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by an officer of the Country Library Association and this is to be extended. At present the best scheme in operation is in one education district where a Schools Library Service ojierated by a Municipal Library in collaboration with the Board provides a fine range of books not only to town schools, but to most of the country schools as well. Centennial Exhibition. The primary schools actively assisted, and in the Education Court was displayed a comprehensive range of good samples of children's art, craft, needlework, and project work. The talents of the pupils and the possibilities of fuller exploitation were clearly indicated. The new trend of school art in which the child's interpretation is given untrammelled expression, the diversity of material for handicrafts, and the high standard of workmanship attained, were in the nature of a revelation, and unstinted praise for the children's efforts was given by all. In many districts historical and geographical surveys of the locality were made by the pupils, and a wealth of material recorded in an interesting fashion. Educationally these researches are worthwhile and give a practical significance to social studies. Many thousands of children from all over New Zealand, under the charge of their teachers and representatives of committees and parents, visited the Exhibition. The hostel provided in the old Newtown School proved a real asset, and enabled school parties to secure good accommodation at a minimum of cost. In the Centennial year many thousands of native trees and shrubs propagated for the purpose were planted in school grounds. This special interest in native flora links up with the lessons on the care and jirotection not only of plant and bird life, but of public property. Handicapped Children. The special classes for backward children continue to accomplish useful work. In some of the cities Occupation Centres have been established to continue this work for older children who have little or no ability for even a modified type of education, but who can be trained to acquire desirable personal and social habits and to participate in recreational and occupational pursuits. Facilities for the treatment of disabilities of speech and hearing are being extended as specialists trained in the colleges become available. Expert advice has been given by the Principal of the School for the Deaf, Sumner, who has visited the various centres. Hospital classes for children who are inmates are proving very successful. Several permanent health camps are in course of erection, and educational facilities are being provided. While children attend these camps primarily for health reasons, suitable forms of school work are found to be beneficial. Correspondence School. The School continues to function successfully in providing education for primary and postprimary children and also adults who are unable to attend ordinary schools or classes. The courses include academic and practical subjects, and the staff includes a number of experts qualified to give specialized forms of instruction. The use of the radio has been extended, and there is now a national link-up for the broadcast lessons. A monthly bulletin brings to the notice of parents and pupils school news and also notes on the various club activities. The visiting-teacher system has been continued, so that as far as possible personal contact is maintained between the school and the homes. Arrangements for conducting another vacation school in January at Oamaru have been made. In this way the pupils who attend gain some real school experience of a profitable and enjoyable nature. District High and Intermediate Schools. The secondary departments of our district high schools continue to accomplish good work, and satisfy the demands, if not all the needs, of the communities which they serve. While academic courses still receivc too much prominence, it is pleasing to note that greater attention is being given to manual, domestic, and rural pursuits, and also to such cultural phases as speech-training, music, and art. Intermediate schools are proving their superior educational worth. The fine types of buildings, together with the modern equipment and material provided, enable the staffs of specially selected teachers to work under the best conditions. The segregation of pupils of the same ago groups facilitates homogeneous grouping and the differentiation of curricula, most important factors in fulfilling the educational and selective functions of these schools. As conditions permit, in suitable centres, especially where new schools or further accommodation are required, it is the Department's policy to extend the intermediate system. Rural Education. The generally efficient system of rural education, even in sole-charge schools, in this country compares most favourably with those abroad. The progressive development of consolidation which affords better educational facilities for country children has been checked on account of the need for conservation of petrol. Inspectors of Schools and Advisers to Infant Departments have devoted a great part of their time to assisting country teachers. Refresher courses, meetings, and discussion circles have been freely used to disseminate progressive ideas. The Agricultural Instructors have efficiently supervised all activities embraced under rural science, the work of agricultural clubs in plot culture and animal rearing being very successful. 1 have, &c., G. E. Overton, Chief Inspector of Primary Schools. The Director of Education, Wellington.

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