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6 have returned from rehabilitation courses in Britain and Sweden. A new departure has been specialization within the field staff, and in three areas special officers to deal with liaison work between primary and post-primary schools have been appointed. It is particularly desirable that there should be no sharp break in methods between the two types of schools, and these appointments serve to prevent this. The Head Office staff of the Physical Education Branch was strengthened considerably by appointments to the new positions of Chief Organizer and Organizer at Head Office, the former specializing in liaison work in the field, equipment, and teaching aids, the latter in post-primary problems and administration. With the fulfilment of plans put forward in previous years, there has been steady advance in physical education during the year. Short refresher or training courses for small groups of teachers, followed by visits to their schools, have been successfully conducted by the specialist staff. In January a summer school attended by some 120 teachers dealt with elementary post-primary work for both men and women. In January, 1947, a course for the field staff is to be held particularly for the benefit of the returned men. Special attention has been given to the teaching of swimming and large numbers of children have been taught to swim, intensive campaigns supplementing the ordinary school instruction. The film " Learn to Swim " has been used effectively. Learners' pools have proved so valuable that a good many more have been built. Games and sport continue to have an important place, and athletic and swimming meetings organized by schools' associations are held in all districts. (4) Music. —An interesting development is the expansion of the Schools Music Festival movement in many districts. Teachers are to be commended for the enthusiasm displayed and the care and skill exercised in training the pupils. Expert guidance has been given by training college lecturers and by specialist teachers. In our schools the music lessons are always popular and the quality of the singing is, in most cases, good. It is pointed out, however, in most reports that too much reliance is placed on imitative methods rather than on teaching children to read music with understanding. In too few schools is sight reading definitely taught. Some teachers are diffident, and some may not have the necessary qualifications. It is agreed that more expert assistance is needed. In a measure this is given by a number of specialist assistants attached to various schools. When the supply of teachers is better, more specialists will be trained. Generous appreciation of the excellent music lessons provided by the schools broadcast service is expressed in all quarters. These lessons are regarded as being the most valuable feature of school broadcasts. (5) Art and Craft. —The introduction of the new schemes is proceeding well, 260 more schools being included during the year. As much of the work is of a new nature, expert guidance for teachers is essential. The specialist staff, under the direction of the Supervisor of Art and Crafts, has been busily engaged in holding short training courses, in which the teachers have taken a keen interest. The tentative art scheme has meant a reorientation of older ideas of art teaching. The new art aims at selfexpression, with judicious guidance in techniques. Where the scheme has been in operation for some time, Inspectors state that pupils' efforts are characterized by spontaneity and freshness, and some very fine interpretative work in picture and design is being obtained. The committee set up to formulate the tentative scheme has, after studying the reports of teachers throughout New Zealand, drafted the scheme in final form. The major crafts undertaken in the new courses are weaving, bookbinding, and clay-modelling. Difficulties in obtaining supplies of material and in their distribution hamper the full development of the art and craft scheme. It is anticipated, however, that before long a constant flow of supplies will be maintained. Woodwork, cookery, and home crafts continue to receive good attention. The special training schemes for teachers in these subjects are successfully operating and a better supply of well-trained teachers will soon be available.

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