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Physical Education. The Chief Physical Instructor reports that the work of physical training is progressing in a satisfactory manner. The number of instructors is fourteen, with the addition of two exchange teachers who have been employed for a part of the year in instructing teachers and children in folk-dancing and eurhythmies. During the year 1926 4,300 visits were paid. In nearly all schools some form of organized games, field or athletic sports, and, where possible, swimming are taken, the teachers devoting their spare time to this work. It is estimated that 30 per cent, of the children in the schools can swim. All training-college students are now required to receive instruction in swimming and life-saving, and provision is being made for the endorsement of their certificates for excellence in physical training. These and other forms of physical training are receiving adequate attention, and it is hoped that the fine spirit which animates the students will be carried into the schools. The following table compiled from results of medical investigation will give an indication of the beneficial results of physical training over the period 1913-27 : —

Manual Instruction. At the end of 1926 there was in the employ of the various Education Boards and other controlling authorities a total of 119 full-time specialist teachers engaged in giving instruction to senior pupils in woodwork, metal work, and domestic subjects, besides twenty-five specialist instructors in elementary agriculture. These teachers were classified as under. Class VII is the highest, and in Division I are placed those teachers whose classification is based on academic or professional qualifications equivalent to at least a University diploma involving three years' preparation of University standard.

Full-time Classified Teachers in Manual-training Classes, December, 1926.

In this table are included eleven teachers on staffs of junior high schools and one supervisor of needlework in primary classes. The total of 144 teachers shows an increase of six on that for 1925.

Percentage. Nature of Disability. 1913. | 1927. General physical defects .. . . . . .. 41-3 20-2 Obstructed breathing.. .. .. .. .. 33'0 2-9 Spinal curvature .. .. .. .. .. 7-0 007 Stooped shoulders .. .. .. .. .. 22-0 i 5-0

Division I. Division II. Class. : i Totals. Men. I Women. Men. | Women. . VII .. VI .. .. • • I 1 • ■ 6 5 12 V .. .. 1 4 .. 18 8 30 IV .. .. .. 8 1 16 6 31 III .. .... 4 12 10 26 II .... 6 9 4 8 27 I .. .. .. 6 10 2 18 Totals, 1926 .. 19 20 66 39 144 39 105