E.—l.

26

Subsidies on Voluntary Contributions. In addition to the subsidies mentioned above with respect to school libraries, under section 159 of the Education Act subsidies of £1 for £l are payable on voluntary contributions for many other school purposes prescribed by regulation. The total amount approved as subsidies in connection with public schools for the financial year ending 31st March last was £3,800, and the annual expenditure will undoubtedly increase as School Committees become more fully aware that any efforts they may make in the direction of providing funds for improving their schools and grounds are recognized by the payment of a Government subsidy. By this means many schools have been enabled to carry out desirable works somewhat beyond their own unaided efforts, and the extension of the provision to all public schools by the Act of 1914, instead of its being limited to district high schools as previously, has served as an excellent stimulus to self-help. The " School Journal." This highly popular publication continues to maintain its usefulness and interest as a supplementary reader in the primary schools. It is published every month (except in December and January) in three parts suited to the varying capacities of the pupils of Standards Ito VI inclusive. Tt is supplied free to public schools, Native schools, special schools, and other institutions more or less under the Department's control or supervision. To a very large number of private schools it is supplied at moderate rates, with a result that approximately 11,000 copies of the School Journal are purchased monthly. Of the last issue of the School Journal for the past year the number of copies printed was —Part I, 60,400 ; Part 11, 56,950 ; Part 111, 46,900 ; total, 164,250. The School Journal continues to be much appreciated not only by teachers and scholars, but by the parents, many of whom read the various articles with keen interest. In addition to reading-matter of a general character there have appeared in the School Journal during the past year special articles dealing with national events, scientific discoveries, and the industries of the Dominion, while special numbers have been largely devoted to topics suitable for Empire Day and Arbor Day. An analysis of the matter appearing in the School Journal shows further that a very considerable amount of reading-matter, both in prose and verse, is calculated to develop in the minds of the children high conceptions of patriotism, of national service, and of the principles on which may be founded true ideals of worthy manhood and womanhood. Medical Inspection. The work of medical inspection has been proceeded with vigorously during the year. About 15,000 children have been medically examined, being principally the children at present in Standard 11. As this plan has been followed during the past five years, a large proportion of the children from Standards II to VI in the schools visited should have been medically examined and their physical defects brought under the notice of their teachers and parents. In addition to this, a number of children from various classes are annually examined by the Medical Inspectors when the head teacher reports that special circumstances require such examination. It is gratifying to report that the work of medical inspection has rapidly earned the approval and support of parents, teachers, and educational authorities, all of whom recognize the Department's efforts in this connecti6n towards providing that a healthy, vigorous, and efficient physique may characterize the future men and women of New Zealand. The staff of school Medical Inspectors has been increased to seven, thus enabling a larger number of schools —especially country schools —to be visited.