E.—s

4

Although the number of classes for swimming and life-saving continues to increase, 165 classes being recognized for 1910, as compared with 136 for the previous year, the attention given to this important and useful branch of knowledge still leaves something to be desired. It is to be hoped that wherever facilities are available steps will be taken to provide regular and systematic instruction in swimming and life-saving. Nearly 60 per cent, of the public-school classes in operation during the year were confined to three education districts. New buildings or additions to buildings for manual instruction have been erected or are in course of erection at Devonport, Carterton, Masterton, Greytown, Levin, Motueka, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Riverton, while necessary equipment has been provided for classes at Cambridge, Carterton, Masterton, Greytown, Levin, Wellington, Hastings, Waipawa, Dunedin, and Riverton. Recognized classes for manual instruction were also carried on during the year in connection with twenty-six of the twenty-nine secondary schools in receipt of Government grants. The chief branches taken up and the total average attendance were as follows : — Subjects of Instruction. A ™*P Attendance. Woodwork .. .. .. .. • .. ..273 361 Cookery .. .. .. .. .. .. ..463 512 Dressmaking .. .. .. .. .. .. 170 278 Natural science .. .. .. .. .. .. 841 1,325 Experimental science .. .. .. . . .. 691 940 Some further particulars relating to the classes are as follows : — lgo9 1910 The number of recognized classes was . . .. . . . . 189 227 The capitation payments on attendances amounted to .. .. £946 £929 The average rate of payment per class was .. .. .. £5 £4 Special grants for buildings and equipment totalled . . . . £192 £912 There is evidence that the curricula of several of the rural secondary schools are undergoing some modification with the view of bringing them into more intimate relation with local conditions. New buildings or additions to buildings for manual-instruction purposes have been erected or are in course of erection in connection with New Plymouth High School, Wellington Girls' College, Marlborough High School, Nelson Girls' College, Rangiora High School, and Gore High School; while necessary equipment for manual instruction has been provided at New Plymouth High School, Wellington Boys' College, Napier Boys' High School, Gisborne High School, and Nelson Girls' College. Technical Instruction. Satisfactory progress continues to be made by controlling authorities and managers of classes throughout the Dominion in the matter of providing, improving, and extending facilities and opportunities for instruction. Generally speaking, the schools, many of which now provide fairly full courses of instruction adapted to local requirements, may be said to be receiving a fair measure of support at the hands not only of those for whose direct benefit they have been established, but also of local bodies and industrial and trade organizations, many of which, in addition to moral support, contribute liberally every year to the school funds. During the year nearly £5,000, carrying a Government subsidy of £1 for £1, was so contributed. The Government has, as in. previous years, favourably considered applications for grants tor new buildings or additions and for necessary equipment for technical instruction. During the year grants for these purposes amounting to nearly £9,000 were distributed. New buildings or additions to buildings have been erected or are in course of erection at Auckland, Otahuhu, Cambridge, Hamilton, Waihi, Inglewood, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Nelson, Christchurch, Ashburton, Kaiapoi, Fairlie, Gore, and Invercargill. With the completion of the new buildings for the technical colleges at Auckland and Wanganui considerable extensions in the sphere of technical education may be looked for in these places. Necessary equipment