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remainder of the time is given to the discussion of methods. In March, October, and November practice in teaching and observation of particular lessons and courses of lessons occupies a large portion of the student's time. Woodwork may be taken either in the first or second years or in both. Owing to a hitch in the arrangements, cookery was omitted from the programme last year. Education is usually taken in the second year, those requiring the subject only for the C certificate taking the full course at the University along with those who require it for the degree. In connection with the second year's work, as with the first, I believe it would be more satisfactory in the case of non-degree students to lessen the amount of University work and provide a much more thorough course in nature-study. I shall have this in view in arranging the programme for 1909. The arrangement for practice whereby students in their second year are allotted, according to their abilities and aptitudes, to secondary, country, infant, or standard departments, and are kept for a longer period in that department for which they seem most suited, has been employed during the year with satisfactory results. Every student gets some acquaintance with the country-school department — both the sole-teacher school and the lower division of it —with the standards, and with the infant department, but not necessarily with the secondary department. Those who by equipment are fitted for the secondary department give the larger portion of their time to it and to the upper standards. Thus an attempt is made to specialize, while at the same time an all-round training is given. Every second-year student has opportunity and practice in methods under these aspects : (a) The single lesson ; (6) a related series of lessons ; and (c) lessons as forming parts of a time-table. Practice is only one side of the training the College gives in the art of teaching and management. Discussion of plans and programmes, "and observation, are of equal importance. Sufficient practice is given to insure that the student will not be nonplussed when he comes face to face with the concrete situation absolutely and entirely alone ; sufficient to give him confidence in his powers, and to indicate how these powers may be developed. The aim of the practical side of the College work is well summed up in a paragraph from an excellent article entitled " The Training of the Primary-school Teacher," in a recent number of School: " The aim of these courses is less pretentious than many to be met with at present. They seek not to turn out fully proficient and experienced teachers —rather to let those attending see in what good teaching consists, lead them to observe and study children sympathetically, and get them to analyse the reason particular methods are employed under given conditions. From a concrete study of children and methods they aim at establishing general principles, training the students to apply the prfhciples to new problems—in short, leading them to thinlf out methods and cultivate in them a critical attitude of mind towards their teaching." This year will see the appointment throughout the various educational districts represented by the College of a new class of students called probationers. Approximately there will be appointed seventy in the Middle University District. From thirty to thirty-five of these will likely be eligible for admission to the Training College at the end of 1909. It would be well if something could be done in the way of unifying the course of study they are required to undertake, so that the whole four years —two as probationers and two as trainees —may be used to the best advantage. , As the regulations stand, it is ieft to each of the Boards to arrange the preliminary course for its own probationers ; and it might be advisable if the suggestions now to be offered were forwarded to the Boards, so that all probationers shall as far as possible be doing the same preparatory work. Those who have not passed prior to appointment will need to prepare for the Matriculation Examination. It is well that this should be kept in view. All entrants to the Training College should have matriculated. Then, again, drawing and physiology as required for the certificate should be undertaken by all: A two-years course is the minimum that should be demanded in drawing. I find that, even in the case of those who have passed the certificate examination, skill to use the chalk, brush, and pencil rapidly and effectively is lacking. All branches of drawing should be included. I find that perspective drawing is frequently omitted —a branch which seems quite essential to blackboard sketching, such as students will be required to do later on. In many cases, too, the very elements of geometrical drawing are not known. This stricture applies with even more force to those who are admitted from secondary schools than to those who have been pupil-teachers! In addition to drawing and elementary physiology, some such elementary work on nature-study as is given in Mulgan's " Nature-study in New Zealand " might be required. A course in English, including composition and the study of some of our English classics, should also be undertaken. To sum up, some such course as this would be a good preparation for the Training College course : —First year : (1) drawing—freehand, free-arm, and brush ; (2) physiology as for D ; (3) nature-study —elements of botany ; (4) English— (a) composition, (b) classic. Second year: (1) drawing—geometrical, perspective, brush; (2) nature-study —elements of zoology ; (3) an elementary practical course in physics or in chemistry ; (4) English — (a) composition, (b) classic. There should be no exemption from drawing if it is at all possible to arrange for instruction in the subject; and courses in science such as are suggested would serve as an introduction to classes at the University in similar subjects, and to the more complete course in nature-study provided at the Training College. If, as is likely, a goodly proportion of those appointed as probationers will have passed the Matriculation before or shortly after appointment, they should nevertheless be obliged to equip themselves along definite lines such as I have suggested, whatever studies they may undertake in addition, and if possible secure their teachers' certificate in these subjects. Library and Gymnasium: Both these valuable institutions are now equipped, and during the year have been profitably used. The former is in daily requisition, and at any hour students may he seen looking up work for their teaching-practice or in connection with their private studies. The grant of £100 has already been expended, for the most part in books related to the school-work of the various classes and books on method. I trust that a small annual grant will be available for the purchase of new books and for keeping the present ones in good repair. One of the students has given part of her time as librarian, a small sum having been granted by the Board for her payment.