21

E.—lb

A short course of lessons has been given in the larger schools in 'elementary botany by the science-master ; but the teaching of the elements of chemistry and physics, which have been hitherto well taught in several of our best schools, has been in abeyance, the teacher looking to the sciencemaster to take up the direction of the work. It is a pity that this should have been the effect of the appointment, which was made without much previous intimation; but the science - master could not see his way to go on at once with the experimental work, and did not make arrangements for the work going on as before. Well-defined programmes in physics and botany will shortly be put before teachers to indicate the work of the year, it being left optional to them to take up one or the other subjects. The duties of the drill-instructor are to teach extension motions, the use of Indian clubs and dumb-bells, and gymnastics generally. Most of the parallel bars and other necessary appliances have been erected under his direction by the city local Committees, and a course of instruction is sketched out and begun. Much of it is repetition of exercises which have been already well taken up in some of the schools, but it appears to the instructor necessary to begin dc novo. I think, however, he will do well as soon as possible to delegate some of the work to teachers who are competent to go on with it, and to confine his own work to gymnastics. Whilst I am hopeful that the appointment of visiting instructors in drawing, science, and drill will be attended, with advantage, I must point out that the changes have not been made without friction and without loss. It has already been stated that the science-teaching in the schools has actually suffered during the past year by the appointment of the science-master. The new arrangement for carrying on the drawing-classes may lead to some loss of time in going back to a fresh point of departure. Also, the teaching in gymnastics is practically setting aside, at least for a time, the system of military drill in cadet corps which some time ago was an interesting feature in school-work. This is at best a misfortune, and it shows how carefully and timely changes should be made. It will be my duty to watch the issue of events, and jealously guard against any further retrogression consequent on the change. I could not afford to set apart sufficient time for examining the Training College this year, but I have made one or two occasional visits. The number of students does not increase, and the work is nearly confined to preparation for passing the D and B certificate examination. The tone of the institution is good ; and, I believe, the class-instruction is well imparted both by the principal and the normal mistress. Also, the theories taught in school management are generally sound in principle. The high-school w Tork, Masterton, which last year was begun with a few pupils in each of three subjects, has now almost altogether fallen through. I have, &c, The Chairman, Wellington Education Board. Eobkrt Lee, Inspector.

HA WEE'S BAY. Sm, — Education Office, Napier, 4th January, 188 G. I have the honour to submit my general report upon the condition and progress of the schools in this education district for the year ended December last. Thirty-nine schools were then in operation, and all of them were examined and fully reported upon by me before the close of the school year, with the exception of the small school at Wainui, which was not opened until the beginning of the December quarter. The number returned as attending school was 4,654, which gives an average number of pupils to each school of 119-3. The schools are distributed in the five counties now forming the education district as follows : —

New Schools.— Two new schools were opened during the year—viz., Maraetaha, in the Cook County, where the attendance has already necessitated an enlargement of the original building, and Wainui, in the Waipawa County, where for several years a schoolhouse has been standing unoccupied in consequence of the existence of local jealousies among the settlers. Happily, peace has been made, and in the latter part of the year a teacher was appointed to take charge of the school. School accommodation. —In most of the school districts the accommodation provided at the end of the year was sufficient for the average number of pupils attending school. The building operations which have been carried on during the year have supplied a want that has been more or less severely felt in a number of school districts for some years past. At the present rate of increase, however, I doubt whether a fair balance between the attendance and the school supply will be of long duration. At Napier and Hastings the provision which was made in the latter half of the school year has already been taken up, and the school at Norsewood, though large enough for the numbers attending during the past year, would have been totally inadequate had the school been under efficient management. There are at least a hundred children of school age residing within the limits of

County. No. of Schools. Total it end Quarter. Total iverage \ dumber. Weekly Total ' Di iVorking icembor, Average, 1885. Average in December, 1878. . Cook . Wairoa . Hawke's Bay . Patangata . Waipawa 7 3 10 6 13 M. 494 93 1,027 194 618 P. 442 99 951 174 562 Total. 936 192 1,978 368 1,180 M. 510 91 1,048 197 591 F. 446 100 962 170 545 Total. 956 191 2,010 367 1,136 M. 423 74 839 164 458 P. 387 86 746 144 412 Total. 810 160 1,585 308 870 307 101 770 179 292 Total 39 2,426 2,228 4,654 2,437 2,223 4,660 1,958 1,775 3,733 1,649