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tions in cookery and eighty-seven in woodwork. In only one education district were school classes for instruction in dairying established. Increased attention is being given to practical instruction in elementary agriculture in primary schools. During the year forty-seven classes in six education districts were working under the Act as against thirty-six for 1903. It is to be regretted that there is not more evidence of a definite movement on the part of controlling authorities to arrange for the regular instruction in country districts of school-children, as well as of those who have left school, in subjects having a direct bearing on rural pursuits. With the co-operation and help of local bodies interested in agricultural and pastoral matters controlling authorities should be able to see their way to arrange for suitable courses at convenient centres. If the classes were brought under the Act, subsidy would be payable on the contributions of local bodies and others, and the classes would be eligible for capitation and for grants in aid of the necessary apparatus and material. The funds available from these and other sources, such as the fees of students, should suffice for the efficient carrying-on of the classes. As far as the training of the teachers of country schools is concerned, there would seem to be no reason why Education Boards should not devote a proportion of the grants they receive each year for the training of teachers in subjects of manual and technical instruction to the maintenance of training-classes in rural science. In the case of the smaller education districts co-operation on the part of the Boards should enable such classes to be placed on a satisfactory footing. There has been a considerable increase in the number of persons receiving'(free instruction under the regulations for technical scholarships. During the year 852 scholars received free instruction at ten technical schools. In not a few cases definite courses of work have been entered upon, and there are indications that there will be a substantial increase next year, not only in the number of free scholars, but also in the number of technical schools giving free instruction along definite lines. The total expenditure on manual and technical instruction for 1904' was £27,425 Is. The details are as follows: Capitation on all classes, £11,801 12s. 6d. ; grants for buildings and equipment, £9,255 17s. 2d.; grants for material for class use, £798 6s. 9d.; subsidies on voluntary contributions, £1,175 10s. lOd.; technical training of teachers, £1,853 ; railway fares of instructors and students, £364 2s. 9d. ; expenses in connection with the examination of the Board of Education, South Kensington, and of the City and Guilds of London Institute, £518 12s. 4d.; inspection, £978 15s. 3d.; scholarships, £634 14s. 2d. ; sundries, £44 9s. 3d. The sum of £107 2s. 6d. was recovered by way of examination fees and from sale of material used at examinations, leaving .a net expenditure of £27,317 18s. 6d.

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