APRIL 3.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1107
as are candidates for certificates of competency in whatever way he may deem fit, and may examine them at their own or any other school; provided that for such purpose no child shall be compelled to attend at any school (not being his own school) more than five miles from his place of residence.
The Inspector may, if he see cause, refuse to examine for a certificate of competency any child on the roll of a public school who has not been instructed for at least six months in the work of the standard to which such certificate refers, or in the work of a higher standard ; or any candidate who has failed to reach the required standard at an examination held by an Inspector during the previous three months; or any candidate in whose case he is not satisfied of the existence of one of the grounds named in clause 16 hereof.
Nothing in this regulation shall prevent the Inspector from accepting at any time the results of a head teacher's examination or the records of a school as sufficient evidence that a child has reached a certain standard of education, and giving his certificate accordingly, whether such child be still on the school roll or not.

Certificates of Proficiency.

19. The standard of attainment for a certificate of proficiency shall be the same in all schools. No one shall receive a certificate of proficiency unless he—
    (a.) Obtains at least 50 per cent. of the possible marks in English (including not less than 50 per cent. in each of the branches reading and composition), and at least 40 per cent. of the possible marks in arithmetic;
    (b.) Obtains at least 60 per cent. of the possible aggregate marks in the following subjects—viz., English, arithmetic, geography, and drawing; and
    (c.) Satisfies the Inspector that he has received sufficient instruction in the other subjects, as prescribed by these regulations.
    In the subjects named in (b) the possible marks shall be in the following proportions—viz., English, 400; arithmetic, 200; geography, 100; drawing, 100.]
    [NOTE.—It is suggested that the marks for English should be allocated as follows : Reading, recitation, and comprehension, 150; composition, 150; spelling and writing, 100.]

20. The parent of any candidate for a certificate of proficiency, or the candidate himself, must give notice in the manner prescribed in clause 17, and the other provisions of clauses 17 and 18 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply in the case of certificates of proficiency.

21. With regard to pupils and others who are candidates for certificates of proficiency, the Inspector may determine the qualifications of the candidates in one or other of the following methods: (a) Accept, in whole or in part, the head teacher's report, together with the results of the head teacher's examination, as sufficient evidence that a candidate has reached the required standard of attainments; or (b) examine such candidates at the time of the visit of which notice has been given in accordance with clause 1, or at the time of any other visit; or (c) arrange to hold a central examination for all such candidates from places within a convenient radius, due notice of such examination being given (this examination is not to be regarded as a special examination within the meaning of clause 23); or (d) if these methods of determining the qualifications of a candidate be found to be impracticable, the Inspector may accept, in whole or in part, the results of any other suitable examination held by the Education Department, an Education Board, or other recognised authority, as evidence of the pupil's fitness to receive a certificate of proficiency; and he shall give certificates of proficiency accordingly to all candidates that in his opinion qualify therefore in any of the four ways above mentioned.

Form of Certificates.

22. All certificates, whether of competency or of proficiency, shall be on forms issued by the Department, and shall be signed by an Inspector of Schools, or by the Secretary of the Education Department or of an Education Board, in accordance with information furnished by an Inspector.
    In the case of pupils attending the normal school attached to a recognised training-college, such certificates may be signed by the principal of the training-college.