E.—2.

[Appendix B.

suitable corrective. We have to commend those assistants who devote so much time to the organized games ; but we would point to the danger in the larger schools of giving too much attentioiiii to the training of competitive teams to the total neglect of the rank and file, who still line the fence, or at best engage in an occasional desultory scramble. We were much interested in the work of medical inspection. New lines of investigation and experiment were opened up by the medical officer, and we are glad to place on record the success that attended her efforts. Jn all the larger centres the parents displayed keen interest in what was being done. At, the end of the year a, health camp of weakly children was held its Turakina on grounds kindly lent for the purpose. The weather was unpropitious, but the eh ldren enjoyed their stay and throve splendidly. We regretted they could not have been kept for three months instead ol only three weeks. If the camp is repeated next year we would suggest that a properly qualified teacher be engaged to give the children ordinary school lessons for a short time each day. We have, &<-., T. B. Strong, M.A., 8.50.,1 A. Crawford, 8.A., [inspectors. The Director of Education. J. ,1. Adams, 8.A., j

HAWKES BAY. Sir, - Napier, 30th January, 1920. We have the honour to submit herewith our annual report on the work of the, schools in the Hawke's Bay Education District for the year ended 31st December, 1919. At the end. of the year there were 194 schools whose operations were supervised by us. These include 146 primary and two side schools, ten Roman Catholic, and eight other institutions, including private schools and junior departments of secondary and of technical schools. The twenty-six Native schools and two native mission schools in Hawke's Bay District also are included. In all, the aggregate roll is as under : — Public schools .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,008 Roman Catholic, schools .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,323 Private and secondary . . .. .. . . . . . . 488 Native and Native mission schools (estimated) .. .. .. 1,300 Total .. .. .. .. .. ..17,019 The following table shows the number present at the annual examination of the various schools:- —

Registered Private Schools. —We have again to complain of the failure of the controlling authorities of some of these schools to furnish the returns of enrolment and attendance. We are thus unable to present a complete statement as to the actual number of children receiving primary instruction in this district. It seems that a few of the authorities of these schools do not consider themselves in any way subject to the requirements of the Department, and appear to be unwilling to extend the recognition that is implied in forwarding such information. The only remedy appears to be to refuse recognition unless the returns are sent in at the appointed time. This remark does not apply to the convent schools, whose teachers deserve compliment on the ready and accurate presentment of returns. School Buildings. Our own inspection of the buildings, the result of which we furnish to the Board on a special form, shows that on the whole they are maintained in a satisfactory manner. There are one or two cases in which our recommendations for repairs, &c, have not yet been given effect to, but the difficulty of getting labour prevents improvements being carried out. Our experience in this respect is borne out by the report of the Medical Inspector of Schools, who has paid particular attention to this matter. Generally, the sanitary arrangements are good and clean. In some cases the children take upon themselves the duty of cleaning their school, and the results are highly satisfactory. The grounds are, on the whole, satisfactorily kept, but we still think that more might be done in many schools to make the schoolground attractive with flowers and shrubs. As suggested before, this can be carried out only in co-operation with the parents.

VIII

Publio Schools. Roman Cat] .olio Schools. Other Registered Schools. Standard. ■Standard VII . . vi.. v.. iv.. III.. II.. I.. Preparatory .. Totals, 1919 . . „ 1918 . . Number on Present at Roll. Examination. 130 122 944 922 1,434 1,410 1,497 1,467 1,669 1,646 1,779 1,736 1,697 1,644 4,858 4,623 14,008 13,570 13,597 13,215 ; ! Number on Roll. 44 107 112 131 166 173 142 448 1,323 1,266 Present at Examination. 42 107 105 126 158 166 131 416 Number on Present at Roll. Examination. 1,251 1,225 488 470 523 510