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REPORT (ABRIDGED) OF THE VICTORIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE COUNCIL. Sir, — Pursuant to section 44 of the Victoria College. Act, 1905, the Council presents the following report for the year 1922-23 :— The College has to report that the work for the year has been carried on successfully in the various departments. The number of students in attendance at lectures has remained, practically the same as for last year. Number of Students.—The following table gives the number of students attending classes during the last three years : —

From the above figures it will be noticed that, while there has been a slight drop (fourteen) in the total number of students attending, the number of matriculated students taking full degree courses has increased by thirty-nine. A further drop in the number of unmatridilated students may be expected as a result of the new policy of the Department with regard to the Training College. One Junior University scholar, two University National scholars, and fifty-eight University bursars began their studies at this University College. University Degrees and Scholarships.-- In the University examinations held in November, 1922, 329 students passed sections of their Bachelor's degree, 29 obtained their Bachelor's degree in Arts, 11 in Science, 20 in Law, 2in Commerce, and lin Agriculture. At the same examination 29 students obtained their Master's degree —in Arts, 17 (first-class honours 3, second-class honours 5) ; in Science, 7 (first-class honours 3, second-class honours 3) ; in Law, 5 (first-class honours 1, second-class honours 2, third-class honours 1). Two senior University scholarships were awarded to students of the College. Library. —This year sees the College library itself transferred to the new wing, while work is proceeding on the books of the New Zealand Institute. Special School: Agriculture. —In last year's report the Council pointed out the desirability of some special school being attached to Victoria University College, and suggested that this should be the School of Agriculture. This desire is now in sight of fulfilment owing to the munificence of Sir Walter Buchanan, whose gift of £10,000 towards the foundation of a School of Agriculture has been accepted by the College. The Council would stress the importance of placing this school from the beginning on. a thoroughly sound basis, with proper provision for the necessary teachers, laboratories, and equipment. The well-being of agriculture is all-important in New Zealand, and it is hoped that no time will now be lost in beginning research and teaching in the new school. Hostels. —The Council has previously called attention to the fact that under present conditions the College is unable to fulfil the true functions of a University. A University should not be merely a place where learning is disseminated —where students come to classes and then go home without interchange of ideas with their fellow-students. It should be the ground where our young people may prepare to take part in the affairs of tho nation, and where they may cultivate the qualities of leadership and sympathy. A very real need of the College at the present time is the provision of hostels for both men and women. At present students find great difficulty in securing lodgings, and this difficulty is likely to continue owing to the special conditions of life in the capital city. Probably three or four hundred of our students, are scattered in lodgings throughout the city ; they have no opportunities for knowing one another ; they are in their home life removed from an atmosphere of thought; they lack the refining and stimulating influences which are found in community life directed by a capable and cultured head. Hostel life provides a nucleus about which the true university spirit will grow, and the provision of adequate hostels would prove a big step in the development of such a spirit. Day Teaching. —Again the Council would call attention to the fact that the work of a university can never be fully satisfactory unless day teaching be instituted. There is an increasing number of students who give up their whole time to study, and others would, if facilities existed, give up their whole time. The staff is at present inadequate for both day and evening lectures, but the Council trusts that the time is not far distant when adequate funds will be available for the appointment of such assistants as will enable a start to be made in day teaching. Buildings. —The Council has completed the top floor of the physics wing. The large lecturetheatre on this floor will be of great service not only for the physics department, but also as a room for public lectures. The completion of the. north and south wings has given the College adequate accommodation for present needs. The inauguration of the Sir Walter Buchanan School of Agriculture may, however, necessitate further extensions in the way of laboratory accommodation. Staff: Chair of Physics. —Consequent upon the appointment of Professor E. Marsden to the position of Assistant Director of Education, it became necessary to appoint a successor. Acting on

Year. In Attendance at Lectures. Exempted Students. Men. Women. Total. Men. Women. Total. 1920 1921 1922 394 478 492 286 264 236 680 742 728 39 49 85 19 19 23 58 68 108