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on of Saturday classes for teachers, nor was it possible to hold a winter school for teachers, although an application was sent to the Board by^the'Poverty"Baybraneh of the Teachers' Institute, asking that such a school might be held. \ | The cost of a winter school is somewhat heavy, as the educational district is so extensive, r anel pecuniary help must be given to those teachers who live in the more remote parts of a district. lam satisfied that it would pay the country well to give a little more heed to the claims of teachers, especially those living in the country. A teacher in these days must be in advance of his environment, and a school should represent to children more than mere environment if the aim is to widen the bounds of knowledge of those taught within its walla. The teacher ought to be a apeciahat ao far as his knowledge of the district in which he works is concerned, but his horizon needs to be much wider if he is to help his children to grip things that are beyond their experiences, and the State should help the teacher by providing him with opportunities to extend the circle of his knowledge. Thus, during one of the vacations teachers ought to be drawn together to study new methods and discuss plans for the introduction of aubjects that may be deemed necessary for children. The long vacation should be spent in travel for the storing of knowledge. Modern needs of living demand modifications in the training of those who are responsible for the education of the future citizena. Practical experience, exact obaervation, and a large acquaintance with the outside world must run hand in hand with text-books in these days of scientific training, and that country will be best served in the schools whose teachers realise that the school typifies progress, and represents not a past but an advancing present and an anticipatory future. It is not necessary to refer to the schools in detail. Separate reports on each have been submitted, and Committees are aware from the reporta furnished to them what is being done in their several districts in the furtherance of education. Complaints about the condition of schools where certificated teachers are employed are becoming fewer and fewer, and there is a buoyancy among teachers that is certainly a new feature in the district. The superannuation scheme may have something to do with this, and I think the older teachers are beginning to realise that although the work of teaching may be onerous the prospect is not a blank. The examination records in the public examinations are a sufficient testimony that good work is being done throughout the district, and I am pleased to certify to the high character of an increasing number of the teachers, and to the faithful and good work done by them in the schools. An Inspector's work, in the case of a large number of the schools, gives little cause for anxiety, as the teachers are skilful and capable and can be trusted to do their work well. The amall schools are the spots were help is wanted, and it is in these that much extra time will be spent now that the Board has provided an assistant to meet the increasing needs of this growing district. Equally with the Board schools, it must be stated that the Catholic schools that were examined by me are advancing steadily, and much careful and good work is being done. The staffing is more generous than is found in the Board schools, and the enthusiasm and spirit of inquiry shown by the Sisters make up for deficiencies in technical training. As yet, the girls' departments acquit themselves better than the boys', from causes beyond the control of the Brothers in charge of the latter, but in each class of school the tone is good, and training in manners is aatiafactory. The four district high schools that were in existence last year are now reduced to three by the establishment of Dannevirke District High School as a secondary school under an elective Board of Governors. The numbers in attendance at the Woodville and Gisborne District High Schools are disappointing. The cause is difficult to discover, as the staffing, particularly in the latter school, is unusually- strong, and the honour results good. Mr. Maun, who has done much satisfactory work since the opening of the Gisborne District High School, has resigned to begin a professional career as barrister. I can only expreaa the hope that he will be aa successful as a lawyer as he has been as a master of a secondary department. The Hastings District High School has a large attendance of secondary pupils, and has made a good beginning in the public examinations. The teaching, however, has been carried on under many difficuties, but these will shortly disappear, as a building is now in progress that will provide accommodation both for ordinary instruction and technical training, so that the prospects at this school are decidedly good. Military drill continues to receive special attention in the large majority of schools. Many of tht teachers are well qualified to instruct the children in this important aspect of school training. The cadet companies already established bear as large a proportion to the pupils attending the Board schools as do the companies to the children in any other educational district. In some cases the girls are trained to march with the boy r s, and they acquit themselves with equal credit. Of course, calisthenics form a special occupation for the girls, and in most of the larger schools the subject is excellently taught. As a whole the progress in education for the year 1906 gives evidence of much improvement alongnew lines of preparation, and the outlook for the current year ia of much promise. In conclusion I should like to say that the retirement, through increasing infirmities, of Mr. Fannin from the Secretaryship makes the first break that has taken place in the office for the long period of twenty-seven years. I can only say that Mr. Fannin has well earned his retirement, and my regret is that the superannuation scheme does not benefit him to the extent merited by his constancy and attention to duty. H. Hill, Inspector. The Chairman, Education Board, Hawke'a Bay.