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conducted in earlier years for this purpose. For the award of their senior scholarships Education Boards have used the Intermediate Examination as arranged for this purpose, the papers set being the same as those provided for the Public Service Entrance Examination, and the terms in each case being determined by the regulations of the several Boards offering senior scholarships for competition. Other purposes for which the Intermediate Examination of 1914 was used, with certain modifications to suit a purely qualifying or non-competitive candidature, were— (1) The award by examination of senior free places in secondary schools and district high schools ; (2) as an examination for pupil-teachers of the second or third year, and for appointment to pupil-teacherships of the second year or to probationerships under the provisions of the Education Amendment Act, 1908 ; and (3) general purposes of educational certificates of this standing. Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1914, Junior and Senior Board Scholarships will no longer be awarded, being replaced entirely by National Scholarships. As noted in the general introductory statement, National Scholarship Examinations will now lose their competitive character, all candidates who reach the standard fixed for the year, and are otherwise eligible, receiving junior or senior scholarships. For the senior examination the Public Service Entrance Examination papers will still largely be used. A iurther change will result from the issue of the new Regulations for Pupilteachers made in December last. As no provision is made for special examinations for pupil-teachers in subjects other than those of professional training, the examination hitherto known as the First Examination of Pupil-teachers will now disappear. The cost of conducting the Department's examinations was as follows :— Total expenses, including cost of additional clerical services temporarily £ employed .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,919 Less recoveries— £ Fees paid by candidates for teachers' certificates and others 2,024 Paid by Public Service Commissioner for expense of conducting Public Service Examinations, for which in general no fees are now payable — Public Service Entrance . .. .. 729 Public Service Senior .. .. .. .. 1,048 3,801 £3,118 Teachers' Superannuation Fund. (See also E.-9.) The balance at the credit of the fund on the 31st December, 1914, was £302,701, an increase over that on the 31st December, 1913, of £37,565. The income for 1914 was £78,626, and the expenditure £41,061. During the year 522 members were admitted, while 270 left the fund, a net increase of 252. At the end of 1914,— The number of contributors was .. .. .. .. .. 4,269 Of whom members under Part IX of Education Act, 1908, numbered .. 90 And members admitted under sections 3 and 4 of the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Act, 1908 (universities), numbered . . .: . . . . . . . . 56 The annual rate of contribution paid as at the end of the year was . . £47,831 The number of allowances in force at the end of the year was . . . . 504 representing an annual charge of .. .. .. .. £35,191 viz.,.— Ordinary retiring - allowances were .. .. 318, representing £28,709 Retiring-allowances in medically unfit cases .. 56, ~ 4,419 Allowances to widows .. 72, ~ 1,309 Allowances to children . . 58, „ 754 The amount held by the Public Trustee at the end of the year was . . £294,283

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