E.—lc.

10

during the past year was this : With first-year students an endeavour was made to introduce the students to the general principles underlying all method, and to the practical application of these in connection with the central subjects of instruction —number, language, and nature-study. Practice and observation were given in the standard classes and in the infant-room—in the latter only observation. With students of the second year the discussion and application of principles is continued, but here an attempt is made to get the student to specialise in the department for which he is most suited. Students aiming at secondary work are given most of their practice in that department; those specially fitted for infant-work are allotted more practice and observation in that department. Similarly with those to whom the country school seems the suitable sphere. All the students thus receive an insight into all departments; but at the same time they have their own special aptitude considered. The various courses of instruction were apportioned among members of the staff as follows :— General method : The Principal. Physiography : Mr. J. C. Webb, B.A. Secondary-school method and cardboard modelling : Mr. J. Caughley, M.A. Physical and military drill and physiology : Mr. A. J. Cowles, B.A. Nature-study and school method : J. Tamblyn, M.A. Singing: Mr. J. K. Edie. Infant-school method, model-drawing, brush drawing, and physical culture : Miss Fitch. Blackboard drawing, modelling, paper-folding, and brick-building : Miss Sinclair, M.A. Needlework and reading : Miss A. Hall. Woodwork: Mr. E. Howe. Cookery : Mrs. Nealy. Teachers' 'Examination. —An almost inevitable part of the Training College work is preparation for the certificate examinations. Provision has to be made for some of the compulsory subjects of the D certificate such as sewing, singing, <fee, and if possible arrangements are made to suit the needs of students in some of the C subjects, such as physiology and hygiene. It is reasonable to expect that at the end of his two-years course of training a student shall be well on the road towards his C certificate. The results of the recent examinations show that for the majority of the students this is not a difficult goal. Yet there are some for whom I think it would be possible to provide a certificate which would be of equal value with the C—a certificate more special in character, aiming particularly at securing more effective training in infant-room method. This certificate might be called the Infant School Certificate. It would be taken, as the C is, following the D certificate, and would rank as of equal value with C. In such a certificate a strong point would be made of the teachings of Pestalozzi and Froebel, of handworking, of music, of naturestudy, and of English—special attention being given in the last subject to the literature for children. The student of the D certificate is sufficiently high for the requirements of school-work generally; and the substitution of such a certificate for C would furnish the most suitable goal for ' a great many of our women teacher-students. Practising-school. —The practising-school, an essential and integral part of the College, continues under Mr. Webb and his staff to do good, sound educational work. I have watched very carefully the influence upon the scholars of the practice-work of the students ; T have examined the various classes from time to time, and T am able to report that the interests of the scholars suffer little, if at all. In many respects they are the gainers. Fuller equipment, smaller classes, and the consequent closer individual supervision more than counteracts the distracting influences arising from the presence in the class-rooms of the students for their practice and observation. Mr. Tamblyn reports, and my examination confirms his report, that in the case of the country school-children progress has been well maintained. In the Secondary Department the continuous practice of the senior students has proved, under the guidance of Mr. Caughley, a source of strength, individual supervision being available where it is most required. The formal work in the Infant Department suffers a little ; but if we could rid ourselves of the notion that little children under eight must be letter-perfect along certain lines, and lay hold on the saner one that fullness of active expression is to them a far cheater gain, there would be cause of rejoicing rather than otherwise that the crystallizing process of formal work had been delayed for a year or two. There have been no changes in the staff during the year. In the incoming year Miss Hall leaves for Europe on a well-earned furlough. The vacancy thus made is to be filled by Miss I. Wilton, one of our own students. One and all the members of the staff have worked with zeal and earnestness for the welfare alike of students and scholars. I desire to thank the members of the Committee of Advice and of the Education Board for the interest they have manifested in the College work and in the students. The medals given by Captain Kebbell and by Mr. Allan for proficiency in military drill for the men and in physical drill for the women students were much appreciated, and evoked keen competitions. To the Secretary and staff of the Board for their ready response to the many demands made upon them from time to time my best thanks are due.

Report op the Principal of the Training College, Christchurch (Mr. Edwin Watkins, 8.A.). Students in Attendance. —Of the students who were in attendance in 1906, 34 remained for a second year of training, 9 being males and 25 females. During 1907, 38 new students entered, 29 under Division A and 8 under Division B, and one young teacher came in under clause H.