E.—2.

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School Libraries. —There is an increasing demand for school literature. Practically all the schools in Taranaki have a school library or books forming the nucleus of one. Subsidies amounting to £294 7s. 2d., plus the Board's grant of £32, were paid during the year towards the cost of such, and in addition the Board provided supplementary readers. Conveyance of School-children.—The conveyance of children to school is yearly becoming a more serious matter of administration. In a scattered district like Taranaki a very large number of children ride to school. Approximately 174 children travel by conveyance, for which a grant of 6d. per return trip is paid, costing £662 7s. 6d., and 97 by school buses under contract, costing £720. 151 children were also conveyed to manual-training centres. Board allowance was paid in respect of 18 children. The Board's thanks are due to School Committees, with whom very harmonious relations continue to subsist. Speaking generally, the members of School Committees display a keen interest in their schools, and by their co-operation many improvements to school grounds, boundaries, and buildings have been effected. It is in districts where the active co-operation of the teacher and Committee are most noticeable that the best results generally are seen in school. In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the consideration given by the Department to this Board's applications. To the Inspectors I extend the thanks of the Board for their advice, and to the Board's officers and staff my thanks for their loyal assistance. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Sydney G. Smith, Chairman.

WANGANUI. Sir,— I kave the honour to submit the following report 011 the proceedings of the Board for the year ending 31st December, 1926 :— Board.—The personnel of the Board at the end of the year was as follows : Messrs. W. A. Collins (Chairman) and B. F. Hemingway (West Ward), Messrs. H. Mclntyre and J. K. Hornblow (South Ward), Messrs. A. J. Joblin and W. Adams (North Ward), Messrs. W. S. Woodroofe and D. W. Low (Palmerston North Urban Area), and Messrs. J. Aitken and W. W. Hedges (Wanganui Urban Area). Schools. —New schools were opened at Tawhero (Wanganui), Makokomiko Valley, Waipuna, Mangapurua Valley, Mangahoe, and Tauwherenikau. The Huikumu, Kaheke, Manui, Putahi and Waikupa Road schools were closed duriug the year. Efficiency of the Schools. —The Inspectors' reports show that the estimated efficiency of the schools was as follows : good to very good, 79 ; very fair, 85 ; fair, 22 ; and weak, 1. This may be regarded as very satisfactory indeed. It is pleasing to note that of seven, candidates from Grade 0 schools six gained proficiency certificates. Adopted Schools.—On the application of the Senior Inspector the Board approved of the introduction of a system of " adopted schools," having for its object the bringing of some of the smaller and more remote schools into close touch with the town schools. The system was put into operation at the beginning of the current year, and gives promise of good results. Organizing Teachers. —The substantial reduction in the number of uncertificated or inexperienced teachers made a reduction in the staff of organizing teachers possible. Mr. E. G. Coddington, who was appointed in February, 1925, was transferred to the headmastership of the Aramoho School in April. Mr. D. P. Thurston, who was appointed in October, 1919, was selected for the headmastership of the Manchester Street School in May. From the beginning of August Mr. T. B. Haydon took over the duties of sole organizing teacher. Lieutenant Gray Prize. —This prize was awarded to Absalom Penman, a pupil of the Palmerston North Central School. Alexander Scholarships.—ln the past these scholarships have been awarded to promising senior pupils of the Wanganui Technical College, with the object of encouraging them to prosecute their studies with a view to becoming teachers in the subjects of engineering, agricultural science, domestic science, or of commercial subjects. The Board, however, on the recommendation of the Senior Inspector, decided to alter its policy in the matter, and from the beginning of 1927 the scholarships will be available only to pupils who have completed their second year in the secondary department of a district high school controlled by the Board. The scholarships will be tenable at the Wanganui Technical College for a period of one year, subject to an extension to a second year on the recommendation of the Director of the Technical College and the Senior Inspector. The annual value of each scholarship is to be £10, with the addition of £40 boarding-allowance. The effect of this change in policy is to provide facilities for further secondary education for country pupils. In making the change the Board had in view also the encouragement of young persons from country districts to enter the teaching profession. The scholarships for the year 1927 have been awarded to Christina Nesbit (Marton District High School), Eleanor Trevor (Ohakune District High School), and Gertrude I. Parton (Taihape District High School). Conveyance and Board of Children.—The total expenditure for conveyance and board allowances was £1,138 17s. Id. The average number of children conveyed was 194, in attendance at forty-two schools, and the average number of children for whom boarding-allowance was paid was forty, in attendance at twenty-six schools.