E.— 5.

follows :Of 196 candidates who sat for the art examinations, 151 passed; 42 students' work in connection with art certificates were sent Home for examination, of which 24 were accepted by the examiners. At the science examinations 74 of the 118 candidates who presented themselves were successful; 117 candidates sat for the examinations of the Institute, and 85 passed. The chief drawback to these examinations is the time that elapses between the holding of the examinations and the arrival in the colony of the results. For this, among other reasons, the question arises as to whether it is not desirable to consider the advisability of instituting colonial examinations in such subjects as drawing in outline and in light and shade, painting from still life, elementary design, elementary machine and building construction, woodwork, and. cookery : to these, in view of the growing importance of the subject, might be added plumbing, the examination in this case to be conducted by the Department in conjunction with local authorities. The institution of colonial examinations would, it is considered, do much to stimulate local effort, and in this connection it is suggested that the holding from time to time in the various centres of the colony of an exhibition of the bond fide work of the students of the technical schools and classes would do much to further the cause of technical education by arousing public interest in the work, and by creating what is always a stimulus to further effort—namely, a healthy rivalry between competing schools. M. H. Browne, E. C. Isaac, Inspectors of Technical Schools.

MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE SEVERAL EDUCATION DISTRICTS.

AUCKLAND. EXTRACT FROM REPORT OP THE EDUCATION BOARD. Technical Instruction. —Some progress has been made during the year in the formation of school classes. The number of such classes recognised by the Department at the end of 1902 was twelve. Now that the somewhat intricate regulations are being better understood, there seems a growing desire on the part of teachers to obtain for the scholars under their charge the benefits of technical instruction. The Auckland Technical School has been carried on with a reduced number of students, no effort having been made to extend its operations until the appointment of a Director. Seventythree applications for the position of Director were received in answer to advertisements published in England, Australia, and New Zealand. The Board was assisted in the selection by Mr. George Hogben, Secretary for Education, and by Dr. William Garnett, Secretary to the Technical Education Board of the London County Council. The result was the appointment of Mr. George George, P.1.C., F.C.S., Associate of the Merchant Venturers' Technical College, Bristol, and headmaster of the Sutherland Technical Institute and of the Longton High School, Staffordshire, England. Mr. George arrived in Auckland in October last; and he has since been engaged chiefly in making necessary preparations for enlarging the scope of work in the Technical School, organizing school classes in woodwork and cookery, and otherwise promoting the extension of technical education in this district. The Government have responded promptly to the applications made, on his recommendation, for grants for buildings and apparatus ; and there is reason to hope that his efforts will be followed by a large increase in the number of students. The question of providing means of practical instruction in agriculture is under consideration. A summer school for teachers was held during the Christmas holidays, and was attended by 280 teachers from town and country schools. The experiment thus made gives promise of a more successful institution in future years. Extract fkom Report op the Inspectors of Schools. Handwork—usually cane-weaving and modelling in plasticine—has been taken up with considerable success in a number of the smaller schools. Now that payments in aid of materials are to be made for an hour's instruction a week I expect an extensive development of this work. Curiously enough, when I asked the Minister to sanction this concession a year ago the request was refused. The Department is to be congratulated on taking a wiser view of the question. History is the subject that is omitted where handwork is taken up. Report op the Director of Technical Education. Having only arrived in Auckland in the middle of October last, my report must of necessity be short. THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. For several years past it has been the complaint in England that in a large number of cases the students who enter the technical schools are unable to take full advantage of the opportunities there offered them, owing to their lack of knowledge of the ordinary subjects of the primaryschool curriculum. In order, therefore, to obtain information regarding the education provided in the public schools of Auckland, during the first few weeks after my arrival I spent some time in visiting various city and suburban schools. As a result I found — (1.) That very little work was being done in hand and eye training. (2.) That there was no provision whatever for the teaching of cookery and of woodwork to girls and boys respectively of the higher standards. (3.) That all science teaching was confined to demonstration lessons by the teacher.

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