E.—lb.

same time we were pleased to notice that at the recent examination for teachers' certificates two of our candidates did very well in the paper on school-management. In the whole colony only three candidates obtained marks entitling them to "special mention," and two of these were Taranaki pupil-teachers in only their third year. We do not know how many candidates sat for school-management, but among them would be many ex-pupil-teachers, and trainees from the two training colleges. During the year manual work was undertaken, and recognised by the Department in a little under half of the schools of the district, and in many cases a marked improvement was noticeable in the intelligence with which the subjects were treated and co-ordinated with the rest of the school-work. Indeed, the teachers are making strenuous efforts to remedy what was last year pointed out as a defect, and are more and more looking upon manual work in its proper light —a method of teaching. Classes for the instruction of teachers were continued, and were well attended. The sending-out of apparatus and material, and the keeping of accounts in connection with the manual work takes up a great deal of the Inspectors' time. Early in the year the Board appointed W. A. Ballantyne, 8.A., as Assistant Inspector, and in consequence the inspection visits have been overtaken more fully than was formerly possible, and even visits beyond what are required by regulation were paid. The control of manual and technical work, and the accounts in connection therewith, have been transferred to the Inspectors, and take up much time, which, however, is necessary if manual and technical training is to advance in the district. The work of the schools as a whole shows steady progress, and in many cases the changes in the staffs did not militate against the continuity of the work to the extent that might have been expected. Science, however, does not make the progress the importance of the subject deserves, and this is due in a great measure to the lack of apparatus. Costly apparatus is not necessary, and we recommend that subsidies, such as were formerly given by the Board towards the establishment of libraries, be granted in order that Committees and teachers may make every effort to put the subject on a more satisfactory footing. A considerable proportion of the smaller country schools are doing very good work, and a word of special commendation is due to the teachers for the high standard of efficiency attained often under adverse conditions. Teachers are encouraged to visit other schools, and thus see methods other than their own. One can learn something from such a visit —something worthy of imitation, something to be avoided. Much good has thus been done, and leave of absence is always granted. We have, &c, W. E. Spbnobk, M.A , 8.5c.,1 T W. A. Badlantynb, 8.A., '[I^pectors. The Chairman, Taranaki Education Board.

WANGANUI. Sir, — Education Office, Wanganui, 10th March, 1904. We have the honour to submit our report for the year ended the 31st December, 1903. During the year there were in active operation 165 schools, an increase of ten on the previous year. Of these 159 were examined —that is, all that had been open for twelve months; and nearly all wore inspected. In addition we examined the five Catholic schools in the district. The new schools opened during the year were Aberfeldie, Glen Oroua, Himitangi, Kawabata, Mangamingi, Opaku, Pukeroa, Rata-iti, Table Flat (reopened), Tapuae, Tokorangi, and Umutoi. We show below the number of schools examined and the number of children present at examination for each of the last nine years. This ought to be of general interest as indicating the growth and progress of settlement in the district: 1895 —schools 106, children 9,503; 1896— schools 114, children 9,786; 1897—schools 116, children 9,827; iB9B—schools 125, children 10,176; 1899—schools 129, children 10,330; 1900—schools 129, children 10,361; 1901—schools 141, children, 10,844; 1902—schools 143, children 11,186; 1903—schools 159, children 11,924. From the above it will be seen that the increase in the number of children was much greater for 1903 than for any preceding year. The following is a summary of examination results for the district: —

8

Classes. Number on Roll. Present at Inspector's Annual Visit. Absent. Failed Per Cent, of Passes on Passed Number Number on Roll. present. Average Age of Pupils in Each Class. i itandard VII. VI. v. IV. . III. II. I'reparatory ... i 384 . 366 783 747 ... '■ 1,095 I 1,048 ... 1,461 ; 1,402 ... 1,493 1,438 ... : 1,520 1,454 ... 1,452 1,398 ... 3,736 3,223 18 36 47 59 55 66 54 513 143 127 185 176 114 68 604 921 1,217 1,262 1,340 1,330 77 84 83 84 88 91 80 87 86 87 92 95 Yrs. mos. 15 0 13 10 13 0 12 3 11 3 9 11 8 11 7 0 Totals ... 11,924 11,076 848 813 6,674 85 89 11 4* * Mean of averai 'fi age.