E.—lβ

36

pleased with the progressive nature of the work being carried on, and also with the general order, discipline, and moral tone prevailing. Here and there the style and steady fluency of the reading taught seems to approach perfection; but I cannot help noticing many cases where all interest in the subject-matter is gone and the expression is purely mechanical. That this is the direct effect of using only one reading-book there can be no doubt, and I am more than ever convinced that before really intelligent reading can be obtained, and before a love of reading can be created or fostered in the pupils, adequate provision must be made for an additional supply of reading-matter. I notice that under several Boards, too, three and even four sets of readers are got through during the year. In some cases these are provided by the pupils themselves, in others by the parents and the Board jointly, and in the remaining cases by the Board itself. Of course the mere drudgery of the subject is done from one orthodox book. I would strongly recommend the Board to provide sets of three or four kinds of readers: these to be placed in charge of teachers, and to be passed on or exchanged periodically. The cost of the books would not be great, and, being in charge of teachers, they would last for some years. The dictation and spelling were well done in all schools. An Order in Council having withdrawn the limitation with regard to the examination in these subjects, introduced some years ago, Inspectors now use their own tests. The following are employed through the district —viz. : Twenty to twenty-four words for Standards I. and 11., and from six to twelve lines of dictation with a dozen words for Standards 111. to VI. The errors allowed were in proportion to those in the regulation referred to. In arithmetic more attention has been paid to oral work, and the methods employed show steady improvement. The tests for the subject are still set by the Education Department, and generally the pupils were readily able to cope with the questions set. The tests for Standard 111. were of a far easier description than any before sent down by the department, whilst those for the other Standards remain about the same. In both geography and composition I have to record a very satisfactory improvement. In the former subject my remarks in last year's report were well received and acted upon by teachers, and lam pleased to notice that tabulating of the matter is now almost a thing of the past. In many cases I received very full answers, nicely composed, to the questions set. With regard to the latter subject I find such a pleasing difference in the work of Standards IV., V., and VI. that I shall continue to use similar tests to those embodied in my last year's report, with this addition, that for Standard 111. the principal test will be the making of complete sentences containing one or two particular words. Writing still continues in about the same state, the quality varying greatly in different schools. After four years' experience I cannot say that I consider the introduction of the vertical style to be a distinct success. Science has this year been taken up with keen interest. The branch selected for the scholarship examination was ambulance work. This was generally taken up by the various schools, and proved both interesting and instructive to teacher and pupil—in fact, so much so, that it has been unanimously decided to continue the subject for another year. The teaching of drawing is improving, and much more interest is being taken in the examinations conducted by the Wellington Technical School. Many of the schools presented pupils for the first-grade examination, the candidates meeting with great success. This will no doubt act as a stimulant to teachers of other schools. I may here mention that these examinations may be conducted in any school, the only provision being that some suitable person— eg., Chairman of School Committee, &c. —shall act as supervisor. The teaching of sewing is still well cared-for, and many excellent specimens of work are to be found in the schools. With regard to the remaining subjects of the syllabus I have the pleasure to be able to note that good progress has been made. Twenty-one pupils attended at the examination of the District High School, the work being of a very satisfactory character. Class-lists were laid before you in due course. The carpentry class continues to be conducted in a most satisfactory manner by Mr. Arnott. The Eoman Catholic schools in the district were inspected and examined by me during the year. Keports, &c, were prepared and sent to them in every respect similar to those furnished to schools under the Board. The following are the results : —

I have, &c, The Chairman, Education Board, Grey, William L. 11.I 1 . Fetch, M.A., Inspector.

Classes. Presented. Examined in Standards. Passed. Above Standard VI. Standard VI. . . V. ... ■ t iv. ... ,, in. ... ii. ... i. ... Preparatory 9 13 21 27 29 30 35 77 13 21 25 27 29 35 11 17 1825 26 35 Totals ... 241 150 132