E.— 5.

L'able Ja. — Capitation received \m> Expenditure by Education Boards in connexion wrni Manual Instruction in Public Schools during the Year ending 31st December, 1912 (exclusive of Expenditure out of ('.rants for Buildings and Equipment). Eduoation Distriol Capitation. Expenditure. £ 8. (I. £ s. d, Auckland ... 1,813 5 8 6,686 L 9 10 Taranaki . .. 1,189 210 978 3 9 Wanganui ... 3,365 16 0 3,358 11 :s Wellington 3,159 5 2 1.087 12 9 Bawke'sßay 1.821 8 9 2,394 7 0 Marlborough 280 15 8 354 9 8 Nelson .. 815 6 2 1.282 5 5 ■ Grey .. .. 79 1 4 99 0 6 Westland .. 15 13 3 119 8 North Canterbury .. 2,761 9 7 2,779 14 2 South Canterbury 1,230 11 3 1,279 19 8 Otago .... 2,069 12 7 3.707 1 3 Southland .... 2.689 9 0 2,552 17 9 Totals for 1912 .. 24,280 17 3 29,629 16 2 Totals for 1911 .. .. 19,948 14 10 21.788 7 3 Manual Instruction in Secondary Schools. Recognized classes were carried on in connexion with twenty-seven of the secondary schools (twenty-nine in number) in receipt of Government grants. The subjects most generally taken up and the total average attendance at classes were as follows: — Subjeots of Instruction. Average Attendance. 1911. 1912. Physios and chemistry .. 1,463 1,917 Natural scienoe ..1,335 1.589 Agriculture .. .. .. .. 151 160 Woodwork .. 460 483 Domestic subjects 1,076 1,043 Free and instrumental drawing 713 788 Some further particulars are as follows : — 1911. 1912 The number of recognized classes was .. .. 274 357 Capitation payments on attendances amounted to .. .. £1,147 £1,488 The average rate of payment per class was .. .. £4 - 2 £4 Special grants in aid of buildings and equipment totalled £2,073 £1,748 The majority of the secondary schools are now well equipped for practical work in science, woodwork, and domestic subjects ; the provision made for laboratory work in particular is very satisfactory. In several of the rural secondary schools courses of agricultural instruction are gradually being evolved with satisfactory results. There is also evidence of a decided movement in many of the girls' schools in the direction of providing opportunities for instruction in subjects bearing on the home. New buildings or additions to buildings for manual instruction have been erected during the year or are in course of erection in connexion with Napier High School. Marlborough High School, Nelson Boys' and Girls' Colleges, and Christchurch and Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools, while necessary equipment has been provided at Hamilton High School, Wellington Girls' College, Marlborough High School. Timaru Boys' High School, Waitaki Boys' High School, and Gore High School. Technical Instruction. Controlling authorities and managers of technical schools continue to give careful attention to the provision, improvement, and extension of facilities for instruction, and to receive in most cases satisfactory support at the hands of those for whose direct benefit the schools are provided. As in the past, considerable interest in the classes is taken by local bodies, industrial and trade organizations, and agricultural and pastoral associations, greatly to the advantage of the institutions concerned. During the year nearly £6,000, carrying a Government subsidy of £1 for £1, was contributed in aid of technical instruction. The contributions

4