xl.

The amount of School fees £1040 2s. 5d., an increase of £39 5s. 5d.

The general increase is at a lower rate than in former years, but there has been less increase or influx of population by immigration and otherwise.

The attendance in the City Schools has also been decreased by the establishment of several branch, denominational, and other Schools not receiving Government aid.

It will be seen from the Schedule as to their efficiency, that the number of Schools examined during the quarter has been 49, including 1899 children.

I have much pleasure in recording the generally efficient or improving state of the Schools; to those more highly commended for efficiency and improvement in former years, may be added the Leeston and Courtney Schools; excellent ones of their kind as country Schools, wanting many of those incentives to study enjoyed by Schools nearer town.

The improved efficiency of the Schools at Heathcote Valley and Lower Heathcote is particularly worthy of notice, dating as it does from the constant employment of both a Master and a Mistress instead of only a Master.

The Halswell School also bids fair to be an important one, having accommodation for boarders and capability of affording a higher course of instruction.

The new School at Governor’s Bay North is a very interesting experiment, offering to combine all the requirements of a country district together with accommodation for boarders.

The School is conducted by a Master of superior qualifications, and is under the control of a Chairman of great experience in both the conduct and management of Schools.

It is supported by the subscriptions of the wealthier residents, whose children attend, and by the School fees in addition to the grant in aid.

The Timaru School has also during the past year, attained a standard nearer than formerly to that of older and more efficient Schools. Similarly to the Papanui St. Paul’s School, it is taught by the Master, Mistress, and a daughter.

The increased attendance and efficiency of the Rangiora Girls’ School, dating from its removal to a suitable building and the appointment of a skilful and experienced Mistress, is particularly worthy of notice.

With reference to the Schools generally, I am glad to say that to award commendation wherever there is merit, would only be coincident with an enumeration of all the Schools.

With regard to such minor defects as are brought into more prominent notice on the day of inspection, the remarks or comments thereon, made to the children or classes in the hearing of a conscientious teacher, are sufficient to ensure correction and improvement. More important matters have called for the censure of the Board, and have with scarcely even a single exception, ensured the co-operation of the School authorities.

The Military Drill, introduced into several Schools, has proved most conducive to habits of smartness and order both in and out of School-hours. It has, however, been much better carried out by such Teachers as have been both willing and able to give instruction in it, than by the Drill Serjeants, whose duties at distant places interrupt their regularity of attendance. And besides this, receiving no additional pay for this extra duty of teaching children in whom they have but little interest, they are less likely to do their work well than are the Teachers, whose interest in their charge compensates in some measure for the fulfilment of a duty for which they receive no extra remuneration.

The Teachers of the Leeston, Flaxton, and Eyreton Schools, are particularly commendable for the efficiency of their drill, and more particularly the first above referred to; for, his devotion of own extra time out of School hours, leads the children to take great interest in this exercise.

I should be glad if I might be permitted to recommend a small bonus, either already or at the end of next year, to the Schools most efficient in drill exercises taught out of School hours.