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be done in their professional preparation the pressure is too great. I venture to say that a feature of colonial education that would surprise British educational authorities is the large expense incurred owing to the illness of New Zealand teachers. I believe that to a considerable extent this illness is due to over-pressure on young female teachers. In these colonies it is held that young people should be allowed plentiful time for recreation. In term-time, however, the training-college student gets little of this, and I have often suspected that this has been one of the reasons why youths have been less willing to take up the occupation of teachers than other occupations in which their day's work is ended at sor 6 o'clock in the evening. The question assumes a different aspect from that of the pure Home university student, who works very long hours to prepare for some honours examination. When such a student, by passing with great honour, has brought glory to his College, he may die the next week, or remain a physical wreck for the rest of his days, and, so far as any authorities are concerned in him, the purpose in view has been secured. But in the case of teachers the matter is different, for the education authorities are seeking to provide a supply of teachers to carry on the work of their schools in such sound health as will enable them to do that work effectively, and to create in the school an atmosphere of brightness and geniality. In a British residential training college young women would not be allowed to study till midnight, nor would they take lectures at such times as would make their meals fall at irregular hours or necessitate injurious hurry over them. 'Jhe '" pay " our students can spare for board is not enough to entitle them to ask for arrangements by which their meals shall be ready at varying hours. This matter of irregularity at meals, too, cuts students out from some of the most desirable households for them to board in. But University lectures have to be attended, and I see no remedy for the ill; in other studies I have felt it my duty to resist any attempt to trench upon meal-times. I have to express my indebtedness to the members of the school staff for their hearty co-opera-tion and zeal under conditions that must often have been very vexatious. I have, &c, Edwin Watkins, B.A. OTAGO. Sir, — Report of the Principal for 1909. I have the honour to present the following brief report on the work of the Otago Training College for the year 1909. We opened the session with an attendance of 96 students —24 men and 72 women. One of the former left at the end of the first week, and three second-year students left quite recently to take service under the Board, leaving the present roll at 95—23 men and 72 women. The new Training College was opened officially at the beginning of the year. The general design of the building and the arrangement of the various rooms is in every way adequate and satisfactory. The auditorium provides ample accommodation for 100 students. It is furnished with suitable single adjustable desks for the practising classes, and a separate table and chair for each student. The single adjustable desk is the best pattern that has come under my notice, and lam acquainted with some of the newest designs, both American and German. The science laboratory is still unfinished, but I understand the Board intend completing the work during the summer recess. The lecture-rooms —junior and senior—are furnished with single tables and chairs. The apparatus for illustration and explanatory teaching is not so complete as I should like to see it, but when the additional material ordered from Britain comes to hand we shall have a good supply of modern appliances and apparatus. The corridors, library, and retiring-rooms are furnished in a simple and effective way. There has been no lavish or unnecessary expenditure anywhere. I should like to see a few more suitable pictures, appropriate designs," and the College motto on the walls : a little effective decoration of this kind would not cost much, and would add considerably to the appearance of the interior of the College. The floors, corridors, and staircase are covered with good linoleum, and every room is provided with four or six electric lights. We have thus what we have not had before, a building suitable in every way for the daily work and accommodation of the students, and so fitted up that the students, their friends, and the staff may meet in social intercourse of an evening. All these opportunities are, of course, very significant factors in student life and training. The following extracts from the reports of the oommittees will show to what extent the students have taken advantage of their opportunities. Siuttents , Executive. —Mr. Wade, president; Miss Fay Harrison, secretary; and a committee of six members. The report says, "The committee was elected at the beginning of the year to look after the supervision of the furniture and generally to deal with matters concerning the general interest of the students. The matter of a motto for the College was brought before the students, from whom suggestions were received. The motto selected, Maxima debetur pueris reverentia, is appropriate to our profession : it is to be hoped that all leaving the College will pa}' due regard to the sentiments embodied in it." Debating Club. —Mr. Henry, chairman; Miss Woodhouse, secretary. The subjects chosen for debate were (1) " The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Town and Country Teacher's Life"; (2) "Should a Chair of Domestic Science be established at the University?"; (3) "Mock Parliament and Parliamentary Debate." Tennis Club. The Tennis Club was formed early in the first term, and since then has leached a membership of forty-nine students. <'o//er/e Branch of O.U.C.U. —Ten meetings in all have been held. The attendance on the whole lias been g 1, although there is ample room for improvement. Instructive addresses have been given by ministers and others, who have very kindly given their time and talents to help on the work. . Social Committee.— Chairman, Mr. N. Dempster: secretary, Mr. A. L. Miller. Ihis year, for the first time, the students were able to hold the social in the College buildings, and in this connection the thanks of the students are due to the Education Board, who kindly allowed the