E.—2

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of a means of expression. To this end it is essential that drawing shall have relation to actual objects, and the pupil should be trained to express what he sees with his eyes and not what some one else has seen and represented in a copy. The drawing in our infant-rooms, where the children are free to express themselves in colours, shows much excellent work. There is less to admire in this respect in Standards I and 11, and in the upper standards the freedom and delight are frequently absent. It is to be noted that this condition arises when the child is tied down to a drawing-book and set with all his fellows to draw an object chosen for him. Much better work would be done if pupils continued to have the freedom of a blackboard, or, where this is not feasible, were given drawing-sheets in place of books, and, when a knowledge of the principles had been acquired, were allowed to exercise some freedom in choosing subjects. The remarkable results obtained by children in colour work can only be got in this way. Elementary Agriculture and Science. —The experiment of developing the scheme in agricultural science as the year proceeds has not, in our opinion, proved a success, as the work has been lacking in aim and purpose. We prefer to have a definite scheme arranged at the beginning of the year comprising indoor experimental work as well as outdoor practical work. Further, we note that in some of the schools the science has been neglected, comparatively little experimental work being done. In some of the smaller schools no science is taken at all. In our opinion much greater importance should be attached to adequate training of young teachers in science, so that they may be competent to teach the subject when required to do so. In regard to the girls who are attending manual-training centres for instruction, a definite course of experimental work in domestic science should be included in the general scheme drawn up at the beginning of the year, and should be carried out by the class-teacher and the science instructress in co-operation. In other schools with a number of teachers a scheme of experimental domestic science is more suitable than agriculture for girls. A new scheme is to come into operation this year, and we trust that this important subject will now receive better consideration. Manual Training, &c. —The provision for manual training is very limited, and the classes have to be organized in such a way to meet the exigencies of the position that a great deal of benefit to the pupils is undoubtedly lost. In some cases they have had to spend a whole day at a time in order to satisfy the requirements of the regulations, the instruction being given in concentrated form, and too much of the time has been absorbed by the travelling. The provision of a new centre at Wellington will overcome this difficulty to some extent, but where the training cannot be given over the whole year without the pupils being compelled to lose so much other school-time it should be recognized that they carmot avail themselves of manual training at a centre. Junior High School. We consider that the time has arrived when junior high schools should be established in this district, and we hope to see at least one arranged for during the coming year. There is no need for us to enlarge upon the advantages of the system as a factor in modern education ; these have been made evident by the success which has followed the establishment of junior high schools in other parts of the Dominion. District High Schools. There are nine district high schools, with a total of 408 pupils. The curricula embrace the subjects required for the Intermediate, Senior Scholarship, Public Service Entrance, and Matriculation Examinations. Pupils are also prepared for the Teachers' D Certificate and for the Accountancy Preliminary. In seven of the schools elementary agriculture or dairy science is a compulsory subject. In view of the large number of subjects that have to be taught to meet the requirements of these courses, we consider the agriculture instructor should make fortnightly visits to take science at these schools. In six of these departments the instruction has been highly efficient, in one very satisfactory, and in one satisfactory. In one the work was below satisfactory, but this is accounted for by changes in the staff. Secondary instruction is being given to a class of Standard YII pupils at the Pongaroa School, and the increasing number of children attending this class fully justifies its establishment. The following are the results of the 1924 examinations : Matriculation and Accountants' Preliminary (full and partial), 21 ; Public Service Entrance, 36 ; Senior Scholarship, 3 ; Intermediate, 50 ; D Certificate (groups), 3 ; Junior National Scholarship, 4. Organizing Teacher. The organizing teacher is stationed in Marlborough, where he is engaged principally in supervising the work of the teachers in the Sounds Schools. We found these schools in a very satisfactory condition. The pupils were being very well taught ; the parents were keenly interested, and the teachers appreciative of the organizer's work. Indeed, we consider that these schools are doing so well under the present scheme that there is no need to disturb it. A circulating library for these schools has been suggested by the Secretary to the Board, and would be a valuable addition to the educational forces. The question of an additional organizing teacher for the northern part of the district requires consideration. In their first experience some of the young teachers find the organization and management of sole-charge schools a trying problem, and they would undoubtedly benefit from the assistance of an experienced teacher,