8.—2,

29

before this year closes at least one other of these schools will have been sanctioned in Otago. The effect of the junior high schools upon the primary schools affected is still somewhat vague, Board hopes that the new scheme will be allowed a fair trial, and it will do its utmost to Department in making them in every way successful. Adult Teachers in 'place of Pupil-teachers. —The Minister's decision to reduce the size of school classes and to effect the early abolition of pupil-teachers as an integral part of the staff, placing a trained adult teacher in charge of every class, are reforms which must commend themselves to all educationists. No doubt considerations of finance have delayed these reforms, as they entail largely increased expenditure, not only for salaries but also for providing new class-rooms and for dividing or remodelling existing ones. The remodelling of the large stone schools, of which there are quite a number in Otago, has, in the case of those in which this work has already been carried out, been very costly, necessitating, as it has done, extensive alterations to walls and windows to bring the classrooms into conformity with modern ideas respecting lighting and ventilation. Medical Inspection of Schools.- -The School Medical Officers are assiduous in the visitation of the schools, and carry out their duties in a tactful and helpful manner. They furnish to the Board, through the Senior Inspector, reports on their work, and personally attend the Board meetings for the purpose of discussing with the members the results of their investigations relative to the health of the pupils. Dental Clinics.—The establishment of these clinics at Dunedin and Mosgiel and short-period clinics in some of the country schools has proved very beneficial, and has been greatly valued by the parents. The extension of the system is hoped for, and the Minister's recent decision to subsidize locally raised money for the erection of suitable rooms at schools where rooms for dental work are not available is viewed by the Board as foreshadowing further provision for improving the physical wellbeing of the school-children by skilled dental treatment. Conclusion The Board again 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 interest of the School Committees in the welfare of their schools is evidenced by the considerable sums which year by year are contributed locally for the maintenance of the schools. The thanks of the Board are due to the Minister and his officers for the courteous, careful, and sympathetic consideration Invariably given by them to its applications and representations. Very cordial relations continue to subsist between the Board and the departmental Inspectors, who are at all times most willing to co-operate with the Board in matters concerning which it has occasion to invite their opinion and advice. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. J. Wallace, Chairman.

SOUTHLAND. Sib, — In accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, 1914, the Education Board of the District of Southland has the honour to submit the following report of its proceedings for the year 1924 :■- The Board- The members in office at the end of the year were Messrs. A. Bain, G. E. Johnson, P. de la Perrelle, M.P., A. W. Jones, H. Smith (Chairman), J. C. Thomson, M.P., S. Rice, and J. D. Trotter, The Board's representation on other educational bodies was as follows : Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools Board —Messrs. P. de la Perrelle, M.P., and J. C. Thomson, M.P. ; Gore High School Board- Messrs. H. Smith, T. Taylor, and S. Rice ; Southland Technical College Board — Messrs. H. E. Niven and J. D. Trotter ; Otago University Council- Mr. J. C. Thomson, M.P. ; Dunedin Training College Committee of Advice —Mr. J. C. Thomson, M.P. Model Country School. —During the year several inexperienced teachers have spent at least two weeks at this school for the observation of and practice in methods of teaching and school-management. The reports received from the teacher of the model school have in the majority of cases been of a very satisfactory nature. District High Schools- During the year the Department approved of the opening of a district high school at Wyndham. There are now in this district two district high schools, which are serving a useful purpose in affording to the young people of the localities in which they are situated satisfactory tuition in secondary subjects. The attendance at the secondary department of the two district high schools, Riverton and Wyndham, was forty-three and eighteen respectively. Consolidation of Schools. —The question of the conveyance of children from small country schools to a central school should not be lost sight of. The Board is firmly convinced that if the difficulty regarding the cost of transport can be overcome the innovation will prove conclusively that the education of the children so conveyed will be a distinct improvement upon that received in the small country school. Instruction of Teachers. —Classes for the instruction of pupil-teachers, probationers, and uncertificated teachers were held during the year at Gore and Invercargill. Elementary Handwork.— The usual subjects of handwork received attention during the year, the necessary materials being sent out to permit of instruction being given in plasticine-modelling, paperfolding and paper-cutting, cardboard-work, and colour-work. It is pleasing to record that owing to the date of arrival of handwork supplies being much more satisfactory than for the previous year, schools were enabled to receive most of their requirements immediately the work of the year began. A quantity of kindergarten material forwarded under instructions from the Department was very