E.—2.

1 Appendix C.

XXXIV

thanking them for loyal service rendered to the great cause of education, there are one or two questions which we would like to suggest the advisability of each one putting to himself or herself from time to time: What am I reading in the great and ever increasing literature of education? What additions am I making to my library in the way of educational works? Am I keeping myself abreast of recent developments in the way of educational thought and progress? As Colonel Francis W. Parker has said, " Nothing that is good is too good for the child —no thought too deep, no toil too great." And again, "A school should be a model home, a complete community and embryonic demoncracy. How? you ask. Again I answer, by putting into every schoolroom an educated, cultured, trained, developed, child-loving teacher, a teacher imbued with a knowledge of the science of education, and a zealous enthusiastic applicant of its principles. Where shall we find such teachers? They will spring from the earth and drop from the clouds when they hear the demand. We have asked for quantity teachers, and they have come by the tens of thousands. Now let us demand Hie artist teacher, the teacher trained and skilled in the science of education—a genuine leader of little feet." • We have, &c. Wμ. Brook, \ Chas. D. Harbik. t s. c. owkn, ; I "«p f,cto,s - J. B. Matne, The Chairman, North Canterbury Education Board.

SOUTH CANTERBURY. Sib, — Education Office, Timaru, 18th February, 1914. I have the honour to submit the annual report on the schools of this district for the year 1913. At the close of the year the number of schools in operation was eighty-six, being an increase of two since the previous year. Of the new schools Monavale, which was opened in the first quarter, was twice visited, but Timaunga, opened in the last quarter, was not inspected. Tn addition to the public schools, the five Roman Catholic schools were also inspected. The following table shows the number of pupils on the roll of the public schools, the number present at the annual examination, and the average age of the pupils in each class :—

The figures in this table show for the year an increase of 108 in the roll number, and of this increase sixty-eight belong to the Sixth Standard. The following is the summary for Roman Catholic schools": —

Classes. Number on Roll. Present at the Annual Examination. Average Age of the Pupils in each Glass. itandardVII ... VI V ... IV Ill II ... I ... 113 431 570 642 693 785 750 2,070 107 419 554 617 655 765 712 1,990 Yrs. mos. 15 4 14 1 13 1 12 2 11 2 10 1 9 0 7 0 'reparatory Totals ... ... 6,054 5,819 9 11* I * Mean of average age.

Casses. *. Number on Roll. Present at the Average Age of Annual the Pupils Examination. in each Class. XT Standard VII VI V IV III II I 10 38 41 55 59 50 56 10 38 41 55 59 50 56 142 Yrs. mos. 9 15 5 38 14 5 37 13 5 52 12 9 54 10 11 50 9 11 54 8 7 9 38 37 52 54 50 54 134 Yrs. mos. 15 5 14 5 13 5 12 9 10 11 9 11 8 7 6 9 Preparatory 142 134 6 9 Totals ... 451 428 10 0* 451 428 10 0* * Mean of average •e.