E.—IB

32

justify the expectation that a certificated teacher might be obtained, and especially where the results show that there is a real necessity for considerable improvement. Time-table.—The time-tables exhibited at the several schools are generally fairly well arranged, in some cases admirably so, and the distribution of the work over the time available is, as a rule, well proportioned to the relative importance of the subjects taught; but as nearly every teacher has a different method of showing the routine of his work, a great amount of quite unnecessary trouble and loss of time to the Inspector is caused in consequence of his having to make himself acquainted with fresh peculiarities at almost every school. In consequence of this, I have long had it in contemplation to draw up a form for general use in all schools. This I have now done, and if approved by the Board the forms will be distributed at once. It is not, of course, intended in any way to fetter the free action of any teacher in the exercise of his judgment in allotting the time at his disposal to the several subjects of instruction, but merely to cause all teachers to exhibit that allotment in a simple and uniform manner. The only novelty (if it can be called so) introduced is an analysis of the distribution of each day's work. This is already supplied by some of our teachers, and should be by all. Pupil-teachees.—Seventeen pupil-teachers came up for examination in January, and the examination was held simultaneously with the Civil Service and Teachers' Examination. Of the seventeen, four were examined for admission to the first (highest) class, and all passed, two gaining credit marks. In addition to this, two candidates in this class from the Hokitika School took up Latin as an optional subject and gained 62 and 54 per cent, of the maximum marks for that subject. For the second class three were examined, and all passed, one with credit; in this class also the Hokitika candidate took up Latin and gained 70 per cent, of the possible marks. For the third class there were eight candidates, who all passed, one with credit. One of these, Annie Banks, deserves special mention, as she was not appointed until July, and had therefore only six months' time for preparation. Margaret Wilson, Mary Potts, and William Houston had only nine months' time to prepare for the examination. The two Hokitika candidates in this class took up Latin in addition to the ordinary subjects, and gained 56 and 65 per cent, of the maximum marks for this subject. For the fourth class there were two candidates and both passed. In £icc6rdanee with the regulations the pupil-teachers were required to preserve the exercise books used throughout the year, and to produce them for inspection. I found a marked improvement in both the quantity and quality of the work done in some cases. The books presented by the Kumara pupil-teachers were undoubtedly the best by far taking into consideration the quantity of work done, the regularity with which the different subjects were represented, and the cleanliness and neatness of the writing and arrangement. The Hokitika pupil-teachers' books were quite equal to those from Kumara in general execution, but exhibited a much smaller amount of work. This no doubt is owing to a different system of teaching, and does not by any moans indicate any deficiency in the instruction imparted. The books exhibited by some of the pupil-teachers were not very creditable ; they were untidy ; the books were commenced at both ends; the work was without any date. One set of books abounded with slovenly scribbling, sometimes in coloured pencil and sometimes in ink, and with lines badly ruled. Seeing how important it is that our future teachers should themselves acquire the highest possible degree of excellence in this kind of work, I think that I should be justified in recommending the Board to amend the regulations with the view of making the condition of the exercise books the test for writing, and a serious failure in this subject to bar promotion. I have, &c, The Chairman, Education Board, Hokitika. John Smith, Inspector.

Summary of Results for the Whole Dist rict.

Standard Classes. Presented. Absent. Excepted. Failed. Passed. Average Age of those that passed. Yis. mos. S7 S6 S5 S4 S3 S2 S 1 P 45 86 17S 223 261 246 228 672 10 23 17 18 15 18 5 4 4 9 5 6 18 43 33 48 30 27 53 105 169 186 196 177 14 0 13 3 12 4 12 0 10 4 9 6 Totals 1,936 101 33 199 886 * Moan of avera] ;e ai 11 rears 9 months.