8.—2.

[Appendix A.

other purpose than to assist students in this direction, then the intellectual advancement aimed at would be a laudable object; but, inasmuch as it is a training-ground in the art of teaching, and is a preparation-ground for the actual work in the life of a teacher, it fails in its function if it becomes mainly an institution of learning facts which will enable a suitable memory to satisfy a written examination. Doubtless, learning and teaching should go hand-in-hand ; but the learning should be the natural but assisted growth of the teacher's mind, and the training should equip the student for his professional work. A new regulation permits principals of training colleges to recommend students for classification without other formal examination ; and this is all that is necessary for the relief of training colleges, provided they are not handicapped with the work of preparation for higher classification. The more advanced students, especially those who aim at secondary work, should have access in a limited degree to university classes ; but they will have plenty of time before them for completing their university course after their period of training has expired. With an increase of numbers quite beyond the capacity of the present institution to accommodate (they are over 110 for 1013), it becomes necessary, for the sake of that efficiency for which the College exists, that the Board should be furnished with funds to enable the remainder of the buildings at Kelburne to be proceeded with : and for these buildings competitive designs have been invited. The number of district high schools was increased to nine by the opening of a secondary department at Eketahuna. Of the rural course undertaken at most of the district high schools, the Inspectors report: "In the carrying-o.ut of this rural programme the teachers are becoming more efficient, find the practical work in the laboratory and in the garden is showing improvement year by year. The last competition for the Board's B Senior Scholarships—those reserved for scholars taking this course — was the keenest yet held, and the general average of marks given for practical work was very satisfactory." In connexion with the district-high-school staffing, it is to be noted that this Board has all along experienced difficulty in obtaining and retaining the services of teachers qualified for the special work, a difficulty which appears to call for an increase in remuneration. Scholarship?. —The following scholarships were awarded on the results of the Department's examination : Junior Board, 28 ; Senior Board A, 5 ; Senior Board B (rural scholarships), 5. Five Junior National Scholarships were awarded. The Board views with satisfaction the improvement in the candidates from small schools. At the same time, it desires to emphasize its opinion that in the best interests of education the work in our schools should be as little as possible concerned with preparation for examinations ; nor is there, under the free-place system, the same need for Board scholarships as formerly. Manual and Technical Instruction. —ln the following list are shown the number of pupils under instruction in recognized manual and technical classes, the number of schools at which such classes are held, and the subjects of instruction : — No. of No. of Schools. Pupils. Handwork .. .. .. .. ..104 12,264 Elementary agriculture .. .. ..68 1,591 Needlework, with instructor when head teacher is a man 20 271 Elementary chemistry . . .. .. .. 11 439 Elementary physics .. .. .. .. .. 5 200 Physiology and first aid .. .. .. .. 15 678 Swimming and life-saving .. .. .. .. 11 800 Elementary physical measurements .. .. .. 10 810 Dairy-work .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 123 Botany .. .. .. .. .. ..6 298 Dressmaking .. .. .. .. . . 8 104 Cookery, Wairarapa and Pahiatua centres .. .. .. 5 296 !""! „-"*■' Wellington centre .. .. .. ..14 567 Petone centre .. .. .. .. ..2 120 ~ Horowhenua centre .. .. .. .. 2 112 Woodwork, Wellington centre .. ,i .. ..14 778 "„ Petone centre .. .. .. .. 2 130 '~ Wairarapa and Pahiatua centres .. .. .. 5 279 '~ Horowhenua centre . . .. .. .. 1 46 Building construction and drawing .. .. .. .. 6 128 Mensuration and surveying. . .. . . .. . . 3 50 20,174 Drill, Physical Training, and Medical Inspection. —The Inspectors report that suitable physical exercises, including deep breathing, are given in practically all our schools, and military drill in all larger ones. The Board regards with approval the establishment of a system of medical inspection of school-children, which marks the most considerable advance recently made in educational administration in New Zealand. It welcomes also the prospect of a sound system of physical training. Provided these sister systems for the attainment of physical'well-being are developed with discretion, they should result in. untold benefit to"the men and women of to-morrow. And as the earnest teacher is always on the outlook for what will benefit fhe child, the Board is assured that in the carrying-out of a wisely devised scheme, the hearty co-operation of its teachers may be relied on. The benefits of a medical-inspection scheme depend iastly and largely on the interest, sympathy, and action of the parent; and here the Board has knowledge of instances in which parents have, with benefit to the child, followed suggestions for treatment made by the Medical Inspector. It may be that the perfect development of the child in body and mind will become the passion of the many, as it now is of the few.

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