North Road ... March 11 ... Present 15.—Satisfactory.

Ashley Bank ... ... ... March 13 ... „ 13.—Steadily improving.

Rangiora Boys’ School ... March 13 ... „ 56.—The junior, as well as the senior classes, appear to have been very equally and satisfactorily taught since last examination. The average of accuracy is improving. I regret to observe that the registers are not yet punctually kept; yesterday’s attendance not having been taken. The totals at the side and foot of the columns are also incomplete. There can be no reliance either on the registers, or on the returns made up from them, unless the attendance is duly entered, and the registers are kept with punctuality and accuracy.

Rangiora Girls’ School ... March 18 ... Present 36.—Not enough books; Bible knowledge, good; other subjects (very imperfect at present), should show great improvement by next examination.

Fernside ... ... March 14 ... Present 19.—Satisfactory.

Oxford ... ... „ 15 ... „ 28.—School-room dirty, not regularly swept; reading very imperfect; other subjects satisfactory. Several small schools existing, and one or more on the point of starting, would imply that this school does not give satisfaction. Only six girls present; this small proportion of girls indicates the want of a school-mistress.

Upper Heathcote ... March 18 ... Present 18.—Middling.

Halswell School ... ... „ 18 ... „ 18.—New teacher; copy-books neat and creditable; altogether a good beginning. The school is now well supplied with books, apparatus, desks and other fittings. The unusually heavy rain of the recent south-wester, collecting between the adjoining gable roofs of the school and the dwelling, has overflowed in large quantities into both of them, soaking the walls, books and furniture, and damaging an expensive globe.

Tai Tapu School, March 18, (also reported on in December, 1866.)

There was no attendance, the children had come and gone home again. The master not having returned from Christchurch, owing to serious illness in his family residing there.

There is neither chimney, fire-place, nor other means of warming the room. The Committee will guarantee to place a stove or other means of warming in the school-room before the end of May.

Partitioned closets for boys and girls respectively have been put up since my last visit.

The Committee are endeavouring to rent a cottage, as a residence for the master and his family.

Some Members of the Committee have already incurred considerable expense in maintaining the teacher, and otherwise in behalf of the school. They are earnestly desirous of making that provision, which has been long needed, for their children’s education.

It seems, however, that the proposed school is too near the Lincoln School, nearly three miles, more or less, from it. Possibly a more eligible site might be found nearer Lake Ellesmere, and more central to this large agricultural district.

Lincoln School ... March 18 ... Present 9.—Satisfactory.

Proposed East Selwyn School ... „ 19 ... „ 15.—Less than the average, owing to harvest and other out-door work. A chapel 26 x 17, lined. No fire-place; a stove has been ordered from Christchurch, but has not yet arrived. No out-door offices for the children. The teacher is comfortably lodged at a farm-house about a mile from the school. There is a sufficiency of books and apparatus for present use. The children are orderly and well-arranged. Their progress since the opening of the school, in the December quarter, appears to have been very creditable.

Courtney School ... March 20, 21 Present 19.—The school-room and dwelling are under one roof, and are well-finished, fitted and furnished. A stove has been obtained and will be set at once. There is a good supply of books and apparatus. The Local Committee take great interest in the school, which has made a very creditable start under the careful teaching of Mr. and Mrs. Cheyne.

Templeton School ... March 21 ... Present 19.—Satisfactory.

Prebbleton ... ... „ 22 ... „ 12.—New Teacher.

Details of each examination are contained in the journal.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,

J. P. RESTELL,
Inspector of Schools.