It is sometimes asserted that Standards V. and VI. are of little value to working men, as they cannot afford to keep their children at school to take advantage of them. The above table is a complete answer to such an assertion, as it will be seen that at the end of 1886 there were 13,000 pupils on the school books who had passed Standard IV.; 13,000 out of a total of 106,000. These figures tell plainly that the Upper Standards are highly appreciated by parents, and it speaks well for their prudence and self-sacrifice, that during times of severe depression they manage to keep their children at school so long.

The above Table suggests one or two points of great interest. It shows that pupils pass the fourth Standard at an average age of 12 years 6 months. Now suppose the school doors closed against these pupils, what are they to do? They may be, as some contend they are, more matured than those of the same age, say in Britain. But even so, what are they fit for physically? No master or mistress cares to employ a boy or girl under 14 years of age, and by reference to the above Table it will be seen that our boys and girls pass the Sixth Standard at a trifle over that age.