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and Virgil), Euclid (four books), algebra (to quadratics), ancient history, and French. Lyttelton, Riccarton, and Lower Heathcote are the only other schools which have presented a fair amount of extra work for examination. Though the results of the examination of West Christchurch School show the impossibility of keeping up a complete advanced course in conjunction with the standard work, yet, as the standard work is more regularly brought on, I hope to see all our best schools regularly taking some one or more extra subjects. Latin, where attempted, is generally very indifferently taught, and the results are discouraging to the teacher and comparatively valueless to the scholars, who seldom go far enough to use to any purpose the knowledge they have acquired. The necessity for the teaching of Latin is considerably lessened by the provision made in the syllabus for the teaching of roots and derivations of words. Euclid and algebra are generally much more efficiently and successfully taught; the scholars take more interest in their study, and seldom find any difficulty in mastering a sufficient amount to make them the means of efficient mental training. Singing, though it has received direct and considerable encouragement from the grant for its teaching made by the Board, has shown no signs of increasing in popularity during the year, and, I am sorry to note, has in several schools been discontinued. Drawing may almost be said to be unknown in our schools. I have tried to foster the teaching of the subject where it has been commenced, but in the absence of any recognition from the Board this very important subject must continue to be quite neglected. I have not thought it desirable to devote paragraphs to reports on the teaching of the individual subjects of the standards, or on the general principles of organization, &c, as, from the wide difference existing in the character, size, and aim of our schools, it would be difficult to make any remarks that would be generally applicable, and attention can be immediately and forcibly drawn to individual cases of inefficient teaching or defective organization, at the examinations of the schools, or in the subsequent reports. The recent regulation providing for one standard examination in the year will enable Inspectors to give, where necessary, effective assistance, and to become more thoroughly acquainted with the merits of the teaching and organization by seeing the schools at their every-day work. I have, &c, Heney W. Hammond, J. Inglis, Esq., Chairman, Board of Education. Inspector of Schools.

3. ME. WALKER'S EEPOET ON DEILL. Sic, — Christchurch, 2nd January, 1878. I have the honor to submit the following general report on military drill and gymnastics for eight months ending December 31st, 1877. Instbuction Classes. During the past eight months 568 squads have been present for the usual instruction: for boys> military drill, gymnastics on fixed apparatus, free exercises, fencing, boxing, and clubs ; for girls, calisthenics and deportment. MILTTAEY DEILL. Many of the masters have become efficient drill-instructors, and the result is seen in the satisfactory improvement of the boys at many of the schools. It is no unusual thing for me, on visiting schools, to act as adjutant instead of drill-instructor. There is still room for improvement, which may reasonably be looked for now that masters are agreed that drill is very necessary to good order and discipline in the school. Gymnastics. The yearly competition for prizes given by the Board will take place in the gymnasium during the present month. Mastees' Class. The masters' class continues to be fairly attended. Masters are exempt from attendance, provided that they have a knowledge of drill; and, so long as the children make satisfactory improvement between my visits, I propose, after the holidays, to divide the time between drill and gymnastics, with the hope that the younger masters will qualify themselves to aid in teaching gymnastics as in drill. The evening classes are not largely attended, owing to the January examination making it desirable for several masters to spend their evenings at home. A better attendance is promised after the holidays. PUPIL-TEACHEES. This class is not so largely attended as formerly, owing to several having become students under Mr. Howard. In view of assistant masters and pupil-teachers being qualified to take charge of gymnastic and drill squads, and considering the facilities (viz., gymnastic and drill instructor, and apparatus at the different schools), I would recommend for the consideration of the Board that assistant masters and pupil-teachers be required to pass an examination in drill and gymnastics before receiving a master's certificate. There may be exceptional cases: these might be specially considered by the Board. Lady Students. The attendance at these classes is very satisfactory; the average attendance before the holidays was 17. The ladies enter very heartily into the exercises given, and it is evidently their intention to qualify themselves to take part in this work at the schools to which they may in future be appointed. The attendance of lady teachers has not been so large, owing, no doubt, to the holidays being so near, and many not knowing the classes had commenced. I have every reason to expect a large attendance after the holidays.