E.—s

3

The special capitation paid to Education Boards on account of these courses amounted to £6-4 per pupil. The practical subjects included in the courses continue for the most part to be taught by visiting instructors. It is a matter for regret that even in the case of the science subjects recourse has still to be had to this method. In spite of the facilities for training now available, the supply of teachers having a practical acquaintance with laboratory methods continues to fall short of requirements. About 230 classes took courses in various branches of elementary science, chiefly elementary physics and chemistry. About 70 per cent, of the district high schools are now provided with facilities for laboratory-work. In a few schools where laboratories are not available useful courses in physical measurements, such as can be carried out under ordinary class-room conditions, have been successfully undertaken. The number of recognized classes for swimming and life-saving continues to increase slowly. During the year 254 classes were held, as against 233 for the previous year. Table Ja. — Capitation received and Expenditure by Education Boards in connection with Elementary Handwork and Manual Instruction in Public Schools during the Year ended 31st December, 1914 (exclusive op Expenditure out of Grants for Buildings and Equipment). Education District. Capitation. Expenditure, Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 6,439 8,104 Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. 1,326 1,266 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. 3,683 4,207 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. 3,769 4,793 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. .. 2,459 2,552 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 112 173 Nelson .. 924 1,291 Grey .. .. .. .. .. 414 492 Westland .. .. .. .. .. 26 72 North Canterbury.. .. .. .. .. 3,727 3,794 South Canterbury.. .. .. .. ..1,274 1,886 Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,334 4,024 Southland .. .. ' .. .. .. 2,873 2,333 Totals for 1914 .. .. .. ..£31,360 - £34,987 Totals for 1913 .. .. .. ..£30,174 £33,292 Manual Instruction in Secondary Schools. ■•* Recognized classes were carried on in connection with twenty-seven of the secondary schools (thirty in number) in receipt of Government grants. The subjects most generally taken up and the number of classes were as follows : — o , . , , T , ~ . Number of Classes. Subjects of Instruction. ,„.„ .p.. Free and instrumental drawing .. .. .. 25 41 Domestic subjects .. .. .. .. t . 61 62 Woodwork and ironwork .. .. .. .. 26 29 Experimental and natural science .. .. .. 215 240 Swimming and life-saving .. .. .. .. 28 30 Elementary agriculture and dairy-work .. .. 18 24 373 426 Capitation payments amounted to £1,765 (£4-1 per class) while special grants totalling £1,336 were made in aid of equipment. Necessary additions were made, chiefly in the way of apparatus for physics and chemistry, to the equipment for practical subjects in the case of Palmerston North, Napier, and Gisborne High Schools, Wellington Boys' College, Nelson Boys' and Girls' Colleges, Christchurch Boys' and Girls' High Schools, Waitaki Girls' High School, and Otago Boys' High School. The facilities for laboratory-work in the secondary schools are now in most cases very satisfactory, as is also the provision for practical work in woodwork and in domestic subjects where these are taken up. Domestic subjects, it is gratifying to note, are beginning to receive the attention and treatment their importance demands. Recognized classes for subjects bearing on rural pursuits were carried on at ten schools. In. some cases definite courses of agricultural instruction have been provided. These courses, though not yet, for various reasons, fully developed,