85

E.— 5

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1911, in respect of Associated Classes conducted by the Oamaru Technical Classes Association.

SOUTHLAND. Extract from the Report of the Inspectors of Schools. At practically every school in the district pupils have the advantage of manual training in some form or other. Our teachers deserve much credit for the unanimity with which they have fallen in with the views of the Board and of its officers in this matter, particularly so when it is remembered that the value of the training is only very gradually obtaining its due recognition. The report of the Director of Manual and Technical Education gives particulars of the establishment at Invercargill, Gore, and Riverton of woodwork and cookery training centres by which no less than 36 schools have benefited. Though for some little time the conservatism of the mass in educational matters may cause friction, we believe that before very long the Board's policy will be generally approved, and that it will be given credit for having conferred on many country schools benefits previously limited to town and suburban schools. We wish the new departure much success, and ask parents and teachers to bear with us in the difficulties inseparable from a new enterprise. We view with much satisfaction the prospect of the establishment of a day technical school in Invercargill at an early date. Such an institution is entirely necessary. With its sister institutions, the Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools, it should be most valuable in moulding the characters and developing the capabilities of our young people at a most critical period in their lives, and in fitting them thoroughly for the spheres they will occupy in the future. We wish it every success. Extract from the Report of the Director of Technical Instruction. Speaking generally, technical education throughout the district has fairly maintained in all its branches the position formerly attained, whilst in three departments distinct advance has been made. Of these I shall treat in due course. School Classes: The work accomplished in the lower standards does not call for any special comment. The teachers co-ordinate the instruction as far as possible, in accordance with the subjects taken in the higher standards, with satisfactory results. In the kindergarten department the infant mind, by the simple process of folding exactly a squared piece of paper, grasps the mathematical truth that things which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another, and the transition from the primary to the secondary stages of mathematical reasoning becomes comparatively easy of attainment. In like manner the cutting-out and the building-up in cardboard of a simple cube grounds the pupil in the principles underlying all mechanical arts and sciences. In plasticine-modelling and in brush drawing the artistic side of our nature —that which raises us above the commonplace—is fostered and developed. ( Were these and kindred subjects removed from our syllabus the loss would be most keenly felt. In the upper standards the work undertaken comprised chiefly advanced needlework and cookery for girls, woodwork and elementary agriculture for boys, and elementary physical measurements for both girls and. boys. The first notable advance to which attention may be directed was the establishment of fully-equipped centres at Gore and Riverton, and of a second centre in Invercargill, where the boys and girls, gathered together from no less than 36 schools hitherto out of reach, were instructed in the most essential subjects of woodwork and cookery by competent instructors. This was made possible by the Department's agreeing to allow the children who had to travel to these centres by train to continue at work for one whole day per week, for a period of twelve or thirteen weeks, as best suited the train service. During the first and third periods, while the days were long, the children attending schools situated at the furthest points of the railway service from the centres were brought in, whilst during the second period, when the days were short, those nearer at hand were cared for. The scheme proved completely successful. Teachers and parents alike, with few exceptions, co-operated with the Board most willingly in order that the rising generation under their care might receive all the benefits to be derived from attendance at these classes. In one or two instances, where the scheme was not sufficiently understood by parents, a circular letter to the following effect was forwarded : — " Manual training in schools is now universally recognized as a branch of education of the utmost importance. Every country in the forefront of the world's progress to-day has adopted this system, and has added it to its educational syllabus with most beneficial results. The young of any community who have not in early youth passed through a course of hand-and-eye training lag behind in the race for existence. New Zealand has realized this, and is determined that its young people shall be as fully equipped for life's battles as are those of less favoured countries. The Education Department has risen to the occasion, and has with great liberality assisted local bodies to meet the existing need. It has encouraged to the utmost of its power the establishment of manual-training schools at convenient centres, and has liberally borne not only the whole cost of the erection and equipment of suitable

Receipts. Balance at beginning of year Capitation-on associated classes Capitation on aocount of free places Material Subsidies on voluntary contributions Fees Voluntary contributions £ s. d. 56 8 0 61 7 0 12 16 6 0 15 1 50 10 3 107 13 3 66 7 9 Expenditure. £ s. d Salaries of instructors .. .. .. 154 18 ( Office expenses (including salaries, stationery, &c.) .. .. .. .. .. 100 8 t Advertising and printing .. .. .. 6 15 1 Lighting and heating .. .. .. 7 10 I: Insurance and repairs .. .. ' .. 9 12 5 Rent .. .. .. .. .. 1 0 ( Material for class use .. .. .. 1 0 £ Cleaning .. .. .. 16 0 ( Rates .. .. . .. .. 3 2 ( Bank charges .. .. .. .. 1 10 ( Petty oash .. .. .. .. 1 0 ( Balance at end of year .. .. .. 53 0 K £355 17 10 £355 17 1( John Scoon, Chairman I f m A. A. McKinnon, Secretary)" 0 ana g els -