E.—3

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Instruction of Standard VII. and Preparatory Classes. —The candidate in Standard VII. passed. The work shows a decided improvement on that of past years, more especially in pass-subjects and geography. The school is held in two rooms. I beg to recommend the authorities to place an experienced teacher in charge of the lower department, and to allow Miss McKenny, now in charge of Standards 11. and I. and Preparatory, to assist the experienced teacher in charge of the upper department. The Sisters have worked hard, and with satisfactory results. T. R. Fleming, Inspector.

St. Mary's, Nelson (Stoke Branch, Boys), School (examined 20th December, 1901). Pass-subjects. —Presented: Standard VI., 7; Standard V., 11; Standard IV., 26; Standard 111., 21; Standard 11., 13; Standard 1., 6; Preparatory, 8. Examined in Standards: Standard VI., 7; Standard V., 11; Standard IV., 25; Standard 111., 21; Standard 11., 13; Standard 1., 6. Passed: Standard VI., 6; Standard V., 9; Standard IV., 16; Standard 111., 16; Standard 11., 13; Standard 1., 5. In Standard VI. there is slight weakness in spelling and arithmetic. In Standard V. a little weakness in arithmetic. In Standard IV. there is considerable weakness in arithmetic and spelling, especially the latter. In Standard 111. the weakness is uniform; worst subject, reading ; control is defective; so is attention. Standard 11. is a good standard on the whole ; class taught by headmaster. Class-subjects. —ln geography good work was shown in Classes V. and VI., fair in IV., and weak in 111. In drawing the senior work is satisfactory. In grammar the seniors are very good; IV., fair; 111., very weak. History as above; seniors very good. Elementary science, objectlessons, &c.: Much good work has been done with elementary physiology. Recitation fair in the lower standards. No handwork was seen. Additional Subjects. —Singing: Rather rough, but something has been effected; rounds are not unpleasantly sung. Needlework: None. Drill and exercises, except what was shown in school, was unseen ; it was very late when work was finished. Instruction of Standard VII. and Preparatory Class. —No Standard VII. Although some of the preparatories are decidedly poor, some of them write satisfactorily. James H. Pope, Inspector.

St. Mary's, Nelson (Girl's Branch), School (examined 21st December, 1901). Pass-subjects. —Presented: Standard VI., 5; Standard V., 13; Standard IV., 9; Standard 111., 8; Standard 11., 5 ; Standard 1., 6 (also 3 boys) ; Preparatory, 31—viz., 12 boys and 19 girls. Examined in Standards: Standard VI., 5; Standard V., 13; Standard I"V., 9; Standard 111., 8 ; Standard 11., 5; Standard 1., 6 (also 3 boys). Passed : Standard VI., 4 ; Standard V., 12; Standard IV., 9; Standard 111., 7; Standard 11., 5; Standard 1., 6 (also 3 boys). In Standard VI. there was a little weakness in arithmetic—in book-work, at all events ; so also in Standard V. Standard IV. was good on the whole. Standard 111. : A little weakness in spelling. Standard II.: Writing in a transition stage. Standard I. was good in some respects ; writing pretty weak. Class-subjects. —Geography: Highly satisfactory. Drawing: Books were generally very neat, and they contained good work ; the drawing was mostly freehand. Grammar : I was very pleased with this work. History : Very good indeed. Elementary science, object-lessons, &c.: Physiology was the subject taken ; it was very pleasing. Recitation good. Additional Subjects. —Singing: Both practical and theoretical work was well up to the mark. Needlework : There was not, generally, the extreme neatness shown in the best work done by Maoris, but all that I saw was very good. Drill and exercises : Very pleasing musical drill. Instruction of Standard VII. and Preparatory Class. —No Standard VII. The teacher of the infant department is not experienced. It seems to me of paramount importance that the teacher of the lower division of a school like this should be very able. It is highly desirable that children should be put on the right track at the very beginning. A kindergarten infant-school teacher should, I think, have charge of the lowest division. James H. Pope, Inspector.

Burnham Industrial School (examined 12th December, 1901). We beg to submit the following report on the pass, class, and additional subjects examined by us at Burnham Industrial School to-day : — Reading throughout the school is good. There is a tendency to neglect the letter "h" (in the upper classes, at any rate) ; but there is nothing further to remark, except perhaps that the readingbook Longmans' Fourth is a trifle easy for the boys. The spelling may be regarded as good, and the writing is satisfactory, being weak only in Fourth. Composition in the Third Standard was good, but this is the weakest subject in Standards IV. and V. The arithmetic throughout the school is very good, The work was also carefully set down by the boys. Geography was well done by Standard 111., and the work of Standards IV. and V. were also very satisfactory. The drawing throughout showed neatness and good work, and special mention must be made of the modelling-work done under Mr. Wicks in the upper classes. This is probably the first attempt to introduce cardboard-work into the industrial schools—possibly also the first in our public schools. In history the children showed satisfactory knowledge of their subject.