Appendix C.j

E.—2.

XXXV

Due attention is paid to Physical Instruction, the manual issued by the Education Department being now in very general use. It has proved a boon, especially to isolated teachers, its clear illustrations affording the inexperienced a means of readily following the directions given. The exercises with wands and Indian clubs are practised by some, but a few others still adhere to dumb-bells, Sandow exercises, or those detailed in the syllabus. It is necessary to take different exercises with children of different classes, ages, and strength, but it is also advisable to group the whole school together daily, if possible, for deep breathing and .simple calisthenics, in which all may join for a few minutes, and work to one word of command. Enthusiasm, under the stimulus of numbers, may be engendered, discipline be strengthened, and the formation of a school esprit de corps be encouraged. The clause of the Education Act Amendment Act of 1910 that authorizes any Inspector or State school-teacher to make certain medical or physical examination of the pupils marks the first legally appointed stage in the provision of a medical oversight of the children by the State, and one that may have an important bearing on their health and physical development. By regulations issued 18th March, 1910, public-school cadets have now become junior cadets, of whom the boy scouts form another branch. Uniforms and accoutrements, but not capitation, are to be supplied at the public expense. The minimum establishment for a detachment is ten privates, and for a company forty-eight, while twelve years, reckoned at the end of the school year, is the minimum age. Where there are less than fifteen boys of the required age, a patrol of scouts must be formed in lieu of a squad of cadets. An arbitrary insistence on an age limit alone may greatly interfere with the movement, or disorganize the school by breaking up different classes. Another feature of the change that at present presents difficulty is obtaining a full complement of officers, as the boys are no longer allowed to act in that capacity. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Classes in elementary handwork have been recognized in forty-four schools, the different branches being— Classes formed. Plasticine modelling ... ... ... ... ... ...29 Brush drawing ... ... ... ... ... . . ... 13 Elementary design and colour-work ... ... ... ... ... 6 Paper-folding ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 Free-arm drawing .. ... ... ... .. ... ... 7 Bricklaying ... ... ... ... . ... ... 3 Cardboard modelling ... .. ... ... ... .. 3 Needlework ... ... . ... ... ... ... 6 Brush drawing and elementary design and colour-work, the latter branch of the subject being the one prescribed for the higher-standard classes, has been more generally taken thi:; year. Complaint is still made by the Director of Technical Schools concerning the neglect of head teachers in forwarding in time the necessary forms, especially the claims for material and for capitation. A more serious trouble which in some schools greatly hampered the work of instruction during the first part of the year was caused by delay in supplying the material, although it had been requisitioned in good time. Prompt attention on the part of the officials will prevent any repetition of this annoyance. Instruction in subjects of manual training has also been extended, fifty-five schools having taken one or more of the following branches: — Classes formed. Ironwork .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Woodwork ... ... ... .. ... ... ... 11 Cookery ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 Agriculture ... ... ... ... ... .42 Physiology and first aid ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 Swimming ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 Physical measurements .. ... ... ... ... ... 8 Botany, elementary ... ... ... .... .. ... 1 Dairy work ... ■ ■■ '■•• ... ... • ... 4 A large number of teachers have initiated classes in elementary agriculture or school gardening, those at Takaka District High School and Riwaka being conducted with marked success, and some of our sole teachers, too, make this a most attractive feature of the school course. In connection with this branch, classes in dairy work at Takaka and Motueka High Schools have been formed for the especial benefit of the secondary-class pupils. The lessons have been given by Mr. Bruce, the Instructor in Agriculture, and have awakened considerable interest, and been the means of introducing a much-desired branch of scientific training. It is hoped nexi year in com bine in some instances agriculture with the dairy work, and, under the supervision of the same instructor, to extend the benefit of the lessons to other suitable centres. As it forms the best possible introduction to a scientific course, we regret that the subject of physical measurements does not receive more attention in our larger schools. Swimming, a subject upon which the district can pride itself, is more generally taught, but as neither of our two largest schools, Nelson Girls' and W T estport High School, has been able to place this subject on the time-table, we cannot say that anything like the majority of our pupils ever have the opportunity afforded them of being taught, during school hours, to swim. That most of our pupils do learn to swim is very probable; that any ordinarily healthy boy or girl should not have the facility to acquire this useful aecomplishmeTit before leaving school is regrettable.