[Appendix D.

E.--2.

Ratio of numbers of men to women :— Men. Women. Mon. Women. Year 1920 .. .. .. 66 : 133 .. Patio 1 : 2 (approx.) „ 1921 .. .. .. 68 : 205 .. „ 1:3 „ 1922 .. .. ... 98 : 254 .. ~'2:5 These rather sudden changes are interesting. In 1920 wo had an increased number of men following on the return to the Dominion of men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. In 1921, when the Minister called for a large number of students to be trained, we admitted few extra men, though the increase in the number of women was about 50 per cent. This year has seen a marked increase in the number of men, bringing the ratio of men to women to 2 : 5, as against 2 : 6 for 1921. There is little doubt that this change is due to a decreasing attractiveness of other professions and industries under the Dominion's changing economic conditions. This is shown clearly, I think, in the large increase in the number of men who have come into College under Division B— i.e., directly from a secondary school. Whereas 36 per cent, of the men are of Division B, only 9 per cent, of the women are of this division. With 254 women in College the Wellesley Street building that was occupied by them in 1921 was quite inadequate, and considerable reorganization of the work resulted. The men who had been located at the annex were brought back to Wellesley Street and the annex was used for half of the women, the other half working at Wellesley Street. At the end of the half-year a change was made so that those women who had been located at the annex returned to Wellesley Street, and vice versa. As some subjects, as drill, had to be taken entirely at the annex, and others, like model lessons, at Wellesley Street, where the Normal School children were at hand, both students and staff had a considerable amount of journeying backwards and forwards from one building to the other. In spite of our best efforts at organization, all kinds of difficulties have arisen in the working of a College under these conditions. One of the greatest difficulties has been the great congestion in the common rooms and study-rooms, and particularly in the library. The practical training of 352 students was no slight task. The staffs of the Normal and Richmond Road Sohools were supplemented by the appointment of a considerable number of " associated normal teachers "in city and suburban schools to carry out this important work. In the third term the new Curran Street School also took up this work, and the number of " associated normal teachers" in other schools was reduced accordingly. The difficulty of keeping all these teachers closely in touch with the Collego aims, so as to maintain a unity of effort and purpose, has not been adequately met during the year, and it will be necessary to effect an improvement next year. As the capability of teachers for this work varies very greatly, it was only to be expected that we could not get within convenient reach of the College a sufficient number of teachers really skilled in this work. The difficulty has been made greater by the fact that some of the teachers newly appointed are quite inexperienced in this work. On the academic side much good work has been done during the year. Blackboard drawing has shown a distinct general advance, and excellent work has been achieved by a considerable number of students. The plan of providing in the College for classes for the " Class C " course in English instead of at the University has now been carried through its second year, and is proving highly successful. I have noted with pleasure the improved knowledge of psychology since extra time was allotted to this subject on the appointment of Dr. Fitt to the staff two years ago. Speaking generally, and considering the, variety of subjects with which the students have to deal, the work done has boen of good standard, a pleasing feature being the amount of originality shown. This was very evident in handwork, where a great deal of very good work was done. With the exception of a few students who misjudged at the beginning of the year what they could accomplish and fell far short of their aim,, the work of our students at the University this year has boen very satisfactory, as I have no doubt the result of the November examinations will show. This is especially true of the outgoing men, of whom the great majority have seriously attempted a University course, most of them successfully. M 3' list of recommendations for trained-teachers' certificates this year shows success above the average on the part of the students in raising their academic status. This, no doubt, is partly the result of the strengthening of our staff two years ago. Now that the College has grown to be so large it is evident that there enters eacli year a number of students who lack enthusiasm for their profession and who are not prepared to give much in the way of service, being satisfied with the minimum of achievement. They live selfish lives, seeking pleasure at the expense of energy required for their professional work. As some of them have considerable ability, their influence is demoralizing to other students. I think it would be a good thing for the profession if the money spent on them could bo saved and expended on those whose enthusiasm will lead them to fine achievement. A week's refresher course in drill, held under the Director of Physical Culture, Mr. Longworth, a short time before the strain of the University examinations was to make itself felt, proved both enjoyable and helpful to the students. The, year has been memorable for the opening of a College hostel for women at Rocklands Hall, Epsom. In spite of some initial financial loss, this institution gives promise of being a most successful adjunct to our College, and I think it will not be long before the financial basis is quite, satisfactory. In every way it is proving helpful, and I think the Board has reason to be proud of it. Before concluding my report I want to make quite clear the need for better conditions under which to carry on the College work. -What has been accepted as a temporary arrangement with a view to complying with the Minister's request that as many students as possible should be trained is in no way satisfactory for the general working of the College. Already there is evidence that harm is resulting from the congestion and the awkward conditions under which the work is being carried on. To some extent this harm will be cumulative, and therefore it is very desirable that better arrangements should be made at the earliest possible time.

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