E.—-)

4

teachers qualified to undertake the work. It is a matter for surprise and regret •that, with the facilities now available for training, the proportion of trained teachers able and. qualified to give instruction on modern lines to secondary classes in the „ various branches of natural and physical science continues to remain quite inadequate. More than half of the district high schools of the Dominion (fifty-nine in number) are now provided with laboratories equipped for individual practical work in elementary physics or chemistry. Where special science-rooms are not available, as in the case of most public schools, a course in elementary physical measurements is being taken up in a small but increasing number of schools. The number of recognized classes for this subject last year was 122, as against 118 for the previous year. Though there has been an increase from 165 to 200 in the number of classes for swimming and life-saving recognized under the regulations for manual and technical instruction, the provision made for instruction in this useful branch of knowledge still leaves something to be desired. Recognized public-school classes were held in ten of the thirteen education districts. New buildings or additions to buildings for manual instruction in connection with public schools have been erected during the year, or are in course of erection at Devonport, Pukekohe, Helensville, Waihi, Pahiatua, Motueka, Sydenham, Lincoln, Temuka, Mosgiel, Balclutha, Milton, Lawrence, Invercargill, and Riverton, while necessary equipment has been provided for classes at Cambridge, Inglewood, Carterton, Masterton, Greytown, Levin, Wellington, Pahiatua, Pleasant Point, Dunedin, and Riverton. Table Jα. —Capitation received and Expenditure by Education Boards in connection with Manual Instruction in Public Schools during the Year ending 31st December, 1911 (exclusive of Expenditure out of Grants for Buildings and Equipment). Education District Capitation. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. Auckland.. .. .. .. .* 3,484 13 2 4,698 411 Taranaki . . .. . . . . 1,064 1 9 932 9 6 Wanganui .. .. .. .. 2,940 18 6 3,324 10 3 Wellington . .. .. .. .. 3,658 3 6 3,879 710 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. 1,792 16 5 2,320 13 10 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 340 12 0 295 10 10 Nelson . . .. . . . .. 406 13 2 910 410 Grey .. .. .. . . .. 78 3 9 60 17 9 Westland .. .. .. .. .. 42 1 9 12 1 11 North Canterbury .. .. .. .. 2,138 13 5 3,088 1 4 South Canterbury .. .. .. .. 1,153 13 5 1,604 0 7 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 1,998 210 2,125 14 6 Southland .. .. .. .. 850 1 2 1,536 9 4 Totals for 1911 .. .. 19,948 14 10 24,788 7 5 Totals for 1910 .. .. 18,103 10 4 19,935 7 3 Recognized classes for manual instruction were also carried on during the year in connection with twenty-eight of the secondary schools (thirty in number) in receipt of Government grants. The chief branches taken up and the total average attendance at classes were as follows : — „ , . , » T . .. Average Attendance, subjects or instruction. 1910 IQII Physios and chemistry .. .. .. ~ .. 940 1,463 Natural science .. .. ~ .. .. .1,325 1,335 Woodwork .. .. . . .. .. .361 460 Cookery .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 512 638 Dressmaking .. .. .. .. .. .. 278 338 Some further particulars relating to the classes are as follows : — 1910. 1911. The number of recognized classes was . . . . . . 227 274 The capitation payments on attendance amounted to . . £929 £1,147 The average rate of payment per class was . . . . . . £4-1 £4-2 Special grants for buildings and equipment totalled .. . . £912 £2,073