E.—2.

Appendtx D.]

V

During the year five teachers resigned. Two of the vacancies thus caused were filled by new teachers, but owing to the dearth of suitable applicants, senior students were placed temporarily in charge of the other classes and acquitted themselves creditably. "Where singleness of am and continuity of practice are so essential it is a serious matter to have practically, one-third of the teaching staff change within the year. The new main school at Kelburn was begun in August, and was to have been finished in January, but it is questionable whether it will be ready for occupation before Easter. As no suitable 1 uilding was avilable, Standards 111 and IV were accommodated in the men's con.mon-rcom in the College. One of our most pressing necessities in the near future will be playing-space for the school, and I would again urge your Board to acquire the only two vacant sections now available in the vicinity. Though land here is costly, I feel sure it will never be cheaper in this part of Wellington. An anonymous donor has given a very handsome sum to be spent in playground improvements for the little ones, as soon as it is possible to determine exactly where they are to play.

CHRISTCHURCH. (C. T. Asohman, Esq., Acting-Principal). The most serious event during the year was the death of the Principal, Mr. T. S. Foster. After a long period of leave he resumed his duties at the Training College at the beginning of August, but his rapidly declining health forced him early in September to tender his resignation as from the Ist January, 1919, and on the Bth September he died at his home in his sixty-fifth year. As headmaster, Inspector, and active member of many local scholastic bodies, his splendid services and undoubted influence made him an important factor in the educational world of Canterbury ; but it was during the six years he occupied the position of Principal of the Training College that his happiest and most effective work was done. To the members of the staff and to the students of those years his devotion to his work and his unfailing kindliness of heart will remain as a pleasant and a lasting memory. On account of the influenza epidemic the Training College was closed by order of the District Health Officer on the 11th November. Viewed at first as a temporary measure, this compulrory vacation extended to the end of the year, causing undoubted dislocation in the work of the senior students especially. But through the willingly given consideration of the Department, none of the students concerneel suffered in the slightest degree, except perhaps on account of the abrupt and unceremonious ending to their course of training. It is pleasing to be able to record the valuable work done by the staff and by man.)' of the students during the trying days when the epidemic was at its worst. At the beginning of 1918 forty-seven students returned to complete their second year, and seventy were admitted, making a total of 117. Of these, ninerty-nine were women students. During the year one withdrew on account of ill health and five men joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. The organization and scheme of work for the Training College differed in no marked degree ficm the plan outlined in the report submitted last year. One variation ma3 r be noted : lectures were arranged to be given by experts in subjects outside the Training College curricukm, and visits weie made by the senior students to some of the most important industries in the city, and to the Deaf Institute at Sumner. As far as could be judged the experiment proved most successful. Not only were the patriotic efforts energetically sustained, but the various Training] College organizations showed evidence of abundant vitality. Throughout the year the attitude of the students towards their work was deserving"of the highest commendation.

DUNEDIN. (E. Pinder, Esq., M.A.., Principal.) At the end of 1917 sixty-two- students went out of College -namely, fifty-five second-year students (six men and forty-nine women) and seven one-year students (two men and five women). Of these, by recommendation and examination, the following obtained certificates : One obtained B, forty-nine obtained C, fourteen completed or obtained D, and four obtained partial D, five obtained credit towards 0 in four subjects, six obtained credit towards C in three subjects, one will obtain C on completing D. As to University results :Of those going out at end of 1917 two took B.A. degree, six passed first section of B.A. degree, five passed proficiency for B in two subjects, and three passed proficiency for B in one subject. One student shared the Senior University Scholarship in Latin with another student. The numbers this year were, at the close of the year, forty-four second-year students (three men and forty-one women), fifty-six first-year students (ten men and forty-six women). During the year seven men left for camp and two women left ill.