E.—2.

Appendix C.

This table shows an increase in ro|l number of 250 over last year. The decrease in Standard VI (nineteen) is a feature (-0111111011 to all our reports of recent years. The average age of pupils in Class P and the percentage of the whole roll number in the preparatory classes remain practically the saunas in last year s report. The year 1912 will remain memorable as one in which the effects of epidemics on the average attendance were of almost unparalleled extent. From every quarter of our extensive district came the wail of distracted teachers whose work had been disorganized by the subtle agency of mumps and measles. Your Inspectors, too. will long remember this year as one in which the discomforts of travelling reached, from time to time over a long period, an almost intolerable pitch. Under such circumstances it is gratifying to record that our schools have fully maintained the efficiency of previous years, and that da ill]) and disease have been impotent to stem t he progress of education in our district. The central examinations for t he proficiency certificate were held in t he month of December, many pupils in schools remote from centres having been previously examined in their own schools. At some of the smaller centres. Mr. (Irav. of Nightcaps, a teacher whose honourable record is well known, presided as supervisor. The following statement gives in tabular form the results, and also, for purposes of comparison, those for 1911.

The percentage of candidates gaining certificates is substantially the same in each year, but there is for 11)12 a somewhat marked decrease in the total number examined. In connexion with these examinations, a word of praise is due to some cd' our uncertificated teachers in the baokblocks, who. though poorly qualified by education and experience, showed energy and determination coupled with not a little self-sacrifice in the preparation of their candidates. Considering the burden of study which they have to bear after the labours of the day, no one can grudge them the success with which their efforts were crowned at the Proficiency Examinations. The changes announced in the expenditure of the free school-books grant will meet with very general acceptance. We must confess to a feeling of disappointment at the comparatively large proportion of schools which made no claim for continuous readers out id' the grant for 1912. We trust that early in 1013 we may find readers of this description available for the use of all the pupils of the district. The new proposals will also do much to bring the usefulness of school libraries before progressive Committees, and thus greatly forward the cause of these indispensable adjuncts to education. During the year the Board resolved that each pupil should purchase and possess his own miscellaneous reader. The ease with which this change of policy was effected seems to indicate that the withdrawal of the grant for class-books generally will meet with little or no opposition. During the year our agricultural instructor has met with much success in the prosecution of his special work. Approaching local bodies with much tact and discretion, he has been enabled to break down the prejudice against school-gardens which existed in many quarters, and to establish instead a disposition to sympathetic co-operation in the matter. The experimental plot at Gladstone is of great service not only to the Technical College pupils taking an agricultural course, but also to the teachers attending the Saturday classes and to those undertaking school-garden work in their own districts. There is some necessity for teachers to remember that, when unseasonable weather puts a stop to garden operations, opportunities still remain for outdoor observation or for experimental work in the schoolroom. We trust that the establishment of school-gardens will lead before long to a general movement for the beautifying cd' school-grounds. Many of these, at present distinguished from surrounding holdings only by their utterly desolate appearance, could be improved out id' recognition by the introduction of one or two groups or belts of ornamental shrubs or trees. The first cost would be inconsiderable, and would be seen in a few years to have been very fully justified. Mr. Moodie, we feel sure, would be delighted to place his expert services at the disposal of any Committee interested in this matter. The success which attended the establishment of the Technical College proved abundantly the need for such an institution. Under the able direction of Dr. Hansen it will, we believe, still more firmly establish itself in the good opinion of the public. The vast majority of parents are now convinced of the value of the instruction given at the manualtraining centres throughout the district. A great deal was accomplished towards this end during the year by inviting parents to come to the various centres where woodwork and cookery are taught, to see for themselves the operation of the scheme. We feel sure that in this way prejudice against manual training was largely replaced by warm appreciation of its advantages. The interest shown by the present Administration in the physical welfare of school-children gives us much pleasure. The new regulations for physical instruction will do good by bringing home both to teachers and the public the fact that physical education is not a mere ornamental fringe of education proper, but a most important aspect of education, without serious consideration of which the interests id' the nation must inevitably suffer. The difficulty in filling minor positions in the Board's service has been keenly felt this year. While anxious to keep the minimum qualifications of teachers id' small schools as high as possible, we have.

LII

Number examined. Proficiency. ('ompetency. i Failed. 911 .. Percentage 912 .. Percentage 701 636 522 74-2 469 73-7 60 8-5 63 9-8 122 17-3 104 16-5