E.—l

19

questions as these arise: Are the results of infant-school work as apparent as they are expected to be in the subsequent progress of the pupil ? Are large classes, taught by subordinate teachers, really better off than the children of a country school where each pupil gets a share, though only a small share, of the time and attention of a very capable master ? Are the pupils of the practising schools attached to training colleges injuriously affected by receiving part of their instruction from students in training ? And, Do the principal teachers of large schools bring their technical skill to bear to the fullest possible degree upon the work done in the loAver part of the school under their general direction ? These are questions that cannot well be ansAvered, except by those who have local knowledge of all the special and exceptional circumstances of each school. Scholarships. The annual reports of the several Boards contain information, more or less complete, respecting the scholarships established by them. The number of scholarships held in 1880 under the 41st section of the Act was 115, being an increase of 19 on the number held during the previous year. The Boards' expenditure on scholarships for the past year amounted to £8,615 18s. 7d., as compared with £2,8>>4 14s. 4d. for 1879. The folloAving summary shows the number, annual value, period of tenure, &c, of scholarships held at the close of 1880 in the several education districts :—

TABLE R.—Scholarships.

Eree tuition is given to the Boards' scholars by the authorities of the Auckland College and Grammar School, the Auckland Girls' High School, Nelson College, and the Otago High Schools. The Auckland Schools also admit without fee those competitors who, failing to obtain scholarships, acquit themselves so well as to receive " Certificates of Proficiency" from the examiners. Such certificates are held by 37 boys and 9 girls; and, of these, 13 boys and 3 girls now avail themselves of the privilege. Nelson College, besides receiving the Nelson and Marlborough Boards' scholars, grants free education to the tAvo most successful candidates among the boys from the Nelson City schools at the Boards' scholarship examination. Wellington College, from funds placed at its disposal for the purpose, grants four scholarships, tenable from the age of twelve or more to the age of sixteen, to boys from the public schools. The departmental regulations respecting scholarships are of a very general character, each Board being left to make its own rules, subject to the approval of

Education Districts. Number held in 1880. Ope: Pupils of Board Schools. All Comers. to Annual Value. Period of Tenure. Expended on Scholarships in 1880. Remarks, iueikland 27 18 9 £ s. d. 30 0 0 Years. 2 £ s. d. 838 9 0 With free tuition at Auckland College and Grammar School, or Girls' High School. No scholarships instituted. Three at £20; two at £25; one at £30. Three at £30; one at £20; two at £15 ; two at £10. Five at £30 ; one at £20; one at £15. With free tuition at Nelson College. With free tuition at Nelson College. faranaki is 6 1 and 2 121 4 4 Wanganui Wellington 8 4 4 2 182 13 0 lawke's Bay 7 7 land 2 138 5 2 Marlborough 2 2 40 0 0 2 46 7 0 kelson ... 5 5 40 0 0 2 212 4 6 forth Canterbury South Canterbury 21 8 "8 21 40 0 0 2 1 907 17 8 181 1 10 Westland )tago ... 4 23 4, 23 40 0 0 2 2 and 3 192 10 0 710 0 4 One at £25 ; one at £30 j one at £35 j one at £12 10s.; two at £27; oneat£710s.; oneat£10. Two at £50 ; two at £40. £20 if holder resides at home. Junior tenable for two years ; senior for three years, with free tuition at High Schools. £40 if holder resides beyond reach of home. Southland 4 4 20 0 0 2 82 5 9 Totals 115 48 67 3,615 18 7