9

E.—lb..

tickets of membership for admission to the local libraries. It would seem teachers are beginning to realize that a library is a necessary part of every well-equipped school, and, now that such a good example has been set, I hope it will have the effect of spurring on other teachers and Committees to "go and do likewise," Distbict High Schools needed.—Before concluding my report, I wish to direct attention to what appears to me as a growing want in this district. I refer to the establishment of district high schools. At the present time the .standard of education which may be given in the schools'is limited to certain subjects, as defined in section 84 of the Education Act. School age is also defined in section 88 as " between five and fifteen years." In certain districts the six standards are passed by pupils at a much earlier age than fifteen years. For example, at Takapau the average age of the pupils who passed Standard VI. in the November examination was only twelve years eleven months, at Gisborne it was thirteen years four months, at Kaikora fourteen years five months, and at Waipawa Standard V was passed by pupils of the average age of twelve years six months. The average age of the pupils who passed Standard VI. at the Napier District School was somewhat higher, but this arose from exceptional causes. Now the question arises, What is to be done with the pupils who pass Standard VI. before the school-age limit has been reached ? They are permitted by the Act to attend school, but, when there, they have reached the limit of education which the law allows. _ At Gisborne there is no other school to which ex-Standard VI. pupils might proceed, and at Napier there appears to be a want of co-ordination in the education given at the district schools and the high schools. I venture, therefore, to suggest-the advisability of establishing in the county towns of Gisborne, Wairoa, Hastings, and Waipawa, and, perhaps, at Napier, district high schools under section 56 of the Education Act, so that parents who desire to do so may have their children taught French, Latin, higher mathematics, or natural science, at the district schools, on the payment of fees to be fixed by regulation as required by the Education Act. I feel sure that the establishment of district high schools in the places suggested would meet with the general approbation of School Committees, and they would certainly supply a want which is being increasingly felt in each of the districts mentioned. I have, &c, The Chairman, Education Board. H. Hill, 8.A.,' Inspector of Schools.

Examination op Sewing. S IE >— Napier, 14th December, 1883. I have the honour to report that the annual exhibition of the sewing specimens done by the girls attending the district schools of Hawke's Bay was held at Napier on Thursday and Friday, the 86h and 9th November Twenty-three out of the thirty-seven schools in the district were represented, and the total number of specimens forwarded was 681, being an increase of five in the number of schools, and of 211 in the number of specimens, when compared with the numbers of last year. The table appended hereto shows the number of specimens from each school, and the total number of competitors in each standard. The examiners were the same as last year, and were divided into three committees, as follows:—Committee A, Standards I. and VI., examiners, Mesdames Ormond, Eussell, 'and Williams. Committee B, Standards 111. and IV , examiners, Mesdames Harding and Sidev Committee C, Standards 11. and V examiners, Mesdames Locke and Hill. On the general character of the work, the examiners report— Standabds I. and VI.—A marked and satisfactory improvement is evident in the character of work from most of the schools. Several of the schools, however, have not done so well as last year, but, on the whole, commendable progress has been made. Standaeds 111. and IV.—The work forwarded for our inspection is very much better than last year's, both in neatness and general finish there is evident improvement. It is to be regretted that the work from several of the largest schools fell below "fair," being unfinished, and in some instances not according to the standard requirements. Standaeds 11. and V. —The work shown in these standards is a great improvement upon the sewing examined by us last year More attention should be given in Standard 11. to the proper method of seaming, and running should not be introduced until it is needed for tucks. In the upper standard the seams should be sewn oveb and then hemmed. From the detailed remarks of the examiners it appears that most of the specimens were very clean, and the sewing from some of the schools reflected just credit upon the children and teachers. The following list shows, in the order of merit, the schools where the average marks for sewing ranged between "excellent" and "good-" Puketapu, Gisborne, Te Ongaonga, Port Ahuriri, Wairoa, Hampden, Mohaka, Frasertown, Clive, Makatoku, and Woodville. I have again to express my thanks to the ladies who for the second time bestowed so much time and attention to the examination of so many and varied specimens of sewing, as also for the valuable hints and suggestions they have given with reference to the further improvement of the work. j have, &c. The Chairman, Education Board. jj' Hill.

2—E. Ib.