E.—l

100

in getting up text-books to enable them to pass the examination at the end of each year. In English a change has been made in the nature of the examination which formerly obtained, by demanding the careful study of some portion of English literature. This is a wise course ; and, provided that the papers set are suitable, much good may be expected as the result. The thoughtful study of some of the best poetical and prose works in our language ought to obviate, to a great degree, the necessity of constantly preparing sot lessons on accidence and syntax, and should give the pupil-teachers a taste for reading. I often hear it said that our young teachers are not acquainted with the best works of fiction and other literature. It cannot be wondered at when they are kept constantly employed in poring over books which they have read again and again ad nauseam. The wonder is that they read at all under the circumstances. Encourage them, by all means, to study even portions of the works of some of our best writers, and give them systematic lessons on style and English composition generally, and it will be found that they will take more interest in their work, and that they will give a better return for the labour of the teacher. If one of the five hours during which they are now engaged in teaching were spent in study, their duties, irksome at most times, would appear less so, and they would certainly attain to a higher degree of culture. It is becoming a general practice among pupil-teachers to sit for the E certificate before or about the time that they complete their apprenticeship. To one who can pass the fourth year's examination with credit it is easy to obtain this certificate fully or partially, especially so long as the examination in some subjects—grammar, for example—is so elementary as it is; but I question whether the plan is in many cases a wise one. By the regulations of the Board, pupil-teachers are expected to enter the training department of the Normal School for at least one year after the term of their engagement expires. It is doubtful, however, whether one year's course of study is sufficient to prepare for the D certificate. Between the E certificate and the D certificate examinations there is a wide gulf; and no one with ordinary abilities, who has merely obtained the lowest grade, can possibly expect to succeed in gaining the higher. And yet ex-pupil-teachers, who are weak in several subjects but have succeeded in passing the examination which confers upon them the E certificate, enter as students, and we are almost compelled to admit them to the senior class. The work is too great a strain upon them, and disastrous consequences are apt to ensue. Teachers who know well the capabilities of their apprentices would assuredly only be doing their duty in discouraging those whom they consider imperfectly educated from adopting such a course. I am afraid that any more experience in attempting to prepare such students in one year for the D certificate will compel me to refuse to admit them to the senior class. They cannot be much benefited by the studies in which they take part, and they are a very decided hindrance to those who can take full advantage of the lectures. Were the examination in grammar of as high an order as that in arithmetic and geography, for example, no one could find fault; but, for the last three years, persons have passed in grammar who did not know enough of the subject to educate pupils preparing for the Sixth Standard. I have again to thank the teachers of the practising department for the ready and willing assistance they gave in supervising and directing the work of the students while engaged in teaching. All have been eager to meet my wishes in every respect, and, as a consequence, my duties have been more agreeable than during any former year. To Messrs. Eaynor and Bossence, and Misses Strudwick, Kitchinginan, and Barlow, my thanks are specially due. Miss Kitchingman had charge of the girls' department from the commencement of the session to the end of August, and during these months the girls were well superintended and taught. As she was only acting-head-mistress, I had occasion to visit the part of the school under her charge more frequently than usual, and I was always pleased with the tone and discipline displayed. She was ever on the alert, teaching here, directing there, and discharging the duties of the office she was called upon temporarily to fill to my entire satisfaction. Since September, the girls' division has been under the superintendence of Miss Strudwick, who was selected at Home to be head-mistress of the school. I may say of her what, in my last year's report, I said of her predecessor, that, " having been trained in one of the best training colleges for mistresses in England, she is intimately acquainted with the necessities of such institutions, and is ever willing to act up to any instructions she receives." The girls under her charge are carefully taught, and the tone of the school is everything to be desired. The model school continues to do good work in training the students. Drill and gymnastics are being carefully attended to, and, as a consequence, performances on the bars and other apparatus are improving. Messrs. Watkins and Newton continue to render the same valuable assistance they have done heretofore. I have, &c, The Chairman, Education Board. W. Malcolm, Principal.

DQNEDIN. Peincipal's Eepoet. Sib,— 31st March, 1885. I have the honour to submit my report of the training department of the Normal School for session 1884. The following was the attendance at the classes : Junior class : Males, 9; females, 14—total, 23. Senior class : Males, 21; females, 17 —total, 38. The predominance of females over males in the junior class is to be accounted for by the superiority of a few of the male pupil-teachers warranting their being classed with the seniors on entrance, and by the disinclination of male students to take appointments before completing their second-year course. The general health of the students has not been so good as in former years, and, although the average attendance has