13

E.—7

Courses in Greek art and literature have been instituted, in connection with which the Classical Department has secured a valuable collection of illustrated lantern-slides. This College is equipped with several good lanterns, which are of great value in subjects that lend themselves to this method of treatment. The time appears to be ripe for considering seriously the necessity of establishing a School of Education, either by the affiliation of the Training College or such extension as will give the University direct control over some experimental teaching institution. A Chair of Education must be largely ineffective in its influence unless it has some means of showing in practice the theories it propounds. There is urgent need for the provision of hostels for both men and women students. The existing hostels for women will accommodate only a very small proportion of those living away from home ; for men there is no provision. The establishment of hostels would undoubtedly stimulate both the University and the community spirit. The policy of inviting distinguished academic visitors to lecture in the College was inaugurated this year, and Sir John Adams, K.C.8., M.A., B.Sc., LL.D., Emeritus Professor of Education, London University, addressed a large audience of students and visitors. Apart altogether from the specific value to students of hearing first-hand the views of a great educational leader, the lecture could not but bring directly and prominently before the general public the ideals of University teaching. In pursuance of the same policy, invitations have been issued to and accepted by Dr. Carl Lotsy and Sir Ernest Rutherford. Agriculture.—The very fine gift of £10,000 made by Sir Walter Buchanan together with the Government subsidy enabled the Council to appoint a Professor of Agriculture. On the recommendation of the selection committee in England it appointed Mr. G. S. Peren, 8.5.A., Croix de Guerre, whose great experience in England and Canada, together with his high academic and personal qualifications, render him admirably fitted for the post. Professor Peren arrived in New Zealand in June, and spent the remainder of the year in becoming acquainted with the circumstances of the University district so far as concerns agriculture, and especially in becoming acquainted with farmers and in deciding on the best position for the farm school. It was the hope of the Council that funds might be found for the establishment of a well-equipped School of Agriculture, having its headquarters at the farm school and working, especially in research, with the professorial staff of the Department of Agriculture, which staff, it was hoped, would be provided for in the same neighbourhood. The hopes have not yet been realized. Sir Walter Buchanan had expressed the intention of adding to his munificent gift, and this might have enabled the College to carry out its larger scheme, but his death, by which agricultural education in New Zealand lost one of its warmest supporters, occurred before he had time to carry out his intention. Dominion Farmers' Scholarship.- This scholarship has been founded through the generosity of Sir James Wilson and others, who made a donation to the College of £1,056. This, with the Government subsidy, will provide an income sufficient to endow a research scholarship in agriculture of £100 annually. A number of applications have been received from men desirous of taking a course in agriculture, and it is therefore intended to accept students for the coming academic year, and to concentrate on those subjects which do not require special facilities at present unavailable. The Department of Agriculture has very kindly promised the assistance of certain members of its research staff, which should make it possible to offer students a year of valuable work in spite of the present unfortunate delay in the establishment and equipment of a special school. As soon as funds for the latter purpose are found it is hoped to offer not only a University course in agriculture, but also a less scientific and shorter course designed to meet the needs of men who intend to farm for themselves as opposed to following agriculture as a profession. Research will also be undertaken if funds permit. In short, it is our aim to lay the foundation of an institution which will become the centre of agricultural education and University research in agriculture for the North Island of New Zealand. Workers' Educational Association Classes. —During the year the work of the Workers' Educational Association was extended to Taranaki, with Mr. W. A. Sheat, 8.A., LL.B., as tutor-organizer. In the University district there were twenty-three classes and 921 students. Under the auspices of the Workers' Educational Association public lectures were given by members of the College staff in Wellington, Manawatu, Wanganui, Taranaki, and Marlborough.