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There are seven pupils on the roll not of the Sixth Standard attainments, and that those who have passed the Sixth Standard at entrance are started in high school subjects, giving at first greater attention to the new subjects. In the event of a pupil making a short stay, only those subjects that are most useful are taken up. Yours, &c, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. J McKinnon, Secretary

Thames High School. Sir,— 6th August, 1895. In reply to your circular dated 24th July, I have the honour to inform you that: (1.) There are four of our pupils who are unable to pass the Sixth Standard of public schools. (2.) So long as the finances would allow it the Governors gave free tuition to all those under fourteen years of age who have passed the Sixth Standard. Since the revenue has fallen off they have been compelled to rescind this resolution, and now four scholarships have been created, open for competition to all children under fourteen years of age who have passed the Sixth Standard. I have, &c, W J Habens, Esq., Wellington. H. J Greenslade, Secretary

New Plymouth High School. Sir,— High School Board Office, New Plymouth, 7th August, 1895. In reply to your circular-letter of 24th July, I have the honour to forward the following statement from the principal of the New Plymouth High School, viz.: — " (1.) There are thirty-four pupils in the school who probably could not pass the Sixth Standard. This is, of course, purely hypothetical. Some of those returned as unable to pass are not inferior in attainments to some who have actually passed. " (2.) Those pupils who have passed the Sixth Standard are classified according to the progress they have made in each subject, and pursue the usual school course. Thus, their knowledge of English may warrant their being placed in the highest form in the primary subjects, whilst in the secondary ones they are in one of the lower forms —perhaps the lowest." Hoping that this will meet the requirements of the circular I have, &c, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. G. Veale, Secretary

Wanganui Girls' High School. Sir, — Office of the Board of Governors, Wanganui, 27th July, 1895. In reply to your letter of the 24th instant, I can only reply approximately 1. As to the number of pupils who are unable to pass the Sixth Standard of the public schools Sixty of the pupils have never sat for examination in the Sixth Standard, but of these, twenty could pass the standard or its equivalent. 2. What arrangements are made in the school for the instruction of those who have passed the Sixth Standard ?—All pupils who have passed Standard VI. commence the study of English literature, French, and algebra, and nearly all take up euclid and Latin also. I have, &c, The Secretary Education Department, Wellington. A. Browne, Secretary..

Wanganui Collegiate School. Sir, — Bishopscourt, Wellington, 31st July, 1895. I have the honour to send you the following reply to your questions dated the 24th July :— 1. It is difficult to answer this question precisely, as we have no examination exactly corresponding. lam informed thirty of our pupils, so far as our headmaster is able to judge, are unable to pass the Sixth Standard. 2. These pupils are placed in a special form, where they devote extra time to the secondary school subjects until they are sufficiently advanced to take their proper position in the school. I have, &c, W J Habens, Esq., Education Department, Wellington. Frederic Wellington

Wellington College and Girls' High School. Dear Sir, — Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd August, 1895. In reply to your letter of the 24th ultimo : — 1. About thirty-five of the boys at Wellington College are unable to pass the Sixth Standard, and of about twenty more it is uncertain without trial. 2. A special form is made of Education Board scholarship winners, and exceptionally bright boys above the Sixth Standard. Other boys above the Sixth Standard are placed in suitable positions as regards the subjects they have already worked at, and make a new form or forms for new subjects. Yours, &c, The Rev W J Habens, Chas. P Powles, Secretary Secretary, Education Department.