Appendix A.

E.—2.

ditione, and the second year of the day Technical School, Westport, was conducted with an increased roll-number. At this latter place the school has specialized in engineering and metal work; its equipment in tliis direction compares very favourably with the technical schools in the Larger centres. The Board lias to express its wannest thanks to the Westport Earbour Board, Westport Borough Council, and Buller County Council for their*generous financial assistance in aid of the Westport School, which has, in part, been tin , means nf enabling this important branch of instruction to lie so well catered for in the town and district. The evening classes in Nelson an , splendidly supported, and an adequate and suitable curriculum is provided. It is unfortunate that up to (lie present the Nelson City Council have not been able to lender any financial assist ance to the institution; the Nelson School, apparently, is the only technical school of any size that does not receive an annual grani from the municipal authorities. In addition to the work carried on at these two technical schools, classes of instruction in various subjects have been regularly conducted at lieefton. Motueka, and 'I akaka. and instruction in wool-classing provided at a number of country places. The thanks of the Hoard is also due to the Inanuahua County Council for the giant made to the Reefton Technical SchQol, ami to other associations and individuals who have contributed to the technical funds. The staff of instructors has been further augmented during the year, and additional accommodation provided at Nelson and Westport. The liberality of the Department in providing grants for additions and equipment is acknowledged, but in the opinion of the Hoard there LS considerable room for improvement in the system of payments which go towards the upkeep of this branch of education. I am glad, however, to find that the amended regulations recently issued afford a partial improvement in the direction desired. Whilst anxious for the successful carrying-on of manual and technical instruction, the Board is firmly resolved that the interests of primary ami secondary schools shall ill no wise suffer, and the technical schools must be made self-supporting. The report* of the Director of Technical Schools gives details of what has been done during the year. Buildings. —With the limited amount placed at the Board's disposal last \ear any adequate attempt to rebuild some of the older schools was impossible. A comparatively large expenditure, however, was incurred under the heading of repairs and repainting, whilst the amount spent in school equipment—viz., desks, blackboards, maps, byloplate, Ac.- absorbed the sum of £468 4s. The Hoard finds that the COSi of the upkeep of school buildings absorbs a larger sum than that allocated for that purpose by Parliament, and consequently the amount reserved for rebuilding of schools has perforce been partly utilized for general repairs. New schools were built during the year at Te Kuha and Tui, both schools being for the use of children of workmen employed on railway-construction works; a side school at Stoke was erected at Tahuna; the Neudorf School was rebuilt; and a residence was erected at Brooklyn. It is much regretted that the Department could not see its \\a\ to grant funds to enable the Board to provide the increased accommodation so much required in the Westport District High School. The brick school of ten rooms which was designed some years ago (of which six rooms are now completed) to replace some of the old wooden buildings will, with the present rate of attendance, be quite insutiicient for the accommodation of scholars, whilst buildings which the rooms in the existing portion of the brick school were designed to replace have still to be utilized for the accommodation of classes. Application was made to the Department early last year for a special grant on the basis that the additional accommodation was rendered necessary owing to the increased number in attendance at the school, but as before stated the request,was not complied with. It is imperative that the requirements of the W 7 estport School should receive the favourable consideration of the Government at once. The Board is of opinion that special consideration should be shown in cases where large expenditure has to be incurred in sanitation and drainage of school buildings, more especially of those schools situated in boroughs. The constant repairing and renovation of teachers' residences is a considerable item too, and I doubt whether the maintenance grant allows for aeoes sary expenditure under this heading. Certainly the basis of the allocation of the grants for maintenance of buildings by no means operates favourably so far as the Nelson District is concerned, and the Board would welcome a more equitable distribution of the grant. Finance. —From the general statement of receipts and expenditure for the year it will be seen that the Board commenced the year with a debit balance of £590 ; !s.. and ended the year with a credit balance of £875 1 2s. id., from which, however, must be deducted Scl 1 Commissioners' reserves revenue, £1,142, making a debit balance at the end of the year of £2(i(i 7s. Bd. I am pleased to see that a form of balance-sheet has now been issued which satisfies both the Education and Audit Departments. Thanks. —I wish to tender to the members of school Committees ami to the teachers and office staff the Board's appreciation of the satisfactory manner in which the duties have been carried out. I have. ,\-c. The Hon. the Ministei of Education, Wellington. A. T. Maginnity, Chairman.

GREY. Sin, — Education Office, Greymouth, 19th May, 1911. 1 have the honour to present the report of the Education Board of the District of Grey for the year ending .'Slst December, 1010. Boakd. —At the beginning of the year the Hoard consisted of the following gentlemen : Messrs. W. R. Kettle (Chairman). 11. J. Bignell (Treasurer). S. R. Harris, J. Xoble. .lames Kerr. .1. McCarthy, J. Ryall, J. l''lynn. and Hon. J. Marshall. M.L.C. In connection with the July * Reprinted in E.-5 (Manual and Technical Instruction Report).

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