H.—l

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between the results at Renwick and the results at Tuamarina or Kowhai! The numbers attending Renwick and Tuamarina are 55 and 42 respectively ; 42 have passed Standard I. at Renwick, and only only Bat Tuamarina; and 22 have passed Standard 11. at Renwick, but only lat Tuamarina. Above this standard there is nothing at Tuamarina ; but no less than 11 passes have been made in Standard 111. and 2 in Standard IV. at Renwick, whilst two boys held scholarships at the Nelson College from Renwick School. I think, however, notwithstanding the necessity of raising the standard of tho inferior schools, tho interests of education generally would be best served by placing those teachers who are found most efficient, in charge of schools which form centres of adult population, so that advanced pupils, attracted by the better teaching power, could trust to such schools. If good schools were thus established at Blenheim, Picton, Havelock, Kaikoura, Renwick, one between Blenheim and Havelock, and one between Picton and Blenheim, all advanced pupils could reach one of these schools, and schools teaching well the work of even two standards might suffice as district schools in other localities. IV. New Buildings and Improvements in the Peopeeties. A good new schoolroom has been erected at Kaikoura, and the property well fenced. A new schoolhouse and teacher's residence have been erected at Kowhai; and a small schoolroom, with teacher's residence attached, at Fairhall. Tho infants' school attached to the girls' school at Blenheim has also been put up during the year. In the Kaikoura School my own plan of building was followed, but in the other schoolrooms suggestions could have been made which would have led to better accommodation being provided. Since my last visit many of the school properties have been fenced, painted, and repaired. I will point out in this report (Appendix No. 3) what alterations, additions, and improvements seem to me needed in order to make the properties complete. I have left with the Secretary a tracing of a plan of a now school, which I suggest for adoption by your Board. It is designed for the adoption of the dual desk, which I look upon as a great improvement in school furniture. The Wellington Board are now having dual desks made, and the contractor no doubt will be willing to supply you with the desks or with specimens of them. One consideration alone for the adoption of these desks, apart from their usefulness in improving organization, is the facility they afford for completely separating boys from girls in all the working of a mixed school. There is a teacher's residence attached to every school property where over twenty children are attending, except at Kaikoura; but the Kaituna accommodation is very poor. V. Registers, Time-tables, Books. As a rule there are no admission registers or log-books in use, and time-tables are not posted on the walls. Even the daily attendance rolls are imperfectly kept in many schools. I recommend your Board to supply an admission register to each school, a log-book, mark cards, of which I have forwarded specimens, nine alphabet-sheets and reading sheets in large type for infant classes, and to adopt, in all schools where they are not already in use, the Royal Readers as class-books for teaching reading. Every teacher should keep posted on the wall, in a conspicuous place, a full time-table, showing the lessons given each dny and the time occupied, as well as a table of home lessons, and a periodical table of the subjects of class-lessons in oral subjects. I did not find this well done in auy school in your district. Such a time-table should have a simple frame, from which it could be easily removed for amendment or renewal. VI. Watee Supplt and Lavatories. Little attention has hitherto been paid to obtaining a good supply of drinking water in suitable vessels for the children, and to furnishing necessary appliances for washing. Tour Board will observe a good form of cap-room and lavatory attached to the porch in the new plan which I have suggested for future schools; and I think the idea of the improved porch might be carried out by alterations in existing schools. VII. Playgrounds. I recommend your Board, in all cases where the area of land available for a playground is less than one acre, to obtain more land adjoining. In a future report I hope to be able to suggest a form for an inexpensive gymnasium attached to each school. It would serve a double purpose —one as a place of shelter for the children in wet weather, without disturbing the order of the schoolroom, and another as a school for physical development, open at all times. The b6ys' ground, in all large schools, appears to be properly divided from the girls', except where new fencing is required. Gravelling is much needed in several cases, and drainage in a few. VIII. Blenheim Geammar School or High School. I understand your Board are about to make some provision for secondary education. lam sorry that I have not space, in such a report as this, to go more fully into the subject of secondary education. My own idea of a complete system of education for the colony may be thus briefly sketched: — I. Primary schools, teaching the work of our four standards. 11. Grammar schools in towns (under the State), taking pupils only who have passed Standard 11. of the primary school, fed largely by exhibitioners from the primary school, and supported largely by fees. 111. Colleges in a few chief towns, taking pupils only who have passed two standards in the grammar schools, fed largely by scholarships from the grammar schools, and supported largely by high fees. IV. A University and Polytechnic College, either as a separate national institution or attached to 111.