E.—l

82

Number of Schools.—At the close of 1894 there were 206 schools in operation in the district. In the course of the year schools were opened at Awakino, Capburn, Chaslands, Makarora (head of Lake Wanaka), Merino Downs, Pomahaka Downs, Rough Ridge, and Springvale. There were, consequently, 214 schools in operation during the year, an increase of eight schools for the year. In addition to the schools opened during the year, the Board has sanctioned the establishment of schools at Earnscleugh, Kokoamu (Maerewhenua Estate), and St. Clair. Several applications for the establishment of schools are still under consideration. The following shows the classification of the schools according to their average attendance: Under 15 pupils, twenty-five; 15 and under 20 pupils, eighteen ; 20 and under 25 pupils, nineteen; 25 and under 50 pupils, sixty-six ; 50 and under 75 pupils, thirty; 75 and under 100 pupils, fifteen; 100 and under 150 pupils, eleven; 150 and under 300 pupils, eleven; 300 and under 500 pupils, ten; 500 and upwards, nine : total, 214. There are five subsidised schools included in the above. Teachers.—There were in the Board's service on the 31st December 550 teachers—2l9 males, 331 females—classed as follows : Male head teachers, 87 ; male teachers in sole charge, 51; male assistant teachers, 54 ; male pupil-teachers, 27 ; female teachers in sole charge, 76 ; female mistresses, 86; female assistants, 63 ; female pupil-teachers, 77 ; female sewing-teachers, 29. The Board has again to report that the supply of fully-trained and certificated teachers continues considerably in excess of the demand, several young teachers, both male and female, being unable to obtain employment. Pupil-teachers.—At the end of the year there were 104 pupil-teachers (27 male and 77 female) in the service of the Board. The annual examinations were held as usual in the month of December. The following table shows the number that went up for examination, the number that passed, and the number that failed : — Presented. Passed. Failed. Exempted. Absent. First class ... ... ... 13 11 2 Second class ... ... ... 27 25 2 ... 1 •Third class ... ... ... 35 33 2 1 Fourth class ... ... ... 26 18 8 101 87 14 1 1 The number of young persons of both sexes who are applicants for the position of pupil-teacher continues to be out of all proportion to the number of vacancies to be filled. It has hitherto been the custom for the Board to exempt from the annual examination all pupil-teachers who, before their appointment, had passed the matriculation examination of the New Zealand University. This concession has now been withdrawn. Five pupil-teachers twice failed to pass the annual examination, and their services were therefore dispensed with. School Attendance.—The following is an abstract of the attendance at the public schools of this district from the institution of the Otago education scheme in the year 1856 to the present time. At the beginning of 1878 the new education district of Southland was created, and thirtyseven schools were handed over to the newly-formed Board : —

The numbers for the year show an increase in the average attendance of 342 on that of last year. The number of Maori and half-caste children attending the schools in the district is shown as follows: Maoris—s males, 6 females; half-castes living as members of Native tribe—s males, 3 females; half-castes living among Europeans —36 males, 34 females: totals, 46 males, 43 females. Number of schools in which there were Maori or half-caste scholars, 9. Scholarships.—Twenty-four scholarships (twelve junior and twelve senior) were awarded at the December examinations. In all 174 candidates competed, 64 for the senior and 110 for the junior scholarships. Eleven junior and sixteen senior competitors gained free education at the Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools. The amount expended on scholarships was—paid to holders, £1,398 18s. lOd.; examination expenses, £80 17s. 9d.; total, £1,479 16s. 7d. The following table shows the number of candidates who have presented themselves at the annual examinations from the institution of the scholarship scheme in 1878 to the end of the year 1895, and the number of scholarships awarded each year : —

o o A o m ■4-1 o n CD 1 ■a CO <D o d CD H Numbf att. the Co ir of Pupils who mded at all in irse of the Year. Average Daily Attenda the Yea: .nee for Attendai at the Close Yoar. ice of the r. Year. u CD -a g a CD 5 fi CD Oi a_ [3 O EH a 3 CD 3 fl CD CO co CQ "o n CD sd fi u . CD CO !1 £h CO <j eo in o H 1856-57 ... 1867 1877 1887 1894 1895 5 56 173 183 206 214 7 85 356 511 521 550 1,216 3,191 6,136 5,416 5,328 3,151 4,367 16,42219,613 22,74228,878 24,36929,785 22,58827,916 115 897 2,176 4,148 3,706 3,759 121 2,045. 9,573 15,110 15,559 15,848 236 2,942 11,749 19,258 19,265 19,607 919 2,585 4,648 4,128 4,217 2,436 11,943 18,032 18,425 18,512 3,355 14,528 22,680 22,553 22,729