E.—6

12

to be reached by pupils of sole-teacher schools, the proportion of successful candidates coming from these schools is much smaller than it should be on an average attendance basis. One-seventh of the number of scholarships awarded should go to pupils of one-teacher schools, while in point of fact only one-thirteenth of the number were awarded to such pupils. The number of candidates qualifying for Senior National Scholarships was 112, of which number 8 (as compared with 3 for the previous year) qualified on the alternative programme provided specially to suit the needs of those taking a rural or domestic course. Junior and Senior National Scholarships are tenable at secondary schools and district high schools, each for three years, provided that the total tenure of the two scholarships in the case of one person must not exceed five years. In addition to tuition fees, the holder receives £5 per annum if a junior scholar, or £10 per annum if a senior scholar, with a further sum of £35 per annum in each case if obliged to live away from home. The following figures indicate the number and the value of scholarships current in December, 1915, and December, 1916, respectively, the figures for 1915 representing only Junior National Scholarships awarded under earlier conditions : — Number of scholarship-holders— 1 9L"5. 1910. Boys ... ... ... ... ... ... 91 252 Girls ... ... ... ... ... ... 51 130 Totals ... ... ... ... 142 382 Number receiving boarding-allowance (included in the above total) ... ... ... ... ... ... 76 143 Number receiving travelling-allowance (similarly included) 4 12 Number held at secondary schools ... ... ... 120 334 Number held at district high schools ... ... ... 22 48 Total annual rate of payment... ... ... ... £3,772 £7,748 (ii.) Education Board Scholarships. The Education Board Scholarships now current will, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1914, gradually be entirely replaced by Junior and Senior National Scholarships. There were current in 1916 316 Education Board Scholarships of a total annual value of £5,605. (iii.) Foundation (or Governors') Scholarships. These are of two kinds, those afforded by the Governors of secondary schools not granting free places under the Act, and those offered as additional scholarships by the Governors of schools providing free places. (iv.) Private Scholarships. These are derived from funds provided by private donors at certain schools, by bequest or otherwise. The number of foundation and private scholarships in the last term of 1916 was 145. Of the holders, fifty-four were also Government free pupils under the regulations. The total annual value of the scholarships in cash was £1,048. In addition, free tuition was given by the schools to holders of foundation and private scholarships to the value of £1,097, the value of the Government free places already mentioned not being included in this amount. Secondary-school Certificates. Three classes of certificates may be issued to free-place holders taking a secondary course of instruction. The intermediate certificate may be granted to junior-free-place holders who have satisfactorily completed under certain conditions a two-years course at a secondary school, district high school, or technical high school, and who in general are qualified in attainment to receive a senior free place. The lower leaving-certificate may be issued to pupils who have satisfactorily completed a three-years course of secondary instruc-