E.—s.

WESTLAND. Extract peom Kbpokt of the Board op Education. Manual Instruction. —Handwork consisting of modelling in plasticine and folding and cutting exercises in paper has been introduced in all the larger schools and a number of smaller ones. This instruction has been confined in nearly every case to the preparatory classes and Standards I. and 11. The Board provided text-books for the teachers and the necessary material. To obtain a repayment of the cost, application is being made in accordance with the regulations of the Education Department. The special class for instruction in woodwork connected with the Kumara School, and under the direction of Mr. G. A. Bell, has continued in operation during the year, the number of pupils being eighteen. At the close of the year the Hokitika Committee made application for the establishment of a similar class in connection with the Hokitika High School, and the Board has decided to assist the Committee to obtain recognition of the class by the Education Department and to complete the other preliminary arrangements. EXTEACT PEOM REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS. Handwork has formed a prominent part of the course of the junior division of eleven of the larger schools, being confined in most cases to the preparatory classes and the Eirst Standard. The branches adopted have been chiefly modelling in plasticine and paper folding and cutting. In this subject, as in science, it is sometimes necessary to emphasize the need of regarding the instruction as a means of training, the manner of performing the exercises being more important than the material results. Woodwork Class, Kumara Public School. This class at the end of the year 1902 consisted of seventeen pupils. The average number on the roll at the end of the four quarters was eighteen. The class meets for one hour each afternoon after the close of the Kumara Primary School, and the instruction was given by Mr. G. A. Bell. The course consisted of exercises in woodwork and the construction of useful articles. The former part of the work is arranged to furnish by gradation for education in handwork, and has received special attention during the year. The instruction has been regular and effective, and the students have performed their exercises with diligence and thoroughness. Statement of Accounts for the Year ended 31st December, 1902. Receipts. & s. d. Expenditure. M s. d. Credit balance at beginning of year .. .. 0 0 8 Salary of Instructor .. .. 62 2 10 Capitation grants .. .. .. .. G2 2 10 Timber .. .. .. .. ..153 Fees of pupils .. .. .. .. 3 0 0 To balance on the 31st December, 1902 .. 311 5 Sale of furniture .. .. .. .. 1 16 0 £66 19 6 £66 19 6

north canterbury. Extract from Report of the Education Boaed. Manual and Technical Instruction. —The subject of manual and technical instruction has occupied a prominent position during the past year. Teachers in considerable numbers have attended tiie Saturday classes held at Ashburton and Christchurch. Public technical classes have also been started at Ashburton and Rangiora under the management of the local Technical Committees. At the Normal School, at the School of Domestic Instruction, and at Lyttelton and Leeston technical classes have continued in operation. At the date of this report the steps taken by the Christchurch Technical Classes Association promise developments on a larger scale than has hitherto been attempted. With the substantial contributions made by the several local bodies, augmented by the Government pound-for-pound subsidy, the association is now in a position to commence technical classes with every prospect of success. In regard to school classes, some headway has been made during the year, thirty-two schools having qualified for capitation with respect to classes already held; while for the present year about eighty schools will be represented. It is satisfactory to note that the returns required are gradually assuming a less complex form. It would be a matter for additional congratulation if the Minister could see his way to still further modify the requirements of his Department. So far it has not been soundly demonstrated why instruction in manual occupations should not follow more closely upon the lines on which ordinary primary subjects are conducted. The observance of minute detail in the matter of filling up returns, whether of particulars of classes or of work done, is no guarantee of efficiency, which is much more likely to be safeguarded by the influence of direct reports from the Board's Inspectors, or, if need be, from the Department's own officers, on the quality of the instruction given. The introduction of manual and technical instruction under the existing regulations has further added to the duties of the Board's office staff, which is now severely taxed in its efforts to keep pace with the ever-increasing work. Extract feom Report of the Inspectors op Schools. Handwork. —The progress made in handwork during the year is chiefly confined to the lower classes, the upper departments in general awaiting the issue of a revised syllabus and the adoption of some definite scheme of organization before venturing on a new departure. From our reports we find that clay-modelling is practised in thirty-nine schools or departments, brush drawing in forty-three, paper-folding in fifty-six, and other exercises of the ordinary kindergarten type —sticklaying, mat-weaving, peaswork, &c. —in fifty-nine A few exceptional forms of occupation in basket-weaving and wire-work are also included.

4—E. 5.

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