E.—2.

Appendix A.

directed, the vast majority of the scholars nevertheless receive sound instruction and training m our schools. The Board commends the appointment of organizing teachers as giving promise, of improvement to those who have had slight opportunity of training. Medical and Denial Service.- The extension of the medical, and the establishment of the dental, service are entirely to be approved. Civic Library Scheme.--The Board again commends the wise library policy of the city in relation to schools, and thanks the, librarian and his staff for their efforts. To the fortunate pupils of twentysix schools 70,419 individual loans were made last year. Holidays. —lt was arranged that all educational bodies from the University to the primary schools should, as far as possible, observe the three, term holidays at the same time. Scholarships. —■ There were current at the end of 1919 twenty Senior and forty-five Junior Scholarships. On the 31st December, 1919, four Senior and eight Junior Scholarships expired. On the results of the 1919-20 examinations sixteen Senior and twenty-nine Junior Scholarships were awarded. Manual Instruction. —The numbers under instruction in the following recognized classes were :— Schools. Pupils. Agriculture .. .. .. .. .. ..122 2,059 Home science (79 primary, 9 secondary classes) ~ .. 40 1,791 Woodwork (79 primary, 9 secondary classes) .. ... .. 38 1,707 Handwork .. .. '.. .. .. .. 197 20,744 Swimming and life-saving .. .. .. .. ..16 1,411 In agriculture there was an increase from 120 to 122 schools undertaking a recognized course. Reports on home science, woodwork, and agriculture indicate instruction on sound lines. At many schools creditable gardens were cultivated, even where the course, could not be undertaken. The instructors encourage; seed collection and exchange, and the propagation of hedge and other plants, and well-planned effort to improve the school surroundings. School Surroundings.- -The Board is pleased to note that an increasing number of Committees recognize how important a factor in education is the cultivation of the sense of the beautiful. The Board for the fifth year granted trees to those who required them for the school. For these plans of improvement the advice of the supervisor and his assistants is always available. Last year fifty-five Committees raised locally £2,257 17s. 5d., which, with pound-for-pound subsidy, was spent to benefit their schools. The amounts include £300 for a manual centre at the Hutt, and £400 for a new site at Martin borough. Besides money, gifts of land were, received from generous donors at Featherston, Pukcnui, Castlepoint, and Waterfalls. In relation to the granting of subsidies the Board takes the view that because of the excellent spirit displayed and good results attained the Department should hesitate, before, declining subsidies if the purposes are really beneficial to the school. Buildings. —Throughout the year much and increasing difficulty was experienced, especially in the country, in obtaining material and efficient labour for both maintenance of old and erection of new buildings. Moreover, even when undertaken, the works usually occupied much longer than formerly and cost much more. To add. to the difficulties, four schools were, most unfortunately, destroyed by fire —Deep Creek (two rooms), Pukenui (one room), Te Ore Ore (two rooms), and Martin borough (four rooms). The chief maintenance works carried out include, overhaul of twenty-eight schools, nineteen residences; hot water provided in eight residences; drainage, shelter-sheds, asphalt, and ground improvements at twenty schools. New schools were erected at Masterton West (three rooms), Wantwood (one room), Ronga Valley (one room), Normal, Kelburn (the first part, of the main block). .Additions were erected at Plimmerton (one room), Ohau (one room), Island Bay (one room). Berhampure Infants (three rooms), Lansdowne Infants (three rooms), Waingawa (one room), Khahdallah (one room). In regard to the immediate future, the immediate necessities are (a) New schools or additions at Brooklyn, Miramar South, Clyde, Quay, Petone West, Muritai, Johnsonville, Newlands, Featherston, Manakau, Shannon, Castlepoint, Levin (secondary), Eketahuna, Poroporo (reinstatement of buildings destroyed by fire), (b.) The erection in the crowded and long-occupied areas of the city of new schools to replace old ones. Such are (1) Newtown, with division into two schools ; (2) Mount Cook group, with consolidation ; (3) Te Aro, first block on Terrace Gaol site, (c.) Acquiremenl of new sites and of additions to existing sites in populous and growing areas. The. Board wishes to assure you that it will use every effort to raise the standard of accommodation in the district, the need of increased expenditure for which purpose has recently been recognized in financial provision made by Parliament. The Board is pleased that decision is reached regarding these important institutions (a) The erection of Wellington Technical College on Mount Cook site ; (b) the establishment, on sites acquired since the end of the year, of high schools to serve the needs of the. Wairarapa and the Hutt Valley. Sanitation. —The reports indicate that in some country schools the sanitary service is defective. The Board asks that Committees concerned should endeavour to remove all cause of criticism. The Board is of opinion that in the larger country schools where, there is no system of drainage the State should make provision for septic tanks. You are aware that the building-allowances to Boards do not include, provision for septic tanks, and the assistance under section 159 is not sufficient. Finance. — Receipts and Expenditure : There was on deposit with the Public Trustee, the Bank of New Zealand, and in war-loan certificates on the 31st December, 1919, a total sum of £14,000. Owing to the fact that Government grants due to the Board were not received until after the close of the year, there was on that date, (31st December), a debit balance of £5,080 3s. 7d. on the current account. Outstanding cheques amounted to £524 15s. 3d. The net balance to credit on the 31st December, 1919, was £8,395 Is. 2d. The, receipts for the year amounted to £258,866 2s. lid., and the payments to £261,139 17s. 7d., the excess of payments over receipts having been £2,273 14s. Bd. This sum deducted from the net credit balance on the Ist January, 1919- viz., £10,668 15s. lOd. — leaves the net balance on the 31st December £8,395 Is. 2d., as stated. The War and after. —The Board cannot refrain from here making acknowledgement, with feelings of gratitude, sympathy, and pride, of the greatness of the work accomplished in the war by members of the Education service, and accomplished with a distinction which must henceforth confer a new

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