E.—o.

secondary schools. On the other hand, other papers exhibited a very scanty knowledge of the facts of chemistry. It is to bo noted that the best papers were those returned by the pupils who had worked in the laboratory. Practical Chemistry. —Those of the pupils who study this portion of the subject were specially examined in it, and the results were good considering the limited provision made for laboratory work. Geography. —The work done in geography was very fair, the pupils showing a good knowledge of the position of places. In the physical part of the subject, however, the answers were not so satisfactory. From Class 11. some excellent maps were received. History. —A fair knowledge of the facts was shown on the whole, but there was too great a tendency to have recourse to the imagination. English Grammar and Composition. —The Second Class exhibited a good knowledge of grammar, and many of the essays returned showed considerable ability. For the Third Class the paper set was perhaps too difficult to bring out the best results, but it is clear that more attention should be paid to the proper construction of sentences. The essays were not unsatisfactory. Latin. —ln Latin the grammar was fair, but the translation from English into Latin was not sufficiently accurate. The translation from Latin into English done by Class 11. was weak, whilst in the case of Class lIIa. the translation departed too widely from the text, suggesting the idea that the subject-matter was written from memory, and not actually translated from the text. French.—ln Class I. the results were very good, the language being employed with marked facility. Class 11. yielded average results, while Class lIIb. did very good work, translating into French with much greater accuracy than in former years. Reviewing the examination as a whole, we consider that, though there is need for improvement in some of the points referred to above, the Thames High School is in a very satisfactory condition. We have, &c, Fred. D. Beown. The Board of Governors, Thames High School. A. P. W. Thomas.

Sic,— In compliance with the request of the Board of Governors, we have examined the drawings at the High School. There were two classes of drawings presented for our insp3ction. The first consisted of original designs, in which there were six competitors. We have awarded the prize to No. 321, but wo warmly common! the design of 231, and the animals of 213.and 132 In the general work of the class wo have awarded the prize to G, and we desire to common \ the work of B and D. One sketch of flowers from Nature, which was fairly executed, deserves commendation. We were pleased to see the drawings from original designs, which displayed failability in most of the competitors. This is a kind of work that deserves encouragement, as it tends to develop whatever of genius the student may possess. L. Neill. The Secretaiy, Thames High School. F. Tizard. Note.—The prize-winner of original designs, No. 321, is Mabel Styak. Those commended are —(No. 231) M. Fleming, (No. 213) Louisa Wright, and (No. 132) Harold Coney. In general work the prize-winner (G) is Helen Kilgour, and those commended (B and D) were F. Fletcher and W. Pearce respectively. The sketch of flowers from Nature was executed by Nessie Kilgour. — James Adams, 8.A., Headmaster.

Sic,— We have examined the sewing, as requested by the Board of Governors, and we award the prizes as follows : In Class 1., to the work labelled 52 ; in Class 11., to the work labelled 48; in Class 111., to the work labelled 19. Wo have also examined the darning, of which there were two classes. The prize in Class I. is awarded to No. 4, and we commend the work of No. 11. In Class 11. the prize is awarded to No. 1. Wo would recommend that in future each competitor should show a specimen of each kind of needlework— e.g., stitching, gathering, buttonholes, sewing, &c. L. Neill. The Secretary, Thames High School. F. Tizaed. Note.—The work labelled 52 is that of S. J. Hetherington, No. 48 is that of Isabella Laurie, and No. 19 is the work of Kate Bayldon. In darning, No. 4is the work of Florence Fletcher, and No. 11 (commended) that of Jessie Aitken. The prize in the Second Class (No. 1) is that of Effie Murray.—James Adams, 8.A., Headmaster.

4. Eepoet of the Inspector-Genebal to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Thames High School. —lnspected 20th October, 1885. In this school boys and girls are taught together, and that without any inconvenience, so far as I can ascertain. The school is of a more modern type than most of our high schools. Latin is taught so far as to enable the best pupils to pass the Civil Service Examination; but less stress is laid upon it than in schools of the strict grammar-school type. The most advanced pupils can construe a difficult passage from Caesar intelligently, and have a fair knowledge of the fundamental parts of the grammar. Their knowledge of mathematics, as shown by their ability to deal with "riders" to propositions in Euclid's Third Book, is very creditable. They have considerable practice in reading French. Good object lessons are given. The modern science department is well adapted to the wants of the locality, practical chemistry being taught in a laboratory, with all appliances necessary for assaying. The instruction in the lowest part of the school is, I think, not quite as energetic and interesting as it might be.

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