E.—IB.

might be taught concurrently, when it would be found that each helped the other. Little fault can reasonably be found, however, with the way in which both of these branches are being taught at present. Great pains have evidently been taken by our teachers to improve the faulty spelling of which I had such good reason to complain last year. Although matters have certainly mended, much remains to be done before the general result can be termed quite satisfactory. It is only fair, however, to explain that the large increase in the number of those who broke down this year, especially in the upper classes, was mainly due to the nature of the test applied to the latter. For the older scholars the dictation was taken from a book with which they had no previous acquaintance ; and this ordeal, though not, I think, an unfair one, proved too hard for scholars of fourteen or fifteen years old. The systematic teaching of vocal music, now general in our town schools, is generally spreading throughout the country districts. The progress made by the children in part-singing, and in the art of reading simple music at sight, is most encouraging. Several of our country teachers, with praiseworthy zeal, have been studying music to such good purpose that, though they knew little or nothing about the subject a year or two ago, they are now able to train and conduct efficiently their own music classes. Many teachers have also attended drawing classes, with the laudable object of better qualifying themselves for teaching that art. The good results of this may already be seen in the improved work of their pupils. Blank drawing-books are now fast superseding the very unsatisfactory books formerly in general use, when the teachers were less able than they now are to draw copies or to teach from models. My usual account of the condition of each school when it was last examined is appended. [Not reprinted.] I have, &c, W. C. Hodgson, Inspector. The Chairman, Board of Education, Nelson.

Summary of Results for the Whole District.

GBEY. Sis,— Education Office, Greymouth, Bth April, 189]. I have the honour to present my report upon the schools in the Grey District for 1890. Nineteen schools were examined, and the examination of two schools was deferred owing to bad weather and other causes. The following tables give full particulars of passes, and furnish a means of estimating the condition of the district from year to year, since 1885 [not all reprinted] :—

21

Classes. Presented. Absent. Excepted. Failed. Passed. Average Age of those that passed. Yrs. m. Above Standard VI. Standard VI. V. „ iv. „ III. II. I. Preparatory ... 124 351 513 704 741 740 734 1,807 13 22 29 25 26 21 IS 25 52 32 40 25 88 134 218 109 135 53 232 332 405 575 539 635 13 11 12 10 12 0 10 10 9 10 8 8 Totals 5,714 136 192 737 2,718 * Mean of average age, 11 years i months.

1885. 1887. 1889. 1890. Roll-number on day of examination Number of above who have already passed the standard course ... Within standard classification Number enrolled in standard classes present at examination Number promoted to a higher standard Percentage of promotions— On roll-number of school On roll-number of standard classes On number present in standard classes Mean of average age in standards. . Mean of average age of those who passed ... Percentage of passes in standard pass-subjects 1,383 14 872 828 579 1,513 27 1,058 " 972 676 1,746 18 1,177 1,100 731 1,729 26 1,161 1,080 912 41-87 66-4 69-93 44-6 64 70 lly. 4m. lly. 5m. 78 41-9 62-1 66-5 lly. 3m. lly. 6m. 77 52-7 78-5 84-4 lly. 4m. lly. 7m. 85