E.—l.

30. MANUAL INSTRUCTION. During the year the usual instruction was given by class teachers in primary schools in the subjects elementary science and agriculture under the supervision of twenty-two itinerant agricultural instructors. The extent to which classes in other manual subjects were taken by pupils from the different types of schools may be summarized as follows : —

The expenditure on these classes other than those conducted by Technical School Boards during the year amounted to approximately £55,500. No handwork materials were supplied to the schools in 1932 owing to the financial stringency. 31. PHYSICAL EDUCATION. The new system of physical education is making steady, though somewhat slow, progress in the schools. Where specialist teachers are available, however, the results are promising, producing most pleasing physical effects and securing popularity amongst the pupils. The introduction of the system into rural schools must of necessity be delayed, as the only instructors available are attached to the training colleges. Instruction in swimming and life-saving has made excellent progress. 32. SCHOOL MUSIC. During the year an advance has been observed in the subject of school music, a distinction shared by other cultural subjects. As in physical education, the enthusiasm manifested arises mainly from the influence of the special instructors at the training colleges passed on to the pupils by the specialist assistants. The subject is not neglected in post-primary schools, and end-of-year festivities at these schools usually provide opportunities readily grasped by pupils to show their choral abilities. 33. TRAINING OF TEACHERS. Because the number of trained certificated teachers available was in excess of the number of positions becoming vacant in the ranks of the teaching profession, and in view of the fact that the average attendance in public schools was less than in the previous year, it was necessary that curtailment of the number of entrants should be effected. A survey of the position and an investigation of the vital and immigration statistics resulted in the Department taking the unusual course of not appointing any probationers. In regard to those students who had completed their course of training at the training colleges the usual practice of allotting them to definite positions for a further full year's training as probationary assistants was not followed. It was felt that the claims of other ex-students who had not had employment in 1931 or earlier should be considered, and the position was met by providing work for these in the first term followed by the more recent ex-students in the second and third terms of the year. In this way nearly every ex-student secured employment for at least one "term.

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Number of Pupils from Secondary Seeond Subject. Forms I Depart- and Primary. T H: , ™ en , ts . ° Form III, Private. All Schools. Junior High District Junior High Schools. High Schools 8 Schools. Woodwork .. .. 17,286 1,333 1,605 980 1,801 23,005 Metalwork .. .. • • 89 645 .. 410 .. 1,144 Cookery or laundry-work .. 16,106 1,258 1,492 711 1,910 21,477