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APPENDIX A. ABRIDGED REPORTS OF EDUCATION BOARDS. AUCKLAND. Sin,— Education Office, Auckland, 25th March, 1919. In accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, the Education Board of the District of Auckland lias the honour to submit the following report for last year : — Board, —The members in office are as follows : Auckland Urban Area—Mrs. R. L. Baume, the Hon. G. J. Garland, Mr. G. W. Murray, and Dr. J. S. Reekie; Devonport Urban Area— * Mr. H. S. W. King and Mr. J. R. Penning; North Ward—Mr. J. D. McKenzie and Mr. it. C. Smith; East Ward—Mr. E. C. Banks and Mr. A. Burns; West Ward—Mr. J. Boddie and Mr. J. S. Bond. At the first meeting in August Mr. E. C. Banks was unanimously elected Chairman. Twenty-three meetings of the Board were held during the year, with an average attendance of nine. Schools. —The number of schools in operation at the end of last year was 637, including 118 part-time schools. During the year the following schools were closed : Waimate Island, Puketui, Cook's Bay, Flax-mill, Oniao, Kaharoa, Man-o'-War Bay, Waiotehue, Karckare, Makeokeo, and Waihongi. Attendance. —The number of scholars enrolled at the end of last year was 53,650 —viz., Boys, 27,904; girls, 25,746 —being an increase of 1,517. The yearly average attendance was 46,214, being an increase of 472. On account of the late epidemic of influenza all schools were closed early in November by order of the Health authorities. They were not reopened until the beginning of February. Teachers. —No fewer than 330 teachers in the Board's service joined the Expeditionary Forces. Of this number fifty-one made the supreme sacrifice. The Board continued to experience very great difficulty in staffing schools owing to the withdrawal of teachers to serve with the Forces. In order to deal equitably with soldier teachers on their return from active service the Board has for some time past made such appointments as are suitable for those teachers temporary only. It is the Board's intention to throw those appointments open for competition when the soldiers have returned. During the epidemic of influenza in November nine teachers died of the disease. A large number of teachers are still suffering from post-influenza weakness, with the result that it has been necessary to employ an unprecedented number of relieving teachers during this year. The recent increases in the salaries of teachers have resulted in a large increase in the number of applicants for employment as junior teachers and probationers, being about eighty in excess of requirements, whereas in previous years the number was usually below requirements. Buildings. —During the year six new schools were built and seventeen schools were enlarged, including new schools (in brick) at Newmarket, Birkenhead, Northcote, Edendale, Otahuhu. No residences were built. During the period of the war the Board refrained from applying for grants for residences, and the applications for grants for school buildings were restricted to urgent cases only. 152 privately owned buildings are occupied for school purposes. Owing to the rapid increase of population in the metropolitan area provision is being made for the erection of new schools in the Mount Eden, Ponsonby, Green Lane, and Devonport districts. It is hoped that the establishment of new schools in those districts will relieve the serious overcrowding of certain city and suburban schools. The improvements, renovation, and the larger repair of schools are undertaken by a competent staff of workmen under the direction of the architect. Owing to war conditions it was found necessary for the Board's workmen to erect several new schools and to enlarge certain schools. The problem of floor-space accommodation gave the Board much concern, but was somewhat allayed by the assurance of the Department in the latter part of 1918 that a basis of 10 square feet per pupil would be regarded as a minimum below which accommodation would not be allowed to fall, and was dissipated early in 1919 by a reversion to the previously declared policy of the Department that, in general, a 12-square-feet-per-pupil basis should be adopted. Immediately upon receipt of information to this effect the Board took steps to obtain data upon which to base applications which will, it is hoped, remedy conditions of overcrowding that were baneful to the education and the general well-being of our young people, and were the cause of widespread dissatisfaction. The Board's Advisory Inspector is engaged in formulating a comprehensive report upon the whole matter, which will shortly be available for the Board's guidance. Finance. —The income for the year ending 31st December, 1918, totalled .£411,999 18s. 10d., and the expenditure £398,673 17s. lid. The amount on fixed deposit on account of the fund for the rebuilding of worn-out schools is now £54,537 os. Id. Training College, —There has been a considerable increase in the number of students. At the present time 178 students are in attendance —viz.. first year, male 32, female 67; and second year, male 24, female 55. In order to make provision for this large number of students arrangements have been made for (he Richmond Road School to be utilized during the present

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