E.—lb.

where advanced subjects of instruction can be taught. District high schools, however, will not meet the wants of ex-Sixth Standard pupils in the smaller and outlying districts. A school twenty miles away from a small country settler might just as well be fifty or a hundred miles, as the cost to educate his children away from home will be the same in either case. The difficulty would be met by offering a capitation grant for the instruction of Seventh Standard children in specified subjects, to be approved by the Board on the recommendation of the Inspector. Many of the teachers in charge of country schools are capable of giving special instruction suited to children who have passed the Sixth Standard. I am satisfied that a much greater benefit would be conferred upon the school-children than can possibly result from district high schools in places where the population is scattered. There has been much activity shown by teachers in some of the subjects under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act, but I feel it necessary to reserve my judgment for the present as to the benefits conferred upon the standard children. The drawing classes that are carried on by Mr. Anderson and his assistant are excellent, and the scope of this class of work might easily be widened were it not for the doubt that exists as to what subject to leave out from the class subjects under the standard regulations. In the case of preparatory classes there is no difficulty in the way, and the grants for the supply of kindergarten apparatus and brush drawing have assisted in a marked manner to create interest in the teaching of manual subjects in the infant-schools. Equally satisfactory results might be expected in the case of standard children, but teachers are averse to the increase of school subjects, and I fear the progress will be delayed until a more definite syllabus of instruction has been issued whereby alternate subjects may be taught. If Regulation 29 of the standards of instruction could be widened, school classes under the Act would become general in the schools of my district. The establishment of a technical school has been a means of creating interest in art and science work among the teachers throughout the district, and their attendance (optional) at the Wednesday classes in Gisborne and the Saturday classes in Dannevirke and Napier sufficiently testifies to their earnestness and to their desire to prepare subjects that will be of value to them in the training of their pupils. The training school for ex-pupil-teachers continues to give promise of a growing success. Young teachers trained in country districts look forward to the time when they will be able to enter the training school as a student. Other districts may have better arrangements for the academic preparation of teachers, but I am satisfied that few young teachers receive better technical training than what is now being attempted in Napier. With more pecuniary help from the Central Department the benefits of the training school might be largely increased, but in justice to those who have passed the training course it must be said that the mark of their work is already apparent in the schools of the district. And as showing that the training school, apart from academic preparation, is coming to be recognised as a necessity in England, it may be mentioned that the London County Council have lately opened a teachers' training school on lines almost identical with the one established by the Board. If pupil-teachers are to be properly trained for their profession, there must be separation between the academic preparation and the technical training, such as is necessary in the case of a medical student. The young teachers now in training would no doubt be much better for a year at one of the university colleges, and this might easily be carried out by a simple system of teachers' scholarships. The formation of a Schools Association for the encouragement of athletics and physical training among the children of this education district deserves a word of praise. The majority of teachers have heartily taken up the subject, and the first meeting took place at Waipawa in November, where the local authorities did everything to encourage the success of the meeting. There was a large gathering of children, parents, and friends ; and the fine healthy rivalry between the schools in trials of physical skill was a special feature of the meeting. When the next annual school sports come round I trust the Board will notify a general holiday, and that a Hawke's Bay banner will be available, to be held by the school that makes most points in drill, calisthenics, and deportment. The tone of the schools continues good. Few things afford me more pleasure than a visit to a school in its every-day dress. Weil-mannered children, neatly dressed and working diligently, reflect the character of the school and the influence of the teacher. Bad children are uncommon, and well-behaved and bright and intelligent ones are abundant. I have seldom to complain of dirty desks, floor, and fireplace, or of untidiness in the out-offices and school surroundings. I think it may be said of most of the teachers in the Board's service that they are competent, diligent, and honourable, and perform their duties with a considerable amount of success, as was recently shown in the examination for the Victoria Scholarship and in the Civil Service and Matriculation Examinations. Of the Catholic schools little need be said. The authorities are most anxious to have their schools examined, and I have done so under considerable pressure'for available time. Good manners and good behaviour characterize the schools, and two of them do work that would be equally praiseworthy in the Board schools. In every case the teachers are diligent and earnest, but the lack of technical training militates against efficiency in the higher classes. The tendency to over-classifica-tion in Standards I. and 11. reacts upon the higher work; but this will disappear soon, and no doubt the future success of the schools is assured if the work is continued on the present lines, as the classification is low, the groundwork rapidly improving, and the teachers are determined and watchful. I am, &c, H. Hill, Inspector of Schools. The Chairman, Board of Education, Napier.

24