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The chief branches taken up and the number of classes were as follows:— TABLE J. —Subjects of and Number of Classes for Manual Instruction in Public Schools. r< ~ . it . v Number of Classes. iSubjects of Instruction. IQ.OO 1910 Elementary handwork .. .. .. .. .. 3,178 3,489 Woodwork .. .. .. .. .. ..281 273 Ironwork .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 8 Agriculture and dairy-work .. .. .. .. .. 559 666 Elementary science.. .. .. .. .. .. 47 109 Physical measurements .. .. .. .. .. 101 118 Cookery .. .. .. .. .. .. 339 308 Laundry-work .. .. .. .. . . . . 60 63 Dressmaking .. .. .. .. .. .. 79 90 Swimming and life-savini; .. . . . . . . . . 136 165 Physiology and first aid .. .. .. .. 57 78 Totals .. .. .. .. 4,842 5,367 The number of public schools in which manual instruction was given was 1,330. The number of pupils receiving instruction in cookery was 5,155. The number of pupils receiving instruction in woodwork was 5,532. The number of pupils receiving instruction in agriculture was 15,159. The number of pupils receiving instruction in other branches of manual instruction was 100,772. The payments by way of capitation and subsidies on voluntary contributions were £18,343. The average rate of payment per class was £3-4. Special grants for buildings and equipment totalled £3,822. Subjects such as cookery and woodwork continue to be taught for the most part at specially equipped centres, of which there are now over sixty in operation. Many of these centres are in connection with district high schools or technical schools. The number of schools taking up elementary agriculture continues to increase. The increase for the year was 107, as compared with 61 for the previous year. In many cases, in addition to work in the school-garden, observational and experimental work is being systematically carried out, some of the results being very interesting and instructive. In several districts suitable instruction in dairy-work is also given. In nine of the thirteen education districts the work is under the general direction of special itinerant instructors. Every year sees a marked improvement in the treatment of this important branch of manual instruction, due largely to the opportunities provided by training classes for teachers, to the advice and guidance of the itinerant instructors, and to the distribution by controlling authorities of suggestive and helpful aids in the shape of pamphlets and leaflets. Valuable assistance also continues to be rendered in many cases by agricultural and pastoral associations, school committees, and members of the farming community interested in the work. In addition to prizes which have been freely offered, contributions in money and kind to the value of over £240 have been received by controlling authorities during the year. These contributions carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1. Reference was made last year to the inauguration in certain districts of rural courses in connection with the secondary departments of district high schools. During 1910 such courses were carried out in five education districts, as follows : — n . . • . Number of Number of DlBtrlot - Schools. Pupils. Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 50 Wanganui . . .. .. .. .. . . . . 5 105 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 162 Hawke's Bay 1 45 South Canterbury . . .. . . . . .. 3 85 Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 447 The capitation paid on account of rural courses carried out during the year at these sixteen schools amounted to £2,750, equivalent to a rate of £615 per pupil. There are indications that courses on similar lines will shortly be established in connection with certain district high schools in Auckland, North Canterbury, and Otago.