E.—lb

45

subjects of lessons. A teacher who takes up that branch which suits him best and devotes careful thought to preparing his lessons in such a way as to satisfy the conditions named can accomplish much even in one or two half-hour lessons a week. We heartily commend to those teachers who are not already acquainted with them the remarks of Mr. Inspector Fitch upon these subjects (" Lectures on Teaching," pp. 393 to 419).

Table D.—Additional Subjects.

The additional subjects have been indulgently treated. Wherever a moderate attempt has been made half marks have been granted. Sewing, as may be seen from the table, occupies the best position ; and, although the quality falls far behind the English standard, the work, for the time that can be devoted to it, is efficiently performed. We have, &c, L. B. Wood, M.A., W. J. Andeeson, LL.D., Geobge Hogben, M.A., The Chairman, North Canterbury Board of Education. Inspectors.

OTAGO. 1. Me. Peteie's Eepoet. Sib,— Education Office, Dunedin, 31st March, 1887. I have the honour to submit the following report for the year 1886 : — During the year I paid ono or more visits of inspection to fifty-three schools, and examined sixty-seven. At nineteen of the largest of the latter I was assisted by Mr. Inspector Taylor. In the discharge of my duties I travelled 3,937 miles, and spent a total of 1,904-| hours in 292 days, or, on the average, 6f hours daily. The following table shows at one view the statistics of examination for the year : —

Of the 21,460 pupils presented on the examination schedules, 12,971 were entered for examination in one or other of the standards, being 810 more than the corresponding number for last year. A total of 12,488 were present, and were examined in Standards I. to VI. Of these, 9,600 passed the standard for which they were presented, a result which gives 77 as the percentage of passes in standards. Last year, under the old regulations, the percentage of passes was also 77. The average percentage in class-subjects was 60, and the average of additional marks 61, the total attainable in the latter being 120. In Standards 1., 11., V., and VI. there has been a slight decline in the percentage of passes. This result was not altogether unexpected, for under the new regulations the requirements for a pass have been made somewhat more stringent, though the number of subjects is in some cases reduced. It is now an instruction to Inspectors that "no reading that is not intelligent shall be allowed to count towards a pass," and they are directed to refuse a pass in the standard for very serious failure in one subject, and even for simple failure, if it be due to the pupil's negligence or to ineffective teaching. A fair interpretation of these instructions has led my colleagues and myself to fail a good many for reading and arithmetic, and on rare occasions for spelling and grammar also, who would have been allowed to pass last year, Thus, every one went down for the standard who

Subject. Average Mark of Schools submitting Subject. Number of Schools obtaining Mark 15 and upwards. Number of Schools obtaining Mark 10 to 14. Number of Schools obtaining Mark 5 to 9. Number of Schools obtaining Stark less than 5. Number of Schools submitting Subject for Examination lepetition and recitation ... )rill and exercises iinging Needlework iubject-matter of reading lessons iixtra Drawing ... 11-9 10-2 11-1 14-1 11-4 28 32 36 75 31 86 48 35 52 71 28 31 33 9 33 19 8 4 9 142 130 112 140 144 6 2 1 2 5

Standard Classes. Presented. Absont. Bxoepted. Failed. Passed. Percentage of Passes. P SI S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 8,268 2,881 2,960 2,814 2,254 1,362 693 221 98 109 106 103 55 12 37 103 111 65 32 12 265 499 657 534 413 160 2,481 2, 240 1,940 1,552 869 509 89 79 72 72 66 75 21,460 483 360 2,528 9,600