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E.—lc

Physique, dec. The students have enjoyed good health on the whole. Only two cases of illness have occurred — one of scarlet fever, the other pneumonia. The Board would be wise to insist on a medical examination by their own medical officer of each student before admission. There is at least one student in attendance who is not strong enough to undertake a teaching-career. The weighing-machine was received at the end of the third term, and comparative statistics of development cannot be given this year. Half an hour each day is devoted to physical exercises, dumb-bells, and Indian clubs. Once a week the baths are visited. All the men students can swim, but only a few of the women. In winter there is a men's boxing class held once a week. The three tennis courts have been in full use since their inception, and promise to be a source of enjoyment all the year round in future. When the promised new college buildings become a reality it will be possible to get swimming practice every day if required, so that every student should leave the college with a life-saving certificate in addition to a first-aid certificate, and so become a more valued member of the community. In conclusion, I should like to thank the Board for the ready response to my requests for apparatus, and particularly for their kind reception of me in February last. Repobt of the Principal of the Training College, Wellington (Mb. William Grat, M.A., B.Sc). Building. —The College opened on the 19th February, 1906, in temporary rooms at the offices of the Education Board. The Board wisely determined that a beginning should be made, even if the work during the first few months had to be only of a partial nature. It was not until August, shortly after the beginning of the second term, that the alterations and additions to the Thorndon School had been so far completed as to enable the students to carry on their work there. The scope of the alterations, &c., was considerable, including the erection of an entirely new infantroom, a new structure containing cookery and woodwork rooms and a gymnasium, modifications to provide lecture-rooms, laboratory, library, museum, rooms for private study, and an assembly hall. At the time of writing the whole work approaches .completion; so that before long there will lie ample provision in building and in general equipment for the training of eighty students—the number allowed at each of the four University centres. The need of more spacious grounds is an urgent one, from the point of view alike of the educational work of the institution and of the recreation of the students; and if, as seems likely, the present is to be the permanent home of the Training College, no time should be lost in securing an adjacent section or sections, if such are obtainable. If the College is to serve adequately the needs of rural schools, a much larger area than is available at present should be at the disposal of the instructor in elementary agriculture. Students. —ln all, 56 students were enrolled. Of these, 4 attended for a short term only (two were teachers in the service of the Wanganui Education Board, who obtained leave of absence to attend the College (clause 11); and two retired, one on account of health and the other on account of family circumstances), so that the roll at the close of the year was 52. Of the total number, 13 were men and 43 women, the proportion of men to women thus being about 1 : 3. Thirty-five of the students were admitted under Division A—that is, as having served an apprenticeship as pupil-teacher; 19 under Division B—that is, as having passed the Matriculation or some higher University examination, but not having previously served an apprenticeship as pupil-teacher. The students were drawn from the various education districts in the Middle University District as follows: From Wellington 25, Wanganui 20, Hawke's Bay 5, Nelson 4, Marlborough 1, and Grey 1. The majority of those admitted under Division A had passed the Matriculation Examination; a few had kept terms at the University; and a large proportion had obtained the teachers' D certificate. Only five entered with a literary qualification not higher than the minimum standard required in the last year of a pupil-teacher's course. Those entering under Division B ranked in scholarship thus: 8.A., 2; first section of 8.A., 5; first year's terms, 6; matriculation, 5; partial D, 1. It is gratifying to note that so many of those who are aspiring to positions in .secondary schools are seeking, in addition to their University training, the professional training supplied by an attendance for two years at a training college. Duration of the Period of Training.—No student under Division B was admitted for a shorter period than two years. Some six or so under Division A entered for one year only. The two years' course is strongly recommended for all students, one year being barely sufficient to bring the student into touch with the full benefits of the Training College course; but, perhaps, it may still be necessary for a year or two to make a few exceptions to the two years' course in the cases of those whose pupil-teachership has extended over -i period of four or five years. It may be fairlyanticipated that the number of students entering under Division A will be a gradually diminishing quantity, while those under Division B will increase, and, as it is greatly to be desired that in all cases the full period of actual professional training should not be less than three years, it therefore becomes imperative to give force to the regulation which requires from students seeking admission under Division B a period of probation before entering the Training College. It might be possible to come to an arrangement with the principals and headmasters of secondary and district high schools whereby probable candidates for admission to the College should undertake in the year previous to their making application some responsible post in which their general suitability could be tested.