E.—2

[Appendix G.

.Roman Catholic and Other Schools subjbot to Inspection. In accordance with the policy of the Department to extend the benefits of the scheme to private and other schools who might desire its advantages, arrangements were made for the admission to physical-training classes of hoiui fide school-teachers employed on the teaching staffs of j-irivate and other schools subject to inspection. Several Roman Catholic and private schools have availed themselves of this opportunity, and have attended classes at Napier, Hawera, and Masterton. It was found, however, that the dress of certain orders in the former community prevented them from taking part in much of the practical training, and when possible this obstacle has been overcome by holding a private class for their benefit. For instance, in January last (while schools were closed) advantage was taken of a large assemblage of nuns in Auckland District to provide instruction (in private) for a class of fifty-eight. It is not possible, however, to make regular provision for private instruction, and I would suggest that these schools should fall into line with the public schools of their district and close at the same time for the purpose of training. If the female teachers then attended in sufficient numbers to form a separate class it could be conducted with the desired privacy. The male teachers, who do not require privacy for the same reason, should not require separate instruction. Tsst Schools. With -a view to testing the results of the system, records of 200 children were secured at the District High School, Hawera, on the 12th and 13th March. A run of twenty-five boys and twenty-five girls from each of Standards 111, IV, V, and VI was taken, and the following particulars recorded and individual conditions noted, for the purpose of comparison at a future date, viz. : Height, weight, lung-capacity, chest-circumference inflated and deflated, chest-diameter A. P. inflated and deflated. A cursory inspection of the girls indicated 15 per cent, of scoliosis, and a closer examination of the boys revealed 34 per cent, of physical defects, classed as follows: 10 per cent, scoliosis; other defects —24 per cent, uneven development of thorax, uneven development of spinal groups of muscles, displaced shoulder-blades, and malnutrition. These conditions, whether due to pathologic origin or not, are maintained and increased by the influences referred to in the school environment under headings 2 and 3. The following table shows the extent to which the system was established up to the 31st March, 1914 (omitting private and other schools subject to inspection in Auckland District which have not been inspected and whose totals are not available) : —

The attached maps will give a. more comprehensive idea of the areas and number of schools in which the system is working. Progress Mai , to Date. Dark-shading areas indicate schools represented at training classes and inspected up to 31st March, 1914, viz. : — Auckland ... ... ■•■ ••• 271 trained. 220 inspected. Hawke's Bay ... ... ... ... 160 ~ 64 Southland ' ... •■• 181 ~ 161 Wellington ... ... ■■■ ■■■ 38 ~ Wanganui ... ... ■•• ••■ 50 ~ 1 ~ Lighter-shading areas indicate schools trained to date, but not inspected, viz. : — 3 Auckland ... ... ■•■ ••• •• ••■ ■•• 217 Wanganui ... ■•■ ■■■ ■■■ ••• •■ ■■■ 70 Wellington ... ■'■■ ■•■ ■•• ■■• ■■■ ... 132 The four black circles each contain' one training college and approximately forty public schools, attended by two inspecting instructors. The white spaces indicate the districts and approximate number of schools awaiting instruction.

VI

Hawke's Bay Auckland Southland Wangamii Wellington District. I Teachers trained. Number Number of of Male. Female. Total. , Sohools - Children. I • .. 108 173 281 160 10,000 (approx.) 293 408 701 220 30,889 .. 112 207 319 161 8,817 38 67 105 50 3.126 .. I 39 24 63 38 8,823 I i ! 160 10,000 Number of Schools inspected. 64 220 161 50 38 (approx.) 30,889 8,817 3.126 8,823 220 161 J 590 879 1,469 629 61,655 I 629 61,655 446