Dec. 16.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3685

14. In expressing his opinion of the value of the work done in any subject, the Inspector shall consider whether the subject is taken by all the pupils in all the classes for which it is prescribed, and also whether it is efficiently treated.

Standard of Exemption.

15. The “standard of exemption” under section 150 of the Education Act, 1908, shall be the Sixth Standard, and the certificate referred to in paragraph (e) of section 150, subsection (1), of the said Act shall be a certificate of competency in the work of Standard VI.

Certificates of Proficiency and Competency.

16. (i.) A “certificate of proficiency” is a certificate of good attainment in subjects of the Sixth Standard. 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, at least 40 per cent. of the possible marks in arithmetic, and at least 60 per cent. of the possible aggregate marks in English and arithmetic; nor unless he

(b.) Has received sufficient instruction in the other subjects as prescribed by these regulations, and satisfies the Inspector that he has reached a satisfactory standard of attainment in at least three of the subjects—(1) Geography, (2) history and civics, (3) drawing, (4) elementary science, (5) handwork.

The relative values to be assigned to English and arithmetic shall be: English, 400; arithmetic, 200.

Merit Marks.—For each or any of not more than four of the subjects above enumerated—namely, (1) geography, (2) history and civics, (3) drawing, (4) elementary science, (5) handwork—a candidate may be awarded five merit marks, if the Inspector has satisfactory evidence that such candidate has shown merit or has done distinctly good work in the subject during the year, or ten merit marks if his work therein has been very good or excellent; and such marks (not exceeding 40 in all) may be added to his marks for English and arithmetic to make up the aggregate marks required in these subjects conjointly (60 per cent. of the possible aggregate marks) to satisfy the conditions of paragraph (a) above. No merit marks shall be awarded in any school in which the general standard of work in subjects other than English and arithmetic is not satisfactory.

(In this regulation “Handwork” means one or more of the following: Woodwork or ironwork, cardboard-work, cookery, laundry-work, advanced plain needlework, dressmaking; elementary agriculture and dairy-work are to be reckoned as “Elementary Science.”)

A candidate who fails to gain a certificate of proficiency in the examination may be awarded a certificate of competency in Standard VI if he obtains an aggregate of not less than 40 per cent. of the possible total in English and arithmetic, provided that his marks do not fall below 40 per cent. of the total in English nor below 30 per cent. in arithmetic.

(ii.) A “certificate of competency” means a certificate that the holder has fulfilled the requirements of some standard of education prescribed by these regulations and named on such certificate, in (1) reading, (2) writing and spelling, (3) composition, (4) arithmetic, and has satisfied the Inspector that he has received sufficient instruction in the other subjects: Provided that the Inspector may accept work somewhat below the requirements of such standard in one, but not more than one, of the subjects (2) to (4).

(iii.) A person may be a candidate for a certificate of competency on one of the following grounds:—

(a.) That he is seeking employment in the public service or elsewhere;

(b.) That he wishes to enter a secondary school.

[NOTE.—Under (a) he must be a candidate for a certificate of competency in the Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth Standard, and under (b) he must be a candidate for a certificate of competency in Standard V.]

17. With regard to pupils and others who are candidates for certificates of proficiency or competency, 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, or the results of the head teacher’s examination, or the records of the school, 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 20); or (d) if these methods of determining the qualifications of a