E.—l

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ditions which might seem to require an unnecessary and troublesome division of a school into classes for instruction. Scholarships. Table N supplies information concerning the scholarships established by the Boards under the 41st section of the Act. The Boards' reports furnish additional information.

TABLE N.—Scholarships.

The information in Table N relates only to the holders of Boards' scholarships under the provisions of the Education Act; but a considerable number of pupils of both sexes from the primary schools receive free education at the secondary schools, and scholarships from the primary to the secondary schools in larger numbers are now being founded by private benefactors. Besides granting free education to the holders of the Boards' scholarships, the authorities of the Auckland College and Grammar School and of the Girls' High School also admit, without fee, those competitors who, although failing to obtain scholarships, acquit themselves so well as to receive " Certificates of Proficiency " from the examiners. Fourteen boys and seven girls holding these certificates availed themselves of the privilege last year. The Taranaki Board has now for the first time instituted scholarships. Nelson College, besides receiving Nelson and Marlborough Board scholars without payment of fees, grants free eduoation also to the two competitors among the boys from Nelson City schools who stand next to the successful competitors at the Board's scholarship examination. The Otago High Schools' Board grants free education to all the Education Board's scholarship holders, and also for three years to unsuccessful competitors who have made 50 per cent, or upwards of the attainable marks. The Waitaki High School Board has granted free education to four boys in the district who have greatly distinguished themselves in the primary schools they attended. Noemal Schools or Training Colleges. The more important particulars relating to the training colleges at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin are given in the following table. The Appendix, pp. 97-101, contains the reports of the Principals, and also a report on the colleges by the Inspector-General.

Education Distbicts. Number held in Dec, 1884. Boys. Girls. Annual Value. Period of Tenure. Expended on Scholarships in 1884. .Remarks. Auckland 40 22 18 £ Years. 3 £ s. d. 1,050 7 2 Ten at £20; eighteen at £30; twelve at £40. None held till 1885. Seven at £20; three at £25 ; one at £30. Twelve at £20; six at £30. Four are now held, May, 1885. Taranaki Wanganui ii 8 3 1 262 12 9 Wellington Hawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson 18 2 2 6 14 1 2 3 4 1 20 40 2 2 2 2 397 15 1 91 10 6 86 6 0 304 15 9 3 Two at £2; one at £6; one at £10; two at £52 10s. N. Canterbury .. 3. Canterbury 19 13 13 9 6 4 40 2 927 18 3 197 0 4 Eleven at £12; two at £37: six for one year; seven for two Wcstland .. Dtago 41* 29 12 1,249**7 11 years. Had lapsed; now renewed. Twenty-one at £20; twenty at £40: twenty-eight for three years ; thirteen for two years. Seven at £20 ; four at £40: three for two years ; eight for three years. Southland 11 10 1 314 18 8 Totals 103 111 52 4,995 2 5