E.--5

26

The interest taken by the lady teachers in qualifying themselves to give instruction in occupations of the kind is beyond all praise. Large numbers of them have throughout the year given up their Saturdays to the work of preparation. Some hundred and fifty teachers are to be found attending brush drawing or other classes at the School of Arc ; Saturday classes in exercises of various forms have been in regular operation at the Normal School under the instruction of the head infant-mistress; and similar classes conducted in Ashburton by the infant-mistress of the West Christchurch School and the mistress of the Ashburton Borough School have entailed on the teachers even greater sacrifices, some coming regularly distances of fifteen and twenty miles to attend them. In the last two cases we have had an opportunity of inspecting the work done by way of examination at the close of the course, and could not but be greatly struck with the remarkable advance shown in a majority of the specimens. In the middle division of the schools a few examples of cardboard-modelling and, in the upper division, of chipcarving are the chief representatives of handwork as taught by teachers in school-time. To these is to be added, however, the vastly more important work done in several centres in woodwork and cooking under the direction of specially qualified instructors. Ashburton as a woodwork centre has proved notably successful, owing largely to the interest taken by the neighbouring headmasters in the work, and their ready co-operation in seeing to the execution of the necessary drawings and otherwise assisting. In Christchurch the cooking classes at the School of Domestic Instruction, which continue to be attended by large numbers from the city and suburban schools, excite most enthusiasm, and are evidently serving a very useful purpose. Many lady teachers are now qualified by attendance at cooking classes to act as assistant instructors, and when the special organization for this type of work is finally settled their services should prove very valuable. Eepoet on Manual-tbaining Classes. The school classes for woodwork at the Normal Schopl have kept up to the average. The discipline has been very good, and the work is satisfactory, while the drawing continues to be good, thanks to the good teaching in the Board's schools. The Lyttelton centre has done very well, and has more than justified its establishment. A centre has been established at Ashburton, three school classes and one evening class having been formed, each class numbering twenty pupils. The teachers attend with the school classes, two of which are held during school hours. Ashburton High School, the borough school, Hampstead, and Tinwald all attend at this centre. Considerable credit is due to the headmasters of the local schools and others for the way the classes are organized. The Leeston centre has not been quite as successful as in the past, but still is doing good work. During the year the whole of the classes have been inspected by Mr. Isaac, the Department's luspector of Technical Education. The tools are beginning to show a good deal of wear after five years' use. The teachers' Saturday classes at Christchurch have been well attended, and several teachers have sat for the City and Guilds of London examination, and have been successful; the Tuesday evening class has also continued to do good work. The woodwork classes for students at the Normal School have again been resumed. The training received should prove of great assistance to the students in the future. F. W. Sandfoed, Instructor. Ebport of the Sbceetaey, School of Domestic Instruction. The Committee, in presenting its ninth annual report of the School of Domestic Instruction, has pleasure in placing to the credit of the°association another year of successful industry. Of the subjects taught—cooking, dressmaking, and laundry-work—cooking continues to hold the foremost place, a large number of pupils having received throughout the year tuition of a practical character in this most important feature of household management. The classes are conducted on the principle of alternate demonstration and practice, and fall under two headings— adult or technical classes, for which the School of Domestic Instruction is recognised as the controlling authority, and school classes conducted for the Board of Education. The latter now occupy the most important position on the class time-table, and the capitation derived therefrom furnishes the greater part of the school income. The adult or technical classes are largely attended by teachers seeking to qualify as instructors, but apart from these a substantial number of other students is included, and this part of the school's activities is capable of much extension. The following is the record of attendance for the year:—

First Quarter. Number of Classes. First Second j Third Quarter. Quarter, i Quarter. Number of Attendants. Second Quarter. Third Quarter. Fourth Quarter. Fourth Quarter. Associated classes — Cookery Dressmaking Laundry-work School classes — Cookery Laundry-work ... 7 1 9 1 4 1 5 1 2 131 11 125 13 48 16 79 12 13 7 2 5 9 1 281 80 259 361 19