E.—s

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while in the application and manipulation of rule and woodworking tools to the construction of joints in woodwork, combined with the necessary drawing, the pupil finds an exercise that taxes his intelligence and manipulative skill to the highest extent. In the same way the child's sense of proportion and form is developed through a series of exercises in plasticine-modelling, while in the brushwork exercises accuracy of form and proportion are combined with colour, and so the artistic side of the pupil is afforded an opportunity of revealing itself. Then in cookery for the girls, we have a most sensible and useful science; for in the midst of all the present-day turmoil regarding men's rights and women's wrongs, neither side has ever attempted to dispute the fact that woman reigns supreme in the kitchen. Woodwork classes for the boys and cookery classes for the girls have been conducted in Invercargill and Gore. In Invercargill the teachers of the town schools have hitherto conducted their own classes in woodwork, but the cookery classes have all been taught by one instructor. The Gore classes were conducted by teachers from the Invercargill district. The work at both centres might be very largely extended. The principle of placing these classes in charge of their own teachers does not work well in practice. Generally, an assistant master is in charge of the woodwork class, and changes are often occurring through the assistant masters being promoted to new positions, with consequent disarrangement of the work. Besides, as the regulations allow only twenty-four pupils to be present at one class, and as the number of pupils in S5, S6, and S7 who are eligible to receive instruction would make four or five classes of this size from one school alone, it is easy to understand that headmasters are unwilling to part with the services of their assistants for periods totalling nearly two whole days a week. The result is, that iittle more than one-half of the pupils receive instruction in this subject. After an experience of some years, I am firmly convinced that, to do effective work, one qualified teacher should be placed in charge of the wood-work-room, as is now the case in the cookery-room. Then, not only could all the boys and girls in So, S6, and S7 in the town schools, but also in North Invercargill, Waikiwi, Waihopai, Tisbury, and Clifton Schools, come and receive instruction at stated periods; and so might also pupils from Bluff and Greenhills without loss of much time, as the train arrangements suit. This is the plan adopted in Auckland and in other centres, with, to my mind, most excellent results. The system could also be adopted to a limited extent at the other centres. The Education Department having intimated that the Singer Sewing-machine Company was prepared to supply to schools in which advanced needlework classes were taught, one of their high-grade sewing-machines at a very low figure, thirteen of the larger schools took advantage of the concession and applied to have their classes recognised. This is also a move in the right direction. Could cookery and advanced needlework be taught to all the girls in S5, S6, and S7 throughout the colony, it would be of infinite benefit to every resident therein ten years' hence. The ordinary needlework classes in schools staffed by males only have been conducted by competent instructors resident in the neighbourhood of these schools. The capitation earned in connection therewith amounted to £239 12s. 3d. Teachers' Training Classes. Training classes for teachers have been held at Invercargill and Gore. Woodwork and cookery were taught at both centres, and in addition classes in physiography, blackboard drawing, cardboard-modelling, brush drawing, plasticine-modelling, paper-folding, and dress-cutting were held in Invercargill. The most popular class was that for blackboard drawing, at which 136 teachers were in attendance. The class was divided into four sections, one section receiving instruction on Friday evening and the other three sections on Saturday. The woodwork-room was specially fitted up, and a set of large models was prepared so that each student drew from his or her own point of view. Examinations were periodically held, and the report of the examiner showed that h6 considered good work was being dene. The teachers have expressed a wish that a further series of lessons should be held this year, and if possible the request will be complied with. The other classes held were, on the whole, well attended. The teachers are to be congratulated on the continued self-sacrifice shown by them in attending these classes Saturday after Saturday for months on end in order to qualify themselves to meet the requirements of the new syllabus. The utmost good-fellowship prevailed during the entire period of instruction. This year it is proposed to bring to a close, for a time at least, the woodwork and cookery classes, and to establish more classes in blackboard drawing and nature-study. The teachers around the Gore centre were somewhat neglected last year, but it is intended to make special provision for the teachers at this centre this season. As in former years, a number of teachers presented themselves for examination in woodwork and cookery under the City and Guilds of London Institute. The number of teachers who passed was as follows: Woodwork—first year, 18; second year, first class 1, second class 4. Cookery— first class 16, second class 18. At the art examination of the Board of Education, South Kensington, one student passed in freehand drawing, two in model-drawing, and two in light and shade. In consequence of the large number of teachers who were in attendance at the training classes, the proposed winter school has been still further held over. It is proposed to hold in connection with the school an exhibition of hand-and-eye work. In June last Mr. E. C. Isaac, Organizing Inspector of Manual and Technical Instruction, paid his annual visit of inspection to this district, and inspected the work being done in the Technical School and in several of the primary schools. He also met a large body of the teachers in Invercargill and gave demonstrations in jack-plane drill and in blackboard drawing. During the year gifts of money and of goods were received from Messrs. Hayward Bros, and Co., of Christchurch, and Messrs. Manson, Thomson, Field, and Smyth, of Invercargill, all in aid of the cookery classes. These friends are thanked for their kindness. The work connected with this department of education is growing year by year, but the labour is made comparatively light because of the kindly consideration and for-