E.—2.

[Appendix C.

To the local manure-merchants the Board was again indebted for generous donations of fertilizer sufficient to meet the ordinary requirements of all the schools taking agriculture. The continued efforts of the Board to arouse in the children an interest in the saving of grass-seed resulted in seed to the value of £24 10s. 6d. being sent in to this office for disposal, and in addition it is known that a considerable quantity was collected by children and sold directly to the seedmerchants. When we consider, however, the enormous quantity in the aggregate still allowed to go to waste the results are somewhat disappointing. Advanced Needlework. —ln this subject work was carried on during the year in forty-two schools, work of a patriotic nature taking a prominent place in the programme. The results, as seen in the finished work forwarded to this office towards the close of the year, were extremely creditable, and evidenced the undoubtedly keen interest the girls had taken in their work. Owing to the dislocation of arrangements as a result of the influenza epidemic, and the impossibility of getting the garments shipped Home as has been done hitherto, it was eventually decided to hand everything over for local distribution, especially in view of the many cases of distress revealed during the progress of the epidemic. It need hardly be added that the garments came in most opportunely, and were highly appreciated. Other Subjects. —As regards the other manual subjects in which instruction was given in certain schools, there is little that calls for special comment. The number of schools receiving instruction in physical measurements shows a decrease from eleven to nine. In the case of classes for instruction in swimming and life-saving it is unfortunate that very little was accomplished, unfavourable weather and the early closing-down of the schools as a result of the influenza epidemic rendering regular instruction impossible. The number of schools in which instruction was given in the various manual subjects was as follows : Elementary handwork, 178 ; physical measurements, 9 ; elementary agriculture, 113 ; advanced needlework, 42 ; swimming and life-saving, 5 ; woodwork and cookery, 75 ; standard needlework (special instructors), 20.

VIII