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fact that in 1914 the average attendance per cent, of roll number was 0-9 higher than that of the preceding year, while in 1915 it was 0-1 per cent, lower than in 1914. The attendance por cent, of roll in 1915 was 90-0, while in 1914 it was 90-1 — the highest percentage yet attained. The following figures indicate the attendance per cent, of roll for the last six years : — Attendance per Cent, of Roll. 1910 .. .. .. .. .. .. 87-7 1911 .. .. .. .. .. 89-3 1912 .. .. .. .. .. .. 88-9 1913 .. .. .. .. .. 89-2 1914 .. .. .. .. .. .. 90-1 1915 .. .. .. .. .. .. 90-0 Six education districts show an improvement in the attendance percentage on the preceding year, two show the same figures, and five are not so good. Westland, with an increase of o*9 per cent., shows the most marked improvement, Grey coming next with an increase of 0-5 per cent. As in 1914, Otago has again attained the highest percentage —91*9 —although it is lower than the record of 92-7 reached in 1914. Marlborough comes second with a percentage of 91-4, and Wellington third with a percentage of 91 "0. The following figures indicate the percentage of regularity in other Englishspeaking countries as compared with that in New Zealand. It will be seen that New Zealand holds the highest place in spite of the fact of its scattered population (compared with the United Kingdom) and the difficulty of transit in the remote districts. It must be remembered, however, with reference to several of the Australian States and the United States of America, that the attendance percentage is given as a proportion of the net enrolment, not of the average weekly roll, thus making the figure lower than it would otherwise be. Attendance per Cent, of Roll. New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 90-0 England .. .. .. .. .. .. 88-7 Wales .. .. .. .. .. .. 88-3 Scotland .. .. .. .. .. .. 89-1 Ireland .. .. .. .. .. .. 71-7 United States .. .. .. .. .. 73-2* Queensland .. .. .. .. .. .. 77-0* New South Wales .. .. .. .. .. 809 Victoria .. .. .. .. .. .. 73-7* South Australia .. .. .. .. .. 75-8* Western Australia .. .. .. .. 87'4 Tasmania .. .. .. .. .. .. 80-9 * Rased on avorago daily attendance as proportion of net enrolment, or number of distinct children on rolls dining the year. The high standard of regularity now attained must be regarded as very satisfactory. The strict enforcement of the law of compulsory attendance is no doubt to some extent responsible for the improvement in the attendance over past years. Other factors bearing on the matter are, however, the more widespread recognition on the part of parents of the value of education for their children, and also the improved conditions of school life which make children more unwilling than otherwise to absent themselves. The following figures represent the total number of children in average attendance at registered schools giving primary instruction : — 1914. 1915. Public schools (excluding secondary departments of district 156,211 160,895 high schools) Native-village and mission schools .. .. .. 4,385 4,745 Chatham Island schools .. .. .. .. 85 77 Registered private primary schools .. .. .. 14,809 14,366 Lower departments of secondary schools .. .. 337 378 Special schools .. .. .. .. .. 710 731 Totals ~ .. .. ~ ... 176,537 181,192