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E.—s

Outside Hawera and Eltham little has been done in the way of regular classes, unless we count lectures and demonstrations to farmers. Dressmaking was taken at Kapuiu, Manaia, Mangatoki, and Patea; drawing and painting at Waverley, Patea, Matapu, and Mangatoki. At present rates of capitation we can count out classes in the smaller centres unless under the most favourable conditions. Lectures and demonstrations have been given to farmers and others at Manaia (three), Otakeho (three), Itawhitiroa, Mokoia (three), Hawera, Eltham, Meremere, Ohangai, and Ngutuwera. Except at Ohangai and Meremere the attendance was in all cases good. Farmers now regularly apply to us for advice as regards putting down and the treatment of their pastures, growing fodder crops, orcharding, &o. ' As a result we can now count on the whole-hearted support of the farming community. The work of the year has shown that it is inadvisable to force pupils to attend classes in English and arithmetic under the compulsory clause where these students are already well up in those subjects. I should recommend some oral arithmetic and book-keeping, also a little composition be taken each night in connexion with the subjects of a course of work. This could very easily be done, and would give needed variety to the evening's work. A further recommendation is that the regulation as regards a minimum number of hour attendances for free pupils in each subject should be relaxed where, say, a half-hour class is taken as part of a course — e.g., where window-ticket writing forms part of a commercial course, or where, say, elementary book-keeping forms part of a domestic course. Improvements to grounds and attention to environment have received a great deal of attention, and our efforts are bearing fruit in school surroundings that give pleasure to the senses, and at the same time cultivate in the children the best of habits. In the leading schools the children assume control of hedges, and plant orchards, shrubberies, and flower-borders. They prepare, keep in order, and use lawns, and in many other ways take pride in the appearance of grounds and buildings. In this connexion the Hawera Agricultural and Pastoral Association and also the Winter Show Committee, give prizes for the best-kept grounds. A special feature this year was made of courses of work. A couple of schools would be taken morning or afternoon for a week, and special attention devoted to some phases of agriculture or dairy-work — e.g,. study of pasture plants, the care of pastures and top-dressing, lucerne-growing, manures and their application to crops, orchard-work in all its branches, sterilization and cleansing of milk-vessels. This method of instruction has proved itself infinitely superior to an occasional lesson. It is hoped to bring the teachers to a centre for instruction in such topics. In connexion with the above courses of work lectures and demonstrations were given to farmers, who attended well, and showed keen appreciation of the possibilities of agricultural instruction. Donations of manures, fruit-trees, shrubs, and flowers were freely given to the schools. While no objection is made to the growing of a variety of crops in the school-gardens, special encouragement is given to manurial and cultural experiments dealing in rotation with root and fodder crops, and already tangible results are in evidence. In nearly all our schools lucerne is being experimented with. Whenever time could be given to such work an attempt was made during the year to show how the inherent love of the open in children could be turned to good account. Teachers generally are rattier afraid of placing themselves in the hands of the children as regards nature-study, which is very easily taken if the natural instincts of the child are encouraged. Owing to difficulties met with in running the rural course, special means had to be taken to overcome these, and as a result we hit upon a plan that spells success in this work. As regards instruction in practical work, this is now taken in short courses of a fortnight three times a year. The first fortnight followed after the reopening of the schools, and consisted in the past year first of instruction in practical farm-work at Moumahaki State Farm. Here we were kindly received, and every encouragement given to the lads, who took a hand in practically all the ordinary operations of the farm. The second fortnight—in July at Hawera—was given over to practical work in dairy science, top-dressing, and orcharding. Practically all the orchards of the town were placed at our disposal, and whatever was necessary in the way of sprays, &c, was provided by the owners. As a result our lads became so expert that they were later able to take on work on their own account, earning monej' freely throughout the year. In December an attempt was made to start shearing. Over a thousand sheep were available, but owing to continued wet weather, on only two days could active shearing be attempted. However, plenty of instruction was given in setting up and sharpening blades, in studying woolsorting, and the structure of wool. Owing to the continued bad weather arrangements were then made for the lads to meet at the head factory of the Hawera Dairy Company. Here the staff, and especially Mr. Dunlop, the general manager, gave every encouragement to the boys, who were initiated into every department of practical dairy-factory work. The manager expressed himself as quite agreeable at any time to run the factory by the help of our lads alone. Unfortunately, from the three district high schools at Eltham, Patea, and Hawera only some dozen boys were available for this summer course. At a public meeting held at Hawera in December, and attended by representatives of farmers and townspeople, unanimous endorsement was given to the rural work now taken in this district. Both sections of the community recognize its value, and are anxious to extend its scope. To this end a Junior Collegiate School is asked for. Such a school would meet the agricultural wants of southern Taranaki for many years to come. Extract from the Report op the Supervisor for the Central District. Marton. —This year has, on the whole, been more successful than last. The response to the efforts made has not been as satisfactory as we would have liked. It seems strange that classes in agriculture and wool-classing do not interest the younger farmers, but such is our experience.