Appendix A.]

E.—2.

XIII

Sir,— Greymouth, 12th May, 19.16. I have the honour to present the report of the Grey Board of Education for the year ending the 3.lst December, 1915. Board. —At the beginning of the year the Board consisted of Messrs. H. J. Bignell (Chairman), W. R. Kettle (Treasurer), J. McCarthy, J. Noble, J. Ryall, J. Ward, E. W. PonhaUuriack, H. Chilton, and A. Doig. In connection with the statutory elections held in July, the retiring members were Messrs. Noble (North. Ward), Penhalluriack (East Ward), and Bignell (West Ward). These three; gentlemen were again returned, the first two without opposition. At the annual meeting following the election Messrs. Bignell and Kettle were re-elected Chairman and Treasurer respectively. Schools. —At the end of the year the Board had thirty-two main schools anel one side school in active evperation, the grades being as follows : Grade 0, 6 ; Grade I, 13 ; Grade 11, 4 ; Grade lIIa, 5 ; Grade IVc, 3 ; Grade VIIb (including siele school), 1. Teaching Staff.— On the 3.lst December, in connection with primary and secondary departments, there were in the Board's service seventyrfive teachers, &c, classified as follows: Certificated, eight males, nineteen females; licensed, six females; uncertificated, three, males, twenty-four females; probationers, one male, five females ; pupil-teachers, two males, five females. Greymemth District High School secondary department: certificated assistants, one male, one female. Not included in the above lists are one primary assistant and one pupil-teacher who joined the Main Expeditionary Force at the commencement of the war. At the end of the year the secondary male assistant (included above) also enlisted. Attendance. —For the year the average roll number was 2,134, the attendance 1,866, and the percentage of average attendance to roll number 87-42. Unfortunately, epidemics of scarlet-fever and measles were again in evidence, and during the year bad weather-conditions prevailed. For the preceding year (under similar conditions) the average roll.was 2,030, the attendance 1,765, and the percentage of attendance 86-9. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Handwork in one or many of its various forms was taken at practically all primary schools, and in additiem various schools conducted classes in agriculture, physical measurements, advanced needlework, &c. At Greymouth main centre (where train arrangements or other conditions permitted) manual and technical classes in cookery, woodwork, &c, were held ; and at Blackball, Ngahere, and other centres special classes in advancetl needlework, &c, were attended by pupils of the higher standards. The day and evening special classes held in Greymouth provided course instruction in commercial, domestic science, engineering science, workshop practice, art, and allied subjects, and much good work was accomplished. The Board's technical work is more fully referred to in the report of the Acting-Director. Physical Training— In the month of February five officers of the Physical Instruction Department gave a fortnight's course of training to all teachers, &c, in the Board's service. Instructors and teachers entered upon the work in an enthusiastic manner, and the results justified the most sanguine anticipations as to the efficiency and utility of the course. Its effects for good are now observable in all schools in the Board's district, and, in conjunction with the medical inspection of schools, the excellent results obtaining will be of incalculable benefit to the present generation of school-children. Buildings— At the end of the year the Greymouth District High School new building was completed, and contracts for the new furniture reeprired were well in hand. The cost of the new school and furniture amounts to £6,900, of which the Department contributed £4,635 by special grant. The; new building was an urgent necessity, the old school, erected in 1878, having through age and'decay become a menace to public health. At Inchbonnie a new school has been erected in a central position, to serve the purposes of Poerua and Ryder's Mill Sohools, Towards the new school the Department has made a special grant of £250. The Inchbonnie Estate Company (Limited) has kindly donated the valuable 2 acres freehold site. The Kaimata School, destroyed by fire, has also been replaced, the Department making a special grannt ot £125 for the purpose. Conclusion. —As this is probably our last annual report, I take the opportunity em behalf of the Board to return sincere thanks to yourself and the officers of your Departments for the unfailing courtesy and consideration extended on all occasions te) the wants and requirements of the Educatiem district. In special measure recognition and thanks arc due to Senior Inspector Morton, whose wide knowledge anel valuable experience were always at the Board's service. In connection with the work ol inspection, the sympathetic labours of Inspector Valentine are also deservedly appreciated. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. H. Bignellj, Chairman.

WESTLAND. Sir,— Education Board Office, Hokitika, 14th March, 1916. I have the honour to present the report of the Westland Educatiem Board for the year ending the 31st December, 1915. The Board.- —The representation of the respective wards at the beginning of the year' was : North Ward Messrs. W. J. Benyon., T. W. Duff, and G. H. Harris ; Middle Ward—Messrs. J. J. Clarke, G. A. Perry, and R. Wells; South. Wartl —Messrs. A. Cumming, J. Grimmond, and H. L. Michel. Messrs. Benyon, Perry, and Cumming retired in August, and were returned unopposed, so that the personnel of the Board remains the same. Mr. Perry was re-elected Chairman and Mr. Clarke Treasure!', whileMr. Michel continued to act as representative on the Hokitika High Scheieil Board. Twelve meetings were held during the year.

XIII