E.—l

36

The various forms of elementary handwork in which pupils in classes up to Standard IV receive instruction, affording as they do valuable opportunities for concrete illustrations, are being largely taught in conjunction with other subjects of the syllabus, such as arithmetic, instrumental drawing, nature-study, and geography. Of the subjects of manual instruction taken in the higher standards, woodwork, cookery, and laundry-work continue to be taught on the central system, and by special instructors. There are now about eighty well-equipped rooms for instruction in these subjects. In the larger centres special manual-training schools have been provided. In the smaller centres the rooms form part of the local district high school, secondary school, or technical school, as the case may be. During the year 419 classes for woodwork, 403 for cookery, and 117 for laundry-work were in operation. There were also 95 classes for dressmaking. Compared with the previous year, the number of classes for domestic subjects shows an increase of 7 per cent. It is gratifying to note the increasing attention that is being given to instruction in subjects bearing on the home. While the opportunities for such instruction are being widened as circumstances permit, improved methods of instruction are also being introduced. The scarcity of properly trained teachers of domestic subjects, to which reference was made in last year's report is not now so pronounced, and is likely to disappear altogether in the near future, as the result, mainly, of the establishment of full courses in home science at the Otago University and of the special bursaries provided by the Government in connexion therewith. Elementary instruction on subjects bearing on" rural occupations was given in 1,009 schools, as compared with 917 in the previous year. The instruction in the case of ten of the thirteen education districts is supervised by itinerant instructors having a special knowledge of agriculture. There are now eighteen of these instructors stationed in various parts of the Dominion. The course of instruction includes both experimental and observational work (indoor and outdoor), and in some districts, chiefly in the North Island, elementary dairywork. The continued interest taken in the classes by School Committees, agricultural and pastoral associations, and members of the farming community generally is distinctly encouraging. In addition to special prizes offered for competition, contributions in money and kind to the value of nearly £500 have been received by Ediication Boards during the year. These contributions carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1. Full courses of instruction bearing on rural pursuits (having a domestic trend in the case of girls) occupying not less than twenty hours a week throughout the year, were carried on during the year in connexion with the secondary departments in 56 per cent, of the district high schools (fifty-nine in number) as follows : —

The special capitation paid to Education Boards on account of these rural courses amounted to £6*3 per pupil. The practical subjects included in the course continue for the most part to be taught by itinerant instructors. It is a matter for regret, in view of the facilities now available for training, that the supply of teachers having a practical acquaintance with modern methods of teaching science continues to be altogether inadequate. About 70 per cent, of the district high schools are

District. Number of Schools. Number of Pupils. Capitation earned. Auckland Taranaki Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay... North Canterbury South Canterbury 4 1 8 5 3 4 2 6 J 17 63 170 207 111 106 57 185 £ 675 450 1,070 1,287 754 667 355 1,176 Ocago Totals 1913 v ... 33 1,016 £6,434 Totals 1912 28 890 £5,795