E.—2.

CHRISTCHURCH. Academic. —The course of academic training was arranged to cover the course leading to the Teachers' C Certificate or to the B Certificate in the case of students who had obtained a University degree. Exemption from lectures was granted to students who had already been credited with a pass in any subject, but all were required to attend a course of lectures dealing with the preparation of schemes of work and methods of teaching, &c., in each subject where exemption had been granted. Courses were arranged so that second-year students could complete their academic work in October prior to the University examinations. This plan is amply warranted, as the strain of a double course is particularly heavy. Moreover, it allows the final assessment to be more thoroughly done than when final examinations are left till the last week, as was done formerly. General Comments. —Students almost without exception have taken an intelligent interest in their teaching practice, and the development from the raw recruit at the commencement of the training to the more confident teacher at the end is in most cases very marked. Owing to an increased enrolment of students the co-operation of more schools and more teachers was enlisted. Nevertheless, the organization of teaching practice ran very smoothly, and lam grateful to the Headmasters and staffs of the Normal and associated primary schools for their loyal assistance. Every opportunity was given to students to grasp the technique of schoolroom practice and to practise the art of teaching. I wish also to express gratification at the cordial co-operation of the Principals and staffs of the four Christchurch high schools, the two Christchurch technical colleges, and the two intermediate schools. Students allotted to these schools and colleges were mainly Division C students who expect eventually to do post-primary teaching. The practice of allotting not more than one student to a class except in the Normal School was adhered to as far as possible, and as the size of groups varied during the year many teachers were left free from student-training for at least one period of four or five weeks during the year. All Division A students returned to college on one afternoon a week for discussion of the week's work in the schools and of problems that had arisen during their practice teaching. This proved a very valuable period, and will be continued. The second period on the same afternoon was devoted to " clubs," students being free to join up with one of the following groups —Choral Society, Drama, Modern Literature, Debating, Current Events, or Poster Club. These also proved popular and educational. Division C students returned to college also for a day and a half while carrying out teaching practice for lecture work as well as for clubs and games. Special Features of the Year's Work. —Full opportunity was taken by most of the students to profit by the New Education Fellowship Conference, approximately two hundred enrolling. Several male students rendered valuable service during the Conference by taking charge of the book-stall, acting as doorkeepers and ushers, &c. Under the direction of Miss Baster, Head of the infant department at the Normal School, a special course of infant-room practice, together with a display of apparatus and equipment, was provided in the third term for male students who expected sole-charge work or country service. Miss Baster also organized visits to kindergarten schools for female students specializing in infant-work. As opportunity offered, groups of students paid visits to various industrial or agricultural places under Mr. McCaskill's direction, such trips being pleasurable and profitable. The local broadcasts to schools from 3YA were organized by the training college staff, and these seemed to be acceptable to the schools listening in. The diamond jubilee of the college was celebrated in the May vacation. It took the form of a conversazione and roll call in the afternoon, followed by a social and dance in the evening. The function was well supported, and a very happy re-union of past students resulted.

DUNEDIN. The fifteen students who entered on a post-graduate course this year were generally of a very fine type. Their attitude towards college work and life was quite satisfactory, and most of them gave promise of becoming successful teachers of either primary or secondary pupils. With one exception all had pursued at the University courses of study suitable for secondary teaching ; twelve had graduated in arts and three in science. Two of the science graduates have been granted an additional year in which to specialize in the study and teaching of science and mathematics. Board and Residence. —Considerable difficulty has been experienced by the Warden, Miss Barrowelough, in securing suitable accommodation for students who are obliged to live away from home. This difficulty is likely to become still more acute next year owing partly to the increased numbers of students and partly to a growing disinclination on the part of private householders to keep boarders. During the current year only 79 of our students were able to live at home, 47 were accommodated at St. Margarets College, thus leaving over 130 to be provided for elsewhere, singly or in small groups. The cost of really desirable board has increased considerably, which points to the need for increasing the boarding-allowance granted to students. Two training college hostels, each accommodating about thirty students, would ease the situation considerably. Teaching Practice. —This was conducted on the accustomed lines, students being sent for practice and observation to nearly all the public schools in the city and suburbs. The secondary schools, the technical high school, and the intermediate school also assisted by granting facilities for Division C and a few second-year Division A students. Our practice for many years before the depression was to provide a course of demonstration and practice lessons in all branches and grades of school-work. Now that the Normal School has been decapitated, this department of teacher-training has had to be curtailed as there are practically no pupils above S. 4. We had hoped to have this year a fairly large F. 1 class at the Normal School, as parents had expressed a desire that their children should be allowed to continue their education there. Unfortunately, both the wishes of parents and the needs of students had to yield to other considerations.

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