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370. Is it better to put females than males into these small schools to take charge?—l find, as a rule, that the females are better, from having more tact, patience, and vivacity ; but for the sake of discipline I think headmasters are necessary in large schools. 371. Have you seen the proposed scale?— Yes; but I have not had time to look into it thoroughly. 372. Have you noticed the capitation allowance granted to these small schools? —Yes. 373. Are you satisfied with it: is it higher than under your own Board?— Yes. 374. Do you think that it would better your schools ?—Yes ; £3 15s. capitation, as at present -granted by the department, is too small. Ido not think it is possible to have a good system on that capitation. 375. Do you think it would be possible to have an efficient scheme on a capitation of £4 ? —I think that it requires more than a £4 capitation in this district. 376. Are you aware that out of the £4 proposed capitation lis. 3d. is to be taken for Committee management ?—Yes, I have just noticed it. 377. So that really the staffing has to be made on an allowance of £3 Bs. 9d. ?—I should like to point out in connection with that a matter that concerns the other outside expenses. Last year I find we spent £3,676 in expenses, such as Inspectors' salaries, training teachers, and so on, and that the Government proposes to give us £2,950; so that this present proposal would place the Board £726 to the bad. 378. But do you not think that must have been in consequence of taking a great deal of the capitation allowance for office requirements —more so than other Boards ?—No, I do not think so. 379. Have you worked out the expenses of your Board for office maintenance and inspection ? —Yes; I could give you figures for last year. 380. What is the average attendance in your district ?—4,800. 381. There are two Inspectors?— Yes, and one secretary. 382. What is the cost of inspection ? —£Blo last year. 383. Is that not very large ?—No. 383 a. Were travelling-expenses included ?—Yes ; £260. 384. What is the salary of the Chief Inspector ? —The Chief Inspector's salary is £300. 385. The gross amount?— Yes. 386. If the Government paid the Inspector's salary direct it would save the amount which is paid to you at the present time, would it not ? —Yes, that is so. 387. Mr. Gilfedder.] Do you think a deduction should be made in the case of a teacher who does not hold the minimum certificate according to the suggested scale ?—I think a reduction justifiable in that case. 388. With regard to the highest minimum, it has been suggested that a CI is high enough ?— I do not think an Al should be insisted upon. 389. Do you think the examinations should be conducted by the department independent of the university?—l think that the way to the certificate should be made open to all. 390. Do you consider that it should not be permissible to take Class D through the Matriculation Examination ?—I see no objection to that. I think it should be possible for every teacher to make progress towards the A certificate. ■391. Do you consider that if the Inspectors were under central control it would tend to uniformity of examination and inspection of schools?—l do not think they could be made uniform. 392. Would not the tendency be towards it? —Yes. 393. I understood you to say that it is a matter of the expense in regard to a central school— the expense of building and a site to build upon?—l am not quite clear; but I think the Board has only just paid the debt on the Central School —seven years after amalgamating. 394. With regard to sewing, do you employ sewing-mistresses ?—Yes, in some cases, where there is a master in sole charge of a school. 395. Do the female pupil-teachers, as a rule, teach the sewing?— Yes. 396. You would not approve of a system in which a young lady is engaged as sewing-mistress, and, instead of teaching sewing, does school-teaching for five hours a day, for the salary of £12 a year?—No, I would not. 397. Do you notice any appreciable difference in the cost of living in the Nelson Education District from the cost in other districts in the colony ?—I ha*ve not much acquaintance with the cost of living in the other districts. Ido not think it has increased here. 398. Do you approve of Education Boards transferring teachers within their own districts ?— Yes; in one or two cases it has been done here. 399. Successfully?— Yes, with the consent of the teachers and the Committees. 400. You consider the Education Boards would be justified in promoting their teachers if an opportunity arose?— Yes. 401. Do you think you should differentiate in the syllabus work required in the case of town and country schools ?—Yes ; I strongly advocated that myself at the Inspectors' conference. 402. Mr. Smith.] With reference to the household schools, you inspect them periodically ?— Yes, we do not make a point of seeing them all. 403. Do you find, as a rule, the whole of the household children present ?—Yes. 404. On your visits of inspection yon begin with the register?— Yes, just the same as other schools. 405. You always find them correct? —Yes. 406. Is it your opinion that the education given in these small aided schools is equal to that obtained at the small country schools ?—ln many cases I have found it better. I have often been surprised at the excellence of training given in these small household schools. 407. Mr. Lethbridge.] You have no training institution at all?—No, unfortunately; it is a great defect.