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Education Board, Wellington, 18th September, 1906. Replying to your circular memo, of the 29th August, I regret that, owing to an oversight, no mention was made in the Board's last annual report of instruction in drill. The Inspectors report that instruction in military drill is making satisfactory progress in our large schools, and in the rest it forms a subject of instruction wherever circumstances permit. At the end of the year we had two battalions in the district, and a third has been formed since then. Throughout the district the subject of physical instruction receives due attention in most schools. In former years the Inspectors incorporated in their annual reports the main points in Colonel Loveday's report, but owing to the fact that that officer was last year prevented from inspecting the greater number of our cadet companies his report could not on this occasion be included. The Secretary for Education, Wellington. G. L. Stewart, Secretary.

Education Board, Blenheim, Bth September, 1906. In reply to the Department's memo, of the 29th August concerning drill, the Inspector reports as follows: "Of the thirteen schools returned last year as not presenting pupils in drill, nine had undertaken the work, two were closed, and in two the subject was still neglected. In six other schools, owing to broken time or to the fact that they were newly opened, defect was observed. The larger schools all acquit themselves well in drill, and some of them improved in the readiness and alacrity with which the various movements were executed. A battalion has been instituted, and three parades were held. A company has also been formed of detachments from Havelock, Canvastown, and Okaramio, in which district much enthusiasm has been displayed. This company has inadequate equipment for shooting, having only two miniature rifles." D. A. Stbachan, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. For Secretary.

Education Board, Christchurch, 3rd September, 1906. Eeplying to your letter of the 29th ultimo, I have to explain that in their report for the year 1905 the Board's Inspectors reported in regard to drill, copy of which report is attached. The Secretary for Education, Wellington. H. C. Lane, Secretary.

Extract from Inspectors' Annual Report for 1905. In practically all the schools of the district these subjects are receiving attention, and it is gratifying to find an increasing number of teachers who supplement the ordinary club, wand, and dumb-bell exercises with others in which at frequent and regular intervals practice in deep breathing is given. The cadet movement has now found permanent acceptance in this as in other districts, and we are glad to note that Colonel Loveday has recorded his satisfaction with the efficiency of the various corps. Between this efficiency and the discipline of the schools the connection is very intimate indeed. The huge attendance at the yearly display given in Lancaster Park by the Public Schools Amateur Athletic Association is an excellent indication of the interest taken by the public in this department of training. The general attractiveness of the items in the day's programme, the precision which marks every movement, and the effectiveness of the massed displays speak eloquently of the time and pains which members of the various teaching staffs (the ladies especially) have devoted to the preparation of their squads. The smoothness and punctuality apparent in the unbroken succession of events bear equally emphatic testimony to the forethought and organizing capacity of the officials concerned.

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