E.—2.

Appendix D.

first-class passes, thirty-eight seconds, and seventy thirds. The apparent failures were, of course, partly due to lack of industry and application, but also in large measure to the absence of so large a number of students during the latter part of the year. 1 have again to note that the University results gave a very reliable index of the student's calibre, including even his teachingpower. Certificates.- —Fifty students completed their term of training in December last, and the joint result of the departmental examinations and the Training Colhge recommendations was as follows: Full D, 3 ; D and partial C, 21 ; full C, 18 ; full B, 6 ; full A, 2. Teaching Practice. —The distance between the College and Normal School would have affected this part of our work most seriously had the Department not allowed us to retain at Kelburn small standard classes, which proved of great value for demonstration purposes. The annual visits (of a fortnight) were paid to the city schools in September, and I have again to thank the headmasters for- their assistance in making these a success. New College. —The new building at Kelburn was formally opened by Sir Francis H. Dillon Bell on the 28th July. The change to the roomy, bright quarters lias been thoroughly appreciated by both staff and students. While, orr the whole, the work of the College is thus more efficiently carried out, the absence of a gymnasium and playing-space, and the long journey to Thorndon, are serious drawbacks entailing the loss of much valuable time. The large increase in attendance at the Kelburn Infant School should be a guarantee that the completion of the main school need no longer be delayed on account of any uncertainty as to fillirg its class-rooms. Tutor and Librarian. —Under the regulations gazetted in January last a new position—that of Tutor and Librarian-—was created, and the Committee of Advice recommended for appointment Miss Hetherington, M.A., of the Cambridge Trainirg College. The necessity for having a woman on the College staff has long been felt, and Miss Hetherington's wide and varied experience has already made her an indispensable member of the staff. Summer School. —During February a special session, was held for- uncertificated teachers. Twentynine teachers attended, and instruction was given in all the compulsary subjects for the Class D certificate. The special grant from the Education Department is given for the specific purpose of assisting backblock teachers to obtain their certificates. Some Boards appear to think that we should devote the time to professional training. My instructions are, however, quite explicit, and however worthy the latter object may be, both cannot be compassed in one short month. The War. —Sixteen students were absent during the whole or part of the year on military service, and fourteen left during the latter part of the year to undertake relieving work. Since the opening in 1906 112 men have passed through the College. Of that number, sixty-three have enlisted, seven have lost their lives, and eleven have been wounded or invalided on account of sickness. Fourteen of our students have gained commissions with the reinforcements-—a record which speaks well for the old cadet system and the Officers' Training Corps which formed an essential part of it.

CHRISTCHURCH. Forty-two students of the previous year returned to complete their course of training, ard fiftyseven new ones were admitted. Eight men who enlisted for active service were granted leave of absence, and one student was permitted to withdraw. The proportion of men students—twenty in a total enrolment of ninety-nine—compares unfavourably with the return for the previous year— .104 students, of whom, twenty-eight were men. In. instituting a comparison, however, it has to be; borne in mind that five men who enlisted ; n the previous year, under ordinary conditions would have continued their course of training during the year 1915. Seventy-one of the students had passed the Matriculation Examination before their admission, seven the complete examination for a teacher's certificate of Class D, eleven had gained a partial pass, and eight presented a lower leaving certificate as a qualification for entrance. During the year there have been several changeb in the staff, consequent on the operation of the new regulations dealing with training colleges. The new position of Assistant Lecturer was filled by the appointment of Mr. j. E. Purchase, M.A., who has also rendered valuable service as Assistant Supervisor of Students and Deputy Head Teacher of the Normal School. The demand for a model school of type II (a junior school including Classes P to S2) growing more and more urgent, it was resolved to make a beginning with a school of this type in a small class-room —the only room available for the purpose. Owing to limitations of space, the number of pupils enrolled in this school is considerably short of the maximum allowed by the regulations. The present arrangement, however, is regarded as only temporary, pending the anticipated erection of a new training college, when two more rooms at present used for lecture purposes will be available for school classes. Miss Florence Ormandy, who had proved herself a highly successful teacher of rural schools, was appointed to the charge of the new model school. At the time of writing the number of pupils in the secondary department has risen to fifty-five —the maximum allowed by the Training College Regulations. The appointment of an assistantmistress to the department will shortly bo made. In the course of the year three more of the senior and five of the junior students were granted leave of absence in order to enlist for active service abroad. The offer of some others who, being of sound health, desired to enlist was declined owing to some physical defect which was regarded as a disqualification for military service, though not for the teaching profession. Two students who left the Dominion with the Main Body, and three ex-students, have made the great sacrifice. On the College Roll of Honour are inscribed the names of some forty-five past and present students who, in response to the call of duty, have volunteered for the front.

VIII