E.—2.

[Appendix A.

schools came for instruction. Centres were in operation at Gisborne, Hastings, Waipawa, Dannevirke, and Woodville. It is expected that the manual training-school will be built at Napier during the year 1919, and that the classes which have been suspended for two years will resume before the end of the year. The work in cookery and dressmaking classes throughout the district has been very satisfactory. Good work was done in woodwork at Hastings and southern centres. The number of classes and the roll numbers in these subjects were : Woodwork, 27 classes, roll 567 ; cookery, 26 classes, roll 496; dressmaking, 26 classes, roll 498: totals, 79 classes, roll 1,561. The majority of the pupils in these classes show considerable interest in their work, and good progress was made during the year. Physical Instruction. —The Inspectors report that the physical instructors have been engaged in the district during the year, their visits including many of the less remote country schools. The work progressed satisfactorily, but there is again need for training-classes for the teachers. Medical Inspection. —Dr. E. Irwin took up the work of medical inspection in this district in May last, and since then has been constantly engaged. Visits were paid to all the principal schools, including those in which medical inspection has been hitherto unknown, and her services have been greatly appreciated by all. A school nurse was also appointed, and much useful work was done by her in visiting the parents of the children reported as being in need of medical treatment. Many parents acted on the advice of the Medical Inspector, but there are cases where lack of means prevents the necessary attention to the child being given. Some provision should be made to meet this difficulty. Scholarships. —Scholarships in tenure during 1918 were: Junior National Scholarships, 33; Senior National Scholarships, 11; Wairoa County Council Scholarships, 2 : total, 46. Conference of Local and Industrial Bodies. —In October last the Board organized a conference of representatives of local, industrial, and educational bodies to consider matters in connection with educational reform. Representatives from nearly forty councils, associations, and boards were present, and discussed fully during six sessions many of the pressing needs of education in New Zealand. As a result of the conference an Educational Reform League was formed to keep matters educational before the public with a view to bringing pressure to bear on Parliament to secure for you greater facilities for remedying the defects of the present system. Buildings, —After a delay of over two years the question of the site for the new school to replace the Napier Central School, destroyed by fire, is practically settled, the Department having approved the Board's securing the Colenso Hill site. The Board trusts that the new school may be ready for occupation by the beginning of 1920. There has been considerable activity in the buildings department during the year, and the following new buildings have been completed : New schools at Kurukuru, Springhill, Te Rehunga, Flemington, and Napier West (Infant School); additions to schools at Havelock North, Ruataniwha. Takapau, Whatatutu, Gisborne North, Wairoa, and Napier North; new residence at Hatuma. The Napier North and Waipatiki (Motea) schools have been moved to new sites, and the school at Pukahu has been separated from the residence, which has been enlarged. School buildings generally have been maintained to the usual standard. The Board's programme of painting and renovating was suspended for a time owing to the high cost of materials, but it was found that the resulting delay in dealing with the necessary works would eventually prove more expensive than paying the ruling high prices. The programme was therefore resumed, and the following buildings have been dealt with : Schools —Dannevirke North, Norsewood, Ngamoko, and Makotuku ; residences —Dannevirke North, Norsewood, Ngamoko, and Makotuku. Finance. —The receipts for the year totalled £95,107 ss. 4d. and the expenditure £101,841 os. Bd. The credit balance on all accounts on 31st December was £5,973 13s. lOd. School Committees. —The Board desires to express its appreciation of the manner in which School Committees have co-operated with the Board in the administration of the Act and in the cause of education generally. The past year has been full of special difficulty owing to the fact that, while the cost of everything in connection with schools has greatly increased, Committee incomes were not proportionately raised. That Committees generally have, though under strong protest, risen to the occasion is proved by the large sum raised by way of voluntary contributions. I have, dec, The Hon. the Minister of Education. G. F. Roaoh, Chairman.

WELLINGTON. Sir,—- Wellington, 31st March, 1919. In accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, 1914, I beg to submit the following report of the Education Board of the District of Wellington for the year 1918 : — Board. —The Board membership at the beginning of the year was as in the previous year, v i Zi : —Urban areas: (1) Wellington City and Boroughs of Karori, Onslow, and Miramar—Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, M.L.C. (Chairman). Messrs. William Allan, Thomas Forsyth, and R. A. Wright, M.P.; (2) Hutt and Petone —Messrs. G. T. London and E. P. Rishworth. Rural area: (1) HuttHorowhcnua Ward —Messrs. W. H. Field, M.P., and John Kebbell; (2) Wairarapa Ward —Messrs. A. W. Hogg and T. Moss; (3) Marlborough Ward—Messrs. E. H. Penny and R. McCallum, M.P. In July M!r. W. Allan resigned, and Messrs. Aitken and Kebbeß intimated that they would not

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