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drawing, especially geometrical drawing, is taught, there is a strong physical science department, embracing six chemistry classes, three physics classes, and one class in elementary science. There is also a book-keeping and correspondence class, and one for elementary shorthand. These classes in geometrical drawing, chemistry, physics, book-keeping, and shorthand are, in addition to the classes in these subjects, taught in the modern form, so that a boy learning Latin may still receive as well the basis of a technical training. There is also an extra school carpenter's shop fee, 2s. 6d. a term. I have, &c, A. Cracroft Wilson, Registrar. For your further information I enclose herewith a prospectus of the school for the current year

Sir,— Christchurch, 29th July, 1895. Girls' High School. In reply to your circular dated the 24th July, I have the honour, by direction of the Chairman, to inform you that in the Girls' High School there are at present fifteen scholars whose attainments are below the Sixth Standard pass of a primary school. One hundred and thirty-five girls are attending the school this term, and 120 of the number have either passed the Sixth Standard or are capable of doing so. In addition to the ordinary English subjects, the scholars receive instruction in the following. History, English and Roman, Geography, physical and political, English literature, English composition, Latin, French, German, mathematics, botany, physiology, physics, cooking, dresscutting, sewing, drawing, class singing, calisthenics, drill, swimming, shorthand. The school is conducted by the lady principal and six assistants, in addition to these there are six visiting teachers, specialists for the subjects of French and German, cooking, dress-cutting, calisthenics and drill, swimming. The course of instruction reaches the level required for the Junior University Scholarship Examination, the girls of the highest class making use of the examination of the University of New Zealand as their leaving examination. I have, &c. A. Cbacroft Wilson, Registrar

Christ's College. Sir,— Christchurch, 27th August, 1895. In replying to your letter of the 24th ultimo, in which you request information about Christ's College Grammar School, similar to that asked for in a circular addressed to the High School Boards of the colony, I have to point out that Christ's College School though essentially a public school, inasmuch as it is open to all, and is not carried on for profit, is differentiated from the " high schools " by the circumstances and date (anterior to the establishment of a State system of primary education in the colony) of its foundation, the sources of its endowments, and the nature of the trusts undertaken by the governing body This difference has been recognised and accentuated by the subsequent foundation in Christchurch of a school specially designed to serve the purposes of a " high school " , and the existence of this high school has greatly limited the supply of pupils from the primary schools to Christ's College, to such an extent, indeed, that the competition for certain scholarships founded with the object of attracting the most promising of such boys is very far from being as keen as the governing body could wish. These facts have an important bearing upon the matters as to which you desire information. I proceed to deal with your inquiries : — 1. Number of pupils unable to pass Standard VI. —The headmaster informs me that he is unable to give a definite number with any confidence that it is even approximately accurate. The classification of the school is not made with any reference to the standards per se, nor are the examinations upon the same lines as the standard examinations. Also, he has no means of estimating the degree of proficiency in the prescribed subjects required for passes in the standards, except his knowledge of the attainments of boys who have come under his observation after either passing or failing, and his experience in this way has led him to the conclusion that the standard of proficiency is very variable. It may, however, be stated that the Lower School, containing at present twenty-nine boys, is designed expressly for boys who are considerably below the average age for passing Standard VI., and that of the seventy boys in the lowest three forms of the Upper School perhaps nearly or quite one-half would fail if called upon to undergo the examination without notice. Of these, however, many would require only a short preparation in certain portions of subjects, which in the course followed here are deferred to a later stage to enable them to pass, and many would be able to pass at once an examination of at least equal difficulty though of different character. 2. Arrangements for Sixth Standard Pupils. —Sixth Standard pupils are not recognised as a distinct class. New boys are placed according to their performances in the entrance examination. But provision is made for those whose previous education has not been such as to lead up to the course followed here in the existence of a " special form " outside the ordinary succession of forms. In this form such boys are as quickly as possible brought into line with the others, and from it they are passed into the ordinary forms without any waste of time. In this way boys of good ability are enabled to attain very rapidly to the higher forms, and to qualify for the higher scholarships. I have, &c, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. C. Christchurch, Warden.