63

E.~ 1.

This table, whilst showing the large increase which has taken place in the attendance at the district schools, also shows that irregularity exists to a very great extent in this district. During the past two years the average weekly number on the roll has increased 58"7 per cent., but there has been an increase in the attendance of only 429 per cent. Inspection of Schools.—All the schools have been examined by the Inspector to the Board, whose report will be found appended herewith. Although there are fewer passes in the standard examinations than in 1879 —the requirements for a pass being more stringent than in previous years—■ the Board is pleased to find that the character of the work in most of the schools, and especially in the Upper Standard, has greatly improved. The results showing the number of passes in each standard are given below: —

The attention of the Board has been called to the course of studies which the children are forced to pursue in preparing for the annual examination. The remarks made by the Inspector on the teaching of history, geography, and grammar in the standards are worthy of consideration, and it is hoped that a modification of the syllabus will be made by the Government, or that the choice of subjects.to be taught in the schools will be left in the hands of the Board, who, on the recommendation of District Committees, could specialize the education, and thereby adapt it more to the wants of the people than is the case at present. Teaching Staff, etc.—There are now 77 teachers employed in the schools, besides 8 sewingmistresses. This teaching staff is sufficient for an average attendance of 2,500 children, whilst the average attendance for the year as given above was 2,250. Twenty-eight of the teachers engaged in the district schools hold certificates of competency from the Education Department; the remaining teachers are either uncertificated, assistants, or pupil-teachers. The Board is pleased to notice that there are now 23 pupil-teachers being trained in the schools, and, from the Inspector's report on the results of their annual examination, they are giving every satisfaction in their studies, and in their school duties. Salaries.'—The average salary paid to the certificated teachers was at the rate of £172 per annum; and to the uncertificated teachers who are in charge of schools, omitting the subsidised schools, the average salary was at the rate of £132 per annum. This is exclusive in each case of house rent, which is worth about £20 per annum. Owing to the reduction in the capitation grant from £4 ss. to £3 15s. per annum, reckoned on the average attendance, the income of the Board has been considerably reduced, and it has been necessary to modify the scale on which the payments to teachers and School Committees were formerly made. The modified scale as now adopted by the Board has affected only the salaries of the principal teachers ; but the system of " result bonuses," which has been in operation in this district for the past two years, will enable all certificated teachers to participate in any surplus which might remain in the hands of the Board at the close of the school year. For the purpose of comparison, both scales (old and new) are given below: —

Old Scale Teachers' Salaries. Below 20, at the rate of £5 on average attendance. 20 to 25, at the rate of £100 per annum. 25 to 30 „ £100 to £115 p. annum. 30 to 40 „ £140 to £150 „ 40 to 60 „ £150 to £155 „ 60 to 75 „ £155 to £160 „ 75 to 85 „ £160.0.8165 „ 85 to 100 „ £165 to £170 „ 100 to 150 „ £170 to £200 „ 150 to 180 „ £200 to £210 „ 180 to 450 „ £210 to £300 „ Upwards, 7s. per head per annum for every such increase.

New Scale Teachers' Salaries. Below 20, at the rate of £4 (uncertificated teachers) and £4 10s. on average attendance. 20 to 30, at the rate of £90 to £100 per annum. 31 to 40 „ £130 to £140 41 to 75 „ £150 to £157 10s. 76 to 150 „ £157105. to £18710s. „ 151 to 250 „ £18710s. to £222105. „ 251 to 500 „ £222 10s. to £297105. „ Above 500, 4s. per head per annum for every such increase.

Averag: Week: ,y Nun: iek on Ron. Ayeeag: Attendance. Year. March. June. Sept, Dec. . Percentage Average T a for 4 Iucrease March. „ . previous Quarters. June. Sept. Average Dec. for 4 ' Quarters. Percentage Increase on preceding Year. 1878 1879 1880 1,520 2,019 2,893 1,797 2,082 2,979 1,854 2,510 3,003 1,985 2,676 3,016 1,789 2,322 2,980 29 9 28-8 1,259 1,686 2,244 1,612 ! 1,580 1,650 1,871 2,220 2,204 1,649 1,525 2,020 1,807 2,334 2,2505 18'4 245

Standard I. Standard II. Standard III. Standard IV. Standard V. Standard VI. Year. M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total Total Passes. 878 272 277 549 61 39 100 879 228 201 429 224 166 390 880 199 174 373 176 158 334 j 57 45 102 7 4 11 95 94 189 43 22 65 104 103 207 53 40 93 19 6 25 762 1,073 1,032