131

E.—2

and then giving accurate descriptions. Not only on this head did the work seem defective, but much confusion was often exhibited in regard to the knowledge of countries and places that were supposed to have formed part of the course of study. History.—Judged by the disappointing results when tested by us, the treatment of history does not appear to lie vary effective. In some schools a Reader is used, in others the work is covered by oral lessons on a chosen list of topics. Civic instruction we find is much better handled than is the general history. Moral Instruction. —As part of the general instruction this branch of education receives a due amount of attention at the hands of the teachers. Not only by example but often by special lessons the'principles that serve as the foundation of goo:] character are brought prominently before the pupils. The school hours, however, form only a small part of the pupils' life, and the influence of the schoolroom may have but little effect if there is a lack of home training, or if opportunity exists for bad and unhealthy associations outside of school hours. The after-effects of a loosely regulated youth are often very wrongly charged against schoul training, whereas the most exemplary boy in school under the conditions of life mentioned above may develop into anything but a worthy citizen. Good work is undoubtedly being done by the teacher.-, much of which should tend to counteract prevailing indifference. Manual and Technical Instruction. —For the figures given under this section we are indebted to the Director of Technical Schools. Elementary handwork was taken in thirty-eight schools, the different branches taught being— Plasticine-modelling .. .. . . .. .. .. 29 Brush drawing .. .. .. .. .. .. 1(1 Elementary design and colour work .. .. .. .. .. 4 Bricklaying .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 4 Free-arm drawing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. C Cardboard modelling .. .. .. .. .. .. ..5 Paper-folding .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Needlework . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . (5 The number in the last mentioned is smaller than before, as there are now fewer schools conducted by male sole teachers. The opening of the Technical School at Westport has led to a, marked development of school as well as technical classes, the children from Westport and from schools along the railway-line as far as Seddonville being assembled for ironwork and cookery. The school classes in ironwork are, we understand, the first of the kind to be instituted in the Dominion, and, besides affording a valuable training, they have proved exceedingly popular with both pupils and teachers. Different subjects of manual training have been taken in forty-two schools, the number of classes recognized in various subjects being as follows : — Ironwork .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 A\'oodwork .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. I' 2 Cookery .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17 Agriculture . . .. ■ .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 Physiology and first aid .. .. .. .. .. 12 Swimming .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..17 Physical measurements .. .. .. .. .. .. ..7 Dressmaking has not been taken this year as a school subject, and lirst aid has not been taught so generally, but all other sections show greater numbers than formerly. The Minister of Education recently complimented this district upon jJossessing in proportion to its size so large a number of schools in which swimming was taught. Though pleased with what has been undertaken, we think that a knowledge of this useful art might be yet more generally imparted, as the time required makes little or no demands upon the ordinary time-table. The number of children receiving instruction at the four different centres is : — Ironwork. Woodwork. Cookery. Nelson .. .. .. .. .... 130 120 Wakefield .. .. .. .. .... 58 07 Westport .. .. .. .. ..98 .. 90 Reefton .. .. .. .. .... 35 3(> In connection with the woodwork lessons, the boys in their drawing are now obtaining bound practice in isometric projection. We regret to find that occasionally a parent, through lack of appreciation of these " new-fangled " subjects of instruction, has attempted to debar his child from attending. Where travelling by rail is involved the objector may deserve some consideration, but the usual attendance at a certain room for cookery, woodwork, or ironwork ranks simply as an attendance at any other lesson on the school time-table, and a pupil wilfully absenting himself from any school subject commits a breach of discipline. It is the head teacher's duty, under the jurisdiction of the Board, to arrange the course of lessons for all his pupils, and pandemonium must soon ensue if choice of times and subjects is left to the pupil. Cookery classes have also been formed for the benefit of St. Mary's (private) Schools, and classes in farm-carpentry for the boys of the Stoke Industrial School. Teachers at Nelson received instruction in chemistry, physical measurements, geometrical, blackboard, and model drawing, and woodwork. At Westport teachers' classes were formed for blackboard,