E.—s

26

When convenient an account of the excursion was written and sent to me. The exercises were then corrected, valued, and the results sent to the head teacher of the school. As far as can be judged from the sixteen excursions that have been carried out, the results are satisfactor}'. The children paid strict attention to the work given them, and made honest efforts to collect information and explain the various phenomena with which they were confronted. In most of the composition exercises a good account of the excursion was given. Classes for young farmers were conducted in Wanganui, Marton, and Apiti. The subject taught in each case was elementary agriculture. The students in Marton and Apiti put a good deal of thought into their work. Possibly farmers' reading circles will be established in some of the districts, and by this means farmers will be able to read and discuss the latest phases of farm practice. During the last six months of this year sixteen public addresses were given on agricultural education. The attendance was on the whole satisfactory. On Saturdays I have, as a rule, been engaged giving lectures to teachers. As much practical work as was possible was given in addition. The lectures consisted of an outline of plant and animal life, and the application of the principles learned to the various problems that meet the teachers. The attendance during the first and second terms was very good, but there was a considerable falling-away towards the end of the year. For next year it is intended that the Saturday science work for teachers will be made much more practical. The new science room in Wanganui is now finished. This will afford an opportunity to give teachers an insight into laboratory methods. From materials supplied the teachers will be expected to make their own observations and inductions. The work will be of an elementary nature, and with certain modifications can be introduced into the schoolrooms. At Halcombe an experiment in seed-selection is being tried. For this purpose several kinds of oats were planted. The pupils selected from the various varieties the largest and finest-looking seeds. These were planted separately at various distances apart. From this season's produce a selection will be made for next year's crop. The results of this work will be watched with interest. A similar experiment is being made with potatoes. Several varieties have been selected for this experiment. The finest-looking plot has been produced from seed that grew in the school garden last year. It was carefully looked after by the children until it was planted. The full results of these experiments will not be available till March. The Palmerston A. and P. Association, the Feilding A. and P. Association, and the Wanganui Horticultural Society have given very handsome prizes for school garden-work. The Palmerston A. and P. Association admitted school-children free to the winter show, and also arranged with Mr. M. Murphy, F.L.S., to give to the country children a lecture on gardens. Most of the children made a very systematic examination of the school exhibits, particularly those of the winning garden. Feilding results will not be available this year. The Wanganui Horticultural Society gave prizes for the best school gardens, in addition to the prizes they gave for staged exhibits. As the Inspectors of Schools attach more importance to the method by which the results have been obtained than to the results, I would suggest that in future competitions the Committees drawing up the programmes will arrange that, in addition to the exhibit, ah account of the means to produce it will also be shown. As most of the societies give prizes for penmanship, this account, which would really be a synopsis of the garden note-book, might be used as the writing test. I should like to point out that the school garden-work is of educative importance first, and of economic importance second. The garden-work is the practical science-work of the school. It is hoped that the children will learn practically how to observe, experiment, and record accurately. Science-work carelessly done is not only useless but mischievous. A garden may be beautifully kept, but if this result has been obtained by following a few set rules, the reasons for which are quite unknown to the pupils, the time will soon come when gardens will fall into disrepute. In the garden-work there must be failures and successes, but from a study of these the children wilt gradually learn the correct procedure for their own gardens. To the officers of the Department of Agriculture, Wellington, and the Manager of the State Experimental Station, Momohaki, for much help ungrudgingly given, I tender my best thanks. Teachers and children have taken up the work of elementary agriculture with enthusiasm. I think lam justified in predicting a successful new year's work. J. Grant. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 81st December, 1906, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Wanganui, Palmerston North, Waverley, Hawera, Hunterrilh. Mangaweka, Taihape, Marton, Feilding, Mangatoki, and Eltham. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on special classes .. .. 1,168 18 5 Balanoe at beginning of year .. .. 885 0 0 Capitation on acoount of free places .. 300 17 6 Salaries of instructors and travelling-ex-Buildings .. .. .. .. 1,000 0 0 penses .. .. .. .. 2,588 9 2 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 17 12 6 Offioe expenses (inoluding salaries, staPurniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 222 13 9 tionery, &o.) .. .. .. .. 16 10 0 Material .. .. .. .. 619 8 Advertising and printing and stationery .. 66 2 1 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 142 15 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 47 10 2 Pees .. .. .. .. .. 1,006 8 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 14 18 6 Voluntary contributions .. .. 112 10 9 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 100 Material sold "i.. .. .. .. 22 10 4 Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 11 0 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 1,587 16 6 Material for class use .. .. .. 122 3 5 Scholarships, £98 19s. 6d. ; library and prizes, £70 2s. Bd. .. .. .. 169 2 2 Telephone and miscellaneous, £16 14s. lOd.; cleaning, £81 3s. lid. .. .. 97 18 9 Travelling - expenses, teachers attending classes . , .. .. .. 23 13 6 Payments to committees of technical olasses .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 Buildings .. .. .. .. 1,069 16 3 Furniture, fittings, apparatus .. .. 455 18 11 £5,589 2 11 £5,589 2 11 W. J. Carson, Secretary,