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E.—l

elementary practical agriculture; elementary hygiene (including elementaryphysiology, with instruction in " health " and in "first aid "); domestic science (including cookery, dressmaking or advanced plain needlework, and housewifery); shorthand, book-keeping, and commercial correspondence; woodwork or ironwork. To qualify for a senior free place, or for an "Intermediate Certificate," a pupil need not sit for an outside examination; it is sufficient if he or she gives evidence of having diligently and intelligently completed a satisfactory two-years course. Upon the completion of a similar satisfactory four-years course (that is, two years more) a Senior or " Leaving Certificate " is given. The following subjects are common to all the secondary schools : English, French, Latin, arithmetic, and other branches of elementary mathematics, and science. In regard to other subjects the following remarks in last year's report still apply:— Other subjects treated more or less commonly are commercial work, history, geography, drawing in various forms, woodwork for boys, and cookery or dressmaking for girls. In four of the schools German is taught to small classes of pupils, and in three Greek is reported as a subject of instruction. Advantage is taken in most cases to provide a commercial course, in which bookkeeping and commercial correspondence and geography, or book-keeping and shorthand, supply the alternative. In general, all but a few pupils take French ;in Latin the proportion pursuing the study varies very greatly in different schools, but probably not less than 60 per cent, of the aggregate enrolment are Latin pupils. In science the branches commonly observed are, for boys, physics (elementary physical measurements, electricity and magnetism, heat) and chemistry, with physiology in some cases ; for girls, botany or physiology and elementary physics. In nearly all the schools adequate attention is bestowed on physical instruction, and the usual games are entered into with zest. Except in the substitution of needlework, cookery, or dressmaking for some other form of manual instruction (or, in some instances, in lieu of a second language), in the less frequent provision of an alternative course for commercial work, and the selection made of science subjects, the curriculum in girls' schools cannot be said to differ in a marked degree from that found in schools for boys only. It is significant that so far hardly a single girls' high school provides a full course in domestic science or hygiene ; several of the schools are, however, taking steps to supply this omission. It is equally true in regard to the science of boys' schools that only in two or three cases does it appear that the science is chosen with a definite view to its bearing on agriculture. It would be well if there were more. In schools with suitable environment there seems to be no study that could be more profitably pursued or that could more worthily occupy the attention or enlist the enthusiasm of teachers and pupils alike. District High Schools. —The course of instruction usually followed in the secondary departments of the district high schools of the Dominion has, hitherto, been drawn up largely with a view to prepare pupils for the Civil Service Junior, Matriculation, and Education Board Scholarship Examinations. In too many cases the curriculum itself and the methods of teaching have been dominated by examination results. It is, however, gratifying to note that in several education districts an earnest endeavour is being made to bring the course of instruction more into harmony with local conditions by providing suitable rural courses, based generally on the suggestive programme issued by the Department last year. Such courses, admittedly tentative in character, are now in operation in four districts, and there are indications that similar courses will be provided in other districts as soon as ways and means permit. The course for boys is not intended to fit them for carrying on agricultural and pastoral pursuits, but is intended to give them a knowledge of the scientific principles upon which the successful practice of these pursuits depends. Similarly, the course for girls is intended to fit them for the work which they, as members of families engaged in such pursuits, may have to perform or superintend. It is worthy of remark that it has been found possible, not only to provide reasonably full courses with a distinct bias towards rural and domestic pursuits, but also to secure adequate opportunities for pupils preparing for the various public examinations. The special payment of £5 10s. per annum provided by the Government for each pupil in the secondary department of a district high school taking an approved rural course has enabled Education Boards to augment the available teaching-