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2. The Buildings.—They are apparently well-built, are lined, painted and well-finished. They include a dwelling-house and school-room. The latter, 32 x 18, warmed by a stove. Windows on three sides, those on the south-east side being painted so as to deaden the glare.

3. The Premises.—Not fenced at present; a well has been sunk, and other necessaries have been provided.

4. Books and Apparatus.—Suitable desks and some more maps will be required to complete the permanent stock of the school.

5. Organization and Discipline.—The schoolmaster’s wife assists occasionally in teaching sewing, and in the instruction of the younger children. The children have been arranged in suitable classes.

6, 7, 8. Attainments.—The school commenced with the current quarter; not much could be expected as yet; but the progress from the alphabet upwards is remarkable, some who so commenced, are now reading monosyllables creditably.

SPECIAL REPORT ON THE HEATHCOTE VALLEY SCHOOL.

EXAMINED AUGUST 14, 1866.

Present 37 children.

Three members of the Local Committee attended throughout the examination.

The level of the ground and of the approaches to the school is higher than the floor and the porch; this occasions the porch and the hearth to be damp and dirty. The wet stands in the porch, and much dirt treads into the school. The porch should have a boarded floor. It would be advantageous if the site could be fenced and some shelter secured, as the premises and buildings are too much exposed.

The organization and discipline are certainly somewhat improved since the former examination; but are further improvable in the following respects:—

1. The cleanliness and order of the room and the children.

2. Punctuality as to time of coming to school.

3. The quietness and order of the younger children, and their being more constantly and profitably employed.

There is also perceptible improvement in the attainments of the children, but they are still very imperfect and inferior in accuracy to those of children in similar schools. The reading is but middling, and the spelling decidedly bad, excepting that of four children in the first class. The writing is improved, but the copy-books show a continuance of uncorrected errors both in spelling and in the formation of the letters; this evidences an absence of proper supervision during the lesson. It is a great mistake to treat the writing in copy books as one of those silent lessons in which children can be occupied, while the teacher is engaged in teaching other classes. The arithmetic is also somewhat improved.

I hope to be able to report a better state of efficiency after my next examination; but I much doubt whether this will be the case without further admonition from the Board.

SPECIAL REPORT ON THE FERNSIDE SCHOOL.

VISITED AUGUST 23,—PRESENT 31 CHILDREN.

The Chairman of the Local Committee attended.

1. Site.—Between three and four miles from the Rangiora Boys’ School. It includes 20 acres of arable land, at present in process of being fenced and ploughed by the voluntary labour of the residents of the Fernside Educational District.

2. Buildings.—They have a warm aspect. A school-room and a master’s house detached by a distance of about four chains. They are built of sun-baked bricks, are plastered and whitewashed, warm, comfortable, and of a substantial appearance; they have been erected at a very moderate cost.

3. The premises include a good well of water.

4. Books and Apparatus.—An excellent supply.

5, 6, 7, 8. Organization, Discipline, and Attainments.—The School is commencing in a most satisfactory manner. The master’s sister helps occasionally in the School.

Extra Notes.—The school affairs, being entirely under their own management, the residents of the district are thoroughly interested in them. The school-fees, at the low rate of 5s., payable quarterly, secure a large and regular attendance. Children are not kept away for a whole week because of losing a day at the beginning of it.