E.—lb

34

The need of a summer or winter school for the benefit and instruction of teachers has long been felt in this district, and more keenly since the new conditions of work have been introduced. Difficulties of communication and the consequent loss of time entailed in getting teachers to a common centre on the one hand, while on the other the dispersion of energy in arranging and conducting two or three detached groups, have hitherto prevented the idea from being carried out. We notice that in the summer holidays, teachers coming home to headquarters from the more distant parts of the district spent five days en route, travelling by what is usually the quickest method—steamer. It is hoped, however, that it will be possible to carry out the idea this year. The work of the secondary classes of our three district high schools has been carried out with regularity and evenness, the average numbers on the rolls for the year being ninety-seven. We are pleased to find that candidates entered again this year for the Queen's Scholarships, the examinations for which are now held conjointly with the Junior National Scholarships, the same papers doing duty for both. The results of these examinations have just been made known, and it is gratifying to find the very creditable position taken by pupils of this district in the competitions, one of the six Queen's Scholarships being allotted to a candidate from Westport School. The need for a liberal scheme of superannuation for teachers becomes more and more apparent as time goes on, and their interests, the attractiveness of the service, and consequently, what is more important, its efficiency, are suffering from the delay. The middle of the year witnessed a change in the Inspectorial staff. Mr. Strachan, on receiving appointment to the Inspectorship of Marlborough, resigned the position that had been held by him for the previous two years of Junior Inspector in this district, Mr. A. Crawford being appointed in his stead. Mr. Strachan had willingly devoted all his energy to his duties and had displayed marked ability, tact, and endurance. His capacity for methodical arrangement, which included almost a passion for tabulating, proved invaluable also in the office. Whilst regretting the loss of his every-ready assistance and co-operation we heartily congratulate him upon his well-deserved promotion. In conclusion, in spite of the special difficulties of the year, and the many others consequent upon a venture into the unknown without a guide, we can congratulate the majority of our teachers upon the enterprise shown and the successes gained in new methods and lines of thought; and we firmly believe that generally such good progress has been made that the initial doubts and misunderstandings should vanish, and the experience gained lead to more perfect working-conditions that should produce the best and most lasting educational results. We have, &c, G. A. Harkness, M.A. The Chairman, Nelson Education Board. A. Crawford, B.A.

GREY. Sir,— Education Office, Greymouth, 31st March, 1905. I have the honour to present the following report on the schools of the Grey Education District for the year 1904. The primary schools numbering thirty-three, three Catholic schools, the secondary class of the Greymouth District High School, candidates for scholarships and pupil-teachers were all examined. Each of the thirty-six schools was visited at least once for the purpose of inspection ; but owing to the time at my disposal being limited, I was not able to give as much attention to the work of inspection as I would have liked. This year I hope to be able to spend a much longer time in each school. The following table gives the general results of the public schools :—

The number present on the day of the Inspector's annual visit again shows that teachers and pupils are deeply interested in their work. In standard classes 985 were present out of a roll-number of 1,017, and when it is remembered what a number of wet days we had last spring the attendance is all the more praiseworthy. In sixteen schools every child was present. Throughout the year, however, the attend-

Classes. Number on Roll. Present at Inspector's Annual Visit. Average Age of Pupils in each Class. Secondary Class, Greymouth District High School Standard VII. ... VI V IV Ill II I Preparatory 36 17 118 152 179 203 181 184 601 24 16 115 148 171 195 179 177 552 Yrs. mos. 15 0 14 7 14 0 13 0 12 2 11 1 9 11 8 10 7 0 Totals 1,671 1,577 11 4* * Mean of average age.