E.—2.

[Appendix A.

mark was awarded. In the case of teachers having service in the State schools of other Englishspeaking countries, one mark was awarded for every two years of service up to twenty years; no marks, however, were assigned for service beyond a total of thirty years. In cases where service was the factor in determining places on the graded list, preference was given to length of country service. The allocation of marks for scholastic attainments was as follows: For a certificate of ('lass A, 20 marks; for one of Class B, 18 marks; for one of Class C, 16 marks; for one of Class D, 13 marks; for one of Class E, 10 marks; and for a license to teach, 5 marks. Male and female teachers were graded on the same basis. The following resolutions regarding the promotion of teachers have been adopted by the Board :— No teacher shall be eligible for the position of head teacher of a school of Grades VIII, IX, and X until he has served in a country school for a period of five years: Provided that two years shall have been spent in charge of a full-time school not lower than Grade IV: Provided further that this clause shall not apply to teachers who entered the Board's service prior to 1908. No teacher shall be eligible for the position of assistant carrying a salary of £180 and upwards per annum until he or she has served in a country school for a period of two years : Provided that this clause shall not apply to teachers who entered the Board's service prior to 1908. No assistant teacher appointed subsequent to 31st August, 1910, to any position in a town school shall be eligible for promotion unless he or she has served for at least two years in a country school : Provided that in any particular case, if there be exceptional circumstances or hardship, the Board may relax the operation of this clause. Teachers have been informed of the numerical position their names occupy on the list, and also of the number of marks they receive under the various headings. Applications for permanent positions in the service of the Board carrying a salary of Grade lor upwards per annum are invited by advertisement. Tn the case of positions for which applications are thus invited, only one name —viz., that of the teacher which appears highest on the graded list—is submitted to the School Committee concerned. This course is not adopted in cases where the Board deems it advisable in the interests of the service to transfer a teacher from one position to another. It is provided further that, on the recommendation of the Chief Inspector, the Board may appoint iinv suitable applicant to any position in a school without inviting applications by advertisement. Tin's method of making appointments is lo be followed only in cases where special circumstances call for such exceptional action. In cases where the appointment is open to both sexes the name of the highest female and the name of the highest male on the graded list is submitted to the School Committee concerned. Where no suitable application is received in answer to advertisement, the Board then fills the vacancy to the best possible advantage. The Board usually considers only the applications of teachers who have been at least two years in their present positions. In any particular case, if there be exceptional circumstances or hardship, the Board relaxes the operation of this general rule. The right of the Board to submit one name only in consulting School Committees regarding appointments was contested by the Auckland City Schools Committee, who applied to the Supreme Court for a declaratory judgment in the matter. The Court ruled that the Board is entitled under section 14 of the Education Amendment Act, 1908, in its discretion, to limit the list to the name of the teacher whom it considers is best fitted for the appointment. Superannuation. — Under the Board's regulations male teachers are required to retire at the age of sixty-five years, and female teachers at the age of sixty years. The Board is of opinion that it is advisable that the rate of retiring-allowance should be computed on the highest salary received for any three consecutive years, instead of on the average salary for the last three years of service. This would enable the Board, without inflicting undue hardship, to remove to smaller schools teachers who are Hearing the retiring-age, and who, through declining physical and mental powers, are unable to satisfactorily undertake very onerous duties. Relieving Teachers. —The grant for relieving teachers has again proved to be inadequate. The receipts'for last year amounted lo £1,009 18s. lOd., whereas the payments made were £1,103 fls. 2d., showing a loss of £93 10s. 4-d. during the year. The debit balance on this account was £2,174 18s. 6d. at the end of last year. Training College. —At the end of last year there were 108 students in attendance at the Training College—viz.. forty-one males and sixty-seven females. Ninety-six of those were Division A students, eight Division B, and four Division ('. The Board is pleased to be able to report that in general the work of ex-Trainin»- College students is distinctly satisfactory. Provision is made for the grading by Inspectors, in conjunction with the Principal, of Training College students at the completion of their training. Sixty-five students left the College at the end of last year. Practically all those students were located in schools by the beginning of February. Scholarships. —The number of scholarships held at the end of last year was — Junior National, 28; Junior Board, 77; and Senior Board, 35. The reports on the school-work of the holders are, almost without exception, very satisfactory. Medical Inspection. —The Medical Inspector appointed by the Government visited a large number of schools of Grade IV and upwards during the first half of last year. The work of medical inspection ivas interfered with during the latter half of the year owing to the services of the Medical Officer beint; required in connexion with the late epidemic. The Board considers that the present arrangements for the medical inspection of school-children are inadequate, and it has been suggested to the Minister that he should take into consideration the advisableness of appointing local medical practitioners to assist in the work.

II