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forms of manual instruction. Of these, woodwork, cookery, and. laundry-work continue to be taught on the central system and by special instructors. There are now over eighty fully equipped buildings for instruction in these subjects. Those in the larger centres take the form of special manual-training schools, while in the smaller centres accommodation is provided in the local technical school, secondary school, or district high school, as the case may be. During the year 507 classes for wood or iron work, and 782 classes for domestic subjects (cookery, laundry-work, and dressmaking, associated in nearly every case with suitable instruction in domestic economy and hygiene) were held. Increasing attention still continues to be given to subjects bearing on the home, and there is evidence of a general advance in the methods of instruction adopted, due largely to the fact that the teaching staff is being gradually strengthened by the addition of teachers trained in accordance with modern ideas. Of the prospective teachers of domestic subjects who have taken advantage of the special bursaries provided by the Government in connection with the home-science courses at the Otago University, several, having completed the course for the diploma or the degree in home science, are now engaged in teaching. Compared with the previous year, the number of classes for domestic subjects shows an increase of 27 per cent. Instruction in elementary agriculture was given in 1,199 classes, as compared with 1,087 in the previous year. The instruction, which includes both observational and experimental work in connection with school gardens and plots, combined, in an increasing number of cases, with elementary dairy-work, is in most of the education districts supervised by special itinerant instructors. There are now nineteen of these instructors stationed in various parts of the Dominion. It is gratifying to note the continued interest taken in the work by School Committees, agricultural and pastoral associations, and by members of the farming community. In addition to numerous prizes offered for competition, contributions in money and kind to the value of about £500 have been received by Education Boards during the year. Such contributions carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1. Full courses bearing on rural life with, in. the case of girls, a domestic trend were carried, on during the year in connection with the secondary departments of 55 per cent, of the district high schools (sixty-two in number) as follows :—

The special capitation paid to Education Boards on account of these courses amounted to £6-4 per pupil. The practical subjects included in the courses continue for the most part to be taught by visiting instructors. It is a matter for regret that even in the case of the science subjects recourse has still to be had to this method. In spite of the facilities for training now available, the supply of teachers having a practical acquaintance with laboratory methods continues to fall short of requirements. About 230 classes took courses in various branches of elementary science, chiefly elementary physics and chemistry. About 70 per cent, of the district high schools are now provided with facilities for laboratory-work. In a few schools where laboratories are not available useful courses in physical measurements, such. as can be carried out under ordinary class-room conditions, have been successfully undertaken.

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41

District. Number of Schools. Number of Pupils. Capitation earned. Auckland Taranaki Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay... North Canterbury South Canterbury Otago Totals 1914 ... Totals 1913 ... 4 98 1 67 8 204 6 210 3 96 4 85 2 59 6 165 34 984 38 1,016 £ 615 471 1,168 1,328 726 550 359 1,085 34 984 £6,302 1,016 £6,434