E.—2.

of comfort, institutions and civics—understanding by the last-named a study of the State, the Church, the Post Office, the bank, the school, the, commission agent and middleman generally, and all the ways in which a helpful co-operation forwards the interests of the citizens. Hitherto the history of New Zealand has generally been summed up in Cook and his voyages, the coming of Marsden, and the Treaty o! Waitangi. The special general knolwedge paper in history and civics set in the Junior National Scholarship test should be productive of a better study of this subject. History, properly treated, is not a memory-cramming subject, but there is something defective in the presentation if nothing remains in the memory. The aims of history are the production of a rich and many-sided patriotism, the culture, humanizing and moralizing of the imagination, sentiment, and will, the enabling one to see in true perspective the institutions of the present day so that the child may fit himself into the scheme of things—if he knows nothing of Reform Hills and Corn Laws, how can he appreciate the social atmosphere in which he finds himself? —the preparation for citizenship by a training of the judgment; in this last connection studies of cause and effect are important — e.g., gold-discovery and population in New Zealand, cheap transit, and a homogeneous pronunciation. Drawing.—At one time the work of the primary school was summed up in the term " the three R's." We have now dug deeper, and we say it consists in the cultivation of observation, thought, and expression. Drawing is one of the modes of expression ; writing is but another ; and manual work, generally, but a series of varieties of expression —the outcome or outward manifestation of what the youth is thinking. The general standard of the work in drawing was indicated by the Fine Arts Exhibition : On the whole, nature-study pencil-work showed to advantage, and the isometric drawing of solids done in the woodwork-room at Blenheim was of a good class. But work in design—geometric and nature-study —was, except in rare instances, of a lower grade. Fine-lined plane geometry is not i ommon, and well-executed representations of three models should be more plentiful. Much excellent work was exhibited in brush drawing. Arrangements have been made for the supply of s considerable number of sets of geometric solids. Some useful books on design have recently been added to the teachers' library at Blenheim School. A series of four " Guide " brush-books at 3d. each is full of valuable matter. Needlework was satisfactory in fifty-five schools. In sixteen it was described as " excellent." The Marshlands School deserves special note. The girls that attend the Blenheim Technical School Mic now taught advanced plain needlework at the conclusion of the cookery course. Handwork. —Elementary handwork in one or more of its forms enters into the programme of nearly all schools ; the intellectual benefits may not in all cases be obtained to the full, but the children are at least learning to use their hands. There are thirty-seven gardens at public and three at private schools ; in many of them much valuable elementary science is learned. During the past year Ocean Bay has made most progress in garden-formation. In flower-gardening Seddon makes the bravest show. I should like to see mine use of the note-book in connection with the gardening operations. Under Mr. Bruce's supervision, general knowledge in science is increasing. His work will be more effective when there is more scientific apparatus at each school he visits. A properly equipped scienceroom is much wanted. If erected at the High School it would meet the needs of both secondary pupils and teachers. Woodwork, cookery, and advanced plain needlework are taught at the Blenheim Technical School. Solid geometry is correlated with woodwork. The record of attendance has improved : —

All Classes (Teachers, Technical and School).

School Classes. Roll. A \ r r . ■ 1907 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..256 183 1908 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 306 249 1909 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..484 364 Arrangements are made for a teachers' class in physical measurements to be held during 1910. A school class in this subject was held at Canvastown during the year. Three teachers sat for the diploma in cookery of the City and Guilds of London Institute, and two were successful in gaining first-class passes. Altogether eleven teachers have gained these valuable awards at the local institution. Swimming has been well taught at a number of schools. In April forty-five teachers met Mr. Isaac, who gave practical illustrations of carton work. At Canvastown, continuation classes were held in English and arithmetic, and a technical class in botany; while at Havelock there were continuation classes in English, arithmetic, and bookkeeping. Hygiene, Temperance, Moral Instruction, and Tone. —The attention of the staff has been specially directed to the provisions of the syllabus in respect of instruction in the principles of temper-

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1908. 1909. Roll. A verage. Roll. Average. Cookery iVoodwork Advanced needlework 183 205 149 161 226 158 234 169 124 108 Totals .. 388 310 i — 584 435