Appendix 0.

E.—2.

attention to the insertion of stops were strictly insisted upon in written work of all kinds, whether purely composition exercises or not. In the higher classes there seems to be need for more instruction in the relation between analysis and synthesis on the one hand arid sentence-building on the other. In these classes, too, the essay or letter sent up was usually so very short that it was no easy matter to form an opinion of the writer's ability. Writing. —Writing is now receiving greater attention; more copybook practice is being given, and the general work more efficiently supervised. There are still, however, several schools m which the writing is distinctly inferior, and some in which the teachers seem to forget that children are imitative. Example is better than precept, and slovenliness in ordinary blackboard work is sure to be reflected in the pupils' written exercises. The recommendation made at the beginning of the year as to the selection of certain copybooks for particular standards has been generally adopted, and it is expected that, provided sufficient blackboard demonstration is given, better results will presently be forthcoming. Spelling. —The ordinary spelling tests were usually very well done, but there was a good deal of carelessness in the general work. The word-building of the lower classes was excellent, and in all standards the study of homonyms has evidently received a good measure of attention. No apology is needed for again calling attention to such apparently insignificant matters as the dotting of the " i " and the crossing of the " t." Arithmetic. —In all classes up to Standard IV, inclusive, the arithmetic was good. In the majority of cases of failure to -gain proficiency certificates the greatest weakness was shown in this subject. This defect appears to be largely the result of learning certain stereotyped ways of working problems, and of insufficient practice in oral and mental arithmetic. Generally, a marked improvement was shown in setting out the work, but in the lower standards there is a tendency to omit certain necessary parts of the working, which cannot be performed mentally, and to write in the results only. The oral arithmetic tests were fairly well done, but, as has been said, much more practice is needed, and in future greater importance will be attached to this branch at visits of inspection. Drawing. —Not much improvement is to be recorded in drawing generally, though drawing with instruments is receiving more attention, and correlation with paper and carton work is more extensively treated. Drawing from common objects is now general, and good results would come from this practice if more instruction were given in the methods of securing balance and proportion. It is still not uncommon to find children attempting an outline with one continuous stroke of the pencil. The best results have been obtained in those schools in which colouring with brush or crayons has been taught, and as the treatment of colour will now be compulsory a considerable general advance should soon be evident. Physical Instruction. —ln the majority of schools physical exercises are being satisfactorily carried out, and teachers will find compliance with the new regulations, which are more definite than those previously in force, not very difficult after their work of last year. Only one detachment of Junior Cadets remains in commission. Some of its members are doing excellent work at the targets, and the officer in command has passed the examination for rank under the Defence Department. Singing. —ln only a few of the better schools have my remarks in last year's report regarding singing been acted upon. Very few songs appear to have been learned, and not often are they taken except at the stated period on the time-table. Teachers of small schools in which several classes sing certain pieces together will be expected to vary their programme year by year. Geography. —The work in geography shows some slight improvement. Attention must again be drawn to the fact that each of the three branches—physical, mathematical, and political— requires attention, and that in any suitable scheme of work the three divisions may conveniently be combined. It is pleasing to note that in a number of schools plasticine-modelling is being correlated with geography with excellent results. More frequent use of rough sketch-maps and large diagrams is recommended. History. —This subject is now receiving more efficient treatment, but the results are not yet satisfactory. Teachers have again been reminded that in history, as in other subjects where freedom of arrangement is permitted, a complete scheme should be presented showing how the work is spread over two or more years. Nature-study. —In most schools nature-study is being .dealt with as required by the regulations. In many cases, however, the programs are far too brief, and the treatment too much on the lines of the old "object-lesson." It should be remembered that the chief value of naturestudy lies not in the number of facts that can be stored away in the memory, but rather in the training it gives in observation. The elementary science taken in the larger schools was satisfactory. Needlework. —The needlework inspection was, in the majority of cases, good, and in several public and all private schools the girls have done additional fancy-work of a high order. In a number of schools the very young children have taken some elementary work with large needles and coarse materials. Handwork.— -[See E.-5, Report on Manual and Technical Instruction.] : ■■■; Attendance—ln the following table is given the.percentage of attendance at the schools of the Grey Distriot for the past three years, and that for the Dominion, Otas?o, and Wellington for 19:11 and 1912 :— . X ... ". Percentage of attendance—- ■ • 1911. 1912 1913 Grey ... .... ... . ... ... 871 88'fi 90-4 Dominion ... ..'. ... ... 89-3 Sg-g gg.9 Otago ... ... ... ... '■-... 91-7 90-2 9j;g Wellington ... ... ... ... 901 902 903 It will be seen that a steady increase in regularity of attendance has been registered, and that, in comparison with other districts, the point reached' is very satisfactory indeed.

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