Appkndix C

E.—2.

XLIV

that, under older and cruder methods, would have been developed. It is the duty of every teacher cc that his pupils acquire that moral backbone so necessary to success. Those who would send forth well-trained pupils should know how much those pupils can do, and see that they do it. By careful periodical revision they can keep themselves informed as to the exact amount of knowledge assimilated, and gauge the success of their methods. If the response gives evidence of weakness, the teacher can so direct his energies and change his plans as to remove the possibility of adverse criticism. In several of the school districts, notably in those more recently established, a healthy local interest and a spirit of self-help have been manifested in the direction of raising funds for the improvements of the school grounds, and of contributing to the comfort and happiness of the pupils. School libraries are increasing in number, and a wider interest is being taken in the decoration of the walls of the class-rooms, but the educative value of neat and orderly surroundings, both in school and playground, is deserving of more general recognition. Tone and Discipline.— Notwithstanding any shortcomings referred to in the foregoing critical remarks, which have been submitted mainly for the instruction and guidance of the less experienced teachers, we gladly record our appreciation of the highly satisfactory work done in the large majority of the schools of the district, and of the healthy tone- and good discipline that so generally prevail. The teachers, as a body, have a high sense of duty, and fully recognize their responsibilities with regard to the moral training of their pupils. The movement towards a quiet, ■.veil-regulated self-control is a progressive one, and in this respect the schools of to-day compare very favourably with I pasi generation. The greatesi factor in this upward development is the personal influence and force of example of the teachers themselves. With the march of time the influence of the teacher is ever on the increase, and it is very gratifying to learn, as we so often do, of the growing public appreciation of their services, and of the support thai is accorded them by the general community.' We have, &c, T. S. Foster, j Wμ Brock, , Thos. Hughes, Inspectors. ('has. 1). Bardic, ) The Chairman, Education Board, Christohuroh.

SOUTH CANTERBURY. Sir.— Education Office, Timaru. 11th March, 1911. We have the honour ti> submit our annual report on the schools of this district for the year 1910. During most of the pear there were eighty-three schools in operation, an increase of two from last year, beinu made bj tin , establishment of household schools at Bluecliffs and Pusey. As the report on the lions 1n.1.1 ■elm!.l aJ Riverlanda showed that the children were not making satisfacchool was closed at the end of Ihe year. The usual visits of inspection were paid In all tin public gchools, and to the live Roman Catholic schools in this district. The following (able shows the number of pupils on the roll of the public schools, the number present at the annual examination, and the average a<_' C of the pupils in each class: —

The figures in this table show for the year an increase of 138 in the roll-number and of 178 present at the annual examination.

(ilaaaee. > Number on P«*ont at ■Roll Annual Examination. Roll. ii E Annual Examiimtioi c n. ii Average Age of the Pupils in each Class. of the Pupil? in each Class Standard VII VI V IV [II II I Prepa ratory ... • ■ i 141 389 547 549 669 633 668 2,098 135 374 529 535 653 622 648 2,038 Yrs. moe. 15 2 14 1 13 2 12 2 11 3 10 3 9 1 7 0 Totals 5,694 5,534 11 fi* 11 6* * Mean of average age.