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1905. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS. [In continuation of E.—1a, 1904.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Sir, — Education Department, Wellington, 31st August, 1905. I have the honour to report upon tHe annual examinations for teachers' certificates, for Junior National Scholarships, for junior and senior free places in secondary and technical schools, and for admission to or promotion in the Civil Service. The examinations were held between the 13th and the 22nd days of December, 1904, and between the sth and the 14th days of January, 1905, at the thirteen towns which are the seats of Education Boards, and also at Kaikohe, Whangarei, Thames, Hamilton, Tauranga, Stratford, Palmerston North, Pahiatua, Otaki, Masterton, Gisborne, Westport, Ashburton, Oamaru, Lawrence, Tapanui, Naseby, Riverton, and the Chatham Islands. The total number of candidates that entered was 2,473, of whom 184 were absent from examination. The numbers that actually sat for the several examinations were as follows: For the Junior National Scholarship and Junior Free Place Examination, 691; for the Civil Service Junior Examination, 820; for the Civil Service Senior Examination, 127; for certificate examinations, 627. The number, 127, given for the Senior Examination includes 13 who are also included in the number, 820, given for the Junior Examination, and 1 who is also included in the number, 627, given for the certificate examinations. The Junior National Scholarship Examination was used by the Wellington and Hawke's Bay Education Boards for awarding their junior scholarships, and by Victoria College for awarding the Queen's Scholarships. In December, 19D5, most of the Education Boards of the colony will award their junior scholarships on the results of this examination. The Civil Service Junior Examination was used as the examination for senior free places in secondary schools and for senior technical scholarships, and also by the Taranaki and Marlborough Education Boards for the examination of pupil-teachers. Under the recently gazetted regulations for pupil-teachers the Civil Service Junior Examination is the first of the public or general examinations to be passed by all pupil-teachers in the colony. This provision will come into force in nearly all the education districts this year (1905), and in all the districts without exception next year. It has also been adopted by nearly all the Education Boards as the test for their senior scholarships. The expenses of the examinations amounted to £2,231 4s. 7d., and the fees paid by candidates to £1,335 7s. Printing and clerical work are not included in the account of expenses. The results

I—E. lα.