E.—2.

[Appendix C.

Classes for Uncertificated Teachers. —The classes established at Mangaweka towards the end of last year were eagerly attended by teachers, who came from far and near. We have reason to know that the work was taken up with enthusiasm by the instructors and the students, and thUt solid progress was made. The correspondence classes were not so greatly sought after, but with the beginning of the educational year there is reason to think that many of the teachers in remote parts of the district will be glad to embrace the opportunity of securing the tuition necessary for the attainment of their certificates free of cost. Housecraft.—The special examination in cookery, needlework, and hygiene for Standard VI pupils was held as usual with very satisfactory results. We are glad to acknowledge the services rendered to the cause of domestic training by the ladies who examined the girls in cookery and needlework, and also the services of the medical men who at some centres took classes in first aid. Proficiency Examination. —It should be put on record that the Committees, through their Chairmen, willingly made suitable arrangements for the supervision of the Proficiency Examinations. It is no small matter for a lady or gentleman to spend a whole day at the somewhat monotonous work of supervision, and it must be taken as a testimony to the interest taken by the Committees in the cause of education that satisfactory arrangements are made with so little difficulty. Work of the Organizing Inspector.—Mr. Stewart visited a large number of the more remote schools in the district, spending two to three or four days in each as necessities of the case required. He devoted himself without stint to his work, and there is ample evidence to show that it was appreciated and that its effects will be permanent. • Appointment of a Special Instructor in Drawing.—lf there is in our district one need more than another that should be supplied it is the need of better instruction in drawing. It is with pleasure that we welcome the proposal of the Board to appoint Mr. Watkin as instructor of this branch of primary-school work. Mr. Watkin's visit to schools, to meetings of teachers, and to teachers' instruction classes will, we feel sure, have a great and immediate effect upon the quality of the drawing done in our schools. Board's Lending Library.—The library now contains over three hundred volumes, of which between thirty and forty were added during the year; a printed catalogue was also issued. We are glad to be able to assure the Board that the library plays no mean part in stimulating the more studious of the teachers, and in preventing their methods from becoming stereotyped. This year seventy-nine teachers made use of the library, and more than two hundred books were issued. There was a greater demand for works dealing with special subjects, such as the teaching of geography, drawing, handwork, &c, than for those dealing with educational principles, psychology, &c. Books of the latter type were issued to several teachers studying for the higher certificates, and no doubt proved of great service. Discipline.—Throughout the year there was no serious complaint from any of the Inspectors regarding the discipline of the schools. This means much more than appears from the bald statement. It means that the pupils behave well in school and on the pla3'ground; it means that they take their work and play in the right spirit, and that they have a lively sense of the honour of their schools. It is, of course, to the teachers' feeling of responsibility that we must trace this satisfactory state of affairs —to their resource, tact, and power of adaptability. In proof of their adaptability it may be stated that the Board's recent requirement that provision should be made at all schools for organized games during play-hours has in the great majority of cases been fulfilled in the spirit as well as in the letter In the scheme-books a description of the games is given, and in the playgrounds they are played. It is easy to see how great an aid to the discipline of the schools this arrangement is. Solidarity.—ln conclusion, while we remember the great work that the teachers are doing, we must not forget the services rendered by Mr. Grant and Mr. Browne and the other instructors associated with us in the work of primary-school education. Each and all have contributed their quota to the solid body of work done, and we rest in the assurance that service so faithful will not fail of its purpose. Tables. —The subjoined tables have been prepared partly for the sake of the information that they convey and partly for the purposes of comparison and reference.

Table 1a.

XII

Classes. Number on Present at the Roll at Annual Annual Examination. Examination. Average Ages of Pupils in each Class. I Standard VII (including secondary pupils in D.H.S.)... VI j V ... IV Ill II ... I ... 'reparatory ... ... ... ... ... Totals 254 919 1,261 1,488 1,774 1,656 1,923 5,552 14,827 223 897 1,237 1,460 1,717 1,603 1,842 5,095 14,074 Yrs. mos. 15 0 14 0 13 2 12 2 11 3 10 4 9 3 7 2 9 10