55. The following results have been ascertained through individual examination of the pupils of National Schools by the Inspectors at the annual examinations:

Com

56. The per-centages of passes gained in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, &c., in each of the last four years, are set forth in the view of

parative

following table:

Passes in extra and

optional subjects.

57. The following is a general Abstract of Results in Extra and Optional Subjects:

Money value of passes.

Laundry,

The money value of the passes gained in Vocal Music was £7,586 98. 6d., in Drawing was £9,852 1s. 6d., and in Kindergarten was £4,113 28., for the year; total, £21,551 138.-See Table G, page 50.

The money value of the passes gained in other Extras was £6,635 158. Of this sum £3,443 10s., represented the value in Geometry and Algebra; £643 10s. in Latin, Greek, French, and Irish; £523 58 in Physical Geography, and £1,565 108. in branches, exclusive of Needlework, for Females only. The remainder, £460, was spread over the other subjects.

Music.

58. Vocal Music continues to be satisfactorily taught in a large Vocal number of the Schools. The Tonic Sol-fa system is now very generally adopted by Managers.

The returns for the past year show an increase of 56 schools where singing is taught, and of 6,651 pupils learning this subject, and examined by the Inspectors or by the Board's Examiner in Music. This is a substantial increase in numbers over last year, and the improvement in proficiency is equally noticeable. The attention of Managers has been drawn to the desirableness of bringing as large a proportion as possible of the pupils of each school under instruction in this subject.

59. In 94 additional schools Drawing was taken up during Drawing. the past year, making the number of schools in which this important subject is taught, 1,515. Similarly, the number of pupils examined in 1896-74,317-shows an increase of 7,170 over the number of the year 1895. The proficiency was very satisfactory. The Commissioners are fully impressed with the importance of extending instruction in this branch, and the Inspectors lose no opportunity of recommending it as a part of the school curriculum.

Industrial and Technical Instruction.

work.

60. The returns from the Inspectors' reports on the subject of NeedleNeedlework continue to indicate that satisfactory numbers of pupils are under instruction and that due proficiency in this subject is attained. The importance of this industrial branch also continues to be fully recognised, and the teachers are alive to the necessity for improving their qualifications to give proper instruction. The Alternative Scheme of Literary and Industrial instruction for female pupils of Sixth Class, initiated in 1889, was found at the close of 1896 to be carried out by 1,487 schools in which female teachers were employed, representing about one-third of the schools in which it might possibly have been taken up.

During the year 174,353 pupils of girls' schools, or of schools in which female teachers are employed, were examined by the Inspectors, and 161,965 passed the required standard in Needlework.

Depart

61. The number of Special Industrial Departments connected Industrial with schools where advanced needlework is taught to the senior ments girls who have passed the literary course, and to young women of the locality who are not pupils of the schools, was 61 on 31st December, 1896. This shows a slight increase as compared with 1895.

62. Weaving classes under extern teachers paid special salaries Weaving. continue to be carried on in some of the Convent Schools. An Netinstructor in Net-mending is also recognised as an extern Teacher mending. in some Schools.

C

Pensions, &c., to

Teachers.

Teachers' Pensions and Gratuities.

36. During the year 1896, 47 Teachers received retiring gratuities under the Teachers' Pension Act (42 and 43 Vic., cap. 74), on account of permanent incapacity through ill-health, before they attained the age for compulsory retirement on pension. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, these Teachers were awarded sums amounting to £1,676.

The number of Teachers who retired on pension was 125, and the number who died was 75, whilst 86 left the service, of whom 4 were dismissed.

37. The following Table shows the Number of National Teachers who in each year since the commencement of the Pensions Act (1st January, 1880), were in receipt of Pensions from the Fund; also the number of those to whom, on Retirement, Gratuities were awarded, with the Total Amounts each year.*

The figures set forth in the Table have been furnished by the authority of the special

Department in which is vested the administration of the Pensions Fund.

Sheet of

38. The following Statement relative to the Teachers' Pension Balance Fund is based on information furnished to us by the authority Teachers' of the National School Teachers' Superannuation Department, by Fund. which the Fund is administered.

The Income and Expenditure of the Pension Fund during the year 1896, were as follows :-

Pension

ture on

39. As far as we have been able to ascertain, the aggregate amount Expendi of Expenditure on the Schools from all sources, including Parlia- Schools. mentary Grant, Rates, School fees, and local subscriptions, during the year 1896, was £1,204,606 17s. 1d., as shown in the following

* NOTE.-Amount paid out of Vote for Board of Public Works for Buildings, Repairs, &c., of Vested Schools, is not included in this Section.