Duvauehelle’s Bay, November 9, present

36, satisfactory.

Okain’s Bay, November 10, present 88,
satisfactory.

Akaroa, November 11, present 8, unsatisfactory.

The chief causes of complaint as to the
inefficiency of the Akaroa School are

1. The decreased and irregular attendance.

2. The unsound state of the children’s attainments.

3. Also, the still somewhat defective state
   of the buildings, premises, fittings, and furniture.

4. The March quarter average for Akaroa,
   two schools, was ... 32
   The June quarter average for Akaroa,
   one school, was ... 26
   The September quarter average for Akaroa,
   one school, was ... 9
   The December quarter, present at examination ... 8

This falling-off in numbers seems to be
due to the apathy and poverty of the parents,
and possibly also to the injudicious strictness
of the master; and also to his own health
having been affected by the loneliness of his
position—no person beside himself taking
interest in the progress of the pupils. A
more constant stimulus than half-yearly
inspection is required. The master had not
exerted himself to increase the attendance.
He is too independent.

2. The unsound state of the children’s attainments.
   They read fairly, but spelled badly, and
   did not understand; they had not been
   taught the meanings; no attention had been
   paid to geographical references; no grammar;
   numeration imperfect.

3. Premises partly fenced; buildings repaired,
   but not watertight; furniture unsuitable,
   and insufficient apparatus for a full school.

I cannot but think that this third failure
of the Akaroa school reflects not only on the
teacher, but also on the people of Akaroa.
Further particulars and the details of
each examination are entered in the Journal
for your reference.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

J. P. RESTELL,
Inspector of Schools.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

INSPECTOR’S SUMMARY REPORT FOR THE MONTH.

November 25—December 29, 1864.

To the Honorable H. J. Tancred,

Chairman.

Sir,—

I have the honor, in obedience to your
instructions, to submit a Summary Report
on the schools examined, and other business
transacted during the month.

Fifteen schools, including 953 children,
have been examined.

Two schools have benefited by supplies
from the Educational Depot to the
amount of £3 2s.

Of the schools examined:

Those more especially worthy of com-
mendation are the Papanui and the Kaiapoi
Church of England schools for efficiency,
and the Woodend and Ashley Bank
schools for creditable progress under the
present teachers.

Other schools which may be worthy of
commendatory notice have this mark * in
the following list.

List of schools examined:

Kaiapoi Church of England, November
25, present 51.

Christchurch Wesleyan School, November
28, present 145.

St. Alban’s Wesleyan School, November
29, present 80.

Woodend, Wesleyan School, December 1,
present 67.

Papanui Church of England School, December
5, present 64.

• St. Luke’s Church of England School,
  December 6, present 71.

• St. Michael’s Church of England School,
  December 7, present 170.

• St. Andrew’s (Presbyterian School),
  December 9, present 85.

• Kaipoi Wesleyan School, December 12,
  present 46.

Rangiora Schools, boys’ and girls’, December
13, present 50 and 26.

The Ashley Bank School, December 14,
present 15.

The Leithfield School, December 15,
present 19.

Lyttelton Wesleyan School, December 19,
present 45.