E.— 2

throughout the whole district, this being almost entirely due to the School Committees, who, with the assistance of the teaching staff, have raised large sums of money voluntarily in order to obtain the Government subsidy for the purpose of carrying out comprehensive and effective beautifying schemes. In addition, much has been done by Committees in raising funds for the establishment of or additions to school libraries, for the purchase of pictures to adorn the walls, for the supply of gramophones, and for the provision of hot cocoa or hot lunches for the children. A number of School Committees find it difficult to carry on with the amount allowed them for incidental expenses, and were it not for moneys raised locally many of them could not have met their ordinary liabilities. The special additional grant made by the Department has enabled the Board to give some relief in the most necessary cases. Department. —The most cordial relations have existed between the Board and the Senior Inspector and his colleagues. We desire to record our appreciation of the zeal and enthusiasm of the Inspectors and of the valuable work they have performed during the year. The Board is especially indebted to them for their co-operation and advice in all matters concerning the advancement of education in this district. Mr. M. McLeod, 8.A., who was appointed to this district as Senior Inspector in 1924, was transferred during the year to be Senior Inspector in the Canterbury District. Dr. J. W. Mcllraith, Litt.D., LL.B., was appointed to succeed him, and he has already proved that he will worthily carry out the duties of his important position. In conclusion, I desire to extend to you and the officers of your Department the thanks of the Board for the attention given to the many requests it has submitted during the year. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Education, .Wellington. G. F. Roach, Chairman.

WELLINGTON. Sir,— In accordance with, the requirements of the Education Act, 1914, I have the honour to submit the following report of the Education Board of the District of Wellington for the year 1925 : — Board.—The membership at the end of the year was : —Urban Areas : (1) Wellington City—Messrs. Thomas Forsyth (Chairman), R. A. Wright, M.P., J. Clark, and W. E. Howe (in place of Mr. A. J. White, resigned) ; (2) Hutt and Petone —Messrs. G. T. London and J. Stonehouse. Rural Areas : (1) Mutt Horowhenua Ward —Messrs. C. I. Harkness and L. H. Atkins ; (2) Wairarapa Ward —Messrs. T. Moss and R. McLeod ; (3) Marlborough Ward —Messrs. E. H. Penny and D. McCallum. Training College.—The work of the year is discussed at length in the report of the Principal appended. The report must be regarded as very satisfactory. When viewed in relation to the difficulties, chiefly of insufficient accommodation, under which the work of the institution has been conducted it is wonderfully good. Notwithstanding the fact that students of the districts it serves have been drafted into other colleges, there remain more than double the number for which the institution was designed. Further, towards amelioration of the unfavourable conditions to which in last year's report the most direct attention was drawn there is no visible progress, whether by adoption of the proposals of the Board, or, these being rejected, by advancing some more acceptable alternative. The recognition by the Board and by the College staff of financial difficulty has led to the very best possible being done in the hope that as soon as practicable adequate provision would be made. The Board now regards it as a public duty to point out that the Training College accommodation question is of extreme urgency, and in fairness to staff, students, and scholars should be no longer disregarded. jßeport of Inspectors. —It is very gratifying to observe that, notwithstanding the great handicap of a closed school until after mid-April, the good work of the Board's staff, both in the special allotment and correction of work prior to opening, and in the subsequent effort, resulted in an excellent year's work. Manual and Technical. —Handwork was undertaken in all schools. In twenty-three schools under control of male teachers classes in needlework were carried on by special instructresses. A new manual centre to serve the eastern schools of the city was erected at Coutts Street. The consolidation of the Mount Cook group will render necessary the erection, at an early date, of a centre for the middle area of the city. Improved provision for science, woodwork, and cookery is not yet supplied at Martinborough. It is doubtful if the withdrawal of the special encouragement accorded to swimming is justified. Medical and Dental Services. —These services confer untold benefit on the young, and are so much appreciated that there is frequent request for their extension. Libraries. —The city library and the central schools libraries of the Wairarapa, at Featherston, Carterton, and Masterton, continue to render a most valuable and an increasing service. For much faithful work in management the Board is indebted to the various staffs engaged. Building and Sites. —The chief rebuilding works of the year were the erection of a new main school at Mount Cook, of chaste and useful design in brick, and of a new school of three rooms at Kaiwarra. A school was erected at Kekerangu and a manual centre at Coutts Street to serve the eastern suburbs. Additions were provided at Seatoun, Paekakariki, Karori, Hataitai, Otaki, Springlands, Plimmertoh (portable), Lyall Bay (portable), each one room. Remodelling was undertaken at Paekakariki, Springlands, and Kahutara. The old Clyde Quay Infant-school, which had been damaged by fire,, was improved as to lighting in the reconstruction. The Scarborough residence, which had been destroyed by fire, was rebuilt. Kahutara residence was supplied by removal of the Tablelands residence, and Shannon residence was remodelled. Maintenance was carried forward steadily and effectively.

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