H.—lL.

4

Reading : Collins's English history. Three, good. The three comprising this class are most intelligent, and far in advance of the rest of the scholars. The written answers to questions on the chapter read were very fairly rendered. —Book, sth Royal Reader. Three good, five fair. Pronunciation fair. Meaning of lesson understood. —Dictation from the lesson : Writing good, spelling fair. —Book, Sequel to 3rd Royal Reader. Two good, five fair. Pronunciation fair. Meaning understood. Spelling fair Dictation fair.—Book, 3rd Royal Reader. Three good, two fair. Pronunciation imperfect. Meaning understood. Spelling fair.—Book, 2nd Royal Reader. Pour fair, one imperfect. Pronunciation fair. Spelling fair. Meaning understood. —Book, Ist Royal Reader. One fair, three imperfect. Pronunciation fair. Meaning understood. Spelling fair.—Book, Royal Primer. Three good, one fair. Pronunciation fair. Meaning understood. Spelling good.—Learning the alphabet, four. Arithmetic: Vulgar fractions, decimal fractions, square root, interest, compound proportion: three, very good. Algebra, multiplication: three, good. Practice, simple and compound proportion: five good, one imperfect. Compound multiplication and division: two good, ten fair. Simple multiplication and division : three fair, two imperfect. Simple addition and subtraction: two good, three fair. The work throughout the school was good, the sums were neatly set clown, and those worked were mostly correct. Writing: Copy-books : Two good, fifteen fair, seven imperfect. The writing in the copy-books not very good. Exercise-books : Eight good, eight indifferent. Maps : Pour good, two fair. The names on two of the maps were very neatly written. Geography: Ist Class : Pive good, six fair. This class without the aid of a map were able to state the relative positions of various places in the world about which they were questioned. —2nd Class : Pive good, six fair. This class was familiar with the meaning of geographical terms, and with the geography of New Zealand. Music : Occasional instruction given. Drill : The boys were very proficient, and went through their exercises very smartly. Sewing: Mrs. Dick gives instruction in sewing for an hour on two days in the week; she has 21 girls in her class. Specimens of sewing and wool-work were shown, which were very creditable. The schoolroom was very clean, and neatly arranged. The children were all clean and well dressed, and the behaviour of all throughout the examination was most excellent. The schoolroom is now too small for the number taught in it, and I hope that the application of the Committee for a new schoqlroom will be granted, as the present building must be injurious to the health of the children. The difficulty of maintaining order is increased by the overcrowded state of the room, which does not afford sufficient space for some of the classes to stand out of the desks when required to do so. Before commencing the examination, the School Committee informed me that the Hon. Mr. Taiaroa had given two silver teapots, which he desired to have presented to the two pupils in the upper and lower division who gained the highest total of marks at the examination. The competition for these valuable prizes lent additional interest to the day's proceedings, and it was very gratifying to know .that the result gave satisfaction to both the pupils and their friends. Emma Karetai carried off one prize, and Martha Edwards the other. Mrs. Taiaroa, in the absence of her husband, presented the prizes to the successful scholars, amidst the plaudits of their companions. The Native community at the Heads is about to lose the advantage of Mr. Taiaroa's residence amongst them, as he is about to remove to Canterbury. The manner in which he is bringing his children, up, so different from the ordinary Maori method, reflects the highest credit upon him, and affords an example which it would be well for the Maori people to copy. The number of children now attending the school is more than Mr. Lucas can teach properly single-handed. The Committee requested mo to ask the Government to allow him to engage a pupilteacher to assist him. Kaiapoi: Master, Mr. H. J. Reeves, —Inspected, 30th March, 1880. Highest number on the roll: Boys, 16 ; girls, 18 : total, 34. Present at inspection : Boys, 16 ; girls, 17 : total, 33. Reading : Book, 6th Royal Reader. One good. This boy forms a class by himself, and is taught in a great measure privately by Mr. Reeves, in' order that bis instruction may not interfere with the teaching of those in the school who are less advanced. He understands English well, writes a good hand; can work sums in compound proportion,d'ulgar and decimal fractions; can parse fairly; and possesses a fair knowledge of English history aSnd general geography. He can read music, and plays both the piano and harmonium. —Book, 3rd Royal Reader. Two fair. Pronunciation rather gutteral and indistinct. Meaning of lesson understood. Spelling, imperfect. Dictation from lesson : Writing good, spelling imperfect. —Book, 2nd Royal Reader. Two good, two fair. Meaning of lesson understood. Spelling: two good, two imperfect.—Book, Ist Royal Reader. One good, nine fair, three imperfect. Most of the children in this class read indistinctly, and appeared very dull and stupid when, questioned about the lesson. —Book, Royal Primer. Pour fair, two imperfect. Learning to read : Seven. Arithmetic: Compound addition and multiplication: two, fair. Simple addition, subtraction, multiplication: one good, one fair, two imperfect. Simple addition, subtraction : three fair, eight imperfect. Most of the work very neat, figures very good. Multiplication tables: Twelve knew tables fairly, eight up to six times. Weights and measures : four, well. Writing: Eight good, four fair. Geography: Seven had a fair knowledge of geographical terms, and of the geography of jSTew Zealand and Europe. Singing: The children sang several songs and hymns, being accompanied on the harmonium by Te Hira Mutu and John Uru. Sewing: Mrs. Reeves teaches sewing, and produced several creditable specimens of work. Most of the little girls were wearing clothes they had sewn themselves, though the oldest of them was not more than ten years old. Mrs. Reeves complained that she was obliged to provide needles and thread at her own cost. She thought that £1 per annum would provide all she wanted. Drill: The whole of the pupils are regularly drilled, and are very proficient. The discipline of the school is exceedingly good. The children are quiet and well behaved ; but the master complains that many of the parents do not assist him in his efforts to train the children in