29

E.—2,

Voluntary Contributions.■ —Voluntary contributions received during the year totalled £2,801 17s. 10d., an increase of £605 13s. 2d., as compared with the year 1925. The main purposes of the contributions were the improvement of buildings and grounds ; the purchase of new sites and additional land ; the installation of septic tanks ; the purchase of gramophones and records, pictures, and special equipment; and the establishment and enlargement of school libraries. In addition to the large sums raised from year to year by means of voluntary contributions, much is done by School Committees and others in the way of voluntary labour for the improvement and beautification of school grounds. Health of Children.—The annual health camp was held at Turakina in November and December, some 115 children attending. This, the sixth camp, was on the lines of previous camps, and proved equally successful. Dr. Elizabeth Gunn and her staff carried out their onerous duties with enthusiasm and zeal, and the parents and the Board are under a debt of gratitude to them. The Public Health Department undertook the expense of hiring tents and other camp equipment, and the public again responded generously to the appeal for funds. To all those who contributed in cash or in kind the Board expresses its thanks. Mr. and Mrs. B. P. Letherbridge again placed their beautiful grounds at the Board's disposal, and for their continued generosity and their keen interest in the welfare of the little ones it is impossible to adequately express the thanks and appreciation of the Board and the parents of the children. Tooth-brush drill was carried out regularly in a large number of schools. The value of tooth-brush drill from the point of view of health and the inculcation of habits of cleanliness has passed the experimental stage, and the Board desires to see it continued. The treatment of cases of goitre, commenced by Dr. Gunn in 1919 at a number of schools, was continued with very beneficial results. The assistance give by teachers in this connection is appreciated. The methods this year have been slightly varied, and pupils attending the infant schools are being given the iodine treatment with a view to the prevention of the disease. These will be carefully watched during their progress through their school life. Previously only the older children, many of whom had well developed goitres, were treated. A scheme for the medical examination of children between two and five years of age was instituted by Dr. Gunn during the year. A room in the Wanganui Central Infants' School was set aside for the purpose, and mothers were invited to bring their children for free medical examination. About 230 children have been examined since the scheme was inaugurated, and in many cases parents acted on the advice given and had their children treated by the family doctors. An experiment for the treatment of under-weight children was tried by Dr. Gunn at one of the schools in Wanganui. Selected pupils in Standards II and 111 were each given half a pint of milk and a wheatmeal biscuit daily, followed by a rest period of twenty minutes, which took the place of physical drill. The arrangements were supervised by a committee of mothers and the assistant mistress in charge of the classes, and her work in this connection was appreciated. The cost was 9d. per child per week, and was found by the parents. Every child improved in weight and general health, and with the improvement in health the class-work itself showed improvement. It is regretted that difficulties in the matter of staff organization prevent the experiment being continued. Physical Instruction. —The Inspectors report that physical instruction is being given on sound lines throughout the district. Correspondence Classes. —Applications for the enrolment of thirteen children in the Department's correspondence classes were sent forward during the year. Buildings and Sites. —A new school was erected at Tawhero (Wanganui), and the Livingstone School was removed to Otamakapua. During the year the schools at Maxwell and Mangaweka were destroyed by fire, new buildings being erected in each case. The Rongotea School was rebuilt, and the school at Ashhurst remodelled and partially rebuilt. Remodelling work was also carried out at the Marton District High School. Additions were made to the Raetihi, Kohi, and Kopane Schools. New out-offices were erected at the Alton, Gonville, and Keith Street Infants' School, and additional lavatory accommodation provided at the Aramoho Schools. The out-offices at Castlecliff were connected up with the city drainage-system. Septic-tank systems were installed at Apiti, Marton Junction, and Turakina. Improvements were carried out to the teacher's residence at Mount View. Works in progress or in prospect include the partial rebuilding of the Terrace End School; the erection of a building to accommodate the secondary pupils and manual classes in cookery and woodwork at Foxton ; the remodelling and enlarging of the Manunui School; the erection of further additions at Wanganui East and Kopane ; the installation of septic-tank systems at Kai Iwi and Ashhurst, and a central heating-service at the Marton District High School. New out-offices are to be erected at the Wanganui East School. The erection and equipment of the new workshop at Aramoho was completed early in the year. The improved facilities thereby provided will enable the staff to cope more expeditiously and efficiently with the necessary requirements in the way of school-furniture. A large quantity of furniture of all descriptions was manufactured in the workshop during the year. A new site was acquired at Cuba Street, Palmerston North, and additional areas secured for the Lytton Street and Castlecliff Schools, the latter by way of a lease from the Wanganui Harbour Board. Finance. —The annual statements are submitted herewith. After allowing for liabilities and cash assets, the net credit balance at the end of the year was £1,669 lis. 2d. Against the debit balance of £1,189 17s. 4d. in the Workshop Account must be placed the sum of £1,311 os. 9d., representing the value of materials in hand and the various works in progress at the end of the year. In addition to the foregoing, the value of the workshop buildings and plant (including machines and lorries), after allowing for depreciation, is shown as £1,997 18s. 4d. The latter amount is, however, subject to a liability of £423 14s. lid., which was advanced from the Maintenance Account in connection with the