liv.

Seven Candidates for various appointments have been examined:—One for that of
Mistress, on the 23rd inst.; one for a Pupil-teachership, on the 24th; and five for appointment as Masters, on the 26th and 27th. These examinations were conducted according to a scale of marks, and with a view to classifying the certificates.

The candidates for principal appointments, who failed to pass the written examination, were not examined in teaching.

One, who passed in the papers, failed in the teaching, in which he had had no previous practice, of any account, and no experience at all as a schoolmaster.

It is very undesirable to receive candidates of this description, for their examination is laborious and unprofitable.

Two candidates, at present in probationary charge of schools, obtained more than half of the greatest number of marks attainable, and have each acquired a third-class certificate of fitness.

To establish annual or other periodical voluntary examinations for second and first-class certificates of fitness, and a higher class of examinations for certificates of proficiency, would stimulate teachers to self-improvement, and would direct their studies in channels suited to their present acquirement and their capacity.

The improved efficiency of the teachers would thus prove highly beneficial to their schools, and would elevate the standard of attainment above its present status.

Three of the candidates who have failed in the recent examination, would probably become eligible for certificates after a course of from six to twelve months' study and practice under the training of some of our schoolmasters of tried and known efficiency.

From time to time candidates come up and are nearly but not quite successful; a little aid to the training of such of them as show an aptitude for teaching, would probably raise up an available class of practical and serviceable teachers, better suited to the wants of the provincial schools than those trained upon a more elaborate system to work a school with a staff of assistants and pupil teachers.

Of the junior candidates, the proficiency of Henry Watkins, a youth born and educated in the Province, supplies a sample of the standard of attainment acquired by a course of instruction at an ordinary school, followed by advancement at a private one. Henry Watkins has a fair general knowledge of English and arithmetic, and has also studied some higher subjects not required for the present examination. His age last birthday, 16—and his want of experience and practice as a teacher, of course preclude his appointment at present as a schoolmaster, although he has taken a higher number of marks than the successful candidates. As an assistant teacher under the training of an animated and intelligent master, he may in time become a good schoolmaster. He appears to have been studying too closely, and alone.

The attainments of James Gordon, from the Halswell School, are also satisfactory. He is an intelligent boy, of good promise, with a commendable desire for improvement, and a wish to be fitted to be a schoolmaster. He is well adapted for a pupil-teachership under his present master.

The forms of report on the examination of each school are annexed.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
J. P. RESTELL,
Inspector of Schools.

Printed under the authority of the Provincial Government of the Province of Canterbury, at the Lyttelton Times Office, Gloucester Street, by William Reeves, Official Printer for the time being to the said Government.