8.—5

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correlate tliein with other subjects oi the syllabus. In addition to the ordinary handwork subjects, instruction in woodwork, cookery, agriculture, physiology and first aid, chemistry, physical measurements, advanced needlework, botany, swimming, dressmaking, dairy-work, elementary surveying, metal-work, &c, was recognized in 104 cases. The classes in woodwork and cookery have been especially well attended, and so fully has the instructors' time been taken up that a difficulty has been experienced in finding a place on the time-table for all the prospective classes. In most of the schools taking up the subject of agriculture the practical work has been carried on on sound lines, many of the gardens being laid out with considerable taste. As evidence that highly satisfactory work has been done as far as the practical work is concerned, it may be mentioned that wherever school-produce was exhibited at the local agricultural or horticultural shows the exhibits almost invariably took a creditable place. There is room, however, for much more experimental work being done than hitherto, and to this end every school in which the subject of agriculture is taught should be fully equipped with the necessary apparatus. The science of dairying promises to be taken up to a much greater extent next year than previously, and rightly so, for in a purely agricultural and dairying district like Taranaki the science of agriculture and dairying should play an important part in the education of our youth. I would go further, and express the opinion that no child who intends to follow rural pursuits should be permitted to leave school without having an intelligent grasp of the principles which underlie the industries of agriculture and dairying. With the object of popularizing these classes the Board has appointed as organizing instructor Mr. F. J. Heatley, M.A., M.Sc, who will as often as possible visit fche schools to impart instruction to the children, and to assist and advise the teachers. The rurul classes established in June, 1909, in connection with the District High School, Stratford, have now passed the experimental stage, and, although the work has been hampered to a considerable extent by changes of teachers, it is gratifying to be able to record that good progress has attended the efforts of the staff, and that a large increase in the attendance is anticipated for the coming year. I hope it is not too optimistic to say that everything points to a prosperous future. The course of instruction embraces English, arithmetic, book-keeping, farm carpentry, cookery, dairy-work, agriculture, chemistry, botany, elementary surveying, metal-work, physical measurements, dressmaking, and drawing. Teachers , Classes. —Saturday classes for the training of teachers were again held at New Plymouth and Stratford. Instruction was given in chemistry, dairy science, agriculture, cookery, cardboardmodelling, and in the various branches of drawing. The attendance, both as regards numbers and regularity, showed a considerable improvement on that of previous years. At the end of the year an examination in handwork subjects was conducted by the Education Department, when several teaohers presented themselves, and it is gratifying to report that the majority passed a very satisfactory examination. Evidence of the benefit derived from the instruction imparted at the classes was also to be seen in the results of the examination in dairy-work and in the various branches of drawing. In the former subject one of the teachers was placed on the credit list of the Teachers' C Examination. I should again like to impress on teachers the desirability of preparing themselves in subjects such as drawing, agriculture, cookery, &c, for the South Kensington and the City and Guilds examinations. Technical and Continuation Classes. —Technical classes were held during the year at New Plymouth, Htratford, and Inglewood. 360 students were enrolled at New Plymouth, 230 at Stratford, and 23 ;u Inglewood, as compared with 317, 156, and 15 in 1909. The numbers on the roll of all classes must be considered very satisfactory. On the other hand, a large percentage of the young persons of both sexes never enter a technical school who would be all the better fitted to discharge their duties as citizens of the Dominion if they were to undergo a course of technical training. It is a matter for serious consideration to know how to deal with those who are totally indifferent to their own interests, iind it would seem that the only solution of the problem is to make the attendance, within certain limits, oompulsory. This power has now been granted by Parliament. In most of the classes good work continues to be done, and those students who have attended regularly, and, moreover, have done a fair amount of home preparation, must certainly benefit from the training undergone. For the first time, in the history of technical education in Taranaki, classes in wool-sorting were established. As an experiment a class was started at Stratford, and was well attended. So great was the interest evinced that classes were started in quick succession at Toko, Te Wera, Tututawa, Urenui, Uruti, and Waitara. The total number of students who received instruction at these classes was 144, and it is clearly evident that there is a considerable demand for such classes as long as the services of a competent instructor are available. It must not be lost sight of, however, that much of the credit was due to those gentlemen who willingly came forward and assisted by inducing students to attend, arranging for buildings, and in other ways helping to make the classes a success. From time to time classes in the science of dairying and the chemistry of agriculture have been arranged for with a view to benefiting the farming community ; but the success that so far has attended the efforts put forth in this direction cannot be considered entirely satisfactory. In some instances there has been a considerable number of students enrolled, but the majority of these have been drawn not from the farming community, but from the townspeople. In other cases the interest seems to flag, the attendance becomes irregular, and before the completion of the full course the numbers dwindle down to two or three. It is difficult to know how to stimulate interest in such cases. Probably the solution will be found in encouraging the rising generation to attend rural classes, and in establishing one-day-a-week classes for farmers' sons. Youths employed in dairy factories attended technical dairy-work at Toko and Stratford during the year; and it has been suggested that provision should be made for the establishment of a Dominion examination in dairy work to enable factory employees and others to gain a certificate. So much capital is now embarked in the dairy industry that it is essential that none but the very best butter and cheese should be manufactured, to insure which, none but fully qualified and competent men should be employed in the business. I think lam correct in stating that no certificates in dairy-