E.—6a

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accommodation and teaching appliances." Ido not suppose that teaching appliances would have been withheld had they been asked for. The accommodation has been unsatisfactory. The state of the school is such—as proved by Mr. Edge's report and my own observation—that I do not hesitate to recommend that it be immediately reorganized. I further recommend that, when a new master has been appointed, he be instructed to apply himself particularly to the task of working up the arithmetic throughout the school; and be informed that, while liberty is conceded to him to teach the full standard course, the school will, for some time, be judged by the progress of the children in reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic. He should also pay special attention to the children above twelve years of age, who may soon have to go out to service. With regard to those children who are required to work, the present manager will be careful not to keep them away from school more than half their time, and will see that they have, at least, one unbroken week in school for every week out of it. When Mr. Maddison applied for a pass for a teacher of singing, I find that he had it in mind to revive the band also. He tells me that Mr. Corrick, recommended by Messrs. Milner and Thompson, would teach singing and instruct a band for £50 a year, and railway fares. There would probably be considerable expense in putting neglected instruments into repair. I believe Mr. Maddison would try to raise money by benevolent contributions. I have advised him to make the wages of children licensed out range from 2s. to 4s a week, and board and clothing, &c. I am not prepared to recommend the establishment of branch depots at the old immigration houses. lam very hopeful of the success of a boarding-out scheme, if the law can be altered to suit it. Mr. March would be willing to act as agent in Christchurch to negotiate the licensing-out of children. Of course, the master's powers would not be interfered with. Wm. Jas. Habens.

2.— Report iy Mr. Edge. Sic, — Education Office, Christchurch, 9th November, 1880. I have the honor to submit the following report on the Burnham Industrial School: — Number on roll, 165; present at examination, 162. Teachers: Mr. Fittal (uncertificated), Mrs. Collee (uncertificated). Result of Examination in Standards: —Presented: Standard IV., 10; 111., 22; 11., 30; 1., 27: total, 89. Average: Standard IV., 131; 111., 115 ; 11., 102; 1., 103. Passed: Standard 1., 13. Percentage, 14. Present Classification :— Preparing for Standard IV., 10 ; 111., 22 ; 11., 43; 1., 87 : total, 162. General Remarks. —At my first inspection of this school, held in February last, the attainments of the children were found to be very unequal, and, generally speaking, below the requirements of the standards in which they were presented. Such being the case, I determined to make that examination a preliminary one. I now find that, after eight months' work, the school is in the same unsatisfactory state as it was then, and that, with but very few exceptions, the scholars are still unprepared to pass their respective standards. Those presented in the Third and Fourth Standards were unable to work correctly the most elementary sums, and their other work was very imperfect. In the lower classes the attainments were very meagre. The state of the work in each standard is fully shown in the classlists attached to this report. Considering the time that several of the children have been in the institution, and their regular and punctual attendance during that time, very fair results should have been produced. The pupils were clean in person, subdued and respectful in demeanour, and in very fair order. More attention should be paid to school-drill and class movements. The schoolmaster again complained of the want of suitable reading-books, ink-wells, copies, and other requisites ; but, as he had never asked for them, Ido not see that he has much ground for complaint. After making due allowance for the special difficulties under which the teachers have laboured, I must say that the results of the instruction are far from creditable. I have, &c, W. L. Edge, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Inspector of Schools.

3. — Report iy Medical Officer. Sib,— Christchurch, 10th June, 1881. I have the honor to inform you that I have recently made an inspection of the Industrial School at Burnham, and beg to report that I found the institution generally in a very orderly and clean, condition. The inmates at present number 187 —namely, 127 boys, and 60 girls. 1 submit the following statement of admissions since Ist May, 1880, to 31st May, 1881: — Admissions from Ist May, 1880, to 31st October, 1880,23 boys, 10 girls; from Ist November, 1880, to 31st January, 1881, 7 boys, 1 girl; from Ist February, 1881, to 31st May, 1881, 19 boys, 8 girls: total, 49 boys, 19 girls. Twelve boys and seven girls are licensed out to farmers, and seven boys and five girls are licensed out with parents and friends, while two have been discharged under the Act. The newly-erected buildings have made the institution exceedingly comfortable, and afforded sufficient room for the accommodation of about sixty more inmates. The sleeping compartment is divided into seven dormitories, including the infants' department. The old schoolroom is now occupied as a dining-room. The new schoolroom is well ventilated, and admirably adapted for the purpose. The drainage, as far as constructed, answers very well. As the most effectual method of getting rid of the solid refuse, &c, I have advised that it be burnt to ashes in the open air. The liquid sewage is carted away and distributed over the land (which is of very poor quality) at some distance from the buildings; and the closet excreta is periodically buried in the soil. I nave to remark that the closets in