15

H.—lA

object of study, and the use of books should be made subordinate to objective teaching. Similarly, in the teaching of history in the Third Standard, if good pictures of historical scenes were used as the immediate objects of study, and the teacher gave oral instruction relating to the characters and events represented in the pictures, the children would acquire a definite knowledge and a vivid conception of a few leading persons and incidents; they would soon be able to pass a fair examination of limited range; and the few facts clearly known in this way would form points of reference and attachment for all future acquisitions in this sphere. When the standard regulations are reprinted, the additional notes will be of such a character as to show that the standards are designed to foster objective and oral teaching in general, and to discountenance burdensome tasks of bookwork. At the same time an effort will be made to obviate such misconceptions as that (contrary to Regulation 8) the subjects set forth in Regulation 9 must be treated as part of the standards in which the pupil must pass; and that, if a pupil has passed in one standard, the teacher must present him for the next standard at the next examination, whether he be fit for it or not. Scholarships. Ninety-six scholarships were held last year under the forty-first section of the Act, but, as the first examination of candidates in some districts did not take place till about the close of the year, several of the scholarships were enjoyed for a short period of the year only. As the schemes of some of the Boards are not yet in full operation, a larger number of scholarships will probably be held during the present and future years than have yet been awarded. The reports of the several Boards furnish information, more or less complete, respecting the scholarships established by them. The following summary shows the number of scholarships held during the year in the several education districts, their annual value, period of tenure, &c.: —

TABLE I.—Scholarships.

In addition to scholarships established by the Wellington Board under the Act, the governors of Wellington College, from funds placed at their disposal for the purpose, confer four scholarships on boys from the primary schools, of the age of twelve years and upwards : they are tenable to the age of sixteen years. The governors of Nelson College give free education at the college to the holders of scholarships from the Nelson and Marlborough Boards, and also to two boys from the Nelson City schools who have gained the privilege under the same conditions as those under which the scholarships are awarded. The authorities of Auckland College and Dunedin High Schools give free tuition to the holders of Board scholarships within their respective districts.

Open to Education Districts. Number held in Year 1870. Pupils of Board Schools. Annual Value. Period of Tenure, Expended on Scholarships in 1879. Remarks, Allcomers. Luckland 29 19 10 £ s. d. 30 0 0 Years. 2 £ s. d. 924 17 0 With free tuition at Auckland College and Grammar School. No scholarships instituted. Pour for one year; three for two 3aranaki "■7 "i 20 0 0 1 and 2 9o"o 0 /Vanganui Wellington 8 8 2 21 0 0 years. Three at £30; one at £20; two at £15 ; two at £10. Three at £30 ; one at £20; one at £15. With free tuition at Nelson College. With free tuition at Nelson College. lawke's Bay 5 4 1 1 and 2 103 10 8 rlarlborough 2 2 40 0 0 2 84 8 0 kelson ... 5 5 40 0 0 40 0 0 2 172 2 0 forth Canterbury louth Canterbury 17 5 "i 17 2 1 902 12 11 102 5 0 One at £20; two at £25 ; one at £30; one at £35. One at £40 ; one at £50. £20 if holder resides at homo. Junior tenable for two years ; senior for three years. £20 if holder resides at home. Vestland )tago 2 12 2 12 40 0 0 2 2 and 3 77 10 0 355 1 6 louthland 4 4 40 0 0 2 17 3 Totals 96 52 44 2,834 14 4