E.—2

[Appendix A

GREY. Sir,— Greymouth, 22nd May, 1912. ** 1 have the honour to present the report of the Education Board of the District of Grey for the year ending 31st December, 1911. Board. —At the beginning of the year the Board consisted of the following gentlemen : Messrs. W. R. Kettle (Chairman), H. J. Bignell (Treasurer), J. Kerr, J. Flynn, J. Noble, S. R. Harris, J. Ryall, J. McCarthy, and Hon. J. Marshall, M.L.C. At the election in July Messrs. Ryall, Harris, and the Hon. J. Marshall were retiring members for the Northern, Western, and Eastern Wards respectively, and also candidates for re-election. The ballots resulted in the re-election of Messrs. Ryall, Hon. J. Marshall, and F. H. Kilgour, the latter gentleman succeeding Mr. Harris as member for the Western Ward. At the annual meeting following, Messrs. Bignell and Kilgour were appointed Chairman and Treasurer respectively for the ensuing term. Schools. —During the year there were in operation thirty-eight schools, graded as follows : Grade 0, ten; Grade I, ten; Grade 11, seven; Grade 111, two; Grade IV, four; Grade V, one; Grade Vlb, three; Grade IXc (including a side school), one. During the year five Grade 0 schools —viz., Greenstone, Poerua, Johnston's, Mitchell's, and Upper Moonlight—were, owing to fallingattendance, declared temporarily closed, and two new schools —Rewanui (Grade 0) and Boddytown (Grade I) —were opened. At the end of the year thirty-one schools were in operation. Attendance. —For the year the average number of pupils on the roll was 1,934 and the average attendance 1,695, the percentage of attendance being 87"64. Teachers. —At 31st December fifty-five adult teachers, five pupil-teachers, and three probationers, a total of sixty-three, were in the employ of the Board. Of the adult teachers nine males and fifteen females are holders of certificates, and one male and four females are licensed. The other twenty-six teachers (two males and twenty-four females) are uncertificated. Scholarships and Seddon Memorial Medals.—For one Junior National, five Board Junior Scholarships, and two Seddon Medals a total of forty-six scholars entered, and of these thirtyseven sat for the examinations. Of the latter candidates, two from the secondary department of the Greymouth District High School and two from the Marist Brothers' School sat for English and arithmetic only, these being the subjects on which the Seddon Medals are awarded. As result of the examination the Junior National Scholarship was won by Norman V. Byrne, with 587 marks, and six others successfully passed the examination. The Seddon Medals, given to the boy and girl who each respectively obtains the highest number of marks in English and arithmetic at the Department's December examinations, were won by John Cairney and Lurline Bennington, both pupils of the Greymouth District High School. Manual and Technical.—Elementary handwork and other classes were held in connection with Ahaura, Cobden, Blackball, and Greymouth Schools, and in the Greymouth District High School woodwork and elementary physiology were also taken. Elementary agricultural classes were held in connection with Poerua Estate, Dobson, and Blackball Schools, and cookery classes in connection with Cobden, Runanga, and Greymouth District High Schools. Among special classes held during the year were teachers' classes in brushwork, drawing, model-drawing, and painting. An engineering class in mechanical drawing, a class in shorthand, a continuation class at Blackball, and a special cookery class (in connection with the Greymouth Convent) were also held. Including the £100 grant for teachers' training, the total receipts for the year from all sources amounted to £273 7s. 6d., and the expenditure (including £45 16s. 9d. for administration) to £211 19s. 9d. Building-additions. — During the year much-needed additions to Ngahere and Runanga Schools and the teacher's residence, Ahaura, were completed out of grants authorized by the Department. A new school was also erected at Boddytown, the site being the gift of Dr. C. L Morice, all labour in connection with building, painting, fencing, &c, being gratuitously supplied by the householders of the district. Finance. —The year opened with a credit balance on all accounts of £175 9s. Id., and closed with a credit balance of £194 7s. 3d. General. —In conclusion, on behalf of the Board and its officers, and for myself personally, I have to express sincere thanks to yourself and the officers of your Department for the prompt attention to the Board's requirements and the numerous courtesies extended us during the past year. .. I have, &c, H. J. Bignell, Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

WESTLAND. g IE Education Office, Hokitika, 22nd January, 1912. I have the honour to present the report of the Westland Education Board for the year ending 31st December, 1911. The Board. —The members forming the Board at the beginning of the year were : North Ward Messrs. T. W. Duff, T. T. Jones, and R. Rouse; Middle Ward—Messrs. T. W. Beare, J. J. Clarke, and G. A. Perry; South Ward —Messrs. A. Cumming, J. Grimmond, and H. L. Michel. In August Messrs. Jones, Beare, and Michel retired, and were re-elected. Mr. Perry was reappointed Chairman and Mr. Clarke Treasurer. During the year Mr. Michel acted as representative on the High School Board of Governors, and during the first quarter Mr. Grimmond was a School Commissioner appointed by the Board. Fourteen meetings have been held during

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