E.—2.

During the last five years the increase in the number of pupils in our district has been very marked. In 1903 the roll was 11,924, with 151 schools; in 1908 there were 188 schools, with 13,648 on the roll; the percentage of increase being 144. We are glad to report that last year practically all the schools were visited twice —the first' time this has been accomplished for a number of years. The increased facilities for travel offered by the opening of the Main Trunk line enabled us to do this much-needed work. The following is the annual summary for the eight Catholic schools in the district, the numbers not being included in Tables A and B: — p ~ Average Age. Koll - Years. Months. Standard VII 12 14 7 VI 74 13 10 V 74 13 1 IV .. .. •• ..95 12 4 "ill . .. .. ..81 11 3 „ II 102 10 1 I 81 9 1 Preparatory .. .. .. .. • ■ .. 259 6 6 Proficiency certificate, 37; competency, 18. The total number of pupils, therefore, on the r.oll at the time of the annual examination was 14,426, while the total number of schools visited was 199. We have again attempted to discover what becomes of the pupils who leave the higher classes in our schools. A very large number are marked as being employed at home; but it must be understood that many of these are engaged in farm-work, and should really also be placed in the next succeeding column of the table. Only the town schools and some of the larger country schools have been considered.

Standard VI Certificate Examination.—This examination was conducted by ourselves in the larger schools from the 23rd November to the Ist December. In all other schools the examination was held on the 2nd December under the supervision of the teachers. It is to be noted that a much larger number of candidates secured the proficiency certificate than was the case in previous years. The following table presents a comparison of the numbers of candidates who offered themselves for positions as pupil-teachers or as probationers at the beginning of 1908 and the present year. The examination centres were Hawera, Wanganui, Mar ton, Feilding, and Palmerston.

Since these examinations other candidates have been accepted, but even with these additions the supply is unequal to the demand. We shall now deal in general terms with certain phases of the work carried on in our Primary Schools. Examination. —Regarding this phase of school-work the year has not been uneventful. In accordance with departmental regulations, the whole responsibility of the work of. examination is now placed on the shoulders of head teachers, who are enjoined to conduct an examination of

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School. D.H.S. h I 1 II P.T. Home. I Farm. J8 I Si? I •Office. Shop. Queen's Park (S. 6) College Street (S. 6) Okaiawa (Ss. 6 and 7) Manaia (S. 6) Glen Oroua (S. 6) .. Ashhurst (S. 6) Apiti (S. 6) Campbell Street (S. 6) Feilding D.H. (S. 7) Hawera D.H. (S. 7) 4 2 16 12 2 10 1 3 6 5 3 4 1 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 4 1 3 1 1 i 12 3 2 i i 5 girls 9 2 2 2 1 5 3 3 4 1 1

Year. Total Number of Candidates. Prom Secondary or District High Schools. From Primary Schools. Passed Matriculation. Passed Civil Service Junior. jualifications. Passed S. VI. only. 1908 1909 39 42 21 17 12 7 20 29 13 17 6 20