25

E.—l

Capitation at the rate of £6-4 for each pupil complying with the conditions was earned by the schools taking the course. In most cases the science subjects of the course are not taken by the regular staff, but by visiting instructors. This, while it is to be regretted, appears to be the only course open, so long as the proportion of teachers who have received an adequate training in scientific methods remains as low as has been the case hitherto. It is hoped that the recently established agricultural bursaries, which have as one of the objects the training of teachers of agriculture, though they represent only a beginning of the movement, will do something to remove what is at present a serious obstacle to educational progress. Most of the district high schools are now provided with well-equipped laboratories. In primary schools where laboratories are not available courses in elementary physical measurements such as can be carried out under ordinary class-room conditions serve a useful purpose, and it is to be regretted that the number of schools providing such courses is not greater. About 370 approved classes for various branches of elementary science (physics or chemistry) were held during the year, and most of these were for pupils of the secondary departments of district high schools. The number of approved classes for swimming and life-saving continues to increase slowly. During the year 260 approved classes were held, as compared with 257 for the previous year. Capitation earnings for the year amounted to £37,356, as compared with £36,249 for the previous year. In addition special grants totalling £1,472 were made in aid of buildings and equipment, mostly the latter, for the reason that, as last year, financial considerations due to the war rendered necessary the postponement of other than the most urgent works. The receipts from all sources totalled £47,807, while the expenditure amounted to £42,827, the chief items being—Salaries, £21,693; working-expenses and administration, £17,675; and buildings and equipment, £3,548. The statements of income and expenditure furnished by the Education Boards indicate that the financial position of the Boards as a whole is satisfactory as regards manual .instruction. Thus, at the 31st December, 1916, the monetary assets under this head (totalling £25,047) exceeded the liabilities (totalling £13,904) by £11,143. In the case of all but two of the nine Education Boards the income exceeded the expenditure, so that with the exception of two Boards the financial position of the individual Boards as controlling authorities of manual classes may be regarded as satisfactory. In the following table are given some particulars of the capitation earnings and the expenditure of Education Boards for the year in respect of certain manual subjects : —

In addition capitation amounting to £7,794 was earned on account of rural courses at district high schools, bringing the total earnings up to £37,356. Both the salaries of the visiting teachers taking the special subjects of the rural course {e.g., woodwork, domestic subjects, science, agriculture, &c.) and the working-expenses in connection with rural courses are included under the head of expenditure in the above table.

4—E. 1.

Subjects. Expenditure. Capitation Earnings. Salaries of Instructors. Workingexpenses. Totals. Woodwork and ironwork Domestic subjects Agriculture and dairy-work Elementary science Swimming and life-saving Elementary handwork £ 7,294 7,648 5,454 676 867 7.623 £ 7,465 5,770 6,002 246 387 1.823 £ 1,923 3,784 2,992 120 142 5.530 £ 9,388 9,554 8,994 366 529 7,353 Totals .. 29,562 21,693 14,491 36,184