E.—2

APPENDIX B.

REPORTS (ABRIDGED) AND STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS OF EDUCATION BOARDS. 1. REjP.ORTS.

AUCKLAND. Sir,- Auckland, 31st March, 1923. 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 1922 : — Board. —The members of the Board in office at the end of the year were as follows: Auckland Urban Area—Mrs. N. E. Ferner, Mr. G. Brownlee, Mr. W. J. Campbell, Mr. J. P. McPhail, Mr. G. W. Murray, and Mr H. S. W. King ; Hamilton Urban Area—Mr. A. E. Manning ; North Ward —Mr. J. D. MoKeuzie and Mr. R. C. Smith ; East Ward -Mr. E. C. Banks and Mr. A. Burns ; West WardMr. J. Boddie and Mr. J. Patterson. The Board's representatives on kindred bodies were : Auckland University College Council —Mr. G. W. Murray ; Auckland Grammar School Board of Governors —Mr. G. Brownlee, Mr. A. Burns, and Mr. G. W. Murray; Seddon Memorial Technical College Board of Managers—Mrs. N. E. Ferner, Mr. H. S. W. King, 'and Mr. ,1. P. McPhail; Elam School of Art Board of Managers Mrs. N. E. Ferner, Mr. W. J. Campbell, and Mr. G. W. Murray; Pukekohe Technical High School Board of Managers -Mr. ..I. Roulston and Mr. J. B. Sim; Thames High School Board of Governors- Mr. A. Burns; Whangarei High School Board of Governors -Mr. H. W. Crawford and Mr. J. D. McKenzie ; Hamilton High School Board of Governors -Mr. J. Primrose, Mr. G. Edgecumbe, Mr. F. de la Mare. 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 729, including 100 halftime schools. During the, year the following schools were opened : Aramati, Selwyn, Parahi, Mangatoi, Kaiatea, Maitahi, Upper Oruaiti, Waiteitei, Point Chevalier (side), Whatoro, Ohuka, Wharekawa, Dunsdale, Cape Colville, Moehau, Awaroa, Curran Street, Amodeo Bay No. 2, Rangitoto No. 2, St. Michael's, Raukokore, Mangarewa, Kaimango, Whitikahu, Maraehako, Riverslea, Anawhata, Mangatara, Ness Valley, Patetere, and Pikowai. The following schools were, closed : Waikawau, Lindum Grange, Puketawai, Ponui Island, Waikeri Bay, Cuvier Island, St. Albans, and St. Barnabas. Attendance. -The number of scholars enrolled at the end of 1922 was 02,910 —viz., boys 32,790, girls 30,120--being an increase of 2,593 over the number enrolled at the end of 1921. The yearly average attendance was 55,603, an increase of 3,380. Buildings. During the year twenty-six new schools were built, and twenty-six schools were enlarged. The large yearly increase in school population that has been going on for some years renders it difficult for the Board to cope adequately with accommodation requirements. The Board regrets to report that in many districts the school accommodation is not yet adequate, and that congested conditions still exist. The Board has, however, done its utmost to improve conditions, and has made large inroads into its Rebuilding Fund for that purpose. The Board considers that in a short time the necessity will be imperative to erect teachers' residences, especially in rural areas. One of the most pressing difficulties the Board has now to contend with is lack of suitable accommodation for teachers who take up positions in settlements remote from cities. Finance. —The income for the year ended 31st December, 1922, totalled £726,316 12s. Id., and the expenditure £744,056 13s. 3d. Maintenance Fund. -During the year the Board found that its Maintenance Fund was inadequate for the needs of the district, but has now succeeded in bringing its expenditure within its income. Training College. —During 1922 the number of students attending the Auckland Training College was 352 viz., 98 men and 254 women. The Board continues to use the. building known as the "Annex" for the purpose of providing additional accommodation for the training of the, students. The City Council has, however, notified the Board that unless at the end of this year a, contract has actually been let for the erection of a new training college upon the Mount Eden - Epsom Reserve