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The remedy would appear to be not in the curtailment of the number of students in training, but in such an arrangement as would secure the termination of training periods at successive intervals during the year. If the Colleges were turning out one-third of the present number at the end of each term, instead of the whole at the end of the last term, there would, I believe, be little difficulty in absorbing them. Such an arrangement would, so far as this College is concerned, be possible. lam quite aware that any arrangements in the direction I have suggested would involve complications in the enrolment of probationers, but I suggest that the matter is of sufficient moment to warrant at least consideration. A distinctly forward move has this year been inaugurated by the Department as a temporary measure. In consequence of the excess of ex-students over the available positions, and in order to encourage students to equip themselves for the teaching of mathematics and science, the Department intimated its willingness to approve a third-year course for a limited number of students. In consequence some sixteen students are now undergoing a third-year course. Their Training College work will be wholly along professional lines, while their academic work will be taken at the University. Social. —The social side of College life has been well maintained. The Students' Association, which, under the supervision of the staff, takes responsibility for social games, and other extra-lecture activities, has been particularly active and competent. The contribution of the association towards the efficiency of the College is by no means inconsiderable. The annual tournaments with the Christchurch and Auckland Colleges again proved most successful both in the development of a College spirit and of that more difficult but more valuable spirit of comradeship in a worthy profession. While these meetings undoubtedly make big demands on the time and energy of both students and staff, they prove themselves of inestimable value in the direction indicated. I desire again to express my thanks to both the Board and the Department for the support accorded me during the year. CHRISTCHURCIL I have the honour to present for your consideration my report on the Christchurch Training College for the year ended 31st December, 1926. Staff Changes. —The following staff changes occurred during the year : At the end of the first term Miss Ironside was granted twelve months' leave of absence, and left to visit England and Europe. She travelled via South Africa, and during the month there visited some of the more important educational institutions. She was fortunate in securing a temporary appointment within a very short time after reaching London. She joined the staff of the Avery Hill Training College for Girls (London County Council), and spent the last term as a resident lecturer. Her substitute on the staff was Miss Blaikie, B.Sc. in Home Science, a recent graduate of Otago University. She proved herself to be a very efficient teacher, and soon became deservedly popular with members of the staff and students. lam glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging her good work both in the lecture-room and in connection with the social activities of the College life. At the end of the year Dr. Helen Richmond tendered her resignation in view of her marriage and departure for England. Her successor is Miss Dorothy Stewart, M.A., senior mistress at Gisborne High School. Miss Gertrude Batchelor was appointed Assistant Lecturer in English, and has very materially lightened the burden that the Lecturer in English has had to carry. Miss Baster, Lecturer in Infant-school Methods, is visiting England during 1927. Review of Work. —The reports from the various lecturers on the work of the year indicate that a very satisfactory amount of work was done ; that the students were keen, alert, and anxious to satisfy thoroughly the requirements of the College. Physiography was discontinued as a subject of instruction in favour of a comprehensive scheme in geography. The broader treatment of history has assured a healthy interest in a subject which has not always received adequate recognition. The work of the senior students in their English classes was most gratifying. This is due to the fact that the examination requirements for C having been satisfied in the first year, a broader treatment was possible. The attitude of the student in many cases was different, the work was more pleasurable, and because of the higher emotional interest was done much more happily and thoroughly. It was no longer a task. Outward evidence of this improved attitude was found in the large number of volumes read and the keener participation in drama and dramatic readings. We have been seriously handicapped by our inability to secure the services of a thoroughly qualified permanent instructor in art. Although advertisements were inserted in both New Zealand and English papers, the Board did not consider any applicant had sufficiently high qualifications to justify a permanent appointment. The remuneration paid in Great Britain is now so high that the salary offered is not a sufficient inducement to tempt a really desirable man. Our thanks are due to Mr. Nicoil, of the staff of the School of Art, for so arranging his time-table that Messrs. Wallwork and Johnson have been able to visit the College and give instruction in blackboard and book drawing. It has not been possible, however, to make that connection with needlecraft, nature-study, &c., that is so desirable. The needlework was done probably better than at any other time in the history of the College. The result of the collaboration between Miss Dyer and Miss Burns has given us a very much improved course, and this has been very efficiently taught. The transference of Miss Burns to Hawke's Bay

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