Appendix o.]

E.—2.

twenty-eight schools took domestic soience. These numbers are higher than those for 1915, and would, of course, have shown a much larger increase but for the change in boundaries. New centres were established at Foxton and Ohakune. It is the intention this year to give to the pupils of country schools who can conveniently travel to training centres an opportunity of attending classes. Instructors' reports indicate that good work was done at all centres. In the woodwork classes many of the articles made by the boys were donated by them for patriotic purposes. The work of the secondary pupils of the district high schools consisted of making farm-gates, picket gates, step-ladders, Morris chairs, book-cases, piano-stools, bed-ends, palmstands, dovetailed boxes, reinforced-concrete fencing-posts, troughs, &o. At, Hunterville a small shed was erected, the floors being of concrete, and about 50 ft. of concrete path was laid. At Taihape a sloping concrete retaining-wall about 60 ft. in length was built. The building-con-struction course (theory) included lime, cement, mortar, bricks, brickwork, foundations, floors, walls, and roofs suitable for farm buildings. Farm sanitation and plumbin, including the construction and functions of a septic tank, were dealt with. A course in farm mechanics was also covered. The care, sharpening, and management of tools were made special features in the curriculum of the woodwork classes. In domestic science the primary pupils received instruction in cookery, home-management, and hygiene. The secondary pupils received, in addition, a course of instruction in dressmaking. Arrangements are being made this year to instruct the secondary pupils in laundrywork also. Art Instruction. —Arrangements were made by the Board to allow of more time being devoted to this work hy the Supervisor, and in consequence a much wider field was covered than in past years. Upwards of 130 schools were visited, including all the main schools, almost all the medium-sized ones, and a large number of the small ones. The work of the pupils was carefully examined, and lessons were given to all classes in the various branches of drawing, design, &c. Matters relating to schemes of work, and to methods of teaching were fully discussed with teachers, the subject of blackboard demonstration being extensively dealt with. Opportunity was taken to embody in the written reports suggestions of a practicable nature deemed helpful to the teachers concerned. Various articles — some of them illustrated — bearing upon the teaching of drawing and design were prepared by the Supervisor and published in the Leaflet, and it is gratifying to find that these have been helpful to teachers. An examination in drawing in connection with the Proficiency Examination was held at the close of the year. The work sent up showed generally a satisfactory improvement upon that of previous years, and it is reported that, taking a general survey of the work of the year, there was an increased interest in drawing all round on the part of both teachers and pupils, and a distinct advance in the quality of the work done. It is proposed during the ensuing year to give a number of demonstration lectures to teachers. These will be held at convenient centres, and will entail little or no expense on those teachers who attend. Teachers' classes were held at Feilding regularly throughout the year, with an attendance of between forty and fifty students, the majority of whom were pupil-teachers and probationers. The work of these classes was planned so as always to keep in view the matter of the teaching of art in the primary school. Each day's lesson was followed by a regular homework exercise related thereto, and the great use of this has been fully proved by the very satisfactory progress made by the students. Teachers' classes in this subject were also held at Mangaweka (thirteen students) and at Wanganui (forty-five students). Handwork. —Recognized classes in handwork were held at 184 schools. Difficulty was experienced in securing supplies of material, the cost of which has advanced considerably. As no increase has been made in capitation we have had to some extent to curtail supplies to schools, and it is likely that a still further curtailment will be necessary. Swimming and, Life-saving. —7B6 pupils received instruction in this subject, being an increase of 186 over 1915, the figures for which included the schools transferred to the Taranaki Education Board. The erection of baths for the Campbell Street School, Palmerston North, which are to be open to the pupils of other schools also, will mean a considerable increase in the number of children in the district who will this year receive instruction in this important subject. Rural, Course. —The rural course for district-high-school pupils was continued at each of the six district high schools, the number of pupils who took the course being 176. Needlework and Dressmaking. —Special teachers of needlework were employed at thirty-one schools. At, four schools instruction was given to seventy-five pupils in advanced needlework and dressmaking. Other Subjects. —Classes in physical measurements were held at seven schools and physiology and first, aid at one school. It is interesting to note that, although the net, loss to this district in school population owing to the change in boundaries was 1,582, the numbers who were receiving instruction at the close of the year in woodwork, domestic science, handwork, and swimming and life-saving show a considerable increase in the figures for 1915.

HAWKE'S BAY. Extract from the Rei'oiit ok the Director of Manual and Technical Instruction. FAementary Handwork Classes were carried on under the Manual and Technical Regulations in 121 schools during last year. The numbers of pupils receiving instruction in the various groups of classes were : P-S2, 5,893; S3-S4, 2,849; S5-S6, 1,963 : total, 10,705. The subjects taken included plasticine-modelling, sticklaying, paper-folding, crayon-work, paper-cutting,

VII