E.—l

It will be seen that the largest classes (on the average) are in Otago, and the smallest in Marlborough. The size of the classes is also much above the mean size in Southland; it is much below the mean in Taranaki and Auckland; and decidedly, though in a less degree, below it in Nelson and Westland. The disinction between teacher and assistant-teacher in Table X is not very clearly marked. It is probable that the meaning of the distinction is not the same for all districts; in fact, the meaning in one district appears to vary from year to year. The number of teachers and assistant-teachers taken together is 1,757 (100 more than last year), and of pupil-teachers 862 (72 more than last year). Of the 72 additional pupil-teachers 71 are girls, and of the 100 other additional teachers 73 are women. In 1877, the year before the present Education Act came into force, the female teachers constituted 48 per cent, of the whole body of teachers, and the girls 73 per cent, of the whole number of pupilteachers ; for 1885 the corresponding percentages are 56 and 80. Of teachers having full charge of schools about 730 held certificates at the end of the year, and about 50 held licenses, or had only to pass in one or two subjects to obtain certificates. About 240 schools were in charge of uncertificated teachers ; but these schools were for the most part so small that certificated teachers would not give up positions as assistants to become head-teachers in them. The number of persons holding the Department's certificates at the date of this report is 1,720; while 92 hold licenses, 184 have completed the examination, but cannot have certificates till they have completed two years' service, or until Inspector's marks have been given for efficiency ; and there are 213 who have to pass in one or two subjects to complete their qualifications. Of the certificated teachers there are aboiit 414 who are not now teaching in public schools under the Education Boards. The rate of the salary which each teacher was receiving at the end of the year is shown in Table No. 9 (Appendix, page 11). Table Lis a summary statement of the salaries. The summary includes all additions and allowances in money, but takes no account of the annual value of houses and land belonging to Boards and occupied by teachers.

TABLE L.—Salaries of Teachers. (The numbers show how many teachers—including pupil-teachers and sewing-mistresses—in each district are paid at rates within the limits stated at the heads of the columns respectively.)

The rate of expenditure on the maintenance of public schools is normally in approximate proportion to the number of children under instruction. The expenditure on school buildings varies considerably from year to year, depending as it does on the varying amounts voted for this purpose by Parliament. The money expended in the strictest sense upon the maintenance of schools, that is, upon teachers' salaries, incidental expenses (including repairs and fuel), and training of teachers, has been at the rate of £3 17s. sjd. for each pupil, if the average attendance is taken as the basis of calculation. In 1984 the rate was £3 17s. lid., and in 1883 it was £3 18s. O^d. This includes the 2—E. 1.

IX

Education* Districts. Under £100. £100 and under £200. £200 and under £300. £300 and under £400. £400 and upwards (maximum, £480). Total of Teachers. Total Annual Salaries at End of 1885. Auckland raranaki Wanganui Wellington Kawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson tfortk Canterbury South Canterbury Westland 428 41 63 121 65 30 77 328 78 35 23 193 67 173 20 58 66 39 14 54 166 39 12 11 212 85 34 1 13 22 9 1 5 32 6 5 2 65 12 7 2 7 2 1 1 7 2 1 1 M 2 a 'i 645 62 136 216 116 46 137 537 125 53 37 491 166 £ s. d. 55,408 0 0 4,893 2 0 15,095 1 5 20,515 0 0 12,133 7 & 3,934 2 0 12,391 0 0 48,348 2 0 10,977 18 0 4,238 0 8 3,231 0 0 61,693 9 6 17,770 16 1 "i 3rey Dtago Southland *7 Totals 1,549 949 207 17 15 2,707 270,628 19