E.—2.

[Appendix A.

iiimv be transferred to other schools; (3) backblocks teachers who are doing good work can be brought into central positions, whereby the chance of securing promising young teachers is enhanced ; (4) teachers who have special qualifications for certain subjects can be placed in positions where their talents can be used to the greatest advantage. The following is an abstract showing the number of schools, teachers, and pupils attending the schools in the district, beginning with the year 1877, to the present 1 ime (table condensed into five-yea ply periods from 1877 to 1905) :—

Conclusion. —The relations oi the Boaid with the Education Department, its official and. teaching staff, and with the School Committees, have been most cordial and pleasant throughout the year. 1 have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. James Wade, Chairman.

YVANGANUI. Sin, — Education Office, Wanganui, 31st March, 1911. 1 have the honour to submit a report of the proceedings of this Board for the year L9lO. Boabd. —At the beginning of the year the Board consisted of Messrs. Fred. Pirani (Chairman), A. Fraeer, and (i. I!. Bennett (Southern Ward), D. H. Guthrie, M.P., F. M. Spurdle, and I , '. Purnell (Middle Ward), P. ODea, J. P. Aldridge, and E. Dixon (Northern Ward). The retiring members were Messrs. ODea, Guthrie, and Fraser, all of whom were re-elected unopposed for their respective wards. Mr. Pirani was re-elected Chairman. Fifteen meetings were held during the year, the average attendance of members being eight. Schools. —At the close of the year there were open 194 main schools and two side schools. During the year the schools at Pueroa, Pukekaha, Aratika, Middle Road, and Kaukatea were closed, the last-named being closed temporarily. New schools were opened at Kaitieke, Pukekaha, Main South Road, and Tangiwai, and the schools at Pipiriki and Manui were reopened. Eleven private schools with an attendance of 863 were under the supervision of the Board's Inspectors. Attendance.—-The roll-number on the 31s1 December was 14,269, and the average attendance for the last quarter L 2,153. Compared with the year 1.909 there was an increase' in the roll-number of 120, and in the average attendance of 139. The average attendance for the year expressed as a percentage of the average weekly roll-number was 86, which is o*B lower than for the previous year. The attendance at many schools suffered owing to the prevalence of whooping-cough and other diseases to which children are prone, and there is no doubt also that many parents took advantage of the absence of a Truant Officer and failed to send their children to school regularly. The amendment to the Act, which requires that children not exempted shall attend on every half-day on which the school is open, together with the appointment of Mr. C. J. Skinner as Truant Officer, should have a beneficial effect on the attendance for the current year. TEACHERS. —There were cm the 31st December 195 male and 243 female teachers in the Hoard's service, excluding six relieving teachers. Of these, eighty-nine were head teachers, Id.") sole teachers, L 59 assistant teachers, fifteen probationers, am! seventy pupil-teaeliers. '2'A2 adult teachers were certificated, nine were holders of licenses to teach, and 112 were uiicert ificatcd. At the end of the year seven pupil-teachers and two probationers intimated their intention of proceeding to the training college. ll will he seen from the above figures that, of the adult teachers, over -'i 0 per cent, are uncertifieated. The Board feels in duty bound to find positions for those teachers who return from the training college with a satisfactory record. It will therefore become necessary from time to time to dispense with the services of a number of uncertificated teachers. Four of such teachers were relieved of their duties at tin. , close of the year and ex-training-college students appointed to the vacancies. A scheme for the instruction of uncertificated teachers by correspondence is now engaging the attention of the Board. The qualifications of the certificated teachers were as follows : Three with A certificates, twelve with B, fifty-nine with C, 105 with D, fifty-three with E.

IV

i Yγ,ii- ending. ,, i i Head t - , Schools. ,„ , Ai iistants. Teachers. Pupilteachers and Probationers. Total. Roll Number. Average. ■ I is,, .. 1882 .. 1887 J 892 .. 1897 .. 1902 .. 1905 .. L906 .. L9O7 .. 1908 .. L909 .. 1910 .. 23 23 7 37 37 11 35 35 9 46 46 12 (id 60 IS 71 70 38 .. 76 73 45 80 77 42 81 78 45 88 85 48 90 86 60 93 91 58 2 (i 26 27 29 22 20 24 23 19 30 32 32 54 70 85 107 130 138 143 146 152 176 181 726 1,985 2.395 3,148 3,845 4,706 4,952 5,040 5,096 5,370 5,836 6,021 496 1,290 1,597 2,351 3,018 3,904 4.249 4,346 4,246 4,653 5,131 5,177 J