E.—l

VI

The number receiving instruction in several of the subjects is larger in proportion to the number on the rolls than it was last year. This is especially the case with respect to writing and arithmetic, and to a less extent as regards drawing, object lessons, and vocal music. The number of scholars not learning writing at the end of the year was 997, and the number not taught arithmetic 1,999. The corresponding numbers for 1881 were 3,065 and 5,038 respectively. In the Education Districts of Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Westland, and Otago every scholar is returned as learning writing and arithmetic as well as reading. In the previous year this was the case in the Hawke's Bay District only. Number op Public Schools. The number of public schools reported as being in operation at the close of 1882 was 911, being an increase of 42 during the year. A return of the schools in the several education districts, with a statement of the expenditure on each for the year, and of the names, status, and rates of emoluments of the teachers employed in them during the last quarter, is given in the Appendix, Table No. 9, pages 9-43. The following table furnishes information on various particulars relating to the schools in the different education districts : —

TABLE E. —Number of Schools Open at the End of 1882. (In this enumeration every two half-time schools are reckoned as one school.)

Although it might be thought that the educational wants of a number of the more sparsely-peopled localities could be fairly overtaken by means of half-time schools, yet it is evident that such schools are regarded with growing disfavour by the parents. In the course of thp year their number has been reduced by a half. In the District of Auckland, where there has always been the largest proportion, the number has fallen from 37 to 20, and in the District of Taranaki from 6to 2. There are no half-time schools in any of the other districts except in that of North Canterbury, where there is one. The increase on the whole of the schools for the year is in almost exact proportion to the average attendance. The number of schools with a less average attendance than 15 has risen from 40 to 46; those having an average attendance of 500 or upwards have increased from 14 to 19. The question of meeting the educational wants of the children in remote and sparsely-peopled localities is one of considerable difficulty, and, as a rule, has been dealt with by the Boards in a liberal spirit. The Board of the Auckland District refers to the subject as follows: "The Board has received a large number of applications for the establishment of small schools in remote country districts. Great care is accessary in dealing with them. It is difficult to avoid, on the one hand, cases of hardship to individuals, and, on the other, the multiplication of small schools to an extent beyond the means of the Board to maintain. In a few cases a capitation grant of £4 a year on the average attendance is sufficient to meet present requirements, and aid is given accordingly under section 88 of the Act; but in many cases, after the fullest inquiry, the

Education Districts. II m o |1 1° CD n3 o si ig ■a) PlfCfrt eg 1^ 8 * HO IS IS 5 ft 3S S~ Number of Scl iooIs 8 in whi [tiarte 53 || 1ft* jo ich the Attendance for the ?r was — u u ' u u id r^i Tfi r$ in r^ jyj rtS aa aa aa •dfb |i£ 1 5 | ft m rt 8^ S m 8" J>- r— I i—i 55 1 a ti SI u* Sec o u ui II! 'A ||| 111 Auckland Taranaki 189 37 61 50 35 26 78 134 39 37 159 66 12,641 1,424 3,843 4,617 2,633 1,047 3,222 12,747 2,944 2,281 16,605 4,284 669 38-5 630 92-3 75-2 40-3 41-3 95-1 75-5 616 104-4 64-9 9 2 6 3 3 3 9 3 2 5 1 18 5 5 3 4 6 7 7 3 3 8 5 2S 3 5 5 5 1 11 9 3 4 21 2 7« 19 26 15 8 7 27 55 17 15 61 36 20 6 2 8 3 6 15 15 8 2 13 12 9 1 4 3 5 2 5 16 15 1 6 2 5 1 4 12 2 2 11 6 7 I 3 4 20 2 5 6 Wanganui Wellington Hawke's Bay Marlborough Nelson ... North Canterbury South Canterbury Westland Otago Southland "7 8 "a ... 1 8 1 1 "e 2 2 15 1 10 2 2 14 2 2 1 2 8 1 5 1 "i 12 2 8 18 6 7 1 1 3 "i i Totals for 1882 Totals for 1881 911 869 68,288 64,744 75-0 74'5 46 40 74 86 97 83 362 337 110 107 63 66 67 60 52 49 21 27 19 14 23 47 65 64 14 4