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Increasing attention continues to be given to instruction in elementary agriculture. School gardens, experimental and observation plots, and, in many cases, suitable laboratory practice, form special features of the instruction, which in several districts is supervised by special itinerant instructors. The number of classes in operation during the year was 460, an increase of 63. In addition, dairy-work was taught in districts, the number of classes being 38. In not a few of the schools attempts are being made to bring the curricula into closer touch with local conditions, by giving greater prominence to subjects bearing on rural life and pursuits. Practical instruction in various branches of elementary science was given to 57 recognised classes. In this connection it may be noted that there are now about twenty well-equipped laboratories available for instruction in science in connection with primary and district high schools. In the case of several of the latter schools laboratory-work forms an important part of the course of agricultural instruction. In schools where laboratories are not yet available, courses in elementary physical measurements such as may conveniently be carried out in ordinary class-rooms" are found to afford excellent opportunities for individual practical work. Such courses were taken by about 90 classes. As in previous years, several classes received assistance in the way of voluntary contributions in money and in kind from local bodies, agricultural associations, members of the farming community, and others. Such contributions carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1. Recognised classes for manual instruction were also held during the year at about twenty secondary schools. The subjects of instruction included woodwork, cookery, and various branches of science. Some particulars relating to the classes are as follows : — The number of recognised classes for manual instruction in secondary schools was .. .. .. .. • • • • 159 The capitation on classes amounted to .. .. . . .. £861 18s. sd. The average cost per class was .. .. . . • • £5 Bs. sd. Technical Instruction. A review of the year's work indicates that satisfactory progress continues to be made by controlling authorities and managers of classes in the various education districts in providing and improving facilities for technical instruction. The organization of the technical schools, in the larger centres especially, is improving year by year, graded courses are becoming an essential feature of the curriculum, while every effort is being made to provide, as far as possible, courses of instruction adapted to local requirements. Considerable interest continues to be taken in the schools by local bodies and by industrial, trade, and other organizations, augmented in most cases by assistance of a practical nature in the way of monetary contributions, which, with the Government subsidy of £1 for £1 thereon, form an important source of revenue to the classes concerned. During the year over £6,000 was so contributed, indicating very clearly the attitude, generally, of local bodies and others with regard to technical education. The Government has, so far as available funds and other circumstances have permitted, favourably considered applications by controlling authorities for grants for new buildings or additions, and for necessary equipment. During the year grants for these purposes amounting to over £21,000 were distributed. New buildings have been erected at Feilding, Marton, Patea, Petone, Masterton, Napier, and Wakefield; necessary additions have been made to the technical schools at New Plymouth, Dannevirke, Timaru, and Dunedin, and to the Christchurch Technical College ; while considerable additions have been made to the equipment of the technical schools at Wanganui, Wellington, Napier, and Dunedin, and the School of Engineering attached to the Canterbury College, Christchurch. Speaking generally, it may be said that good and useful work is, within the limits imposed by existing conditions, being done in the technical schools. Most of the