XXIV

E.—l

Education. The first examination under the new rules (Gazette, 31st March, 1887) is to take place in January, 1888, at the same time as the examination for teachers' certificates. The Post Office system of receiving deposits of postage-stamps at the savings banks does not appear to be gaining in favour. The number of accounts open at the end of 1886 w Tas 3,172; in 1885 the number was 3,296; in 1884 it was 4,284 ; and in 1883 it was 5,586. The statistics for 1886, arranged according to postal districts, are as follows : —

Postal Districts. New Accounts. Accounts open in December. At Credit of Accounts, December. 1886. Auckland 31enheim jhristchurch Dunedin jisborne.. jreymouth Hokitika invercargill Napier .. kelson .. sJev/ Plymouth j.. )amaru .. Phames .. timaru ,.. Wanganui Vellington Vestport 48 66 64 81 14 12 3 23 24 42 74 27 36 43 37 295 47 119 83 779 389 14 12 5 27 92 419 93 110 187 133 93 571 46 £ s. d. 52 3 5 21 3 11 755 9 7 99 15 4 8 16 11 5 11 0 1 12 0 7 4 0 31 2 8 528 7 3 15 11 0 86 13 3 92 0 8 110 19 3 64 1 4 98 3 11 21 11 8 Totals 936 3,172 2,000 7