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HAWKE'S BAY Sic, — Education Office, Napier, sth January, 1895. In accordance with the usual practice, I have the honour to forward a report of the proceedings of the Education Board of Hawke's Bay for the year 1894. The Board consists of the following members, viz The Hon. J D. Ormond, M.L.C. (Chairman), J W Carlile, Esq., J S. Gilbert, Esq., E. Harding, Esq , Captain W E. Eussell, M.H.E., Eev D. Sidey F Sutton, Esq., T Tanner, Esq and F W Williams, Esq Schools.—Three new schools have been opened during the past year viz. Maharahara East, Tamumu, and Weber. Tenders are being invited for the erection of another new school at Papakura. School Attendakce.—The following return shows a comparative statement of the children on the roll and the average attendance in the schools under the Board from 1878 to date :—

A very considerable improvement in the percentage of increase of average attendance is apparent this year The passing of the School Attendance Act last session, which enforces a penalty for non-attendance .of children, may have a beneficial effect in increasing the number, and, should this prove to be the case, provision will require to be made for larger accommodation. The space at the disposal of the Board in many of the schoolrooms is barely sufficient for the present attendance. School Committees.—The grant-in-aid system continues to work satisfactorily A considerable amount has been subscribed during the. past year by Committees towards fencing, clearing grounds, and in several cases towards furnishing additional accommodation. It is a pleasant duty to be in a position to record that the Board and the Committees continue to work amicably together Scholarships. Nineteen new scholarships have been granted for 1895. Owing to the existence of a feeling in the country districts that the larger schools have an advantage over the smaller schools in the matter of scholarships, the Board has appointed a Committee to consider whether any improved classification can be made. Pupil-teachers.—The new regulations for pupil-teachers work satisfactorily Several schools have taken advantage of the provision permitting pupil-teachers to remain a year longer in their respective schools, with the view of taking advantage of the instruction provided by the Board to enable them to obtain a teacher's certificate. Sewing.—At the yearly competitive examination 1,745 specimens were examined, and were most favourably reported upon. The suggestions forwarded by the lady examiners to the different mistresses in the year 1893 had evidently been attended to, and with satisfactory results. Buildings.—The Board has had a return prepared showing the school space provided in each school district, with the average attendance and the roll-number This return shows that accommodation in many of the schools is barely sufficient for the present attendance. Attention was called in last year's report to the increasing requirements of the country districts for school accommodation. The building grant placed at the disposal of the Board is barely sufficient to meet the most urgent requirements, and were it not that the Board has contrived to supplement the Building Fund with £1,000 saved from the School Fund the necessary requirements of the district could not have been provided for. Funds are urgently needed for providing residences for teachers in outdistricts where new schools are erected, and where it is very difficult for teachers to secure suitable accommodation. Income and Expendituee. — The income of the Board from all sources amounts to £25,255 13s. 4d., to which has to be added the balance from last year of £5,145 9s. 6d. The expenditure shows the cost of maintenance of schools, allowance to School Committees, and money paid to Building Fund was £21,455 13s. Bd. The expenditure on buildings was £3,96(3 7s. 9d., making a total of £25,422 Is. 5d., this leaves a credit balance of £4,979 Is. 5d., but, as the sum of £1,321 10s. received from the School Commissioners is included in this, the actual credit balance is £3,657 11s. sd. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. J D Ormond, Chairman.

Averagi Weekly Number on the Eoll. Average Attendance. ear. March. June. Sept. Average T-. for Deo ' Four Quarters. Percentage Increase Previous Year. March. June. . ' PerAverage J oentage Sept. Deo. * or I Increase Pour i Previous Quarters. | Year> [ .878 .888 893 .894 i 1,520 5,902 6,853 7,088 1,797 5,968 6,843 7,128 1,854 5,841 6,762 6,995 1,9851,789 5,758j5,867-25 6,7526,802-5 7,0667,069-25 6-4 3-8 3-9 1,259 1,612 4,686 4,733 5,532 5,435 5,573 5,706 I j 1,580 1,6491,525 4 673 4,6274,679-75 5,255 5,3495 392-75 5,454 5,885 5,654-5 8-3 1-8 4-8