Appendix C.I

E.—2.

The following table summarizes statistics in reaped of enrolment at the close of 1!)IO: —

It will be observed thai the total roll-number is the same for 1909 as for 1910. Some of the larger schools have fallen off, but small schools have inoreased. There is either more eettlemeni in the country or the natural increase tends to remain there; but from the closer-settled districts there is much drifting-off to Wellington and other parts of the North Island. It is strange thai a land so gifted with natural endowment as Marlborough is should lie unable to retain its people. There is evidently a call for statesmanship to discover the causes operating, and their remedy. The following table shows the average roll-number since 1905: 1905, 1,913; 1906, 2,030; increase, 117: 1907,2,065; increase, 37: 1908,2,142; increase,?": 1909,2,293; increase, 151: 1910, 2,293; increase, 0. Four private schools furnished returns, showing a total enrolment of 197, with 189 present. The examination for leaving-certificatee continues in the hands of the Inspector. Except in a few remote schools, Standard VI was examined in December. On the roll were 201 pupils; 190 were tested, and ninety-three certificates of proficiency and forty-three of competency awarded. In 1909 the totals were seventy seven of proficiency and fifty of competency. Twelve certificates of proficiency and four of competency were awarded to pupils of private schools. The "good schools of the year were: I'icton, Waitohi, Ocean Bay, Etenwick, Ugbrooke, Separation Inlet, Tua Marina, Marshlands, Spring Creek. Waitaria Hay, and St. Joseph's Girls'. Six schools were classed ■'weak ": all hut one were in Grade 0; their total was thirty-seven. ATTENDANCE.— For 1910 the standard of duty was 420 half-days. Only thirty schools reached the standard: fifty-two were "pen 410 half-days; fifty-eighl were open -40(1 half-days. The following table shows the number of schools open 400 half-days: 1904, 34 : 1905, 29 (teacher attended winter classes ten half-days this year); 1906, 39; 1907, 38; 1908, 51 ; 1909, 47 (jubilee year of Marlborough, one week's extra holiday); 1910, 58. Twelve small schools operated less than four quarters, and a number of others lost time owing to change of teachers. Of schools open 100 half-days, forty-one reached 91 per cent, or upwards of attendance. There were only twenty-sis in 1909. The average attendance for the whole district during 1910 was 892 per cent, of the average roll, which is the highest vet recorded. The figures given hereunder summarize the results of the last eight wars: 1903, 826 per cent. : 1904, 83"9 per cent. : 1905, 84'!) per cent. ; 1906, 85"3 per cent.: 1907, 84"6 per cent, (epidemics prevalent): 1908, 87*5 per cent.: 1909, 88"6 per cent.: 1910, 89-2 per cent.

Classification of Teachers. —In December, 1910, the staff were qualified as under: —

iv—E. 2 (App. c).

XXV

Classes. Number on Roll. Present at the Average Age Annual , of Pupils in Examination. Each Class. Standard VII VI V IV HI II I Preparatory Totals for ] 910 ... Totals for 1909 ... ... 34 187 210 247 284 255 275 801 2,293 2,293 23 173 204 238 276 240 266 743 2,163 2,206 Yrs. moR. 14 9 14 1 13 1 12 4 11 4 10 3 9 8 7 1 11 6 • Mean of average age.

Certificated. Licensed. Uncertificated. Total. Head teachers Sole teachers Assistants 12 16 12 i 57 (i 12 74 18 Totals 40 1 63 104 ', Pupil-teachers Probationers Cookery and woodwork instructors Part-time instructors (agricultural, physical measurements, singing) model-drawing, 6 3 2 4 Grand totals 40 63 119