E.—6.

The work of organizing the classes is now well in hand, and in future more time will be available to perfect the methods adopted of issuing and receiving the forms wherewith to collect the information necessary to have the classes recognised by the Department, and to collect the capitation grants. Teachers' Training Classes. A second grant of £150 from the Education Department enabled the teachers' training classes to be continued as time and circumstances permitted. At the Invercargill centre, cookery and dress-cutting classes for females, with roll numbers of 72 and 70 respectively, and a woodwork class for males, with a roll number of 36, were conducted on Saturdays. At the examinations under the City and Guilds of London Institute held in June, 22 teachers sat for the manual training in woodwork examination —20 for the first year, and 2 for the final. Of this number, 13 succeeded in passing the first year's examination, and 1 the final. Those who passed the first year's examination intend going up for the final in June next, and about twenty others are preparing for the first year's examination which is held at the same time. The class in dress-cutting was conducted for a term of twelve weeks. At the close an examination was held. The examination was both practical and written. Twenty-eight teachers sat for the examination and 25 passed, having gained over 60 per cent, of the possible number of marks. The students in the cookery class are preparing for the plain-cookery examination under the City and Guilds of London Institute. Over twenty teachers have signified their intention of presenting themselves for examination. At Gore classes were established for the benefit of the teachers near the centre in paper-work, plasticine-modelling, and brush work. The classes were attended by 35 teachers in all. It is proposed to establish classes in woodwork and cookery as soon as arrangements can be completed, a suitable building having been secured. As the teachers in the Lakes District are practically shut out from the benefits derivable from attendance at these training classes, Mr. Isaac, Organizing Inspector, when visiting Southland was induced to extend his visit to Queenstown for the purpose of meeting teachers in that district. Nine teachers met this gentleman, who gave a series of demonstration lessons in paper-folding, brushwork, and plasticine-modelling extending over two days. The teachers entered enthusiastically into the work, and, as the number was limited, the benefits derived from individual superintendence was correspondingly greater than would have been the case in a larger class. It is proposed to again visit the Lakes during the coming winter, and further aid the teachers in that locality. There are still teachers in charge of schools situated in remote localities, and too far removed from the railway to enable them to attend the classes established either in Invercargill or Gore. For the benefit of such it is proposed to hold a summer school in Invercargill towards the end of the year, where they will receive all the assistance possible to enable them to come into line with their fellow-teachers more favourably situated. The Saturday training classes undoubtedly impose an additional strain on the teachers, but the strain is temporary only. Our educational system is in a transition stage, and it would be impossible to stay the whole educational machinery in order that teachers might have the necessary time to prepare themselves for the proper discharge of the new duties involved in the change. The Education Department, wisely realising this, is not unduly hurrying the introduction of manual-training classes into the ordinary school-work, but is giving every opportunity to teachers to study the new methods without rush or needless worry. There is no doubt, however, that in a short time proficiency in any one or more of the new manual-training subjects will, other things being equal, secure promotion to teachers so qualified. Inspection. Mr. E. C. Isaac, Organizing Inspector of Manual and Technical Instruction, visited Invercargill at the end of June, and inspected the classes in operation in connection with the Technical School, and in the town schools as well as in those schools adjacent to the city. In order to enable as many teachers as possible to meet him, arrangements were made to hold a special gathering on a Saturday, when there was a large attendance. In the morning Mr. Isaac met with the male teachers in the Technical School, where he gave an exceedingly interesting lecturette and lesson in woodwork. In the afternoon he met the teachers of both sexes in the Central School, where he gave a series of demonstration lessons on paper folding and mounting, which were much enjoyed. He also visited Gore on the following Saturday, and met the teachers in that centre, and gave demonstration lessons in paper-folding and plasticine-modelling. Full advantage was taken of his visit by every one concerned to gain all the information possible in regard to the better working of the various classes, and I have to acknowledge with thanks many useful hints received during his stay. Finance. The finances are in a thoroughly sound condition, as the balance-sheet appended hereto will show. The total receipts from ail sources, including a balance from last year, was £1,174 18s. 4d., and the expenditure amounted to £948 2s. Id., leaving a credit balance of £226 16s. 3d. In the expenditure is included the sum of £200 paid out on account of the new Technical School, which will be refunded later on, while the sum of about £73 is still expected to be received as capitation on certain classes. These adjustments will really leave the account in credit about £500. Against this, however, there is to be placed the credit balance on certain ear-marked accounts, about £80 ; administration expenses, say, £75 ; and the whole cost of the supplies for the year to enable the classes to carry on, say, £125. The position, however, is very satisfactory.

38