37

E.—s

carving and modelling under Mr. H. Mantel have been well attended during the year, and much excellent work has been done. Many of the older students in these branches are gaining increased confidence in themselves and their work, and are now attempting with a large amount of success work of a much more difficult and elaborate nature than they have up till now attempted. I hope to be - able to arrange for much larger and more suitable accommodation for these classes in 1912 than we have ever had. The advent of what is known as the " course " system will be no new thing to this school, as a system of courses depending on the individual aim and requirement of each student has been in existence for years ; but the increased payments for the older and more advanced students will have a beneficial effect on art schools adopting the " course " system. E. W. Payton, Director.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1911, in respect of Associated Classes conducted by the Managers of the " Elam " School of Art.

TARANAKI. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. Teachers' Saturday Classes. —Saturday classes for the training of teachers were again held during the year at New Plymouth and Stratford, and included, among other subjects, drawing, cookery, physiology, dairy-work, cardboard, plasticine-modelling, and chemistry. In all 82 teachers attended the classes, 41 at each centre. As far as numbers are concerned this is very gratifying, although the regularity of attendance was somewhat disappointing. This was surprising, seeing that the teachers are so accustomed to exact regular attendance from their pupils. As evidence of the benefit of these classes it may be mentioned that at the end of the session several of the teachers qualified for certificates in handwork at the examination conducted by the Education Department's Inspector. For the City and Guilds Examination in cookery 6 teachers presented themselves, and were all successful in securing a first-class pass. Two teachers were also successful in gaining a second-class pass in freehand, model, and geometrical drawing at the South Kensington Examination. A number likewise qualified in the subjects of dairy-work and physiology for the Teacher's Certificate Examination. We feel, however, that a large proportion of those who attended the classes have not earnestly endeavoured to take full advantage of the instruction imparted, otherwise a greater percentage would have presented themselves for these examinations. School Manual Class. —During the year there were 95 schools in operation in the district, and the greater number of these took up handwork in some form or other. In addition to the ordinary handwork subjects, instruction in woodwork, cookery, agriculture, dairy-work, chemistry, physiology and first aid, physical measurements, advanced needlework, botany, swimming, dressmaking, elementary surveying, ironwork, &c, was recognized in 142 cases. The classes in cookery and woodwork conducted at Stratford and New Plymouth as centres continue to be as popular as ever. During the year Inglewood was also made a centre for these classes. Instruction in agriculture and dairy-work has been made a special feature. Thirty-nine classes have been in operation throughout the district during the year. Most of the schools taking up these subjects are now well equipped with the apparatus necessary for carrying on the experimental work so essential in these subjects. We are pleased to see that teachers are beginning to recognize the importance of giving prominence to these subjects in a district such as ours, the prosperity of which depends almost entirely on agriculture and dairying. We are of opinion that no child who intends to follow rural pursuits should be permitted to leave school without having an intelligent grasp of the principles of agriculture and dairy-work. The rural classes that have been carried on at the Stratford District High School for the past two years have now got beyond the experimental stage, and have fully justified their establishment. Fiftysix pupils (27 boys and 29 girls) were enrolled, with an average of 47 for the year. Extract from the Report of the Director of Technical Instruction. Technical and continuation classes were held during the year at New Plymouth, Stratford, and Inglewood, and 212 students were enrolled at New Plymouth, 126 at Stratford, and 37 at Inglewood, as compared with 228, 196, and 23 in 1910. New Plymouth Centre. —As in previous years, the commercial classes again proved the most popular, a good many students taking advantage of a grouped course in commercial subjects. The technical and industrial classes were not so well attended. At the close of the milking season an experiment was tried of carrying on a one-day-a-week course for farmers' sons, the subjects taken "being agriculture, dairy-work, farm carpentry, metal work, &c. Students from Omata, Waitara, Bell Block, Hillsborough, York Road, and Stratford enrolled in the class. The enthusiasm shown and the

Receipts. Balance at beginning of year Capitation on associated classes .. Rent Furniture, fittings, and apparatus Material Subsidies on voluntary contributions Fees From the trustees of the " Elam " bequest £ s. d. . 189 8 10 . 327 4 9 20 0 0 17 11 11 23 17 2 200 0 0 59 15 0 251 19 6 Expenditure. £ s. d. Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 752 10 0 Office expenses (including salaries, stationery, &c.) .. .. .. .. 88 3 11 Advertising and printing.. .. .. 45 14 6 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 27 16 9 Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 1 11 8 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 40 0 0 Material for class use .. .. .. 13 9 7 Models.. .. .. .. .. 32 6 0 Various expenses .. .. .. 11 0 4 Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 33 0 5 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 44 4 0 £1,089 17 2 £1,089 17 2 Sam. Jackson, Chairman ) , ,, B. W. Payton, Secretary f°* Managers.