E.—s

49

most hopeful interest in what they rightly consider a practical outcome of our nature-study and scienceteaching. We know of many instances where the school experiments are being keenly watched and criticized by the farmers of the district. We are further pleased to report that in some two dozen schools the work of beautifying the grounds has been made a special feature. In the matter of the instruction of teachers, Mr. Davies says, " The work this year has been carried cut by means of periodical schools, three in number, held at Greytown in February, May, and September. The total number attending during the year has been fifty-six, and there is every reason to feel gratified at the interest and energy displayed by the students. That this interest shows no sign of abating is evidenced by the large number of applications for admission to the summer school, commencing on the 25th January. I have to acknowledge with thanks the valuable assistance rendered by the officers of the Agricultural Department." Manual and Technical. —During the year 121 schools earned capitation under the Manual and Technical Regulations. In addition to the usual school subjects for classes below Standard V, grants were earned for agriculture, dairying, physical measuremenls. chemistry, botany, physiology and " first aid," woodwork, cookery, dressmaking, swimming anil life-saving. In woodwork fourteen classes were held at the South Wellington and Thorndon centres, under the instruction of Mr. Howe. The average attendance tor each class was twenty-eight, and the boys took a keen interest in their work. As it will be necessary to extend the operation of these classes, the services of an assistant will be required. The usual school classes in cookery were carried on by Mrs. Wakelin in Wellington, and by Miss Talbot in the Wairarapa, and classes were established at Levin and Otaki. Provision will have to be made for instruction in cookery and woodwork at the Hutt and Petone during the coming year. In none of the grant-earning classes risited by the Techni'-al Inspector was the quality of the instruction marked as less than "good," and some were reported as " very good" ami " excellent." Saturday classes for teachers in woodwork, cookery, drawing, and handwork were held at Wellington, and in cookery at Masterton. EXTBACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE INSTRUCTOR OF AGRICULTURE. In connection with the instruction of teachers in elementary agriculture, three sessions, each of a fortnight's duration, were held at Greytown during 1908—the summer, autumn, and spring schools— the number of teachers in attendance at each respectively being 18. 18, and 20. The summer class consisted of teachers in sole charge of small country schools, while the other two were devoted to head teachers and assistants from larger schools. The following are the leading features of the programmes carried out: —Summer School: Lectures and laboratory practice; the chemistry of air and water; plant-structure- and physiology ; the plant in its relation (a) to the atmosphere, (b) to the soil ; rocks, their constituent minerals and decomposition to form soil. Autumn school: Plant-structure and physiology, and relation of plants to the atmosphere and soil ; grasses and their identification ; identification of grass-seeds and their impurities; propagation of plants by cuttings; pruning fruit-trees; instruction in drawing from nature. Spring school : Rocks and the formation of soil : mechanical analysis of soils ; texture and physical properties of soils ; soil-moisture, soil ti inperature, soil-improve-ment (physical); identification and classification of the leading weeds of the district; BpeciaJJnaturestudies in plant-life for assistant teachers. Assistance in the work of instruction was given by the Board's Inspectors, Mr. T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, who gave a talk on grasses, and Mr. Nottage, of the Agricultural Department's staff, who was responsible for a pruning demonstration. The students participating in these courses entered enthusiastically into the work, which should produce good results in the schools during the coming year. W. ('. Da vies. Extract from the Report on Special Classes at Carterton. Increasing difficulties in securing pupils for these classes caused them to be abandoned. Classes were commenced for English, arithmetic, and commercial suiijects: but, as a sufficient number of pupils did not attend to enable the classes to pay for themselves, the Committee decided after the first term that their funds'would not bear the strain of a heavy deficiency for another term. Richaru J. Chapman, Secretary.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1908, in respect of Technical and Continuation Classes in Country Districts.

7—E. 5.

\ecei\ it*. (Irani from Govei unent. Other ;ecelpt«. i nitre. Balance at Beginning of Year. Sciltsidies on Voluntary Contributions. Fees. Hal inn' at Klul of fear. Totals. Capitation nil >p»-|-iill Classes. Capitation mi Pree Places. Sale of Material. B s. d. £ s. d. 2 13 0 6 6 8 6 3 9 4'12 3 £ 8. d. £ a. d. £ s. d. £ s. d 0 10 10 £ 8. d. 8 6 10 £ s. d. 11 10 8 25 4 0 14 7 9 4 12 3 Masterton Carterton Greytown Eketahuna 8 4 7 3 4 0 9 5 3 '.'. i i g 5 0 0 Totals 11 8 7 19 15 8 953 5 0 0 | 1 7 6 0 10 10 8 6 10 55 14 8