E.—7.

School or Mines. (.lames Park, Dean.) During the session of 1923 the School of Mines was attended by fifty-five students, of whom seventeen were taking the full course for the Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) or the Associateship in Mining ; ten the classes in engineering construction and strength of materials as prescribed for the B.E. (Architecture) ; twenty-four the course in dental metallurgy as for the degree of B.D.S. ; and four casuals taking special instruction in oil and paint testing. Three students completed the Third Professional Examination for the B.E. (Mining), and two the First Professional. Of the remainder all but three passed the term examinations. During the year 118 rocks and minerals were examined for the public and reported on by the Director free of charge ; and forty-six lots of ore, coal, &c, involving eighty-three separate assays, were reported on by the Metallurgist at schedule rates. Faculty op Law. (J. B.Cailan, LL.B., Dean.) Thirteen students attended classes in constitutional history, of whom eight kept terms. Six students attended classes in jurisprudence, of whom three kept terms. There is no teaching in Roman law, international law, or conflict of laws at the Otago University. This is regrettable. The absence of teaching in these subjects is one of the factors that militates against students taking a degree course. Classes in the law professional subjects were held as in previous years. The faculty met during the year and considered the whole question of legal education. A lengthy report was sent to the Registrar of the University of New Zealand, detailing the various respects in which the faculty considered the present course unsatisfactory. The report is too lengthy and detailed to admit either of quotation or of summary here. It is sufficient to mention that the faculty unanimously considered (1) that the present system affords no adequate test of fitness for admission to the legal profession ; (2) that the standard of general education of many law students is too low ; (3) that the course is altogether too short; (4) that the absence of any requirement as to practical work is a very serious defect of the present system. The whole matter has been taken up by the New Zealand Law Society, who have put themselves in communication with their Honours the Judges. Faculty of Home Science. (G. Helen Benson, Dean.) Students. —There were seventy-three students on the roll : of these, thirty-three were attending tfie degree course, thirty-seven the diploma, and three special courses. For the first time a graduate student returned for a year of post-graduate study after several years of teaching. At the end of the; year twenty-six students left the department —seven having qualified for the B.Sc. in home science, and twelve for the diploma in home science. Curriculum. —The chief feature of interest is that several students holding the degree or diploma arc; desiring more advanced graduate work in home science. One student returned after five years of teaching experience for a post-graduate course, and she was greatly impressed by the advance made in this work during her absence. Five home-science graduates have left for America this year. Three are attending post-graduate courses at Columbia University, New York, and two have entered John Hopkins Hospital as pupil dieticians. This demand for advanced work encourages us to hope that an honours degree in home science will soon be obtainable from the New Zealand University. Extension Work : Home Economics Association. —This association of housewives has now become very definitely established in Dunedin. There are branches in the chief suburbs, and monthly lectures have been given throughout the year in the Home Science Department. The average attendance at these lectures has been 120, the highest 210. In connection with this association a display and series of demonstrations were given at the Winter Show, and a second display was arranged for the Dunedin Health Week, when Professor Rawson also gave a lecture. Needs of the Department. —The outstanding need is a practice-house in which small-scale ho usekec ping can be carried on. This house would also supply the extra accommodation which is needed. It has been reported for three years that the roof of the Home Science Building is most unsatisfactory. The continual leaks are disfiguring the plaster, and will cause more fundamental damage if the matter is not taken in hand. Studholme House. —-The accommodation at Studholme House was this year taxed to its limit, and nine senior students were obliged to leave the house in order to make room for juniors. The influenza epidemic considerably disorganized the general routine, and emphasized the unsuitability of the house as a students' college. An isolated room equipped for nursing the sick would be a great saving both in prevention and cure of the sick. In conclusion, may I say that the department has been fortunate in the personnel of the staff, who one and all have done their utmost to further the interests of the school. In resigning from the l position of Dean I thank the University Council for the encouragement and sympathy which has been extended to me, and, in particular, I owe much to the ever-ready interest and help of the Home Science Committee of the Council.

21