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Twenty-three different requisitions for supplies from the Educational Depot have been satisfied, the amounts varying from 7s. 6d. to £1 19s., and the whole amounting to £15 7s. 1d. The present stock is unusually low: I append a memorandum as to its value.

Of the Schools Examined:—

Upper Heathcote School ...... July 27 .. Present 29 .. Satisfactory for the most part, but the Bible knowledge was imperfect; and, by more perfect discipline, truant-playing, and irregularity of attendance might be checked.

Halswell school ...... July 27 .... Present 15...The school is not succeeding under the present temporary master.

St. Luke’s school ...... July 30, ...... „ 95...Very creditable. The accuracy of the junior classes under the mistress is highly commendable: the first or highest class also did remarkably well.

St. Michael’s school ...... July 31 & Aug. 1, Present 117...The attendance has fallen off; the attainments are generally satisfactory, though less in advance of other schools than might reasonably be expected.

Christchurch Wesleyan school .. Aug. 2 .... Present 124...Very satisfactory. Cleanliness and good order are the rule of the school. It is remarkably well conducted by a master devoted to his work, both in and out of school hours. Several very creditable papers were done by the children during the examination.

Kaiapoi Wesleyan school ...... Aug. 7 .... Present 35...Satisfactory.

Oxford ...... „ 8 .... „ 31...Fair. The attainments very moderate at present, owing to the children been so long without having school. They sing hymns and school songs creditably, but too loud. The master earnest and painstaking.

Eyerton school ...... Aug. 9 .... Present 18—Very satisfactory as per special report.

Riccarton school ...... „ 18 .... „ 19—Satisfactory. The buildings, formerly the subject of complaint, are undergoing improvement.

Heathcote Valley school ...... Aug. 14 .... Present 37—Special report.

Kaiapoi Church ...... „ 20 .... „ 45—Very satisfactory. The constant services of a master and mistress secure unusual accuracy in elementary subjects.

Woodend school ...... Aug. 15 .... Present 36—Satisfactory, on the whole, except that the progress is not equable: the first class is well up in history and geography, recitations, &c., besides the ordinary subjects. The lower classes are much less accurate in the subjects set down for them in the quarterly programme. The master is actuated by a conscientious desire to do the most for the elder ones, whom he expects to soon leave school; but, I believe that for every one leaving school from the highest class, many others leave without reaching it.

Saltwater Creek school ...... Aug. 22 .... Present 16—Satisfactory.

Leithfield ...... „ 22 .... „ 18—The children were less accurate than I had expected; but the school had suffered interruption.

Ashley Bank school ...... Aug. 29 .... Present 23—The school is improving under the new master.

Fernside school ...... „ 23 .... „ 31—Very satisfactory as per special report.

Rangiora girls’ school ...... „ 24 .... „ 30—Satisfactory; a want of some books, &c., has been since supplied.

Rangiora boys’ school ...... Aug. 24 .... Present 52—Satisfactory on the whole; the junior classes were less perfect than I should have expected, in the quarterly course set down for them in the master’s programme. The dwelling and accommodation for borders has been enlarged and improved.

The details of each examination are entered in the journal.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

J. P. RESTELL,

Inspector of schools.

SPECIAL REPORT ON THE EYRETON SCHOOL.

Visited August 9th, 1866.

Present 18 children, and one gentleman on behalf of the Committee.

1. The site.—This is advantageously situated in the centre of the increasing population of a large agricultural district.