35

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subjects of the course continue for the most part to be taught by visiting instructors. This arrangement, which cannot be regarded as ideal, appears to be the only practicable one at present, in view of the scarcity of trained teachers qualified to give instruction on modern lines in the various branches of natural and physical science, although facilities for obtaining the necessary training cannot be said to be nonexistent. About 70 per cent, of the district high schools in the Dominion (over fifty in number) are now provided with laboratories equipped for individual practical work in elementary physics or chemistry. £.jj In the primary schools, where special science rooms are not available, useful courses in physical measurements have in a few cases been taken up. The number of classes recognized in 1912 was 121, mostly in connexion with urban schools. The opinion is expressed that work of this kind hardly receives in the schools the attention it deserves. The number of recognized classes for swimming and life-saving was 222, an increase of twenty. Classes were held in eleven of the thirteen education districts. As stated last year, the provision made for instruction in this useful branch of knowledge still leaves something to be desired. New buildings or additions to buildings for manual instruction in connexion with public schools have been erected during the year or are in course of erection at Devonport, Pukekohe, Helensville, Marton, Motueka, Takaka, Temuka, Mosgiel, Balclutha, Milton, Lawrence, Tapanui, and Invercargill, while necessary equipment has been provided for classes at Devonport, Helensville, Pukekohe, Waihi, Marton, Woodville, Wakefield, Reefton, Sydenham, Ashburton, Lincoln, Kaikoura, South Dunedin, Lawrence, Mosgiel, Tapanui, Milton, Balclutha, Invercargill, Gore, and Riverton. Table Ja. — Capitation received and Expenditure by Education Boards in connexion with Manual Instruction in Public Schools during the Year ending 31st December, 1912 (exclusive of Expenditure out of Grants for Buildings and Equipment). Education District. Capitation. Expenditure. £ a. d. £ s. d. Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 1,813 5 8 6,686 19 10 Taranaki .. .. .. 1,189 2 10 978 3 9 Wanganui.. .. .. .. .. 3,355 16 0 3,355 11 3 Wellington .. .. 3,159 5 2 4,087 12 9 Hawke'sßay .. .. .. 1,821 8 9 2,394 7 6 Marlborough 280 15 8 354 9 8 Nelson .. .. .. 815 6 2 1,282 5 5 Grey .. .. .. .. 79 1 4 99 0 6 Wcstland 15 13 3 11 9 8 North Canterbury .. .. .. .. [2,761 9 7 2,779 14 2 South Canterbury .. .. .. .. fa,230 11 3 1,279 19 8 Otago .. .. .. .. .. &2.069 12 7 3,767 4 3 Southland.. .. .. .. .. f2,689 9 0 2,552 17 9 Totals for 1912 .. .. .. 24,280 17 3 29,629 16 2 Totals for 1911 .. .. ... 19,948 14 10 24,788 7 3 Manual Instruction in Secondary Schools. Recognized classes were carried on in connexion with twenty-seven of the secondary schools (twenty-nine in number) in receipt of Government grants. The subjects most generally taken up and the total average attendance at classes were as follows:— Subjects of Instruction. Averago Attendance. 1911. 1912. Physics and chemistry .. .. .. .. 1,463 1,917 Natural science .. .. .. .. .. •• 1,335 1,589 Agriculture .. .. .. .. .. • • 151 160 Woodwork .. .. .. ..460 483 Domestic subjects .. .. .. .. 1,076 1,043 Free and instrumental drawing .. .. .. 713 788 Some further particulars are as follows : — 1911. 1912 The number of recognized classes was .. .. .. 274 357 Capitation payments on attendances amounted to .. .. £1,147 £1,488 The average rate of payment per class was .. .. £4" 2 £4 Special grants in aid of buildings and equipment totalled . . £2,073 £1,748