73

In order to facilitate comparison, I have in my return followed a similar classification, dividing the children into three classes; those under six years of age; those between six and twelve; and those above the last-named age. It will be seen at once how small a proportion the first and third of these classes bear to the second; and I shall offer some remarks on this difference, and on the practical considerations which arise out of it; but for my present purpose, that of comparing the numbers under instruction with those given by the Census, only the second column is available. Thus, in the Town of Nelson, out of 298 children in our schools, 228 are in this middle class, against 421, the total number given in the Census; leaving 193 to be accounted for, as taught in private schools, or at home, or as receiving no education at all. The same remark will hold good generally of the other districts.

The attendance at our Schools, looking at our quarterly returns, seems now to have generally reached its normal proportion to the population; and any future increase, beyond what may be expected from this cause, must be looked for principally from improved arrangements and greater efficiency in the schools themselves; which, so far as my observation extends, are invariably followed by a more numerous and regular attendance of scholars. This attendance, as is evident from a mere inspection of the table given above, varies considerably. Thus, in Waimea West it is only one-third of the total number; whilst in Waimea East it amounts to two-thirds, and in Waimea South rises to three-fourths of the whole. The causes of such diversity would form a fit subject for local inquiry; how far distance, a scattered population, bad roads, the natural features of the country, or, lastly, the situation and character of the school, would account for this difference. I regret that the information I am able to afford does not give more details; and would suggest the advantage of ascertaining in each district the proportion which the children naturally connected with each school bear to those who actually attend it; and would further express a hope that the Government Census may be so arranged in future as to assist in this object.

I proceed to compare the amount of instruction given in our schools with the corresponding return of last year; the numbers for comparison in both cases being so nearly the same (owing to some of our late returns being in arrear or not received in time), as to render the results embodied in the Return, No. 3, visible at a glance. It must, however, be borne in mind that every year a considerable proportion of the best scholars leave school, the numbers being made up by fresh entries, and by draughts from the lower classes. Thus, in READING, the middle class remains as numbers much as it did last year; but the upper or "good" class, has received from it an addition of 68, and those leaving school will probably increase this number to more than 100; which will thus represent the number which has passed from the first class to the second, and from the second to the third.

The use of the SLATE, as a preparatory step to writing with pen and ink, and as a means of pleasantly and profitably occupying the time of the younger children, has rather diminished; the present return giving a total of 211 against 229 for 1858. I am sorry to add that