55

E.—s

Extract prom the Report on Classes conducted by the Board of Governors <>f the Dannevirke High School. School classes in cookery (21 pupils), dressmaking (25 pupils), woodwork (27 pupils), and chemistry (two classes, 50 pupils) were regularly attended, and good work was done. The total number of pupils was 75. Continuation Classes. -Classes in shorthand (10 students) and typewriting (20 students) were successfully carried on. but the class in I k-keeping failed to gel sufficient support, and was discontinued. The total number of pupils was 20. Technical Classes. Of these the classes m wool-sorting were most successful, being highly appreciated by the farmers. Two classes were formed at Dannevirke (28 students), two at Takapau (35 students), one at Ormondville (15 students), and one at Makotuku (9 students). The plumbing class (10 students) and the painting and drawing classes (43 students) were again very well supported. The dressmaking class (12 students) was well supported in the first term, but not so in the second term. The number of students prepared to take advantage of our splendidly equipped chemistry laboratory was unaccountably small, only five students being enrolled. The total number of was 155. The attendance of the students was fairly regular on the whole ; those in the painting and drawing classes being most regular, while those in shorthand and plumbing were irregular. The total number of students (250), although a considerable advance on the previous year, is only a very small proportion of those who might, with benefit to themselves and the community, avail themselves of the classes. J as. M. Sunniers, Director. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1909, in respect of Special Classes conducted by the Dannevirke High School Board. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Capitation on special classes .. .. 45 1 1 Balance at beginning of year .. .. 80 15 5 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 6 5 1 Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 237 11 8 Subsidies on voluntary contributions .. 35 0 0 Advertising and printing .. .. 12 5 6 Fees .. .. .. .. .. 167 14 0 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 17 7 Voluntary contributions .. .. .. 35 0 0 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 115 5 Sales .. .. .. .. 37 19 3 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 900 Sundry receipts .. .. .. .. 3 0 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 37 3 5 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 63 6 5 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. .. 13 610 £393 5 10 £393 5 10 Thomas Macallan, Secretary. MARLBOROUGH. Extract from the Report of the Education Board. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Handwork is a prominent part of the training of our pupils, and in practically every school in the district some branch of this subject is being taught. The attendance at the school classes in woodwork, cookery, and needlework- conducted at the Technical School was very satisfactory. The Board regrets that it has received no inducement, except in the ease of wood-carving, to conduct evenin;" classes in connection with the Blenheim Technical School. Extract from the Report of the Inspector of Schools. 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 more use-of the notebook in connection with the gardening operations. Under Mr. Brace's supervision, general know-ledge in science is increasing. His work will be more effective when there is some scientific apparatus at each school he visits. A properly equipped science room 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. 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 certificate 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 cardboard 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 book-keeping.