E.—lb

8

From the tenor of this report is is obvious that there is ample scope for improvement in the work of our schools —that we are still far from having reached the ideal for which we are striving; but, though only briefly indicated, there is also very much that reflects credit on their management and on their teachers. In this connection I may quote Mr. Stewart's hopeful words :"I do not wish you to think, because I have mainly dealt with deficiencies and their remedies, that I have found nothing to praise. On the contrary, I believe that in the majority of schools really good work is being done; that many teachers in a quiet unostentatious way are beneficially influencing their pupils for life; that the methods are improving; that the idea of training and mental development are slowly but surely displacing the ideas of mere instruction and memory-work. One thing I could wish, and that is, that our teachers as a whole read more widely. If they did their work would be lifted to a higher plane, and their unconscious influence would be more real and permanent." All the Inspectors recognise the conscientious and diligent work of the great body of the teachers. If some are too much wedded to routine, and experience difficulty in outgrowing mechanical methods, there is at any rate a very general ambition to make the teacher's work educative by requiring pupils to do their share —the principal share —in the training of school life. There is also a growing recognition of the fact that self-train ing is the best training, and that it cannot be secured unless pupils are equal to the efforts they are called on to make. Nowadays a great deal is being asked of teachers; all the more do they deserve credit for striving, whenever opportunity offers, to improve their qualifications for their chosen and responsible work. Mr. Goodwin, who rendered much valuable help during the past year, has now retired from the service after working for thirty-four years as headmaster and Inspector. He has the best wishes of his colleagues that he may enjoy a well-earned rest. I have, &c, D. Petrie, M.A., Chief Inspector. The Chairman, Education Board, Auckland.

TARANAKI. Sir, — Education Office, New Plymouth, 31st March, 1908. We have the honour to submit our annual report for the year ending the 31st December, 1907. At the beginning of the year, eighty schools (including six half-time schools) were in operation, and, during the year, new schools were established at Newall, Opua, Mahakau, Kaeaea, and Mangapapa. The school at Pohokura was reopened, but, owing to the fall in attendance, was again closed. The schools at Mangaroa, Matiere, Kaeaea, and Mangapapa were taken over by the Auckland Education Board when that part of the Clifton County in which they are situated was thrown into the newly formed Waitomo County. The following table contains a summary of examination results for the whole district: —

* Mean of average age. Compared with the return for 1906, the roll-number shows an increase of 70. Owing to the prevalence of epidemics throughout the district, the regularity of attendance was seriously affected, the number present at the Inspector's annual visit being only 4,547, as against 4,805 in 1906. Standard VII. —The number of pupils in Standard VII was 106, an increase of fifteen. Several of these were pupils in the smaller schools and their teachers deserve credit for undertaking this self-imposed task, and thereby putting within reach of at least a few of the children in the backblocks some of the advantages of a secondary education. It is worth the consideration of the Department whether these teachers are not entitled to some remuneration for the extra work they have so willingly undertaken. Catholic Schools.—ln addition to the public schools, the Roman Catholic schools at New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford, Opunake, and also a recently opened school at Inglewood, were inspected and examined. The teachers of these schools still show themselves ready to adopt suggestions offered by the Inspectors, and to fall into line with modern methods of teaching. These schools presented 276 pupils for examination out of a roll-number of 307.

Classes. Number on Roll. Present at Average Age of Inspector's PupiU in each Annual Visit. Class. I Standard VII VI ... V ... IV ... Ill ... II ... I ... Preparatory 106 315 440 632 622 624 658 1,758 98 304 422 591 575 572 584 1,401 Yrs. mos. 14 5 13 8 13 3 12 2 11 3 10 9 8 10 7 6 Totals 5,155 4,547 11 6*