12

B.—lβ

During the year an important change in the method of distributing material was decided upon. Instead of forwarding this material through local tradesmen, as was done previously, the Board decided to stock its own supplies at the office, whence teachers will in future receive what they require. Mr. P. H. Bell, of the office staff, has been appointed clerk of the manual and technical department, and he will take charge of the distribution of all material. In October an exhibition of manual and technical work was held at Palmerston North. Ihe work displayed, especially the plasticine-modelling, the brushwork, and the design, was distinctly in advance of the previous exhibition. The cardboard-modelling exhibit was rather disappointing both as regards quantity and quality, but now that teachers' central training classes are being organized under Mr. E. H. Clark, a decided improvement should be made. My sincere thanks are due to the local teachers who, with Messrs. Clark, Grant, and Bell, worked together splendidly and brought the exhibition to so successful an issue. The increase in the number of woodwork and cookery classes has necessitated the employment of second instructors, Mr. Bannister, of Wellington, and Miss Fergus, of Dunedin, having been appointed. During 1906 the average attendance at the woodwork classes was 299, and that at the cookery classes 253, exclusive of the Palmerston North High School. Both Miss Mollison and Mr. Clark, who succeeded Mr.'Ritchings Grant, have been most enthusiastic in the conduct of their classes, and some excellent work has resulted. We desire to place on record our appreciation of the work done by Miss Mollison and Messrs. Varney, Grant, and Clark, whom we have found at all times willing to co-operate with us in furthering the cause of education; and to Misa Fergus, Mr. Hintz, and Mr. Bannister, who have just joined the Board's staff of instructors, we desire to extend a cordial welcome. Effective measures are taken to secure the health of the pupils. In the first place, they receive a continuous course of instruction on the principles of health, including lessons on the structure of the body, its organs (with their functiona), and elementary ideaa on aanitation. On the side of physical training there are for the upper claaaes of the larger schools military drill and cadet work, and for all schools whatever physical exercises, the most popular form of which at present is the breathing exercise. Everything possible is being done to make the conditions of the children's school environment conducive to the highest development of their bodies. The best forms of lightingand ventilation are carefully studied, and single desks are being introduced as rapidly as the Board's funds will permit. The class-rooms are, generally speaking, bright and cheerful, and suitable games are played during intervals. We are delighted to notice that one of our teachers is making arrangements for a supply of Arnold's " Pictures for the Schoolroom," which are a marvel of cheapness and artistic worth. Were the money that is sometimea mia-spent on prizes spent on such pictures the children's imaginations would be enriched and the sum of their happiness indefinitely increased. Thanks to Mr. Grant'a foatering care, the number of school gardens is rapidly increasing. These, apart from their being a means of mental training of the highest order, are a source of health and puredelight to the children, who long for the time when the school clock will point to the gardening hour. In this'branch of school-work an immense amount of good has been done by several of the horticultural societies. The interest which these societiea create by offering prizes for the best-kept gardensjmd the beat garden-produce cannot fail to impress children as well with the best methods of work the beauty and bounty of nature. The general tenor of this report will readily be accepted as a testimony to the zeal and ability of the teachers, who invariably receive our suggestions in the spirit in which they are made. As to the children, between whom and the teachers there appears to exist the utmost good feeling, their intelligence, animation, and pleasing manners encourage us predict that when the time comes they will take their places in the State as efficient, honourable, and courteous citizens. We are, &c, G. D. Braik. Jas. Milne. The Chairman, Education Board, Wanganui. T- B - Strong.

WELLINGTON. g lß .__ Education Office, Wellington, February, 1907. We have the Honour to present our report on the condition of the primary schools in the Wellington Education District during the year 1906. The number of schools in operation was 155, one more than at the end of last year. New schools were opened at Northland, Waterfalls, and Waimanu, and the schools at Pencarrow and Momona were closed. Akitio was visited by an Inspector, but as the school was closed no examination was held. A teacher has now been appointed, and another visit will be paid during the coming year. Wairere was closed before the Inspector's visit, and has not been reopened. With the exception of Waimanu, which was opened at the end of the year and after the Inspector's visit to the district, all schools in operation received an annual visit, and a further visit of inspection was made to a!! lint two small aided schools representing twelve children. In addition to these, the secondary classes of ten district high schools were examined and inspected, and nine Roman Cathoilc schools received an annual visit.