83

E.—l

In Appendix L will be found a return showing the names of those who have held scholarships at any time from the institution of the scheme in 1878 to the present time, the date when each scholarship began, the occupations of the parents, the occupations now followed by the scholarship-holders, and other information [not reprinted]. Inspection.—For a long time the Inspectors have found it difficult to overtake the work of inspecting and examining all the schools of the district, and latterly have succeeded in doing so only by omitting the examination of the District High Schools in the higher work and the pupilteachers in the art of teaching. This year their difficulties were further aggravated by the death of one of their number, Mr. Taylor, who died literally in harness after labouring for twenty-five years with unflagging zeal and industry, first as teacher, then as Inspector, in the cause of education in this district. He was a faithful and assiduous officer, and-has left behind him a fine record of conscientious and honourable service. The Board, at its first meeting after Mr. Taylor's death, appointed Mr. C. R. D. Richardson, headmaster of the Balclutha District High School, as Acting Inspector, and he continued in this position to the end of the year. Owing partly to their examination of the Catholic schools, partly to Mr. Taylor's death, and partly to the circumstance that the District High Schools were examined in the higher work and the pupil-teachers in the art of teaching, the Inspectors, even with the assistance of Mr. Richardson, were obliged to leave forty schools unexamined, situated chiefly in the Tapanui and Catlin's districts. One hundred and seventy-four schools were examined, representing 21,158 children, of whom 13,728 were examined in one or other of the standard classes, 6,581 in the preparatory class, and 555 in the class above Standard VI. Of those examined in the standard classes, 91 per cent, passed the standard for which they were presented. From the point of view of standard passes, this result must be regarded as very good. The mean of the average ages at which the standards were passed is practically the same as that of last year. Finding that the work of inspection was too heavy for three men, the Board, shortly after the death of Mr. Taylor, appointed two Assistant Inspectors, instead of a third Inspector. School of Art and Design.—The report of the Principal is appended.* The classes were attended during the year by 360 students, thirty-seven more than in 1894. This total includes 111 University students and pupil-teachers, eighteen Training College students, ninety-seven students who attended the day classes, and 134 students who attended the evening classes. The Board regrets that the young men of Dunedin, and especially the apprentices in the mechanical trades, have not availed themselves of the classes in machine construction and building construction to the extent warranted by the excellence and utility of the instruction imparted. It is hoped that, as the work of these classes becomes better known, the attendance thereat will largely increase. The second annual examination for the London Science and Art Department's certificates was held in the month of July, and the results are considered by the Board to be very satisfactory, and to afford undeniable evidence that good work is being accomplished by the school. Four students have passed all the personal examinations for the art teacher's certificate. The cost of the school for the year was : Salaries, £828 16s. Bd. ; incidental expenses, £80 9s. 3d.; total, £909 ss. lid. Less fees, £399 3s. 9d. Net cost, £510 2s. 2d. Training College.—During the year the Training College was reorganized on a less expensive basis. Mr. White, head teacher of what is known as the Normal School (which is simply

* The report is printed in E.-lc.

nor. lenior. Numbe of Scho! .warded. :arships Numbe: of Scho iwarded ilarships Year. Numbei of Cornletitors. Numbe: r of Comi >etitors. Male. Female. Total. Male. Female. Total. Male. Female. Total. Male. Female, Total. 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 35 27 48 36 23 32 47 34 44 40 45 38 47 42 49 65 64 52 16 9 19 15 23 21 29 27 30 28 30 24 31 28 59 38 47 - 57 51 36 67 51 46 53 76 61 74 68 75 62 78 70 108 103 111 109 4 4 8 7 3 2 3 3 7 6 6 5 7 7 10 8 11 8 2 2 1 1 3 4 8 4 2 2 2 3 3 5 3 4 4 4 6 6 9 8 6 6 6 7 9 8 8 8 10 12 13 12 15 12 20 11 20 27 21 27 19 27 27 25 26 28 19 25 31 27 32 34 1 8 9 8 2 10 16 15 14 15 13 11 15 17 13 22 18 11 21 19 29 35 23 37 35 42 41 40 39 39 34 42 44 49 50 45 6 4 6 6 10 8 5 6 6 6 6 8 8 8 10 6 10 10 2 3 3 3 6 4 4 5 4 2 2 4 4 6 4 2 6 6 9 9 10 11 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 12 14 12 14 12 768 531 1,299 109 52 161 446 218 664 129 58 187