E.—lr
In writing, a high standard haa been aimed at, and as a result the general clerical work has greatly benefited, a considerable number of the papers handed in by the pupila being of exceptional merit. In a few schoola the writing suffers considerably from the careless scribbling permitted on slates and paper, from the attitudes aaaumed by the children while writing, and from the lack of regular pen drill. In all written exerciaes only the best effort of the pupil should be accepted—" quality, not quantity," should be the motto of every teacher. The drawing varies considerably in quality. The drawings done by the children during the year are generally well done, but a considerable falling-off is shown in the examination test. This remark applies particularly to scale and geometrical drawing. In the majority of our schools the tone prevailing and the general demeanour of the children are all that can be desired — the teachers fully recognising that a literary training is only one phase of education, and that true education conaiata in developing the moral aa well aa the mental and physical side of a child's nature. Elementary handwork was taken in thirty-nine schoola, and sewing under the Manual Regulations in thirteen. In addition to the above, manual work as defined by clauses 22 to 27 of the Regulations for Manual and Technical Instruction was recognised in thirty-aeven caaea, the subjects embracing woodwork, botany, dairying, advanced needlework, elementary agriculture, swimming and life-saving, elementary measurements, chemiatry, and elementary physiology. The privilege of allowing Catholic schools to be visited by the Board's Inspectors has been in force for the past three years, and I am pleased to report that during that time the teachera have shown a praiseworthy desire to profit from these visits, being ever ready to adopt suggestions offered by the Inspectors. The work of these schools has in consequence ahown steady improvement. With the increaaed efficiency of theae achoola the attendance has increased, and new schools have been established, the pupils for the most part being drawn from the public schools in the neighbourhood. I have, &c, The Chairman Education Board, Taranaki. W. A. Ballantyne, 8.A.. Inspector.
WANGANUI. Sir, — Education Office, Wanganui, 4th March, 1907. We have the honour to present our report for the year ended 31st December, 1906. One hundred and fifty-one schools were inspected, and annual visits were paid to 181 ; thirty were visited once and 151 twice. Now that the Main Trunk Railway is piercing the extremities of the northern backblocks, it will presently be possible for the Inspector to visit each school in the district twice each year. The following is the annual aummary for the whole diatrict:—
As compared with last year the roll-number has increased in every class except Standard VII, in which are included the pupils of the district high schools. The total roll has increased by 315. The mean average age, eleven years three months, tallies exactly with the mean for the colony last year. The average age of the pupils in classes P, Standards I, 11, and -111, is slightly under the average age of the same classes for the colony last year, while in Standards IV and V it is slightly over.* In Standard VI it is under and Standard VII well feature in every reapect creditable to the district.
2—JiL Ib,
9
Glasses. Number on Roll. Present at Annual Visit. Present at Average Age. nnual Visi it. Standard VII VI V IV ... I Jill ... II I Preparatory : 242 ... 875 1,190 1,440 ... 1,556 1,511 j 1,572 ... : 4,259 224 848 1,136 1,398 1,508 1,483 1,511 3,867 224 848 1,136 1,398 1,508 1,483 1,511 3,867 Yrs. mos. 14 11 13 8 12 11 12 1 11 0 9 11 9 0 6 11 Totals 12,645 11,975 11 3* * Mean of average age.