E.—2.

an adequate supply of modern educational and general cultural literature. I can assure the Department and the Board that staff and students thoroughly appreciate the liberal grant made this year. University Work. —During the year 220 students have taken lectures at Auckland University College. In view of the necessity of safeguarding the main work of Training College students, University work was this year limited to two subjects. A very careful supervision was exercised by the Training College in so far as was possible over the University work of our students. Liberal concessions were made to meet the complicated University time-table, and in every way we have genuinely tried to meet the University requirements. In spite of this, I must report that terms results have been very disappointing indeed. In all, seventy-seven failures were recorded in terms. This really means that approximately £1,000 was thrown away on Training College University work. It should be noted that valuable student practical training was interrupted, and in most of the cases of failures the students concerned will not attempt University work in 1937. Assembly Hall—At last we are within measureable distance of securing our Assembly Hall. The plans are completed, the contract has been let, and there is every prospect that the new hall will be ready by March of 1937. The hall will be of the greatest service to College: It. will reduce our problems in administration and lecture work, and will be of inestimable value to the social and cultural life of College. Already we have made preparations for the equipment of the hall. We shall have a full-sized stage, and we have been fortunate in securing the greater part of the stage-equipment of the dismantled Scots Hall. Refresher Course.—During the first week of the May vacation a refresher course for teachers was held at Auckland Training College. The Auckland Inspectors of Schools combined with the College staff to provide a series of lectures and demonstrations covering general school work. Some six hundred teachers attended from all parts of the North Island, and a very profitable week was spent. Training for Post-primary Work. —During the year we have had forty-eight graduate students taking a special one-year course leading to post-primary work. The group works on a tutorial system under the general direction of Dr. J. H. Murdoch, M.A., Ph.D. (Lond.), Other specialist members of the staff with personal experience in post-primary schools are used for the special course of work given to these graduates. Fifty per cent, of the students' time is spent in observation and practice by teaching in primary and post-primary schools of Auckland. While there is much still to be desired in the matter of adequate teaching practice in secondary schools for these students, I have to thank the Principals of secondary and technical schools for their help during the year. Normal School. —I have to record my sincere appreciation of the fine work being done by the Headmaster and staff of the Normal School. An excellent school flourishes under the eyes of all students, work both in school and in the playground being an inspiration. Valuable help is given to the College by members of the Normal School staff, and the co-operation between the two institutions is thorough and pleasing. School Broadcasts.—We continue to provide school broadcasts to an ever-increasing number of listeners. This work is admirably organized by Dr. C. R. Laws. The main part of the programme is given by the College staff, to whom I wish to express my thanks for their help in keeping this service going. If the broadcasting sessions are to become a permanent part of the educational system, every effort should be made to secure a thorough co-operation on the part of teachers. The best broadcast lesson will be of little value to the scholars unless there is adequate preparation in the class-room. Standard of Work—l have to report that 1936 has marked a year of very good work indeed. The outgoing group, both Division A and Division C, have engaged enthusiastically in all the varied activities of College, and one can claim that they will do good work in the schools. Gifts. —During the year three private gifts were made to College, one a valuable selection of classical books donated by Mrs. Donald Petrie, and another a gift of educational books given by Miss M. Statham. Still another valuable gift of books was made by Mr. Frank Reed, of Whangarei. These gifts have been very greatly appreciated, and make a very welcome addition to the College Library.

WELLINGTON. The College was reopened on the 2nd March, 1936, after a lapse of three years. The reconditioning of the lecture-rooms and the requisitioning and supply of furniture and equipment were undertaken simultaneously with the organization of the courses of study. For the greater part of the first term first-year students were in practising-schools, while the staff were engaged in the details of organization. Lectures commenced almost immediately for graduate and second-year students, and by the beginning of the second term the full curriculum was in operation. The College was fortunate in having thirty-five second-year students from Auckland and Christchurch Training Colleges. Their experience and their desire to participate in the making of the new College proved invaluable. The quality of the students admitted this year was very high, and, reviewing the work of the year, I believe a beginning has been made which augurs well for the future development of the new College. I wish to express my satisfaction with the appointments to the staffs of the College and of the Normal School. All have shown ability and enthusiasm. To a staff with one exception new to the work, the preparation of lectures, the carrying-out of details of organization, and the follow-up work with individual students in theory and practice presented problems at once onerous and intricate. The work has been well done. A fine spirit of co-operation exists between students and staff. I can with confidence look to the staff as they acquire experience in the problems of teacher-training to assist materially in moulding the policy of the College.

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