45

E.—s

showing a keen interest in it. The average attendance has been 13 for thirty-six and forty lessons at .the respective places, the low average being due to a large number of the boys leaving towards the end of the year. At Feilding the work has comprised the construction of a number of beehives, field and picket gates, ladders, and a ledge door, whilst the boys have equipped the science-room with forms, and have almost completed two sets of lockers. The second-year rural-course boys have commenced the construction of a shed, but, owing to their small numbers, wet weather, and holidays, only the foundations have been completed. At Marton the boys have made beehives, field and picket gates, ledge doors, trough, door-grating, step-ladder, and have almost completed a wheelbarrow, besides simple joints, &c. The work in building-construction and drawing included the making of scales, drawings of all models, also doors (ledge, frame ledge, and panels), foundations, framing and roofs (lean-to, couple-close, collar-tie, and king-post) of buildings. Occasional inspection visits have been made to buildings under construction, which visits have proved very instructive and interesting. Cookery and Hygiene. 1. Wanganui. —The classes comprised Standard V and Standard VI girls from the District High and Queen's Park Schools. The numbers have not been quite as great this year, but the attendance and attention have been excellent. Besides the theory of and practice in cooking, the lessons have aimed at giving the girls instruction in the laws of health. A class in domestic economy for the technical day girls has also been held weekly, when the house (its construction, furnishing, management, &c.) was the subject under consideration. Judging from this class I think this subject is verynecessary for the older girls, and if a room could be fitted up to give them practical experience in the work it would make the teaching more effective. 2. Central and Southern Districts. —Much interest was taken by the girls in their work. At various times the District High School girls went as thoroughly as possible into dinner-cooking. Scarlet fever and measles necessitated two lessons weekly (in order to get in forty attendances). These were given in November and December. At Feilding the usual exhibition was held. The girls, in addition to making cakes, &c, for afternoon tea, cooked a dinner. The usual examinations took place. Standard VI girls doing remarkably well, four girls gaining full marks. It is a pity some of the bigger girls cannot attend more regularly. The classes at Palmerston North on the whole were large ; the attendance was somewhat poor. The Campbell Street School girls improved very much in their work. Many thanks are due to Messrs. Watson and Warden for kindly co-operation. All classes did well in their examinations. 3. Northern District and Marton. —Lessons in cookery were given to Standards V, VI, and secondary pupils at Eltham, Hawera, Patea, and Marton District High Schools. Elementary physiology and hygiene were taught to Standard VI girls to qualify them for the home arts certificate. A special course of lessons in household management, hygiene, and physiology was given at each of the centres, while at Hawera a special course in laundry-work was taken for six months of the year. At many of the centres pupils successfully competed at the agricultural shows, and the prize-money has been devoted to the expenses of the cookery classes. At Eltham the girls assisted in preparing a special " afternoon tea " for the visit of the Minister of Education. At Hawera, for the Coronation celebrations, the High School pupils made twelve large plum-puddings, the ingredients of which were kindly donated by the storekeepers. These special occasions give the girls an added interest in their work. During next year I propose having a " visitors' day " at each centre, so that parents can note the practical part of the girl's work in cookery, household management, and laundry-work. Last June two senior pupils from Hawera District High School were successful in passing the examinations (with first-class certificates) in cookery held by the City and Guilds, London. Might I here suggest that the New Zealand Education Department should institute an examination of its own, and grant certificates to successful pupils from the various secondary and technical schools. The examination questions would then probably have a more direct bearing on the colonial life of our girls.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1911, in respect of Special Classes conducted at Alton, Apiti, Ashhurst, Bull's, Bunnythorpe, Cheltenham, Eltham, Feilding, Foxton, Hawera, Kapuni, Kaponga, Kimbolton, Manutahi, Manaia, Mangaweka, Marton, Mangawhero, Matapu, Okaiawa, Patea, Pohangina, Rongotea, Taihape, Taoroa, Turakina, Wanganui, and Waverley.

Receipts. Capitation on special classes Capitation on account of free places Rent Furniture, fittings, and apparatus Material Subsidies on voluntary contributions Instructors' coach fares.. Fees Voluntary contributions Contributions to instructors' salaries Examination fees Material sold Grant for training of teaohers Balance at end of year .. £ s. d. | Expenditure. £ s. d. . 1,908 10 7 : Balance at beginning of year .. .. 2,742 6 6 795 13 6 I Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 4,158 14 7 89 19 0 Office administration .. .. .. 125 0 0 . 1,810 14 7 , Advertising and printing .. .. 212 15 0 208 18 1 ' Lighting, heating, and cleaning .. .. 494 5 6 469 19 9 i Insurance and repairs .. .. .. 96 7 8 54 7 0 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 79 6 7 . 1,211 13 10 : Examinations, &c. .. .. .. 41 12 6 428 15 11 ! Material for class use .. .. .. 252 10 6 168 14 0 ' Instructors' travelling-expenses .. .. 251 0 2 6 10 0 Telephone .. .. .. .. 22 6 1 38 10 1 Clerical assistance .. .. .. 35 12 0 220 0 0 Library and prizes .. .. .. 38 7 7 . 3,690 12 10 Miscellaneous expenses.. .. .. 55 1 3 ! Contraots (new buildings, additions, &o.) .. 193 15 10 : Furniture, fittings, and apparatus .. 2,303 17 5 £11,102 19 2 | £11,102 19 2 W. H. Swanger, Secretary.