E.-P5

10

Of these papers, 916 were taken by schools not under the Wellington Board, and 649 passes were recorded. The following are the schools representing the 916 papers : Marlborough District —Blenheim Boys', Blenheim Girls', Kaituna, Canvastown. Westland District—Hokitika, Jackson's. Grey District — Greymouth, Hatters, Stillwater, Cobden. Nelson District — Appleby, Girls' Central. Schools not under Education Boards—Boys' College (Nelson), Convent of Mercy (Lyttelton), St. Mary's (Nelson), St. Mary's Convent (Christchurch), Convent School (Hokitika), Convent School, St. Mary's School, and St. Joseph's Orphanage (Wellington), St. Patrick's (Masterton), St. Joseph's (Kanieri), St. Patrick's (Boss), Convent (Greymouth), Convent (Akaroa), Wanganui Collegiate School, Miss Page's Studio (Napier), Wesley Day School. The total number of certificates issued in connection with this examination since its inauguration in 1884 is 37,299. I anticipate considerable changes in connection with this examination. It would be more satisfactory if the Education Department were to undertake this work on behalf of all schools desirous of presenting candidates, whilst in larger centres inspection might be substituted for examination. The importance of this inspection is impressed upon us by the large number of additional appointments of qualified Inspectors in Great Britain, and the general tendency to strengthen this work throughout the schools. Manual Instruction. Beyond the class conducted by Mr. Joplin at Mauriceville West, a class at the Wellington College, and the class for primary-scholarship holders at the Central Technical School little has been done in this important work. I can only again urge the advisability of its introduction, for the advantages of it to a colony such as ours are invaluable. The majority of our teachers are, I am aware, opposed to the introduction of this subject, but such opposition is mainly owing to a misconception of the aims of such instruction, and I am sure that once established by any teacher in his school he will be as much in its favour as he is now against it. Such has been the experience of many teachers in England who have personally informed me of their strong opposisition in the first case, and afterwards of their full conversion to the benefits to be derived. &M.o£.The introduction of hand-and-eye training culminating in manual instruction can only be a matter of time. It will force itself upon us, unless we are content to remain a colony unprogressive and unmindful of our future. lam glad to report that a few of the teachers are in attendance at the Saturday instruction class. Domestic Economy. Cookery classes under the instruction of Miss Ivey in the Wellington centre and Miss Millington in the Wairarapa and Forty-mile Bush districts have progressed satisfactorily. In the Forty-mile Bush district during the two terms, January to April and October to December, there were 123 pupils on the roll; 128 lessons were given, with a total attendance of 1,874, and an average of 15 pupils per class. In the Wairarapa district during the term May to September there were 180 pupils on the roll; 143 lessons were given, with a total attendance of 2,687, and an average of 18 pupils per class. In the Wellington centre the numbers for the two terms were as follows : Number of pupils on the roll, 193 and 147 ; number of lessons given, 150 and 147 ; total attendance, 2,082 and 2,610; average number of pupils per class, 14 and 18. The progress may be considered decidedly encouraging and a feature of the year's work. There can be no question of the value of this instruction to all concerned. Appreciation has been shown upon all sides; in some cases the girls of the classes in a body have attended half an hour earlier and asked for additional instruction. I recognise the difficulties of teachers in finding the necessary time for cookery in addition to the regular work of the syllabus. My thanks are due to those teachers who have loyally assisted me in carrying on this work. Naturally it will take time to overcome all the difficulties incidental to changes in the syllabus. Arrangements are being made for ithe extension of this work to the Manawatu district. The question of the cost is important, and I fail to see how this work can be continued unless the new Technical Instruction Act provides the necessary assistance. The Saturday class established for the purpose of giving the necessary training to schoolteachers has not proved altogether satisfactory. It has therefore been decided to take one assistant every six months and attach her to the central school as assistant to Miss Ivey, in order that the actual class instruction to primary scholars may be practically dealt with, such teacher afterwards returning to her school and giving the instruction in cookery. By this means it is hoped to gradually overcome the difficulty of schools beyond the radius of cookery centres receiving instruction. Agricultural Instruction. In my visits of inspection to the country districts I have endeavoured to impress upon the School Committees I have had the pleasure of meeting the importance of this work. The Committees of the Wairarapa and Forty-mile Bush districts have arranged for a joint meeting to include the Town Lands Trusts of Masterton and Greytown, with a view to the formation of a scheme of intermediate scholarships, and probably a school farm. In the matter of elementary agriculture as a part of the primary-school course, the Education Department, in its admirable special reports on educational subjects, has recently given suggestive exercises. Primary Drawing Scholarships. The work of the sixty-two scholars holding scholarships has been satisfactory. The boys' course of manual instruction has been considerably improved ; the change of workshop has enabled this to be done. The scholars manifest a keen interest in this branch of the work. The girls'