43

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science, for instance, a subject lying at the root of the development of the staple industry of the colony, is generally taught through the sole medium of a text-book. For sheer impotency this proceeding would be hard to match. (2.) In our annual reports we have over and over again referred to the desirability of making our pupils proficient in swimming and military drill. We again urge the Board to take some decided step in these directions, especially as so much could be done at a slight cost. Regarding military drill we take leave to quote what we said in our report for 1895 : " We again observe witb regret the apathy shown in the district in the matter of military drill: the time may come when those in authority will marvel why such sleepiness had been shown in a concern so vital to the national existence." (3.) In view of the introduction of handwork into the course of instruction we would recommend the Board to take steps to popularise the subject among the teachers, and also to recognise in some special way the efforts of teachers that treat the subject successfully. (4.) The passing of the new scholarship regulations rightly marks out for a small proportion of our pupils a professional career. All, however, cannot travel by that route. If the needs of the community are to be studied there should be further specialisation into (1) a commercial course, and, (2), a mechanical course. This matter takes us beyond our special province. We merely mention it as a problem for solution. We have, &c, James Hendry, | t , The Secretary, Education Board, Southland. Geo. D. Braik, } lns P ectors -

Summary of Results for the Whole District.

Roman Catholic Schools.

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Classes. Presented. Examined in Standards. Passed. Average Age of those that passed. Yrs. mos. Above Standard VI. ... Standard VI. V. IV. III. II. I. Preparatory 193 588 924 1,200 1,294 1,214 1,164 2,847 570 903 1,168 1,252 1,179 1,132 490 713 941 1,048 1,130 1,103 13 9 13 0 12 0 10 9 9 9 8 9 Totals 9,424 6,204 5,425 11 4* * Mean of average aj [e.

School. . i __ co 5 c. oa a. u Ph -a I CO tO c_ Ph j Class Subjects. Additional Subjects. Order and Discipline. Manners. Convent, Invercargill Boys' School, Invercargill Convent, East Gore „ Queenstown „ Arrowtown „ Winton „ Wrey's Bush ... Ill 97 55 54 28 54 61 82 82 31 38 21 32 41 69 78 26 37 20 20 28 Satisfactory Good Satisfactory Good Satisfactory Excellent... Good Good Excellent... Good Excellent... Excellent. Good. Excellent. Excellent... Good // • ■ ■ Good '.'.'. Satisfactory Good. //