E.—lβ

18

our best schools. The head teacher plans and directs the whole course. It will be seen that such lessons, carefully prepared as they must be, and given in very simple form, with the absence of technical terms, with such experiments as are positively fascinating and good fun to children, will prove excellent educational pabulum of a very refreshing order, and will afford material on which the superstructure of the upper-class science-work can be raised. Not in all schools is this work well in hand yet; but many schools are on the right lines, and have already accomplished something which will lead to much more in time. And lastly, as to the work of elementary science of Standards IV., V., VI., and the class above Standard VI. Four programmes have been drawn up : one in chemistry, including the elements of agriculture ; one in physics, including heat and a little light and electricity ; one in physiology ; and one in the elements of botany. Text-books have been named for each subject, and the amount of instruction looked for in each subject accurately defined. The Board has again liberally voted a grant for the supply, free of charge, of necessary apparatus for chemistry and physics, and of the necessary diagrams for physiology and botany, to all schools. Messrs. Mowbray, Hulke, and Watson, headmasters of city schools, have rendered valuable assistance in drawing up directions and in putting together necessary apparatus. This apparatus is now furnished to nearly all the schools. The appendix will show what schools were able to take up the science during the past year, and the next column will show that every school will take up one at least of the four subjects next year. Thus the movement is fairly launched, and there will be no difficulty in future in keeping up the supply of material and apparatus. Full instructions are now sent out with the apparatus, as to how to use it; and, as each teacher must fully qualify himself for the teaching of the subject which he elects to teach, it is reasonably expected that year by year greater efficiency will be shown. Already many of our assistants and pupil-teachers in the large schools are taking great interest in the work. All the larger schools are teaching two or more of the best subjects, and in a very interesting manner. In the appendix, a record will be found, in a special column, against each school of the present estimated value of the instruction in science. This, so far, is very satisfactory, but it shows how much necessarily remains to be done. Tear by year we hope to report considerable improvement. ' The following is a summary of the number of schools of each class in which science work was taken up in 1891: — Class A. Class B. Class C. Class D. Class E. Total. Chemistry taught in ... 8 ... 6 ... 7 ... 3 24 Physics „ ... 6 ... 5 ... 1 ... 8 ... 1 ... 21 Physiology „ ... 4 ... 5 ... 3 ... 5 17 Botany „ ... 1 ... 1 4 6 No science at present taught in 3 ... 10 ... 7 ... 20 Total schools in each class exclusive of infant schools ... 9 ... 17 ... 14 ... 30 ... 18 ... 78 We have endeavoured to encourage the formation of school libraries, as a means of diffusing knowledge and encouraging the habit of profitable reading and self-culture. Several new libraries have been started during the year of which we have not yet received a return. Of those whose returns came in with the examination schedules, the following is a list, with the number of volumes in each case : Fernridge, 400 ; Terrace, 371; Clyde Quay, 304 ; Thorndon, 300 ; Pahautanui, 275 ; Featherston, 266; Clareville, 228; Masterton, 212; Mount Cook Boys', 170; Johnsonville, 138 ; Manakau, 120; Mangatainoko, 110; Otaki, 100 ; Dalefield, 86; Karori, 70; Belvedere, 61. Next year we will give a more complete return, as we intend still further to encourage the movement. The few changes recently made in the syllabus by the Education Department are generally acceptable. The drawing programme can only be gradually worked up to. In this district the changes will be scarcely felt, as much liberty has already been given in the direction taken. We are pleased to notice that there exists a good spirit of work and an increased fondness for school-life among the pupils throughout the district, and a hearty, loyal, and contented feeling among the teachers. We have, &c, Eobert Lee, ) T , The Chairman, Board of Education, Wellington. T. E. Fleming, j'- Lnspeclors -

Summary of Results for the Whole District.

Classes. Presented. Absent. Excepted. Failed. Passed. Average Age of those that passed. Yrs. m. Above Standard VI. Standard VI. ... V. ... „ IV. ... „ III. ... II. ... I. ... Preparatory ... 198 553 896 1,467 1,656 1,668 1,445 3,322 12 27 37 73 66 41 19 41 82 107 103 7 61 68 108 154 87 18 461 760 1,240 1,322 1,412 1,379 13 7 12 10 12 0 11 0 9 9 8 8 Totals 11,205 256 359 496 6,574 11 4* * Mean of ,verage age.