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be used, and the pupils should be encouraged to boldness of outline and breadth of treatment in their freehand exercises. Some veTy fine drawing with instruments was shown by pupils of the woodwork classes. Singing was well taught in all the large schools, and in several of the small schools it was tuneful and pleasant. Most of the singing is learnt by ear, and it is a matter of regret that all but a few of the pupils that pass from our schools carry with them no power of reading simple tunes at sight. In nine small schools no singing was professed. The physical instruction of the children is carried on in all the schools with a varying measure of success. The cadets make an excellent show on parade, and it is a pleasure to watch their dexterity in the manual exercises, and the intelligence and precision of their movements in company drill and in skirmishing. In more than half the schools needlework is " good to excellent," and in the remainder it is generally " satisfactory." In one country school where the girls earned the highest award for sewing, the boys also are initiated into the mysteries of patching tweeds, sewing on buttons, and darning stockings, some kindly folk in the neighbourhood, with an utilitarian bent, giving annual prizes to the boys that show themselves most expert in such work. Some form of handwork was taken up in thirty-eight schools, the favourite exercises being plasticine modelling and paper-folding in the lower classes, and brushwork in the upper. As a result of the instruction given by Mr. Isaac at the summer class for teachers, more time will be given to carton-work during the present year. At the Timaru public schools and at the Waimate and Temuka District High Schools classes in cookery and woodwork were most successfully conducted ; and in several schools instruction in swimming was given. To satisfy the requirements in history the pupils have used historical Readers, the reading being supplemented by explanations and questions on the subject-matter. The history lesson, dealt with in this way, is one of the compulsory subjects, and may be taken in alternate years with the geography of Course B, geographical Readers being used for this course and the reading-lessons being fully explained as in the case of the historical Readers. In a very few schools history was taken as one of the additional subjects. Where this was none the teachers gave special lessons in accordance with a definite scheme prepared for the classes, and dealt with the subject in a fuller manner than is expected from those that made use of the historical Readers only. A great deal of attention has been devoted to the group of subjects that comprises geography (Course A), elementary science, and nature-study. These all have the common aim of developing in the children accuracy of observation, a love for investigation, and the power of reasoning and coming to right conclusions. When conducted on right methods the lessons will also prove valuable as a means of increasing the children's store of knowledge, of inspiring them with a new delight in things around them, and of giving them facility in expressing their thoughts in speech and in wiiting. Not all the teachers have had the special training in scientific method that would fit them for immediate success in their efforts, but it is gratifying to report that all are fully alive to the importance of better equipment for this work, and in dealing with it are showing a fine enthusiasm that is already making itself felt among the children. It is hoped that the lectures in physical geography given by Dr. Marshall at the summer classes, the attendance at which bore splendid testimony to the zeal of the teachers, will be of great service to them, and through them to the children. The past year has been made memorable by the passing of the Teachers' Superannuation Act, This measure, with the accompanying increase of salaries, will give fresh heart to those engaged in an arduous profession, the members of which as a body are doing faithful service to the state. We have, &c, James Gibson Gow, M.A., ) A. Bell, M.A., J Inspectors. The Chairman, South Canterbury Board of Education.

OTAGO. Sir,— Education Office, 9th March, 1906. We have the honour to present our general report for the year 1905. The following table shows for each class and for each district the number of pupils on the roll, the number present at the annual visit, and the average age of each class :—

Number on Roll. Present at Annual Visit. Average Age of Pupils in each Class. Classes. 1904. 1905. 1904. 1905. 1904. 1904. 1905. Standard VII VI V IV III II I Preparatory 396 1,468 2,062 2,369 2,441 2,303 2,285 6,314 405 1,420 2,076 2,357 2,421 2,289 2,240 6,372 358 1,446 2,002 2,309 2,383 2,264 2,246 5,799 366 1,382 2,027 2,293 2,361 2,241 2,178 5,902 Yrs. mos. 15 5 13 9 12 10 12 0 10 11 9 11 8 11 6 10 Yrs. mos. 15 0 13 9 12 10 12 0 11 0 9 11 8 11 6 11 Totals 19,638 19,580 18,807 18,750 11 3* 11 3* * Mean of average age.