Appendix D.]

E-—2.

laboratory) are outside the range of the majority of our students. I refer to this subject later ju in the rejjort. University Standing of Students. —Twenty-five students kept first year's terms, ten second, and three third; total, thirty-eight, or nearly one-fourth of all those who kept terms at Victoria College. -Seventeen others had kept terms the previous year, so that of the total of ninety-nine students fifty-five have kept terms. A considerable number besides have passed in two, three, and even four subjects, but have not been able, or have not wished, to keep terms. The proportion keeping terms is just about as it should be, since the Training College students make up about a quarter of those attending University lectures. We are well above the average for first terms, but fall away in second terms. The average Training College student cannot take the three classes required for second term and do justice to the Training College course. The reports by the Professors, received two or three times during the session, on the attendance and progress of the students were, on the whole, satisfactory. I have no sympathy at all with the idea that the students while in training should not aim at a University degree. If they are able to undertake the degree course they should receive every encouragement to do so, even at the sacrifice of some of their practical work. Those who during their first year prove their capacity for University studies should have the option of a three-years' course, so that, if possible, they may be enabled to complete their degree. Synopsis of Training College Courses. —First year — (1.) Methods of Teaching (the Principal, headmaster, and Miss Fitch). —Two to three hours per week, (a.) English and arithmetic, as for the standard classes, (b.) A course dealing with all the work of the infant-room. (2.) Science (Mr. Lomas). —Four hours per week, (a.) A course of lectures in physiography and physical geography, (b.) Laboratory practice in heat, sound, and light. (3.) Drawing (Miss Lee). —Four hours per week. This includes all branches of drawing and a short course in plasticine modelling. (4.) Handwork (Mr. Howe and Mrs. Hamerton). — (a.) A course in cardboard modelling taken by all students, (b.) A course for men in woodwork, (c.) A course for women in needlework. This includes class-room work in the various standards. (5.) Music (Mr. R. Parker). —One hour per week. (6.) Teaching. — (a.) One or two demonstration lessons per week taken in conjunction with method lectures, (b.) Practice lessons in the class-rooms, (c.) Observation of class-room work. (6) and (c) together occupy on the average from two to three hours per week, exclusive of preparation. The whole time under this section amounts to from four to five hours per week. (7.) Elementary Psychology (the Principal and Mr. Morice). —A course dealing with fundamental elements in the problem of teaching— e.g., muscular co-ordination in relation to reading and writing, sense perception, memory, &c. The course is entirely practical and observational, and occupies one hour per week. (8.) Drill (Mr. Cowles). —(a.) Physical drill, fifteen minutes every day. (6.) Military drill, one to two hours per week. Mr. W. H. Burgess acted as captain of the corps, under direction of Major Cowles. (c.) Swimming, taken in March and November. Second year— (1.) Methods (the Principal).—One to two hours per week. The subjects discussed are those not taken during the first year, more particularly science, geography, history, handwork, and the subjects of the secondary department. (2.) Science (Mr. Lomas). —Three to four hours per week, (a.) Agriculture, including chemistry, botany, and gardening (Mr. Tamblyn). Chemistry is taken by men only. (6.) Domestic science, including courses in cookery (forty hours) and advanced needlework (thirty hours) and laboratory experiments related to cookery and hygiene. (3.) Handwork (Miss Fitch). —Two hours per week, (a.) A general course, dealing with various aspects of h-ahdwork suitable for standard classes. This is taken by all students. (&.) A special course of Infant-room handwork for women students. (4.) Drill. —As for first-year students. (5.) Music (Mr. R. Parker). —One hour per week. More advanced course. (6.) First Aid and Hygiene (Dr. Begg). —A course of twenty hours, half of which was devoted to practical work. (7.) Practice in Teaching. —Including the preparation required, this occupies practically the whole five hours of every alternate week. From two to three hours are given to teaching. When the University is not in session, extra time is devoted to observation in the class-rooms. It will be seen from the above that the Training College course, apart altogether from the University, is a heavy one; taken with a full-degree course, it is much too heavy for the average student. ' The experience of this year, however, shows that those who attempted most at the University were also among the most successful in the regular work of the college. In practice, too, it is "possible to give concessions to good students without in any way interfering with their training. Library. This now contains upwards of 1,200 volumes, selected chiefly from the point of view of the practical training of the students. A complete card and book-catalogue are kept. Books taken from the library are entered in a record-book. The librarian, a student, devotes

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