E.—2.

27

Manual and Technical Instruction. —As in former years, at the 380-odd schools in the district the material supplied in connection with the different branches of elementary handwork was profitably made use of in the matter of providing concrete examples for the better illustration of ordinary kclasswork. As the Department supplied a quantity of kindergarten material to be distributed amongst the larger schools, it was possible to make greater use of kindergarten methods in the infant classes. All handwork material was again sent from the Department, purchased through the High Commissioner in London. In most lines supplies were ample for the Board's requirements, the quality was good, and the material arrived in time to enable a distribution to be made before schools started. At thirty-two small schools needlework instruction was given by an outside instructress. Advanced Handwork. —In the upper standards advanced handwork received as much attention as heretofore. About 3,500 boys were instructed in woodwork and drawing at the twenty-two manual-training centres in the district. Combined courses of woodwork and ironwork were conducted at the Normal and Phillipstown centres. Domestic-science courses were also conducted at the twenty-two different centres, where about 3,400 girls were in attendance. The Board was unfortunate in losing valuable cookery equipment at Southbridge, when the Southbridge District High School was burnt to the ground. Towards the end of the year Miss E. M. Burns, of the Training College, was appointed supervisor of needlework instruction in the Christchurch area. During the last four months of the year she did valuable work in improving the quality of the needlework instruction given at primary schools. It is hoped that the success of the experiment will warrant its adoption at other suitable centres. Agriculture.—Activities in agriculture, nature-study, and its allied subjects were just as great as in the past. Agricultural and horticultural societies in the district helped to keep up the interest in the work by promoting competitions, and thus providing a stimulus for greater effort. Foresttree culture was given a fillip principally through the assistance of the State Forestry Department. The rural course of instruction was carried 011 at the eleven district high schools in the district with an attendance of about Iwo hundred and eighty pupils. Teachers' Glasses. —In accordance with the regulations, teachers' classes were again successfully conducted at Ashburton, Christchurch, Greymouth, and Timaru in the different branches of drawing, agriculture, and general science, with considerable benefit to pupil-teachers, probationers, and uncertificated teachers. Physical Instruction.- This branch of school-work is carried on systematically throughout the year. The three departmental instructors endeavour to visit every country school at least twice a year for the purposes of instruction and inspection. The Training-college students are given a week's intensive training at the beginning of the first term, and thereafter a weekly lesson. In this way the benefits of the instruction are being gradually extended to the smaller schools, and a general improvement is noted throughout the district. It is suggested that the value of the work would be considerably enhanced if the area to be covered by the instructors were reduced. Three instructors cannot possibly do justice to the whole of Canterbury, Westland, and parts of Nelson and Marlborough in the' time at their disposal. Conclusion.—The Board desires to thank the Minister for the courteous and ready manner in which he has considered any matters placed before him, the departmental officers for assistance and advice, and the School Inspectors and Instructors for the willing co-operation they have manifested in all matters relating to the Board's activities. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. H. J. Bignell, Chairman.

OTAGO. SIK, — As required by the Education Act, 1914, I have the honour to present the following report of the Education Board of the District of Otago for the year 1924: — Board.- During the year there has been no change in the personnel of the Board, which comprises the following : Urban Area- -Messrs. James Wallace, J. H. Wilkinson, It. H. S. Todd, and Leonard Sanderson;' North Ward-- Messrs. George Livingstone and G. K. Graham; Central Ward—Messrs. James Smith and James Horn, M.P. ; South Ward—Hon. D. T. Fleming, M.L.C., and Mr. George W. K. Wood. Mr. James Wallace continues to fill the office of Chairman, it being now his seventh year in that position. Thirty-seven meetings of the Board were held during the year, the average attendance being nine. The following were the Board's representatives 011 various educational bodies : Council of Education —Hon. D..T. Fleming, M.L.C. ; Council of the University of Otago—Mr. J. Wallace ; Otago High Schools Board —Hon. D. T. Fleming, M.L.C., and Mr. W. R. Brugh ; Waitaki High Schools Board —Mr. George Livingstone : Boards of Management of Technical Schools—Dunedin, Messrs. J. Wallace, J. H. Wilkinson, and James Horn, M.P. ; Oamaru, Messrs. George Livingstone and A. G. Robertson ; Milton, Mr. George G. Menzies. Number of Schools- At the close of the year there were 258 schools in operation—the same as in the previous year. Eighteen (including ten household schools) had an average attendance below 9, seventy-seven had an average from 9 to 20, fifty-eight from 21 to 35, forty-nine from 36 to 80, twenty from 81 to 120, nine from 121 to 160, two from 201 to 240, one from 241 to 280, three from 281 to 320, three from 321 to 360, two from 361 to 400, two from 401 to 440, and fourteen above 440.