8.—2.

[Appendix B.

Arithmetic. —This subject showed an improvement on last year's work. In the lower classes it was good, and in S5 and S6 the general average was higher. Mental arithmetic requires more attention in S6, and practice in long tots should not be delayed till that stage is reached. The long tot proved a veritable stumbling-block in the proficiency test. Geography. —The results in this subject were generally satisfactory. Good schemes of work had been prepared, and oral teaching had to a great extent supplanted the text-book. Definitions were well known ; local geography had improved ; mapping was generally satisfactory, and some excellent relief maps were on exhibition at the annual visit. History. —ln a few instances this was particularly well handled. A definite aim had been kept in view, more interest had been aroused, and the lessons, which were mostly oral, had a greater intellectual and moral value. The main faults noticed were—-too much detail; no clear conception of the aim of the lesson; little use made, of the blackboard; and want of system in dealing with an. event. No event can be said to be satisfactorily dealt with unless reference is made to the, following points: cause, time, place, persons concerned, circumstances, and results. Elementary civics receives satisfactory attention. Drawing. —Free-arm drawing is receiving more attention, and in the larger schools excellent work was noticed. Brush drawing is generally good, much of the work being original design. Model and instrumental drawing vary much in quality. Physical Instruction. —Visits from the Department's instructors have given the teachers that confidence which they required, and great enthusiasm is being showir in this most important branch of education. In the smaller schools deep-breathing exercises and physical drill arc taken daily, with apparent benefit to the children. In some of the larger schools organized games are substituted once or twice a week for the ordinary programme. ' These games are highly appreciated, evoke an immense amount of activity, and are highly beneficial to the discipline of the school. Swimming has received considerable attention in a few schools, and some excellent swimmers (boys and girls) are the result of the interest taken by the teachers. Singing. —This continues to improve, and an attempt is made in nearly all schools. Good partsinging is occasionally heard, and this year the songs chosen were mostly of a warlike or patriotic nature. Modulator, time tests, and car exercises are attempted in some schools. The tone has slightly improved, being fairly free from harshness, and the pronunciation was invariably good. Elementary theory, and sight reading of a simple kind, should receive more attention. Needlework. —The quality of the work presented was good, and mostly on the lines of the new syllabus. A wave of sympathy, however, passed over several of the schools, and the usual sewing gave, place, to knitting. Garments of all descriptions were made for the relief of the distressed Belgian children, and boys as well as girls entered into the work. Large quantities were despatched, and the spontaneous efforts of the scholars have been amply repaid by the knowledge that the articles have been safely distributed, and have given comfort to the sufferers. Handwork. —Cookery, advanced plain needlework, woodwork, and drawing were taught in the Technical School with satisfactory results. At my annual visit to the schools excellent samples of fancy cakes were on exhibition. This kind of cookery is inclined to be overdone, and more attention should bo given to the preparation of plain and useful dishes. Paper-folding, plasticine, and brush drawing were the favourite subjects in the lower classes, and the permodelle modelling" of flowers and fruit (from nature) was of a high standard of merit. The order, tone, and discipline are good. I have, &c, The Director of Education, Wellington. David Stueeock.

NELSON. Sir,— Nelson, Ist May, 1916. We have the honour to present our annual report on the schools of th© Nelson Education District for the year 1915. One hundred and twenty-two schools were at work during the last quarter of the year, the number including two half-time schools reckoned as one. There were, in addition nine side schools, four in Nelson City and one attached to- each of the following ; Brightwater, Charleston, Rockville, Granity, and Motueka. Household schools at Mutton Cove, Oparara, Rainy River, and Upper Wangapeka have been closed, and Whakarewa has been formed into a side school. Household schools have been established at Wairangi and Waitaiawa; Baton has been reopened; and Grade I schools have been formed at Mahana, Mapua, and Stockton. One hundred and fourteen schools were inspected by us, and reports upon their working have in due course been laid before the Board. Most of those unvisited have been brrt recently opened or were closed at the time of the Inspector's visit to the district. The children of two of the smaller ones were unable to attend at neighbouring schools for inspection, and during the year neither Inspector could find time to make another special visit to the district. Twelve private schools, with a roll number of 764- and 719 pupils present at the annual examination, were inspected. The number in attendance at these schools shows an increase of eighty-eight over the previous year. In summary form an estimate is given of the general efficiency of the instruction imparted : Two schools good, five schools satisfactory to good, four schools satisfactory, and one school fair to satisfactory. For the Sixth Standard examination fifty-four candidates were presented, of whom thirty-four were successful in obtaining proficiency certificates, whilst seventeen attained competency.

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