Governor's Bay North ... Sept. 5 ... Present 16 ... The tone and discipline of the school have somewhat fallen off; but the progress was, on the whole, satisfactory.

Addington Branch of the St. Michael's School ... Visited Sept. 6. Present 32 (Winter average). The school is in receipt of Government aid, but the master has not yet obtained a certificate. The building was reported on upon a former occasion; serious inconvenience results from the fences being out of order. More desks, and a better arrangement of them are desirable. The children are orderly; they appear to be carefully and efficiently taught.

Heathcote Valley ... Sept. 8 ... Present 44 ... Both master and mistress are in constant attendance. The organisation, hence, being superior, the discipline and attainments are highly creditable.

Lyttelton Wesleyan School ... Sept. 9 ... Present 55 ... The average age of the children is lower than in the neighbouring schools; the standard of proficiency is consequently less; but the accuracy of each class, in each subject, and, more particularly, the early age at which ease, fluency, and expression in reading are acquired, are highly commendable.

Timaru School ... Sept. 11 ... Present 72 (Winter average). The premises and buildings require some improvement, which will probably be effected by the new committee. The register is neat and complete; but the summary one should now be brought into use, in order to shew at once the state of attendance during any whole period. The organisation, discipline, and tone of the school are highly satisfactory. Attention has been paid to the suggestions made at the former examination. The elementary knowledge of the junior classes is remarkably accurate. The elder children leave school at an early age; the attainments of those who remain, and attend regularly, are very creditable.

Same Evening.—A Candidate for the Mastership of the Pleasant Point School was examined, but failed to obtain a certificate.

Arowhenua School ... Sept. 12 ... Present 15 ... Owing, perhaps, to the very wet weather recently, the attendance is small at present, but steadily increasing; the master is gaining the confidence of the parents; the school is reopening with an excellent prospect of success.

Scotsburn School.—Special Report.—The school is situated at Mount Peel, near Mr. Jollie’s home station. It is conducted in a chapel of 20ft. by 16ft., sufficiently warmed, aired, and lighted; the windows, on opposite sides, are, however, undesirable; but the disadvantage may be remedied by blinds on the sunny side. Maps, Bibles, and a good series of reading books are requisite. The copybooks are neat and well-written; the school has been at work for nine months; the parents and committee express their high approval of the manner in which it has been conducted. A ploughing-match—a very rare occasion, and a desirable holiday in this district—absorbed the attendance; there was consequently no school; but the attendance lists shewed an average of ten, with eleven names on the list.

J. Nott, candidate for the Mastership, passed his examination satisfactorily, acquiring a certificate of fitness.

Pleasant Point.—Pending the decision of the Board, no school had been attempted. A candidate for the appointment of Mistress failed to pass the required examination.

Waimate School ... Sept. 16 ... Present 33 ... The registers being incomplete as to the amounts of individual attendance, it was scarcely pos.