E.—2

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In some schools the gramophone is proving that music used as an accompaniment to handwork and certain other studies has a markedly beneficial effect upon the happiness of the children and upon the work itself. Guidance as to the wise use of the gramophone is included in the " Scheme of School Music." Broadcasting. — A feature of the experiment in broadcasting to the schools made on the 13th December was a lecture on musical rhythm, and the singing of songs by a choir from the Wellington Girls' College. It has recently been demonstrated in Scotland that musical instruction, including actual class-singing lessons, can be effectively given to the schools by radio. If in the future radio should become part of the equipment of the Dominion schools, it will be possible to give actual singing instruction to remote schools from the studio at Wellington. Correspondence. —A considerable amount of correspondence has been dealt with, giving help and advice to teachers on many points connected with their musical work. General. —There is every indication that all over the country a new spirit is being aroused and a new viewpoint reached with regard to school music. The issue of the handbook should be a powerful aid in unifying aims and in supplying a sound and systematic scheme of instruction, and also in stimulating the thought and imagination of teachers with regard to the correlation of music with other subjects, and emphasizing its intimate association with every phase of human life. If at some future date we can follow the example of Great Britain and America, and introduce into the training colleges and schools the wonderful recording and reproducing piano we shall have yet a further valuable aid to the dissemination of musical knowledge. I should like to emphasize the fact that with modern industrial and commercial developments — machinery and large business concerns —the daily occupation of the masses has been deprived of its personal and artistic qualities to a large extent, and has become increasingly impersonal and mechanical, and consequently unsatisfying to the inner nature of mankind. It has therefore become imperative that we should supply these needs by study of fine and applied arts for the healthy and happy employment of leisure hours, and for the improvement of industrial and commercial environment. I have, &c, E. Douglas Tayleh, The Director of Education, Wellington. Supervisor of Musical Education.

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