E.—s

4

Manual Instruction in Secondary Schools. Recognized classes were carried on in connexion with twenty-seven of the secondary schools (thirty in number) in receipt of Government grants. The subjects most generally taken up and the number of classes were as follows :— Subjects of. Instruction. Number of Classes. 1912. 1913. Free and instrumental drawing .. .. .. 33 25 Cookery and laundry.. .. .. .. .. ..35 32 Dressmaking .. .. .. .. .. 28 29 Woodwork and ironwork .. .. .. .. 24 26 Experimental and natural science .. .. .. 173 184 Swimming and life-saving .. .. .. .. 19 28 Elementary agriculture and dairy-work.. .. .. ..12 18 Elementary physical measurements . . .. .. 33 31 357 373 Capitation payments amounted to £1,518, being at the rate of £4 per class. Special grants in aid of buildings and equipment totalled £3,672. New buildings or additions to buildings for manual and technical instruction were erected during the year, or are in course of erection, in connexion with Nelson Girls' College, Christchurch Boys' and Girls' High Schools, Waitaki Girls' High School, and Otago Boys' High School; while necessary equipment has been provided at Hamilton High School, Wellington Girls' College, Nelson Boys' College, Christchurch Boys' and Girls' High Schools, and Timaru Boys' High School. Most of the secondary schools are now well equipped for practical work in science, woodwork, and cookery. The provision made for laboratory-work in particular is very satisfactory. It is gratifying to note the increasing attention given in many of the schools to instruction in subjects bearing on rural pursuits and on the home. Technical Instruction. Due attention continues to be given by controlling authorities and Managers respectively to the development along lines best suited to local requirements of the schools and classes under their control. Their efforts in this direction are, it is gratifying to note, meeting with in most cases a satisfactory response on the part of those in whose interests opportunities for instruction are provided. Considerable interest continues to be taken in the schools and classes by local bodies, industrial and trade organizations, and agricultural and pastoral associations, as well as by individual members of the community. Voluntary contributions from these sources totalled nearly £8,000 for the year, as compared with about £6,000 for the previous year. These contributions, carrying as they do a Government subsidy of £1 for £1, form a very Welcome addition to the funds of the controlling bodies. The Government has, as in previous years, given favourable consideration to applications for grants for new buildings or additions where these have been shown to be necessary, and for necessary equipment. During the year grants totalling £16,293 were distributed in aid of buildings and equipment. The amount for the previous year was £10,508. New or additional buildings have been erected or are in course of erection in connexion with the Elam School of Art, Auckland; New Plymouth Technical College ; Canterbury College School of Engineering; Christchurch Technical College; Timaru, Temuka, and Waimate Technical Schools ; and Dunedin and Invercargill Technical Colleges ; while necessary equipment has been provided for classes at Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Hawera, Manaia, Hunterville, Napier, Blenheim, Westport, Christchurch School of Art and Technical College, and Invercargill. About sixty buildings, for the most part well and fully equipped, are now available for purposes of technical instruction. In the smaller and more remote centres, where special buildings have not yet been provided, classes are held in suitable rented buildings or in the local schools. During the year classes were held at nineteen such centres in the Wanganui District, at fifteen in the Otago District, at twelve in the Hawke's Bay District, and at six in the Auckland, North Canterbury, and the Southland Districts.