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WANGANUI. Extract prow the Report of the Education Hoard. The organization of the district for the purposes of manual and technical instruction has now been completed, the subdistricts being the North, Centre, and South, each with a separate staff, and a resident Supervisor at Hawera. Wanganui, and Feilding. The Wanganui Technical College, which supplies the needs of Wanganui and suburbs, is not included, being under the control of the Principal of the College. The effect of the organization is seen in the rapid strides made in the teaching of technical subjects, but especially in the teaching of agricultural science. No fewer than 238 pupils of our district high schools took the rural course last year. Laboratorywork was supplemented at each subcentre by field-work of such a nature as to greatly interest agriculturists as well as the many pupils. The maintenance of tin- organization in an efficient condition entails a great financial burden, especially when it is remembered that no grant is made by the Department for insurance or upkeep of the technical buildings. Moreover, the alteration of the rates of capitation made from the beginning of last year has unquestionably reduced the income of the country centres, and, naturally, at the same time lessened their usefulness. It is difficult to see why the rates formerly allowed should not be paid in the case of single students taking single subjects. The reasonableness of requiring young people in towns to takecourses of study appeals to every one; but that schools, through the substitution of one regulation for another, should be rendered unable to provide efficient instruction ill individual subjects in country centres -or even in town —is suieh outside of reason. In the opinion of those who are constantly engaged in the work of providing teohnical instruction in our three subcentres, the new rates have done much to destroy the interest of the people in a cause which, from every point of view, should be promoted. After the expenditure of much time and thought, and the clearingawav of obstacles apparently unsurmountable —thanks mainly to the Education Department—the Hoard lias the satisfaction of seeine- the Wanganui Technical College on a sound educational footing. Though the financial position of the College is not quite assured, there is every reason to expect that, through the able and energetic efforts of the Principal and local Committee, the College will surely redeem its position in this respect, as other technical schools in the district are doing. The Hoard desires to express its appreciation of the great services rendered to the cause of agricultural instruction by the Supervisors of the three districts—Mr. Browne (Hawera), Mr. Grant (Wanganui), and Mr. Banner (Feilding). The thanks of the Hoard are dm- to Mr. Short, of Parorangi, for the facilities for instruction that he places at the disposal of the instructors and pupils at his Almadale Farm, and for many acts of kindness done while they were in camp; and to Mr. J. G. Wilson, for the use of his land at Marton Junction for a school farm, and for liberal assistance in horses and implements to facilitate the work. Thanks are due also to the Manager of the State farm at Moumahaki, and to the Agricultural Department for teaching-facilities, accommodation, and other considerate acts. One of the most satisfactory features of this department of educational work is the financial help given regularly by local bodies and societies from one end of the district to the other. In this connexion, donations received from the following towards the promotion of technical education in some of its forms are gladly acknowledged: Wanganui Borough Council, Wanganui Builders' Association, Oroua County Council, Marton Chamber of Commerce, Pohangina County Council, Manawatu County Council, Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Hawera Borough Council, Kiwitea County Council, Hangitikei County Council, Wanganui East Borough Council, Feilding Borough Council, Marton Borough Council, New Zealand Farmers' Union. Day Technical Schools. —The action of the Board in recommending the disestablishment of the Wanganui District High School, on the ground that efficient instruction was being given in the Wanganui Technical College, opens up the question of the policy the Hoard desires to pursue in all cases of the kind. Where the same courses of study are given in the technical school by expert teachers, who are paid fairly good salaries, it seems false economy to allow the hybrid district high schools, with their beggarly salaries, to drag out an existence in the same town. It should certainly be optional for the Hoard to make the change whenever it is considered advisable. Extract from the Report of the Superintendent of Manual ami Technical Instruction. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the year's work was the great progress made in the teaching of agricultural science, We have long been struggling with doubts, difficulties, and obstacles, but we appear to have gained at length a footing sufficiently solid to justify us in anticipating great developments in the future. Successful classes for teachers were held at Wanganui, Feilding, and Hawera. A class for fanners was well attended at Feilding. Work at the Marton School farm was carried on during the year despite the adverse weather-conditions. Farm camps were held at Mr. Short's Almadale Farm, when- the boys were familiarized with the most desirable points in Clydesdales, Hereto! ds, and Romneys. Courses of practical work for secondary pupils were conducted at Hawera in August and December, ami last month a farm camp —the first of a series, it is to be hoped—was held at the Moumahaki State Farm, where the boys were most considerately treated. Best of till, business men and practical farmers began to show further appreciation of the work done in the schools by offering medals and prizes for competition. The reports of the Supervisors of Agricultural Training herewith submitted are interesting and illuminating. The attendance of the "paying" pupil has shrunk considerably, especially in the north. No doubt compulsory military service, local picture-shows, and other local distractions have to some extent diverted the steps of young people from continuation and technical classes, but these are not the only adverse influences. As will be seen from his report, Mr. Browne attributes

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