E.—Z.

[Appendix C.

Appearance of School-grounds.- -The improved appearance of both the interior of the school and the grounds in many cases is a pleasure to record, and it is obvious that the fortunate pupils attending these schools will be better citizens as a result of their training and environment. In many of our schools there must be a large amount of surplus energy running to waste. The grounds of these schools might easily be converted into models of ideal homes, and serve both as an object-lesson to parents and an inspiration to pupils. Nor should the pupils' efforts be confined to the school-grounds. That part of the road immediately in front of the grounds should certainly not be left uncared for, as one so often sees in country districts. Pupils must not become habituated to the sight of beauty and ugliness side by side. It would be an admirable introduction to civic duties, and an effective antidote to the germ of vandalism latent in many a youth, were pupils to offer their services as a body to improve and take under their special care some part of the public estate— e.g., in cases where schools are situated in. proximity to public recreation-grounds. Such interested activity would be of infinitely more effect than the mere iteration of a hundred wise maxims. Several of our schools have already made a move in this direction with the happiest results, and we commend the suggestion to the thoughtful consideration of others having similar opportunities. Games and Physical Training. —Physical training has received an impetus from the special courses of instruction given to teachers. The work is now generally carried out under approved methods and with marked enthusiasm. The organization of games receives gratifying attention in many schools, but this admirable form of educational activity deserves and demands wider recognition. In the new form of inspection report a special clause dealing with this is included. The Service.- —ln conclusion, we wish to state that our opinion of the service, as expressed in former reports, deepens as the years pass. We realize, as indeed the service must realize, that neither our national system of education nor our local application thereof is without imperfections, some of which we are endeavouring gradually to remove. We are conscious of, and the service is conscious of, the limitations imposed by local and national conditions and the difficulties lying across the path of educational progress. It is the splendid courage and intelligent effort shown by the service in endeavouring to secure genuine progress that appeals to us so strongly and fills us with such hopeful anticipation. With few exceptions our teachers recognize the true meaning of their work, the far-reaching results of their example, and the vitally important effects of their efforts, and we cannot speak too highly of the diligence, conscientiousness, earnestness, and loyalty with which they discharge their manifold and onerous duties. District High School. —[See E.-6, Report on Secondary Education.] E. K. Mulgan, \ C. W. Garrard Wm. Burnmide, J. T. G. Cox, M. Priestley, ■ Inspectors. N. T. Lambournk, j Jas. W. Mcllraitu, I N. R. McKENzn;, j H. K. BußNri, / The Secretary, Auckland Education Board.

TARANAKI. Sir, — Education Office, New Plymouth. 2nd February, 1915. We have the honour to submit, our annual report for the year ending 31st December, 1914. At the beginning of the year ninety-seven schools (including two half-time schools) were in operation, and during the year new schools were established at Pitone, Mimi, and Waiau, the Puniwhak.au School was reopened, and a household school was opened at Matau. The Hurimoana and the Rerekapa Schools were closed. In addition to the public schools, six Catholic schools, three private schools, and the primary department of the Boys' High School were visited. The following table contains a summary of the numbers and average age of the pupils :—

VI

Classes. Number on Roll. Present at the Average Age of Annual Pupils in each Examination. ! Class. L itandard VII VI ... v ... IV ... Ill ... II ... I ... 'reparatory 146 404 546 677 790 787 863 2,178 l Yrs. mos. 145 15 8 395 13 11 532 13 2 663 12 2 776 11 4 766 10 3 841 9 2 2,031 7 0 Totals 6,391 6,149 9 11* * Mean of average age.