Sept. 18.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2887

(c) of its material condition, together with a notification of the number and character of certificates of Sixth Standard attainment issued to the pupils. The return shall be accompanied by a report on the public schools of the district, dealing, for the schools generally, with such of the topics named in clause 9 (1) as it may seem expedient to include. In relation to any subject or any section of work concerning which the Inspector makes unfavourable comment, he should also indicate the steps which he has taken or proposes to take in order to remedy any defect. In any case where the work of a school or where any particular portion of the work of the district calls for special comment the Senior Inspector shall make a special report at the time to the Director.

CERTIFICATES OF PROFICIENCY AND COMPETENCY.

10. (1.) A certificate of proficiency shall be a certificate of good attainment in the subjects of the Sixth Standard. A certificate of proficiency shall be awarded to a candidate who—

(a.) Obtains not less than 60 per cent. of the possible aggregate of marks in English and arithmetic together, including not less than 50 per cent. in each of the subjects reading and composition respectively, and not less than 40 per cent. in arithmetic; and

(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) handwork, (5) elementary science:

Provided that in cases where special excellence is shown in English a slightly lower percentage than 40 per cent. may be accepted in arithmetic.

(2.) The relative values to be assigned to the English and arithmetic subjects shall be: Reading, 100; writing, 25; spelling, 25; grammar, 50; composition, 100; arithmetic, 100.

(3.) Handwork for the purposes of this clause shall be taken to mean either of the following—(a) Constructive work in wood or iron, or (b) cookery and housewifery, with either laundry-work or needlework; but instruction in handwork shall not be reckoned as satisfactory unless the pupil receives such instruction during the year in accordance with the Regulations for Manual Instruction. (The various branches of science enumerated under the Regulations for Manual Instruction shall be reckoned as elementary science.)

(4.) In the absence of provision for instruction in the handwork subjects (a) and (b) above, any suitable course comprising drawing and the associated handwork (e.g., cardboard-work, design and colour work, and decorative work generally) and elementary science may be reckoned as fulfilling the requirements for a proficiency certificate in both handwork and elementary science: Provided that the whole time that the pupil devotes to the subjects of the course, and his proficiency therein, are not less than would customarily be required for the component subjects under these regulations and the Regulations for Manual Instruction.

11. A candidate who satisfies the conditions of paragraph (b) of the preceding clause and who fails to gain a certificate of proficiency in the examination may be awarded a certificate of competency in Standard VI if he obtains not less than 50 per cent. of the possible aggregate of marks in English and arithmetic together, including not less than 50 per cent. in each of the subjects reading and composition, and not less than 30 per cent. in arithmetic.

12. A candidate who in the examination gains a certificate of competency in Standard VI, and who in addition gives evidence of special proficiency and aptitude in (a) handwork and associated drawing, or (b) elementary science and nature-study, may have his certificate of competency specially endorsed “with special merit in handwork” or “with special merit in elementary science.”

13. (1.) 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).

(2.) 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.