supply of female teachers seems now to be at least equal to the demand, and it might be.well to make the first three months' attendance a period of strict probation, at the end of which all who are not well adapted to the profession should be advised to relinquish it. There is still a difficulty in obtaining a sufficient supply of male students. Our students have availed themselves to a greater extent than formerly of the advantages offered by the University of Otago, the classes attended being—junior and senior Latin, French, junior and senior mathematics, chemistry, and mental science. I have watched with considerable interest the progress of this experiment, and am convinced that the results will ere long be most valuable. At present, Dunedin and the suburbs are reaping the benefits, as, with scarcely an exception, our students prefer the lower salaries of junior assistants in the large schools with the opportunity of continuing their University course, to the higher salaries to be obtained in more responsible situations in the country; but once they have graduated, their services will be at the disposal of the committees of country schools, and thus fit preparation for the High Schools and University be within reach of all classes. Although the higher certificate and larger bonus attached to the possession of the University degree are not without their influence, I am pleased to observe a keen appreciation of, and earnest desire for, the higher culture afforded by University training. Considering the severity of the final examinations for pass certificates, our students have as a rule taken good positions. The first place in junior Latin, and the first, second, and third places in junior mathematics, were taken by Normal School students, while the others were not far below them. In the other classes the places taken, though not so high, were on the whole creditable. The result of our students' work during last session of the Otago University shows conclusively that pupil-teachers of fair ability, who have been faithfully taught during their apprenticeship, may with profit enter on their University course while attending the Normal School. Were this fact generally known and appreciated there should be no difficulty in obtaining male candidates for the pupilteachership. Our arrangements for the literary classes have been similar to those of last year. It will be necessary, however, at the commencement of May, to grant another assistant, as the additional subjects prescribed by the syllabus have borne rather heavily on the present staff. The facilities for practice afforded by the new rooms opened in May last have been of great advantage to us. The experience on school management gained in them will be most valuable, especially to students having no previous experience in teaching. Room No. 11 contained five classes preparing for and in the Ist standard ; No. 14, five classes in these and the 2nd standard ; No. 12, four classes in the first four standards ; and No. 13, three classes in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th standards. While in charge of these rooms students had the responsibility of independent teachers, apparently acting on their own authority in matters of discipline, but really under careful supervision and advice. If the success of the work may be judged by the results of the Inspector's examination it was all that could be desired, these rooms having contributed equally with the others to the high percentage passed by the whole of the Practising School. - During the latter part of the year the gymnasium has been open to the Normal School students, and to all teachers and pupil-teachers of public schools, and during that time the health of the students taking part in the exercises has been exceptionally good. I regret that a considerable proportion of the female students found themselves physically unfit for these exercises, and will in consequence be precluded from conducting them in the schools to which they are appointed. Very few of the pupilteachers have availed themselves of the class opened for them on Saturdays. I have, &c, The Secretary, Education Board, Dunedin. W. S. Fitzgerald, Rector. Staff. Rector: Mr. W. S. Fitzgerald. Matron: Miss L. A. Fitzgerald. Head Master of Practising School: Mr. A. Montgomery. Training Department. —Mr. W. S. Fitzgerald : Theory and practice of school management, arithmetic, mathematics, history. Mr. A. Montgemery : English language. Mr. J. Lindsay, succeeded by Mr. W. H. Kneen : Geography. Mr. Beuchler : German. Messrs. Piper and Cattail : Science. Mr. W. Millar, succeeded by Mr. W. H. Kneen: Music. Mr. D. Hutton and Miss "Wright: Drawing. Mr. 0. David : Gymnastics. Sergeant-Major Stevens : Military drill. Miss L. A. Fitzgerald : General Superintendent of female students, and needlework. Practising Department. —Class Teachers: Messrs. Kneen, Piper, Closs, Cattan, Farnie, Davidson, Misses Fitzgerald, Stevens, and Huie. Five male pupil-teachers and three female pupil-teachers.