E.—2.

[Appendix C.

Needlework.- This subjeci is efficiently taught. In schools where there are one or more female leiicliers the results are highly satisfactory. In schools taught by a male teacher it is frequently very difficult to make arrangements for the efficient teaching of sewing. Dun.i. and Physical Instruction. — These subjects continue to be taught with care and thoroughness. Deep-breathing exercises are practised daily in the Large majority of schools, while Indian chilis, dumb-bells, and the exercises prescribed in the Manual receive regular attention. One of tin , most pleasing Features in this connection is the teaching of swimming. In the Gisborne and Hastings playgrounds are large swimming-baths, to which all the school-children within reasonable distance have access. In Napier and Woodville the town and suburban school children have the use of the Municipal baths, and the boy or girl who cannot swim is the exception rather than the rule. Regularity.- The regularity of attendance is generally satisfactory. The roll-number shows a fail , increase on last year, notwithstanding the fact that during the year an epidemic of measles and whooping-cough largely interfered with the attendance. Order md Discipline. —There is no cause for complaint on this head. The cadet drill con tinues to be practised, and the habitual prompt obedience of the cadet is carried into the class room. Tin: Chief Inspector.- -Ihe indisposition of the Chief Inspector, Mi , . H. Hill, during the earlier part of the year, and his absence on leave during the latter part, rendered it impossible for me to visii all the schools in the district. As many as possible were visited at least once during the vcar, and those which were left will he visited as early as possible in 1911. It is hoped that Mr. Hill will return to duty thoroughly reinvigorated, and the district and the Dominion will assuredly benefit greatly by the result of his observation of English, American, and European schools and educational methods. Our Teachers.—ln conclusion, 1 desire to place mi record my appreciation of the loyal and devoted service of the teachers in the employ of this Hoard. All have striven to keep in touch with modern methods and ideas, and no s. li'-sacrilice lias been begrudged in endeavouring to attain to tin , highest standard of efficiency. I have &c The Chairman, Education Board, Napier. .1. A. Smith, Inspector.

MARLBOROUGH. Sin, — Education <>llice, February, 1911. I have the honour to present my seventh general report on th, schools of Marlborough. Number of Schools. Kinety>-one public schools have been in operation during some portion of the year. Eleven were open less than four quarters. Eighty-five were open at the dose of the year, and from the contents of the schedules relating to these the table of aucs and numbers in standards is compiled. Inspection. General notes on first visit : Eighty-eight public schools were visited in the first half of the year, in addition to the Technical School at Blenheim, and three under private control. The classification and the distribution of the staff were generally satisfactory. At eleven sci Is the registers wire inaccurate. At thirty-four, chiefly the smallest ones, the records were more or less incomplete '..'/., the scheme-of-work books wen , incomplete at sixteen; the missing subjects wii-e, generally, singing, needle-work, drill, handwork, moral instruction, and health. These subjects were usually taught, but no programme was shown. At nine schools the timetables were either incomplet ■, unsatisfactory, or uot followed. Some subjects— e.g., model and geometric drawing and geography A and B, which should be taught regularly throughout the jrear appear occasionally to receive special attention for shorter periods, a method that has been found to leave a less abiding impression. Buildings, Grounds, and Fences. —[Details partly given in Hoard's report, not bere reprinted.]* Examination. —The head teachers 1 examination of all the classes is held at the dose of the vr:ll There is still a tendency in small schools to imagine that because the year has come to an end all pupils should be promoted, irrespective of the quality of their work. The marking in reading, composition, and arithmetic is far too high. Inere is, however, little to criticize in the larger schools, especially when they are in the "g I " or in tin- "satisfactory to good " class: their head teachers do not make promotion s<, monotonously regular: stronger leach, is demand more from tin- candidate for promotion.

* A number of references of purely local interest are not reprinted.

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