E.—IB

24

Class foe Lady Students. —Thirty-eight classes were held during the year. The attendance during the latter part of the time was most regular. Occasionally each lady under my supervision has given the lesson in drill and calisthenics. The gymnasium was available for these ladies during part of the lesson hour. Lady Teachers' Classes.-—The attendance of junior teachers (except those from the Normal School) was very irregular ; sometimes over twenty being in attendance, at other times the number not exceeding six or eight. These classes are specially intended for the benefit of the younger teachers within easy distance of the gymnasium, and I am convinced if it were made compulsory to attend, where practicable, the result physically would be of lasting benefit to these young teachers and the improvement of the school girls be more general. After the lesson in drill and calisthenics the gymnasium is placed at the disposal of the class; a fair proportion availing themselves of the benefit of gymnastic exercises. Forty-one classes were held during the year. Class for Male Students and Pupil-teachers.—With the exception of the students, the class has consisted of a few who have learned to like gymnastics and who show very good work, and several whose attendance was very irregular, and a few who did not put in an appearance more than five or six times during the year. I beg respectfully to repeat my recommendation of last year, that, where practicable, the attendance at these for drill and gymnastics be compulsory in the case of assistants and pupil-teachers. Gymnastic Apparatus.—The apparatus generally is in fair repair, the exception are a few sets supplied five or six years ago. The masters generally seem more desirous of seeing the apparatus kept in good order, and prevent unfair usage. The Gymnasium.—The only thing required in the gymnasium is a few sets of new boxing-gloves, the present ones having done duty for a very long time. All the other apparatus is in excellent repair. The gymnasium is used by lady students, lady teachers, male students, male assistants, and pupil-teachers, and occasionally by classes of senior boys from the various schools. By the kind permission of the Board, private classes are held by me Tuesday and Friday evenings ; all teaeliers are considered members of these classes without payment. I also hold classes Saturday, mornings. I have, &c, James Q. Walker, Gymnastic and Drill Instructor to Public Schools. The Chairman of the Board of Education.

SOUTH CANTEEBUET. Sib, — Timaru, June, 1881. I have the honor to submit my general report on the work of inspection for the year 1880. The serious illness which overtook me in February has prevented an earlier attention to the work, and on account of the great delay I do not propose to do more than give a short statement of the results of the year's work. During the year twenty-nine schools have been in operation, and have been duly inspected. In two cases examinations were not held within the year; one school being closed at the time the examination should have been made, and in another case bad weather prevented my attendance. The following table shows the general results of the last standard examinations for all schools, except Opihi, which has been temporarily closed : — Number on roll ... ... ... 3,472 Classification after examination: — Average attendance ... ... ... 2,497 Passed. Present at examination ... ... 2,833 Standard VI. ... ... ... 12 Examined in standards ... ... 1,790 » V. ... ... ... 101 Passed as examined ... ... ... 1,538 » IV. ... ... ... 168 Percentage of passes ... ... ... 85-9 » HI- ■•• •■• ••■ 390 Percentage in three higher standards ... 99 » H- ••■ ■•• ••• 546 Percentage in three lower standards ... 51"4 >> I- ••• ••■ ■•• 521 Percentage below Standard I. ... ... 387 » O ... ... ... 1,095 Taking these results, and comparing them with those of the previous year, we find a steady improvement. As a first comparison, the following statement of the numbers and percentage passed in each standard may be made: — In 1879, 8, or 03 per cent, passed Stand. VI. In 1880, 12, or o'4 per cent., passed Stand. VI. „ 57, or 2-6 „ „ V. „ 101, or 35 „ „ V. 133, or 62 „ „ IV. „ 168, or 59 „ „ IV. „ 221, or 100 „ „ 111. „ 390, or 13-8 „ „ 111. „ 468, or 21-3 „ „ 11. „ 546, or 193 „ „ 11. „ 394, or 179 „ „ I. „ 521, or 184 „ „ I. „ 907, or 41-3 p.c, failed to reach Stand. I. „ 1,095, or 386 p.c, failed to reach Stand. I. 2,193 2,833 As a further comparison, we find that the division of the scholars into the three main classes shows a perceptible improvement on the results of the preceding year:— In 1879. In 1880. Passed in three higher standards ... 203, or 9 per cent. ... 281, or 99 per cent. Passed in three lower standards ... 1,083, or 50 „ ... 1,457, or 514 „ Failed to reach Standard 1... ... 907, or 41 „ ... 1,095, or 387 „ 2,193 2,833