Appendix D.]

E.— 2.

New College. —The new College building is now nearing completion, and should be ready for occupation about May. The much-needed accommodation will be welcome, but the inconvenience of having the students in Kelburn and their practising school at Thorndon will be a severe strain on the students' limited time. The Infant School at .Kelburn can provide teachingpractice for little more than 10 per cent, of our students. During the year the possibility of securing the Terrace Gaol site for the whole institution was considered, and. while recognizing the difficulties in the way of making the change at so late a stage, I regret that the Board could not see its way to make what I feel would have in the end been the lesser sacrifice, and at the same lime secured for all time adequate room for an institution that must continually expand. Staff. —On the opening of the Kelburn Scl I Miss Pitch and Miss Thornton were transferred from the main staff, and Miss Armitage was appointed extra assistant. The two vacancies at Thorndon were filled by the appointment of Misses Garnham and Little. In March Mr. J. Cowles, 8.A., who had been first assistant since the establishment of the present Normal School, was appointed headmaster of (he Carterton District High School, and Mr. Kidson, science master, was appointed his successor. Mr. F. Morgan, M.Sc, of the Stratford District High School, was selected to fill the vacancy thus created. During the year new Training College Regulations, which allowed alternative schemv.s of staffing and salary, were considered by the Board of Advice, and, after consultation with "the Inspector-General, Scheme 111, with some slight modifications, was adopted. The effect of the more liberal scale of salaries was at once apparent in the increased number of applicants for College positions. Inspections. —The Department's Medical Inspector paid her annual visit during June. The Physical Education Department's Instructors and Inspectors came during the same month. The Normal School was examined by the Education Board's Inspectors in July. The Assistant Inspector-General paid his annual visit in November, and in December the Manual and Technical Inspector examined the students in handwork. Summer School. —During the month of February a special session for uncertificated teachers was held. Twenty-two teachers attended and instruction was given in the compulsory subjects for the teachers' D certificate. Conclusion. —The working of a double institution, changes in staff, and the unsettling effects of the war have all added their quota of increased responsibilities, and I have again to thank the Board of Advice, the Secretary of the Education Board, Mr. Webb, and the College staff for their much-appreciated assistance in carrying on the important work iv which we are engaged. I have, &c, The Seoretary, Education Board, Wellington. J. S. Tennant, Principal.

CANTERBURY. Report of Principal for the Year 1914. Sir, — Training College, 16th February, 1915. 1 have the honour to present my report on the work of the Christchuroh Training College for the year 1914. At the beginning of the year fifty-three students returned for a second year of training, and fifty-one new students were enrolled. Three of the senior and two of the junior students were in Division B, and had no previous experience as pupil-teachers or probationers. Eighty-two had passed the Matriculation Examination prior to their admission; twenty-two had either gained a lower leaving-certificate or were admitted on the strength of a, pass —complete or partial—in the examination for a. Class D certificate. In response to the call, for volunteers for the Expeditionary Force a number of the students offered their services. Some of them had not attained the prescribed age; in the case of others the consent of the parents was withheld, but six who left the College in August are now on active service in Egypt. Several ex-students have also responded to the Empire's call. We earnestly hope that events may be so ordered that those junior students who have gone to the front may be spared to return and complete their course of training. Three women students were permitted to withdraw during the course of the year. Thus an initial enrolment of 104 was reduced to ninety-five at the close of the session. Twenty-eight of the students were males. This proportion compares unfavourably with the last return (1913), showing the aggregate attendance at the four Training Colleges of the Dominion —males 125, females 314. It is to be hoped that, as a result of the improved prospects offered under the Education Act passed last session, a larger number of young men may be attracted to enter the teaching service. From the tabulated statements hereto attached [not printed] it will be seen that students freely avail themselves of the facilities offered for attendance at lectures at Canterbury College. Twentyfour students, with the consent of the Principal, worked with the object of keeping College terms, and nineteen, of these succeeded in satisfying the requirements of the annual examination. Mainly for the benefit of those who found considerable difficulty in meeting the demands of the English classes at Canterbury College, I deemed it necessary to supplement the lectures delivered there by the formation of a, class at the Training College to read the English books set for the year. I feel convinced that the time devoted to this class has been profitably spent. I have thereby been afforded an additional and highly favourable opportunity for forming an

iii—B. 2 (App. d.)

XI