4

E.—lc.

gramme was gone through. These meetings were very well attended, and at any rate the names of several books were learnt for the first time. In connection with these meetings our best thanks are due to Mrs. and Mr. Baume, M.P., and Professor Egerton, who kindly took part in the readings at various times. 2. Writing, taken by Mr. H. G. Cousins, M.A., Headmaster of the Normal School. 3. Arithmetic, taken by H. K. Burns, 8.A., assistant in the Normal School. 4. Vocal Music, taken by H. Green, assistant in the Normal School. Every class in the Normal School opens work with a song, and at suitable intervals during the school hours songs provide a change. All the students took their turn at conducting this work, and good progress was made. From my limited observation I should say that this subject is the worst-taught of any in the Auckland schools, so that special attention was given to the instruction in it. 5. Drawing, taught by Mr. Harry Wallace, visiting master from the staff of the Auckland Technical School.—ln the first year the students work at model, freehand, and blackboard work, to satisfy the requirements for the D certificate; but in the second year the time is devoted to (a) brushwork, (b) preparation of class copies, (c) further blackboard work. About thirty sets of copies, twenty in a set, have been prepared for practice in the latter branch. Each student is expected to learn by heart the thirty subjects, so that at any time in giving a lesson an illustration could be put on the blackboard at a moment's notice. The subjects are such as the annexed, and include (1) different kinds of armour, swords, halberds, helmets, &c. ; (2) kinds of ships, galleons, gondola, &c.; (3) typical scenery, lake, mountain, river, iceberg, &c. ; (4) bills and feet of typical birds—kiwi, &c. The soheme lias been drawn up and is superintended by the Principal, two hours per week being devoted to it. The time is well spent, as facility on the blackboard is probably the teacher's most valuable asset. 6. Human Physiology, taken bj r Mr. A. J. Cottrell, M.A., M.Sc. (N.Z.), tutor. —This work lias been very well done. By the use of the skeleton, slides, and the microscopes, and by actual dissections, an attempt has been made to give the students a thorough grip of the subject. 7. Methods of Teaching, taken by the Principal. Group 11, Compulsory. 8. Principles and History of Education, taken by the Principal. 9. English Language and Literature, taken by Professor Egerton.—All the students who took the C examination in this subject at the 1907 test were successful in passing. A gratifying feature was the fact that about 90 per cent, of the students applied for voluntarily, and were granted, permission to take a further course in English literature, although they had satisfied the requirements of the C examination. Optional Subjects, Group 111. With the exception of the few students who were reading for a degree, no one was sufficiently well prepared to attempt any subject in this group. Optional Subjects, Group IV. 25. Botany, taken by Professor Thomas.—A special class for practical work was organized for training-college students. The practical biology was very useful for the physiology also. As this subject was new to many of the students, the services of the tutor, Mr. Cottrell, in supplementing the lectures were invaluable. 26. Physiology and Structure of the Body, taken by Mr. A. J. Cottrell, tutor, as already mentioned. 27. General Agriculture. —As required by the regulations, a course in agriculture and naturestudy was given by V. Jackson, 8.A., instructor to the Auckland Technical School. The course occupied three weeks, and for that time all ordinary work, was suspended. A plot of ground, part of the site for the new Technical School, was enclosed and prepared by the students, and regular observations of plant-growth taken. Mr. Jackson's work is to be very highly commended. His lessons were a model in method, and his use of the blackboard was a revelation to most of the students. Optional Subjects, Group V. 41. Hygiene, taken by Mr. A. J. Cottrell, tutor. Optional Subjects, Group VI. 43. Plain Cookery, taken at the Newton East centre in connection with the Technical School.—All the women students took this course, and passed the examination of the City and Guilds of London Institute. Two or three, who failed at the first attempt, repeated the work, and succeeded in passing at the second attempt. 45. Modelling in Plasticine, taken by Mr. Harry Wallace. —The examination in this subject was held by Mr. Isaac, the Examiner for the Department, about six months after the course had been taken. Notwithstanding this, every student succeeded in passing the test. Many excellent relief models were made by the students in the course of their practical teaching for class use. 47. Woodwork, taken at the Chancery Street centre in connection with the Auckland Technical School.—The final examination of the City and Guilds of London Institute, prescribed by the Department, is too difficult in view of the time that can be spared for this work, so a special course was drawn up. In the first year the students learn the use of the various tools, by