E.—l

78

Inspection.—During the year all the schools in the district were examined, and all but eight were visited for inspection. Of the latter, four were closed when the Inspectors were visiting the schools of the district in which they were situated. The following is an abstract of the work done by the Inspectors during the year : —

Standards. —In all, 14,173 pupils were presented for examination in the standards. Of these there were present 13,848, and 11,596 passed. The number of pupils exeepted was 393, being a slightly larger proportion of the whole than in recent years. The number of absentees was 325, or slightly less than 2-3 per cent, of the number presented. The percentage of absentees has never before been so low as this. Out of every hundred children examined in the standards 84 passed— a result which the Board regards as highly satisfactory. The average percentage of marks for class subjects was 55, and the average of marks for additional subjects 68. Of the 188 schools examined— 17 (= 9 per cent.) had a percentage of failures ranging from ... oto 5 30 ( = 16 per cent.) „ „ „ ... 6 to 10 74 (= 39 per cent.) „ „ „ ... 11 to 20 34 (= 18 per cent.) „ „ „ ... 21 to 30 19 (= 10 per cent.) „ „ „ ... 31 to 40 11 (= 6 per cent.) „ „ „ ... 41 to 50 3(= 2 per cent.) „ „ „ ... 51 to 67 This statement shows that in 25 per cent, of the schools the percentage of failures was under 11, and in 64 per cent, of them it was under 21. The proportion of schools in which good examination results were gained is much the same as it was last year. Efficiency.—The report of the Inspectors bears testimony to the general efficiency of the schools, as well as to the earnest attention of the teachers and the continued good conduct of the pupils. Class Subjects.—ln class subjects the average percentage was 55-5, as against 56 for 1888. 10 schools had a percentage ranging from ... ... ... 70 to 78 55 „ „ „ ... ... ... 60 to 69 80 „ ;, ... ... ... 50 to 59 43 „ „ „ ... ... ... 32 to 49 Additional Subjects.—ln additional subjects the average was 682, as against 66 for last year. 10 schools ranging from ... ... ... ... 90 to 102 31 „ „ ... ... ... ... 80 to 89 65 „ „ ... ... ... ... 70 to 79 33 „ ... ... ... ... 60 to 69 26 „ „ ... ... ... ... 50 to 59 23 „ „ ... ... ... ... 25 to 49 Training College.—The attendance of students for the year was— Males. Females. Total. First year's students ... ... ... 10 ... 20 ... 30 Second year's students ... ... 22 ... 44 ... 66 Third year's students ... ... ... 1 ... 1 ... 2 Total ... ... ... 33 ... 65 ... 98 On the books, 31st December, 1889 ... 22 ... 37 ... 59 The following is a return of the number of students who entered or left during the year : — Students in 1889— M. F. Total. Left during 1889— M. F. Total. Eemaining from 1888 ... 23 45 68 Teaching in public schools ... 8 19 27 Admitted during 1889 ... 10 20 30 Awaiting appointment ... 1 4 Left during 1889 . ... 11 28 39 On leave—at University ... 1 3 4 On books, December, 1889 22 37 59 Left the service 1 3 4 The total cost of the Training College for the year was —Salaries, £1,064 4s. sd. ; allowances to students, £982 Is. Bd. : total, £2,046 6s. Id. Drawing Department. The report of Mr. Hutton, headmaster of the drawing department, is appended. The classes were attended during the yeas by 398 students—viz., 107 teachers and pupil-teachers, sixty-four

* Thirty-four of the schools in this column are reckoned twice over, as two Inspectors worked together in examining them,

Inspector. Time. Distance travelled. Inspection Visits. Schools examined.* jc. Petrie !r. Taylor "r. Goyen 1,794 hours 1,935 „ 1,895 „ 3,762 miles 3,736 „ 3,915 „ 72 79 90 75 69