E.—2.

[Appendix D.

into their work. .1 believe that his trappy, healthy influence will have far-reaching results in the primary schools of our province, and the lives of many will be. better and brighter from the fact that this large-hearted Englishman spent eleven years in New Zealand. All who knew Mr. Milnes well will realize how much the College has gained from having as its head a man of such exceptionally fine character; how much it has lost through his death. It may be truly said of him that both in living a_4 dying he, gave his best to his adopted country. WELLINGTON. Statistics. —The first session opened on the 27th February, and the last closed on the 12th December, The year began with a roll of 120 students ; 4 left and (i enlisted during the session, thus leaving 110 at the end of the year. Of the total of .120, 56 (4 men and 52 women) were seniors, and (il (10 men and 54 women) were juniors. There wore IH in Division A, sin Division B, and 1 in Division C. Of the 114 " A " students, 44 had been pupil-teachers and 70 probationers. Course of Training. The course, of study as prescribed by regulations was arranged as follows : Principles and history of education (senior class), hygiene, child-study, and nature-study, the Principal; method, the headmaster; physiography, agriculture, and geography, Mr. E. K. Lomas, M.A., M.Sc. ; kindergarten method, Miss Maitland; domestic science and needlework, Miss L. Wilson, B.Sc.; music, Mr. R. Parker; handwork, Mr. Howe; drawing, &c, Mr. Vivian Smith-(of the Technical College staff) ; physical training, Mr. Lomas and Miss Hetherington, M.A. In addition to this prescribed course Miss Hetherington gave special courses in English literature, history, phonetics, and the history of education, arid Dr. Patterson one in first, aid. The attendance at University classes was as follows : Latin, 29 ; French, 15 ; German, I : English, 44 ; psychology, &c, 32 ; education, 60 ; history, 7 ; economics, 1 ; biology, 35 ; mathematics, 1.3 ; geology, 1 ; physics, 2 ; chemistry, 3. The terms-examination results from these classes were as follows : 26 students kept first-year terms, 24 students kept second-year terms, 7 students kept third-year terms ; 35 students gained first-class passes, 90 students gained second-class passes, and 137 students gained third-class passes. From these figures it will be seen that about 15 per cent, of our students are seriously working for a degree, and of these only two are specializing for the science degree. If that number of science graduates is too small (personally 1 think it is), further exemptions than those now allowed by the Training College regulations must be granted to approved students. Secondary-school conditions are, still such, that too many of our brighter students are practically compelled to take a purely literary course, and as a result it is extremely difficult to find sufficient teachers for the district-high-school work where a good knowledge of science is essential. Fifty-six students completed their course of training in December, and the joint results of the external examinations and our Training College recommendations are as follows : " D " certificate, 1; " D " and partial "C "' certificate, 19 ; "C " certificate, 34 ; " B " certificate, 2 : total, 56. As in previous years, the bulk of the serious teaching practice was placed in the student's second year (approximately two-thirds). Early in the year six associated teachers were appointed (under Regulation 4 (2) ), and each of the senior students spent a fortnight with one of those teachers. The results were so successful that we hope to be able to extend the practice. The War. -The war has exacted a toll this year of fifteen wounded and six killed in action (names are published in Appendix Bto E.-l). The question of soldier students being enabled to satisfactorily complete their training after the war is probably the most pressing problem of the hour for us, and I would ask your Board, to consider it as soon as possible, During February the usual school for uncertificated teachers was held at the College. CHRISTCHURCH. (Extract from Report ot- Acting-Principal.) The Principal. —Mr. Foster's sudden and severe illness towards the end of the College year, followed by a slow convalescence, made extended leave a necessity. The Board relieved him from duty for six months, and it is hoped that at the end of that period he may be able to resume his work in the Training College. At the beginning of 1917 fifty-four students were admitted, and these, with the fifty-six senior students who returned to complete their second year of training, made a total roll of 110. During the year this number was reduced. Of the twenty-one men students, four seniors and three juniors enlisted for active service. Two women students were, allowed to withdraw early in the year, and one was absent on account of a long and severe illness. The total number in attendance at the end of the year was then 100. Among those entering the Training College were two who had served with early Expeditionary Forces on Gallipoli and had been discharged on account of wounds. In 1917 forty-four students were admitted under Division A. For too large a proportion of this group was it found necessary to provide instruction in subjects that would enable, them to complete the " D " certificate. Six were admitted with the lower leaving certificate as a qualification, and of these, three students had five subjects, one had eight, one had eleven, and one had four groups to pass before

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