E.--2.

jArrENUiX 0.

IV

WANGANUI. Extract from the Report of the Director of Manual an» Technical Instruction. Agriculture. —ls7 schools had recognized classes, the average attendance being 2,300. The outdoor work continues to improve. Notebooks also showed improvement. There is still room for improvement in the indoor experimental work. Useful articles outlining experiments in agricultural science, schemes of work in primary-school agriculture, growing of native trees from seed, the cultivation of annuals, and nature-study notes appeared in the Leaflet during the year. An interesting exhibit showing the nature of the work undertaken at the schools was staged iii the Palmerston North Winter Show. It is proposed to exhibit on a somewhat larger scale at future shows. Woodwork and, Domestic Science. —Classes were held at Wanganui, Patea. Marton, Bull's, llongotea, Feilding, Palmerston North, Foxton, Apiti, Pohaugina, Hunter.ville, Taihape, and Ohakune. 737 pupils from thirty-four schools received instruction in woodwork, and 736 pupils from .thirty-three schools received instruction in domestic science. At Wanganui seventy-nine pupils from five schools took metal-work instead of woodwork. The programme of work in the woodwork course was ou the lines set out in the report for 1916. Laundry-work was added to the programme of the domestic course for senior girls. Art Instruct ion. —The Supervisor of Art Instruction visited a large number of schools during the. year. Teachers were given practical assistance in the teaching of the various branches of drawing and design, (fee, the work in the drawing-books was carefully examined, and lessons in drawing given to the pupils at all schools visited. A general improvement in the drawing-books is reported, some distinctly good work, being shown in some schools. A certain amount of attention was given to the matter of surface treatment by pencil-painting for the expression of light and shade, &c, It is intended to further carry on this branch of the work as time goes on. The usual tests in drawing in connection with the proficiency examination were set at the close of the •year, and from a, general survey of the work it appears that there is a. distinct improvement in a good many schools. Much of the work in free drawing sent up, however, bears evidence of wrong methods of setting about the work and carelessness in execution. Design, on, the whole is still far from good, but there is a. decided improvement in instrumental drawing. At (he request, of the Wanganui Women Teachers' Association the Board's Supervisor lectured at Palmerston North towards the close of the year to a gathering of about fifty teachers of that part of the district. The large number present is a pleasing proof of the interest that teachers take in the matter of drawing in our schools. It is hoped that further lectures will be arranged (luring the coming year. Handwork. — Recognized classes in handwork were held at 171 schools. Great difficulty was experienced in securing supplies of suitable materials, but it is hoped that full supplies will be on hand at the beginning of next year. Swimming and, Life-saving. —l,o72 pupils received instruction during the year. In view of the erection of swimming-baths at Palmerston North and the proposal to erect baths at Aramoho a large increase in the numbers receiving instruction in this subject may be looked for. Needlework and Dressmaking. —Special teachers of needlework were employed at thirty schools. At four schools instruction was given in advanced needlework and dressmaking. Other Subjects. —Classes in physical measurements were held at six schools, and in physiology and first aid at one school. The following table shows the number of schools at which classes were held and the number of pupils wdio received instruction during 1917 : —

HAWKE'S BAY. Extract prom the Report of the Director of Manual and Technical Instruction, Classes in elementary handwork were recognized in 121 schools, and the materials for carrying on this work were all supplied by the Board. Great difficulty was experienced in procuring materials for the different branches of handwork. However, with the assistance of the teachers throughout the district, sufficient materials were found to carry on the work of the schools to the end of the year.

Subjects. Number of Schools, Average Attendance. Agriculture and dairy-work Cookery Woodwork Metal-work Advanced dressmaking Handwork Needlework Physical measurements Physiology and first aid Swimming and life-saving Rural course at district high schools 157 33 34 5 4 171 30 0 1 10 2,300 736 737 79 52 .12,536 320 377 2!) 1,072 189 G