E.—2

9

the compulsory-attendance law. The following are the ages in England and some Australasian Colonies:—

The following were the ages of children attending school at the end of 1882 in— Victoria—Three years and under four ... ... ... ... 3,550 Pour " „ five ... ... ... ... 9,862 Five „ six ... ... ... ... 15,199 Six „ fifteen 178,035 Above fifteen years ... ... ... ... ... 11,524 Total 216,890 New South Wales—Under four years ... ... ... ... 2,148 Four years and under six ... ... ... 20,576 Six „ fourteen ... ... 129,991 Over fourteen years ... ... ... 15,274 Total 167,989 The following is the summary for New Zealand for 1883 : — Ages of Scholars. (E.-l, 1884, p. iv.) Table No. 5 of the Appendix shows the ages of the scholars of both sexes who belonged to the schools of the different Board districts during the quarter ending 31st December, 1883. The following is a summary of the ages of the scholars in the whole of the schools :—

TABLE B.—Ages of Scholars at the End of the Year.

The last four columns of the table show that the proportion of scholars at the different ages remains much the same from year to year. As compared with 1882, there was an increase last year in the proportion of those between seven and ten years, and a corresponding decrease in the number between ten and thirteen years. I attach an extract from the American Cyclopaedia on the subject of school age. John Hislop.

EXTBAOT FKOM THE [AiIEEICAN] CYCLOPEDIA OF EDUCATION. School Age, or Scholastic Age. —The age fixed by law during which pupils may attend the public schools. This varies considerably in different countries, both as to its commencement and termination. Thus, in Prussia the school age is from sto 14 years; in France, from 7to 13; in Switzerland, from 6 to 13; and in England, from 3 to 18. In the latter country the rule is as follows : " Attendances may not be reckoned for any scholar above 18', or in any day school under 3, •or in an evening school under 12 years of age." The legislation on this subject in the different 2—E. 2.

Countries. Children may attend School and earn Grants between Children must be sent to School by Parents between ingland Icotland few Zealand Victoria Jueensland .. few South Wales 3 and 18 3 „ 18 5 „ 15 3 „ 16 5 „ 14 i „ 14 5 and 13 5 „ 13 1 » 13 6 „ 15 6 „ 12 6 „ 14

Ages. Boys. Girls. Total. Percentage fc )r Four Ye! tfs. "ive and under seven years .. leven and under ten years )en and under thirteen years 'hirteen and under fifteen years )ver fifteen years 10,791 17,814 13,750 4,629 720 9,735 16,202 13,060 4,685 1,090 20,526 34,016 26,810 9,314 1,810 1883. | 1882. 22-20 i 22-64 36-78 ■ 35-56 29-00 I 30-09 10-07 9-82 1-95 1-89 1881. 22-73 35-41 30-39 9-60 1-87 1880. 22-33 35-99 30-25 9-66 1-77 Totals for 1883 Totals for 1882 47,704 45,082 44,772 42,097 92,476 87,179 100-00 100-00 100-00 100-00 Increase 2,622 2,675 5,297 I