E.—B

Singing has not been taught in the school since the lady teachers have left. The drill comprises dumb-bell exercises and physical drill with model rifles. The boys showed very good work in both, moving with precision to the music supplied by an older boy. The classification of the children by the head teacher is entirely satisfactory. Whatever failings there are lean to virtue's side. The behaviour of the children is very satisfactory : they were orderly in school and diligent in their work. Generally speaking, the results are very satisfactory, and show that the head teacher and his assistant have worked conscientiously and with good effect. William W. Bird, ) T . m a tit r Inspectors. Thos. Alex. Walker, ) r

Caversham Industrial School (examined 11th December, 1901). In the absence of the proper departmental form on which to record our opinions of the quality of the work done in the various subjects as required in sections 8, 9, and 10 of the Standard Regulations, we beg to submit the following : — The work done in the pass-subjects was satisfactory on the whole. In the lower classes there was a weakness in reading. In composition the most frequent mistakes were the wrong use of capitals, too much repetition, and want of attention to punctuation. Arithmetic was satisfactory in the lower classes and fair in the upper classes. As regards geography, the work of the higher classes was satisfactory, but the definitions in the lower classes might be given in a clearer manner. The writing of the school, on the whole, was fair. The children read well from tonic sol-fa, followed the pointer well, and sung rounds and songs with clearness and good expression, tune, and style; the singing must be considered excellent. Under the manager of the school the drill shown was of a high order; it included physical exercises and military drill, which were well done, evolutions being smartly performed to bugle-call; even flag signalling has been acquired, and messages were correctly sent and received from a considerable distance ; the work shown was excellent. We understand the girls do not drill: if this is so, we are of opinion that a course of physical exercises such as shown by the junior boys would be extremely beneficial to the girls. Sewing is not a part of the school-work, and was not examined by us. Agricultural science is taken in the upper classes, and the children have a good knowledge of the subject ; but the head teacher is handicapped in this work by the want of some simple apparatus and experimental aids. In the object-lessons the lower classes showed that a fair amount of work had been done, but allowance must be made for the fact that the mistress has had to work single-handed with many classes. Repetition and recitation were good. It is desirable that promotion should be made not on the results of one examination only, but on the general work of the year. We suggest, therefore, that the headmaster hold quarterly examinations through the school, and base his promotions on the results of these examinations. What weakness is noticeable in the present work arises probably from the promotions having been made on one examination. Finally, we desire to express our satisfaction with the general good behaviour and healthy tone of the children of the school. No cases of dishonesty came under our notice, and, generally speaking, the conduct of the children reflects great credit on their teachers and on the school. William W. Bird, ) InsDectors Thos. Alex. Walker, f lnspectors -

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