is.-- __.

[Appendix B

tion, elementary hygiene, arithmetic, and English. The results just published may be regarded as very satisfactory. In the interests of uncertificated teaohers in more remote places we hope to hold during June, in addition to the ordinary correspondence course, a winter school in the subjects that do not lend themselves to correspondence teaching. Manual Instruction. —lnstruction in woodwork and cookery is afforded in five centres. The need for a separate manual-training school in Napier itself is still an urgent matter. The ordinary handwork subjects in the schools have been to some extent interfered with owing to the difficulty of obtaining material. Grading of 'Teachers. —The grading of teachers in accordance with the Dominion grading scheme appears to have met with little objection at the hands of the teachers. Seven appeals, most of which were based on reasonable grounds, were dealt with by the Appeal Board. With one exception all were upheld, and the necessary adjustments have been made. We have, &c, William W. Bird, | David A. Straohan, [-Inspectors. The Director of Education, Wellington. Richard G. Whetter )

WELLINGTON. Sir,— Wellington, February, 19.18. We have the honour to submit our report for 1917 on the work of the primary and district high schools of the Wellington District. During the year a new side school was opened at Seatoun, while aided schools at Black Rock, Elaine Bay, Huritini. Pukekoikoi, Titirangi, Whakatahuri, Lowlands, Pencarrow, Pori, and Stronvar were closed. New Board schools were opened at Brancott, Saratoga, Tira Ora, Wairau Bar, and Whareatea. New private schools were registered at Carterton (St. Mary's Convent), Masterton (Solway College), and Wellington (St. Mark's). Details as to numbers, average ages, &c, of 264 public, twenty-nine registered private, and two special schools are compiled in the following tables: —

There was thus a total of 295 schools in operation, with 27,786 pupils on the rolls and 26,983 present at the Inspectors' annual visit.

VI

Roll. Presont at Annual Examination. Average Age. Put blic Schools. Yrs. mos. 14 11 13 9 12 10 11 10 10 11 10 1 8 10 6 10 Standard VII .. „ VI .. „ V „ IV .. „ III .. .,11 „ I Preparatory 354 1,965 2,444 2,725 2,928 3,153 3,123 8,033 337 1,943 2,402 2,701 2,891 3,107 3,069 7,595 Totals ".. 24,725 24,045 Regiiterec I Private Schools. 90 226 309 337 307 328 327 883 Standard VII .. „ VI „ V N IV • ■ M I" • • ;, ii .. „ i Preparatory 92 235 312 353 312 346 336 941 15 0 14 2 13 1 12 3 11 0 10 0 9 1 6 4 Totals .. 2,927 2,807 St andard VI V :, iv '.. in „ n „ i Preparatory Spei rial Schools. 4 13 12 19 13 16 57 4 13 12 I!) 13 15 55 14 6 13 9 12 9 12 0 11 6 10 0 7 0 Totals . . 134 131