B.—l

resulted in 9.381 certificates of proficiency being awarded, the number representing 68-3 per cent, of the S6 roll, and 2,195 certificates of competency, representing 16 per cent, of the roll. Of the latter certificates 287 were endorsed for merit in science and handwork. The number of proficiency certificates awarded was 5-3 per cent, less than in the previous year, the percentage approximating more closely to that of 1917, when the examinations were conducted by the Inspectors. There was a wide range of difference in. the results of the various education districts, the lowest percentage of proficiency certificates awarded being 564 and the highest 76. The range difference is less marked than it was in 1917, but the fact that it occurred in 1918 when, the examinations were conducted for the most part by the teachers goes to show that it is not due to the personal, equation of the Inspectors, but apparently to an uneven standard of attainment in the various education districts. Registered Primary Private Schools. (Tables Dl and D 2 in E.-2.) The number of primary private schools (excluding private schools for Natives referred to elsewhere) registered under the Education Act, 1914, in 1919 was 212, compared with 210 in 1918. Eor the purpose of ensuring that children who do not attend public schools, wherein the State is Avilling to provide for them, are receiving adequate instruction elsewhere, private schools are inspected by the Department's Inspectors, upon the character of whose reports the registration largely depends. Pupils in S6 are also examined by the Inspectors for certificates of proficiency and competency. The following are the statistics relative to these schools :—- -1918. 1919. Number of schools .. .. .. 210 212 Roll number at end of year—Boys .. 9,042 9,525 Girls.. .. 11,034 11,452 ■ 20,076 20,977 Average attendance .. .. .. .. 17,441 18,472 Number. Percentage, j Number. Percentage Children under seven years of age .. .. 3,957 20-0 3,902 19"0 Children from seven to ten years of age .. 6,684 33-0 6,775 320 Children over ten years of age .. .. 9,435 47-0 10,300 490 Children in preparatory classes • .. .. 6,380 32-0 i 6,636 32-0 Males. Females. Males. Females. Number of full-time teachers .. .. 44 639 67 616 Average number of pupils per teacher 26 27 S6 pupils presented for examination .. 1,471 1 ,553 Number. Percentage. Number. Percentage. Proficiency certificates issued .. .. 1,076 74-0 917 59 Competency certificates issued .. .. 227 16-0 261 17 Tables Dl and D 2 in E.-2 give particulars of the schools in the various districts. A list of registered private schools is published each year in the New Zealand Gazette. Conveyance and Board of Scholars. Free passes on the railway to the nearest public or private school are granted to children living near to the railway-line but out of reach of a primary school, and the same privilege is enjoyed by pupils having to travel to attend secondary sohools, district high schools, and technical high schools, and also by free-place holders travelling to attend technical schools or classes other than technical high schools. Education Boards are also authorized to make provision, when necessary for the conveyance of pupils to primary schools by road or water and to contribute towards the payment for board of children compelled to live away from home in order to attend school. The following are the rates payable under the various headings : — (a.) Sixpence per return trip for each child over five years of age conveyed to the nearest public school: Provided that the home is not less than three miles from the school in the case of a child ten years of age or over, and not less than two miles in the case of a child under ten years.

10