E—2.

[Appendix C.

of school work. But in too many cases the endeavour to secure improvement strained almost to the breaking-point the good relations that should exist between the teacher and the Inspector. There were cases where the teachers remained indifferent or obdurate for years, though all the time their assistants and even pupil-teachers were keeping satisfactory echemes and lesson-books mi their own account. We believe thai we have seen the last of the ill-judged opposition to a departmental regulation, and of a speoies of neglecl thai lias conic bo much into prominence a> almost to put one's view of school work out of perspective. Swimmikq ami Life-saving.—lt may be recorded as a testimony to the energy of our Committees and head teachers thai th<- number of children now receiving instruction in swimming is something to be proud of. Baths have been erected on tin- schoolgrounds at Eltham, Wanganui District High School, and Sedgebrook, while the pupils of the Bawera, Queen's Park, ami Feilding Schools avail themselves of the facilities offered by the Corporation baths. It is understood that the pupils of the Taihape, Marton, and Campbell Street Schools will presently be provided with similar facilities. District High Schools.— During the year, in addition to the scholarship course, a practical course of instruction was taken at llawera. I'atea, Mart Taihape, and Feilding. Keference to Table XI will show the relative numbers of pupils taking each course [table not reprinted in full]. The same programme i> being carried out at the same schools during the present year (1911). So much has recently been said of the advantages of the rural course thai, beyond recognizing the good work done at the schools named, we content ourselves with an indorsement of an opinion elsewhere expressed that an extra special assistant should be provided in schools where the course is taken, and with the announcement of a further opinion that, if the Department is really in earnest in the matter, it should decline to recognize any district high school failing to supply a sufficient number of pupils to admit of the course being introduced. Education Boahd'.s IjKnding Library.— The library continues to serve a useful purpose in bringing within reach of all the Board's teachers the most modern works on the science and art of teaching. This year seventy-live teachers obtained books, of which about two hundred were issued. Considering the fact that there are, with the exception of juijiil-teachers and probationers, to whom the books are not issued, some 350 teachers in the Board's service, we do not think nearly as many avail themselves of the library as ought to. Here is an opportunity for the earnest teacher to keep in touch with modern educational thought, and at small cost to himself. We trust the Board's efforts to help the teachers in this direction « ill meet with more enthusiastic support during 1911. Environment. —Environment is on the one hand the physical setting of the school, its attrac liveness inside and out : on the other hand, it is the tone of the school, the absence of evil example, and the presence of g i. <>n the whole, we have made considerable progress in school and schoolground beautification. Much has yet to Ik , done, especially ill the direction of making the grounds attractive by means of flower-plots ami ornamental shrubs. Having aided in the establishment of school gardens throughout the district, the supervisors of agricultural training will now l>c in a position to devote more time to the improvement of the appearance of the schoolgrounds. The interest taken it. the school gardens by the great majority of the teachers cai t be too heartily or too highly commended ; and there is every reason to suppose that tins interest will be extended to the schoolgrouii'ds. The natural complement of well-kept grounds is hearty play, a phase of school life that receives general recognition at our schools. The Board's injunction that the teachers should initiate ami supervise organized games for all pupils has been for the most part sympathetically received. It is not so very long ago since the main interest of the school was centred on the subjects taught, an interest which is at last being transferred to the children, who are clearly coining to their own. Acknowledgments.- We desire to place on record our appreciation of the good service done to the cause of education by— (l) the ladies who ably examined the candidates for the domestic arts certificate: ('2) the head teachers of the observation scl Is; (8) the instructors of the school technical classes: (i) the teachers of all tanks. 'I he timely assistance rendered by Mr. Grant in the work of inspection towards the close of the year should also be recognized. To Mr. Stewart. who comes to do a work of the first importance in our schools, we extend a cordial welcome. We have, &c, Geo. 1). Bi:.uk,i .1 AS. M ii.nk. - Inspectors. The Chairman, Education Board, Wanganui. , T. B. Strong, )

WELLINGTON. Sir, — Education Office, Wellington, February, 1911. We have the honour to submit the following report on the condition of primary education in the Wellington District. The number of schools in operation during the year was liKi, an increase of one for the year. Two small aided schools were closed, and three new ones were opened. In addition to the 163 State schools, eleven Catholic schools were visited and reported upon,

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