E—2

Zealand. The instruction is proving successful, and it can safely be stated that our children are acquiring a real road sense. In some districts the work includes checking the fitness of bicycles used by the pupils, and in some schools the issue of warrants of fitness has proved a novel stimulus. The school patrol system has been extended, and isworking well. Regulations governing the work of the patrols have been issued. (3) Art and Crafts. —One of the effects of the war was the inability to obtain from overseas much of the material formerly used for handwork. Attention was given to such local materials as wool, clay, and paper, and now the major crafts are weaving, modelling, and bookbinding. The scheme, so successfully inaugurated in a group of schools three years ago, has been extended to different centres. For its successful operation, adequate special staffing is needed, and, although additional specialists have been trained, there are not yet enough to introduce the plan in all schools. This work is in addition to the usual instruction in woodwork and cookery given in the manualtraining centres. The number of these centres is being gradually increased as far as building conditions permit. Training courses for teachers of woodwork, and of domestic crafts, have been successfully functioning, and the supply of teachers is steadily increasing. Art on modern lines is a pleasing feature of some of the schools. Samples of our children's interpretative art compare favourably with those of overseas children. Great interest is being taken in the exhibition of British Children's Art which is being shown in all suitable towns throughout New Zealand. A good exhibit of our children's art if prepared and similarly displayed would also prove stimulating. (4) Music. —Interest in school singing continues to grow. In more schools real attempts are being made to teach the older children how to read simple music. The work requires skilled teaching and direction, and where the teachers possess this skill fine work is accomplished. There is, however, a dearth of music-specialist teachers, and as staffing conditions become easier it is hoped to train a greater number. All district reports praise the school broadcasts in music, which are proving a factor in raising the standard especially in the country schools that have receiving sets. The opinion is unanimously expressed that school music is the best feature of all school broadcasts. Music festivals are being revived, and several districts report successful functions in which school choirs have combined on a large scale. (5) Visual Aids.—More schools are using film-strip projectors. The number has steadily increased even during the war years. This would not have been possible if an inexpensive and efficient type of projector had not been manufactured in New Zealand. A film-strip library is located in every town in which there is an Education Board office,, and new strips are constantly being added. These cover a wide variety of topics associated with different subjects of the curriculum. The strips, which are of high quality, are prepared locally. Some of the larger schools have sound-projectors, and films are obtainable from the National Film Library. New Zealand is perhaps the only country of the Empire that provides a film-library service to schools free of charge. Good use is made of projectors in the training colleges, and students receive training in their use and care. (6) Libraries.—lt is still difficult to obtain supplies of books, but as far as possible supplementary readers are being provided. These are intended for class use in conjunction with the School Journal. Substantial grants have also been made to provide schools, including intermediate and district high, with suitable reference books for use in social studies and project work. The Country Library Service is extending its school service as fast-as conditions will permit. Attractive books of excellent quality are being provided. A taste for good literature is being fostered. This year saw the incorporation into the Country Library Service of two Education Board library services which, operating in conjunction with local municipal libraries, supplied books to the schools of the districts for the past eight years. These Boards showed commendable enterprise, and it is fitting to express an appreciation of what was accomplished during the difficult war years.

6