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APPENDIX B. ABRIDGED REPORTS AND STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS OF EDUCATION BOARDS. 1. REPORTS. AUCKLAND. Sir, — Education Board, Auckland, 31st March, 1922. In accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, the Education Board of the District of Auckland has the honour to submit the following report for the year 1921 : — Board. -During the year Mrs. E. W. Kane and Dr. J. S. Reekie resigned office as members of the Auckland Urban Area. Their places were filled by the election of Mrs. N. E. Ferncr and Mr. W. J. Campbell. The members in office at the end of last year were as follows : Auckland Urban Area—Mrs. N. E. Ferner, Mr. W. J. Campbell, Mr. H. S. W. King, and Mr. G. W. Murray ; North Ward--Mr. J. I). McKenzie and Mr. R. C. Smith ; East Ward—Mr. E. C. Banks and Mr. A. Burns ; West Ward—Mr. J. Boddie and Mr. J. S. Bond. The Board's representatives on kindred bodies are as follows : Auckland University College Council—Mr. Banks ; Auckland Grammar School Boarel of Governors—Mr. Bond, Mr. Burns, and Mr. Murray ; Seddon Memorial Technical College Board of Managers —Mrs. Ferner, Mr. King, and Mr. Murray ; Elam School of Art Board of Managers—Mrs. Ferner, Mr. Campbell, and Mr. Murray ; Pukekohe Technical High School Board of Managers —Mr. D. Fulton and Mr. J.. Roulston ; Hamilton High School Board of Governors—Mr. G. Edgecumbe, Mr. R. Parr, anil Mr. J. Primrose ; Thames High School Board of Governors—Mr. Burns ; Whangarei High School Board of Governors—Mr. W. A. Carruth and Mr. H. W. Crawford. The Board meets on the first and third Wednesdays in each month. Twenty-three meetings of the Board were held during the year, with an average attendance, of eight. Schools. —The number of schools in operation at the end of last year was 704, including ninetyeight part-time schools and three itinerary schools. During the year the following schools were opened : Onoke, Kohumaru, Pikowai, Te Karae Mill, Muir's Gold Reefs, Whatatiri, Te Rau-a-moa No. 2, Matapara, Karekare, Oniao, Lake Waikare, Awakanac, Reotahi, Puketawai, Naike, Tikinui, Te Wairoa, M.an-o-war Bay, Waitakere, Waimauku, Waione:, Waitomo Caves No. 2, Ngongotaha Valley, Tiritiri, Totara Household, Cuvier Island, Wooellands, Cornwall Park, Fryer's Road, Paewhenua, Kopuku, Te Toro, Rotorua Hospital. The folleiwing schools we:re closed : Ike: Ike, Limestone [aland, Makeokeo, Pukototara, Maramarua East, Motutara, Orere, Parahi, Riverslea, Wharekolie, Waipu Cave, Lindum Grange, Ostcnd, Te: Huruhi. Attendance. —The number of scholars enrolled at the: end of last year was 60,317 —viz, boys, 31,521 ; girls, 28,796 —being an increase of 3,081. The yearly ave:rage attendance was 52,223, being an increase of 2,564. Teachers. —During the year the Dominion grading scheme became operative, and has been attended generally with satisfactory results. One e:ffect of the introduction of the Dominion gradinglist as the basis of promotion has been an influx of teachers from other education districts. Last year the Board notified uncertificated teachers in its employment that the:y must either improve their academic status or be prepared to face relinquishment of their positions. The effect of this notification was to increase materially the: number of uncertificated teachers endeavouring to improve their positions by obtaining certificate's. This year the Board intends to review the; positions of all uncertificated teache.rs with a view to replacing them wherever possible: with teachers whei holel certificates. The: Board is pleaseel to note that the: number of certificated teachers is steadily increasing, owing largely to the activities of the Auckland Training College anel to the marked increase that has taken place during recent years in the salaries of junior teachers. The Boarel wishes again to record its opinion that teaching efficiency has been highly increased by the introduction of the principle of granting a grading increment in salary to certificated teachers. Buildings. —During the year fourteen new schools were built and thirty schools enlarged. Six teachers' residences were also built. Owing to the financial stringency, the: Boarel has been unable to make much progress with the policy of providing 12 square feet per capita for pupils in average attendance at schools throughout the Auckland Edue;ation District. The Board early recognized the financial stringency existent in the Dominion, and has done its utmost eluring the year to refrain from embarrasing the Minister by making applications for grants for new buildings or additions to buildings unless they were very urgently needed. Doubtless, when the finance of the country is restored to a normal condition, the Minister will continue the policy enunciated by him, that all schools shall be erected upon a 12-square-foot-p(T-c«'/nto basis, anel all schools that have not that minimum accommodation will be enlarged to meet the exigencies of the policy, In order to Svoiei. undue capital expenditure eluring the year, the. Board has complied with the request of the Minister by renting halls or other buildings wherever possible instead of making applications for grants for new schools or additions to existing buildings. The Board recognizes that this is not tho best means of housing children, but feels the duty encumbent upon it to conform to the circumstances temporarily

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