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E.—lβ

The special classes for teachers that were opened in Napier during the midwinter holidays brought together all those that had been unable to avail themselves of the Saturday classes in consequence of their living so far from Napier or Dannevirke. The course of instruction included drawing, plasticine work, singing, lectures, and criticism lessons, but the opportunities for visiting the Napier Main School, the Training School, and the Hastings School were not the least important among the educational advantages open to the visiting teachers during their three weeks' teaching under my own immediate supervision. As the staffing of the schools under the Public-school Teachers' Salaries Act is now in full operation, it appears as if the old pupil-teacher system that has done duty so long is about to pass away. I do not think it will cause many regrets. The system was begun in New Zealand in imitation of the English plan, but the school system of this country was very different from that adopted in England in the earlier years of educational development. No such system is known in Germany or the United States, where education has reached a high standard of efficiency. The employment of young persons as teachers without preparatory training is certainly not beneficial to the progress of education. Fortunately, the number of pupil-teachers in the service of the Board has diminished largely during the past two years, and I doubt whether the continuance of the annual examination for pupil-teachers is now necessary, as under the teachers' salaries scale the purpose for which the examination was held has become obsolete. The closing of the Training School in Napier is a serious blow to this district. During the time the school was in operation much real good was done in the training of young teachers, and country districts are now reaping the benefit of such training. It is proposed to start four training colleges —one in each place where there is a University college. The academic preparation of young teachers will no doubt be fostered by this plan, but the want of to-day is skilful teachers in the public schools. Practical training is essential, and it is for this reason that I regret the closing of the Training School. A little generous treatment would have placed the school on a good footing, and it could have been worked for the special benefit of the district in connection with one of the University colleges, to which young teachers in training could have been sent for the completion of their academic course. The Catholic schools that have been examined by me for some years past have received notice of my inability to examine them another year. The increase in the number of Board schools and the establishment of district high schools have thrown upon me a large amount of additional work, and time cannot be spared for the examination of outside schools. I trust, however, that some plan may be possible whereby the examination of Catholic schools can be continued. I am convinced that the schools have benefited even by the small assistance one has been able to render. Two of the schools are well taught and the others are making earnest efforts to attain a satisfactory standard. As bearing on the school life of the children, a very interesting experiment has recently been carried out at the Napier Main School and the Gisborne District High School in part. On the invitation of the Committee, Mr. Azzopardi, optician, conducted a series of experiments in sighttesting among the senior pupils of these schools, and in a memorandum he suggests that arrangements should be made for the systematic testing of all the school-children in the district. Several cases of monocular vision were discovered, and he remarks that " defects of vision are just as apt as are defects of hearing to give rise to an apparent stupidity in young children, but while the existence of the latter can be tested by the simplest observation the degree of a defect in senseperception of the former type is only to be determined by a technically educated optician." The tabulation embodying the results of his inquiries is full of interest, and shows that astigmatism and short sight exist among a fairly large proportion of the pupils. Similar tests for other schools would prove of much value if they could be carried out. In concluding this report I desire to say that for diligence, for attention to duty, and for earnestness of purpose the teachers in the Board's service deserve every commendation. Their daily round of routine and their wish to prepare the full requirements of the syllabus often lead them astray, but as a whole good and effective service is being rendered. On behalf of several of the older teachers a separate word of sympathy is required. If a superannuation scheme were in operation I would gladly recommend their retirement and pension. They have served the country faithfully for many years, and have done yeoman service at a time when teachers were difficult to obtain. Perhaps a recommendation from the Board to the Government in support of a superannuation scheme for teachers would be of some service. Certainly it would be appreciated by teachers, and it would show them that the Board is not unmindful of the interests of those who have grown old in its service. Some of the teachers will find a difficulty in meeting the demands under the new syllabus regulations, and something must needs be done if the new conditions are to operate in all the Board schools. I have, &c, H. Hill, Inspector. The Chairman, Hawke's Bay Education Board.

MARLBOROUGH. Sir, — Blenheim, 2nd January, 1904. I have the honour to present my thirteenth annual report on the condition of the primary education in the schools under the control of your Board. The number of schools that have been in operation during the whole or some portion of the year 1903 is sixty. Four schools that were open during the year 1902 have been permanently closed—viz., Birch Hill, Laverique Bay, Saratoga Bay, and Whatamonga. Four others were