73

E.-1.

Inspection.—Since the close of 1881, but prior to the date of this report, vacancies occurred in the office of Inspector, through the retirement of Mr. Eestell, who resigned on account of private affairs, and the lamented death of Mr. Curnow, formerly Tieadmasier of the main school, Christchurch East, whom the Board had appointed in his place. It has since been resolved to invite applications for the appointment. Mr. Edge's report for the year 1881 is appended. The following table gives the number of children who were examined, aud who passed, and the average age at which they passed in each standard :—

Noemal School. —The report of the Principal gives a full account of the working of this institution, and particularly of the modifications which it has been found desirable to introduce in the Kindergarten School. At the end of the December quarter there were 43 students in training—l 4 males and 29 females. Many of these gained their teacher's certificate at the examination in January, and have obtained or are seeking situations in schools; but the number shows no tendency to decrease, as the places of those who leave are immediately filled by fresh students. The inducements offered to pupil-teachers have had a marked effect in encouraging them to devote a year after the completion of their term of service to qualifying themselves for the higher work of their profession, by a course of study and technical training in the Normal School. Scholaeships.—The examinations for scholarships were held in June, and were conducted by Professor Cook and J. V. Colborne-Veel, Esq., M.A. The number of candidates examined was 56, viz., in Class A, 11 (under 11 years of age), 4 boys and 7 girls ; in Class B, 17 (under 12 years of age), 8 boys and 9 girls; in Class C, 20 (under 13 years of age), 15 boys and 5 girls ; in Class D, 8 (under 14 years of age), 5 boys and 3 girls. The successful candidates were : In Class A, Elizabeth Stevenson, Frederick Gibson, and Edwin N orris; in Class B, Matthew Butterfield (who resigned the scholarship he gained in 1880), Thomas Green (who resigned the divided scholarship he gained in 1880, in favour of Janet Prosser), Richard Clarkson, and Hugh Leach; in Class C, Thomas Weston, Thomas Cresswell (who resigned the scholarship he gained in 1880), Emily Burgess, and Charles Garrard ; in Class D, Joseph Turner and Robert Speight (who resigned the scholarship he gained in 1880). The scholarships now current are held as shown in the following table.* Compulsoby Clauses.—ln compliance with instructions from the Education Department, a circular letter was addressed to all School Committees in the district, inquiring whether the compulsory clauses of the Education Act had been brought into force, and whether the Committee wished the aid of the police so offered by Government in the enforcement of them. The replies received up to date show that only twenty-two Committees have resolved on enforcing these clauses, of whom seventeen have availed themselves of the proffered assistance. But, so far, no noticeable results have followed. In a few instances the exertions of an energetic Committee have produced an increased attendance; but, as a rule, Committees seem to regard their power of compulsion as one to be exercised only in very extreme cases, and the clauses, though nominally in force, remain virtually inoperative. It appears unlikely that the compulsory provisions of the Act will be of much practical value until some means are devised of bringing them into operation in a far more systematic and effective manner than is practicable at present. Penny Sayings-Banks.—There are now no penny savings-banks in this district. Two were established in 1880 in connection with the schools at Kaiapoi Island North, and Balcairn; but in both eases they proved a failure, and the Committees decided on closing them. The former was closed in July last, and the latter at the end of December. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. John Inglis, Chairman.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31sfc December, 1881. Maintenance Account. £ s. d. By Payments by School Commissioners, held £ s. d. To Cash in bank ... ... ... 9)211 911 for General Government ... ... 3,546 14 6 Scholarship Fund ... ... ... 4,000 0 0 Public libraries ... ... ... 6 13 9 Accounts payable, viz., salaries, printing, advertising, inspection, &c. ... ... 378 11 8 Balance ... ... ... ~, 1,279 10 0 £9,211 9 11 . £9,211 9 11 Buildings Account. To Cash in bank ... ... ... 5,902 18 VI By Contracts in hand ... ... ... 4,774 13 3 Balance of Government grant undrawn ... 8,969 0 0 Appropriation for works, ]but contracts not signed ... ... ... 1,074 15 4 Bef and of deposits on contracts ... 53 10 0 Balance ... ... .„ ... 8,969 0 0 £14,871 18 7 . £14,871 18 7 . • ■■■■ J. V. Colboene-Veel, Secretary.

* Not reprinted.

10— E. 1.

Standard Number Presented. Number Passed. Average Age. Percentage. No. of Schools at which Pupila were successful. VI. V. IV. III. II. I. 68 215 463 962 940 1,032 40 126 248 585 665 934 Yrs. mos. 14 3 13 4 12 6 11 7 10 1 8 9 58 58 53 60 70 90 . 15 29 36 52 59 61 Totals 3,680 2,598 70 I