E.—6

There are, however, other factors which contribute to the creation of the present staffing difficulties. In the first place the attendance at secondary schools has been increasing rapidly of late years. The total March roll number of the departmental secondary schools in 1920 was 8,526 ; this had risen to 10,189 in 1921 and to 11,068 in 1922, an increase of very nearly 30 per cent, in two years. The supply of teachers has manifestly failed to keep pace with this phenomenal rate of expansion. Again, it must be remembered that the technical high schools and the rapidly increasing number of district high schools are strong competitors for the services of the graduate teacher ; the salaries obtaining in these schools are in the main as attractive as those paid to the secondary teachers, and in the junior positions they are often somewhat higher. The Dalton Plan. In several schools a portion of the work has been carried on during the year on the lines of the Dalton plan. It is difficult so far to decide whether the system would prove a success if universally adopted, as the experiments were conducted as a rule with one or at most several classes in a school, and without full library and laboratory equipment. The experiments have, however, proved interesting and instructive as revealing the weaknesses as well as the strength of the plan. It is quite possible that some of its features might be used with advantage as a means of encouraging individual effort. The effect of its general adoption upon the organization of a school can only be determined after several years' trial. Heads of Departments. Four of the large schools have availed themselves of the regulations providing for the appointment of heads of departments. These have fully justified their selection by invaluable work done in connection with the organization of the work in their special subjects, and in the instruction and supervision of the less experienced teachers. This system is not only of great assistance to the Principal of a large school, but provides a means of training teachers who come direct from the University without lirovious training. Geneeal. There are clear indications that the average efficiency of the teaching is improving in the secondary schools. Teachers as a rule are interested in recent educational developments, and there appears to be a genuine desire to depart from stereotyped, mechanical methods in favour of those which are more closely related to the life of the community. Probably the best work is done outside the class-room in fostering a healthy interest in school games, physical drill, and the various hobbies that provide occupation for leisure hours. Class singing has received increased attention, and community singing has been very successfully introduced into several boys' schools ; the singing of patriotic songs has done much to encourage and foster a spirit of loyalty. The effect upon character produced by several years spent in a good secondary school is incalculable, and there can be no doubt that the boys and girls who pass the adolescent period in a healthy atmosphere of this kind, both physical and moral, must leave it better fitted to do their duty as citizens, whatever calling they may follow. J. Drummond, I, . „ i a i i F T Parr f Inspectors of secondary Schools. The Director of Education, Wellington.

3. DETAILED TABLES, ETC. PERSONNEL OF FULL-TIME STAFFS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS AT 31st DECEMBER, 1922. Whanqarei High School. —Messrs. R. Lupton ;H. E. G. Smith; VV. A. Given, M.A. ; H. E. Quinn, M.A. ; I). W. Fell, M.A. ; D. A. B. Bird, M.A. ; Miss E. Haseldon, M.A. ; Mrs. E. Hollway, B.A. ; Miss V. Clarke-Walker, B.A. ; Miss W. E. Lamb. Auckland Grammar School— Messrs. J. W. Tibbs, M.A. ; H. J. D. M. Mahon, B.A. ; A. R. Ryder, M.A. ; W. T. Foster, M.A., B.Litt. ; P. A. Docherty ; K. T. Bellow, M.A. ; J. L. E. Newhook ; W. J. Bishop, M.A. ; P. Drummond, B.A. ; A. W. Short, B.A. ; C. R. Jones, M.A. ; J. A. Asher, B.A. ; N. A. Winter, B.A. ;P. A. S. Stein, B.Se. ;H. C. Bourne, M.A. ; J. W. Bennett: E. E. Bilkey, B.A. ; ,1. E. Learning. B.A. ;R. W. E. B. Harman, B.Se. ; P. D. Veale, M.Sc. j E. N. Hogben; T. R. Vernon; I']. H. Driver; B.A. ; A. M. Nicholson, B.A. ; J. Leggatt, B.A. ; E. A. Boxall, B.A. ; J. F. Simpson; H. W. Wedding, B.A. ; F. C. Rauch ; C. W. Johnson. Auckland Oirls' Grammar Scltool—Misses W. Pickon, M.A. ; M. A. Dive, B.A. ; l<\ Maodonald, B.A. ; Mrs. S. Heap; Misses J. Ulilmann , K. V. Edgerly, M.A. ; I. Robertson, M..A. ; H. Woodhouse, M.A. ; B. S. Macdiarmid, M.A. ; C. L. F. Hull, M.A. ; B. A. Jackson, B.A. ; G. MoMullan, 8.A., B.Se; A. 1. Haslett, B.A. ; D. E. Horton, M.A. ; M. Maodonald, B.A. : E. MoMullan j K. M. Dickinson, M.A. : J. H. Wilson, B.Se. ; C. Finlay. Mount Albert Grammar School. —Messrs. F. W. Gamble, M.A. ;A. R. Gatland, B.A. ; tl. F. Brook, M.A. ; •W. Caradus, M.Sc. ; G. S. Coldham, M.A. ; J. H. Harvoy, M.A. ; C. P. Worley, B.A. ; A. D. Trendall ; R. 0. Buchanan, M.A. ; W. C. J. Perry, M.A. ; R. B. Hardy ; H. L. Towers. Epsom Girls' Grammar School. —Misses A. C. Morrison, M.A. ;P. 1. Patterson, M.A. ; E. Campbell, M.A. ; S. Kirkbride, M.A. ; M. E. Freeman, M.A. ; L. Forbes, Dip.Litt. ; I). Holmden, M.A. ; M. C. Terry, M.Sc. ; M. Barnett, B.A. ; B. Battersby, M.Sc. ; B. Brendel, M.A. ; J. C. S. Rudall, B.H.Sc. ; C. Dwvcr, B.A. ; L. G. Hutton ; E. Macdiarmid ; A. M. L. Robb. Thames High School— Messrs. W. 11. Hoult. M.A. ; H. H. Marshall, B.A. ;H. W. James, 8.A.; Misses G. H. Howard, M.A. ; E. M. Wilcox ; E. K. Gallagher, B.A.

13