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REPORT (A B RIDG ED). Sir, — Victoria University College, 14th June, 1922. Pursuant to section 44 of the Victoria College Act, 1905, the Council presents the following report for the year 1921-22 : — This College has to record another very successful year of work. The large increase in the number of students attending the College, which has been a feature of recent years, was maintained during the session of 1921. The total number of students in attendance during the session advanced from 680 to 742. The increased demand for higher education is a post-war phenomenon which exists in many countries, and apparently in all English-speaking communities. It is impossible to foresee whether the demand will continue to increase or whether there will eventually occur a decline in the number of students. The various departments of the College work have continued to be vigorously carried on throughout the year. Numbers of Students. —Tho following table gives the numbers of students attending classes during the last three, years : —

Two junior University scholars, four University National scholars, and fifty-three .University bursars began their studies at this University College. University Degrees and Scholarships. —ln the University examinations held in November, .1921, 219 students passed sections of their Bachelor's degrees; 29 obtained their Bachelor's degree in arts, 9in science, 17 in law, 3in commerce, and lin agriculture. At the same examinations 18 students obtained their Master's degree In arts, 13 (second-class honours, 5); in science, 2 (first-class honours, 2); in law, 3 (first-class honours, 1 ; third-class honours, I). The following scholarships and prizes were awarded to students of this University College: Senior University Scholarships (8); Rhodes Scholarship (1); French Travelling Scholarship (I); free, passages (3); llaben's Prize (I). It will be noted that students of the College have been particularly successful as regards scholarships and degrees. Out of eighteen senior scholarships awarded throughout the Dominion, students of this College have been awarded seven. Buildings. —The contracts for the erection of the two new wings of the College have been practically completed, and the, additional accommodation is being occupied for the 1922 session. Both contracts have been carried out in a satisfactory manner, and very important additions have thereby been made to the accommodation of the College. The main feature of the north wing addition is the provision of a very fine library hall. The south wing will accommodate the departments of physics and geology, The equipment for the teaching of physics and for physical research is most efficient, and compares more than favourably with any other similar provision in New Zealand. From an architectural point of view the new works complete the construction of the main building, which now presents a strikingly handsome appearance. The additional accommodation provided was urgently required, and there is still need for a larger lecture-room than any of those available. The largest room will accommodate, a maximum of 150 students, whilst some of the classes during the session of 1921 were larger than this number. The completion of the large lecture-room on the top floor of the south wing, which was not included in the contract, will soon be an urgent necessity. Library. —Several gifts of books have been made to the College, and upon these Government subsidies have been paid. Arrangement has been made for the College to house the, library of the New Zealand Institute, and with this addition the library will, in most scientific subjects, be the best in New Zealand. Special Schools. —The question of providing special schools for this University College has not yet been settled. The proposed Schools of Forestry and Agriculture have not yet been allocated. The Council again suggests that a School of Agriculture can be appropriately founded in the College, and points out that with the co-operation of the expert staff of the Government Agricultural Department and the experimental farms at Weraroa and Wallaceville important work could be done at Victoria University College which would be of great value to the whole Dominion. Day Classes. —The Council have had under consideration the question of establishing classes in the daytime for those students who are prepared to give the whole of their time to University work. With the present arrangement of night classes only, full-time students may be said to be actually discouraged. As some additional expense would be occasioned by any change in this direction, the Council did not see its way to make any change at present. It looks forward, however, to provision being made in this direction so that due encouragement may be given to students to give the whole of their time and attention to their course at the College. Hostels. —The proper accommodation of students who have left their homes for educational purposes in Wellington is still an unsolved problem. The foundation of one, or more residential colleges connected with this University College is becoming each year a more urgent need, and is essential to the proper development of the work of the College. The country student coming to Wellington is faced with difficulties and inconveniences which should not exist.

Year. In A Mon. In Attendance at Lectures. itten iidanco at .1. Women Leetu T" ires. Total. Exempted Students. Men. Women. Total. I ' 1919 1920 1921 302 394 478 233 286 264 535 680 742 20 39 49 II 19 19 31 58 (iH