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WELLINGTON. Sir, — In. accordance with tie 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, 1926 : — Board. —Urban Areas : (1) Wellington City —Messrs Thomas Forsyth, M.P. (Chairman), J. J. Clark, W. E. Howe, and C. H. W. Nicholls ; (2) Hutt and Petone —Messrs. G. T. London and J. Stonehouse, Rural Areas : (1) Hutt-Horowhenua Ward —Messrs. L. H. Atkins and P. Robertson ; (2) Wairarapa Ward —Messrs. T. Moss and R. McLeod ; (3) Marlborough Ward—Messrs. I). McCallum and W. 1). Pike. It is with the deepest regret that the Board records the death of Messrs. E. H. Penny and F. Pirani, who died in office after very brief illnesses. Each rendered an honorary educational service, long, able, various', and conscientious, of which any man might well be proud, embracing as it did many years' work on School Committee, Secondary School Board, and Education Board. Training College.—The work of the year is commended. The diversion of students to other training-college centres gave some, but not sufficient, relief from overcrowding. The difficulties arising from the temporary transfer of the duties of the Professor of Education to the Principal on the retirement of Professor Tennant, and of the Principal's duties to the Vice-Principal, Mr. Lomas, were ably surmounted by the loyal co-operation of the staff and students. Report of Inspectors.—l quote with satisfaction the considered judgment of the Inspectors : <l We feel bound to express our satisfaction, especially with the fine spirit of work shown by young teachers in country schools, and we appreciate the interest of the body of teachers in the district." The Board takes this opportunity of expressing its warm appreciation of the faithful services of the teaching staff of the district. Instruction of Teachers. —Week-end classes in drawing and science were conducted at Wellington, Masterton, Levin, and Blenheim. In addition, a refresher and a certificate course of instruction was held at Wellington during the first term holiday. Manual and Technical. —Handwork and science were undertaken in nearly all schools. In twenty-two schools under control of male teachers classes in needlework were carried on by special instructresses. The reports emphasize the desirability of securing close co-ordination with the other subjects of the syllabus. Erection of suitable centres at Mount Cook for woodwork and cookery, and at Martinborough for science and cookery, should now proceed. A good start was made with forestry work in sixty-one schools. The reports show that the work of the instructors in agriculture, in woodwork, and in cookery was marked by commendable diligence and earnestness. Medical and Dental Services.—The Medical and Dental School Services are highly valued, and requests for extension to remote places are increasing in frequency. Buildings.—The chief works of the year were the following : Roseneath, five rooms to replace the old building partially destroyed by fire ; Trentham and Okaramio, each two rooms ; Awatoitoi and Tuhitarata, each one room. Additions were erected at Pirinoa, Silverstream, Hataitai, Eastern Hutt (portable), Otaki, and Levin, with remodelling. New residences were erected at Pirinoa and Pahiatua. Minor improvements to the limit of the means available were effected at various schools and residences, and maintenance overhauls were carried out at fifty schools and fifteen residences. In order to replace worn-out desks the Board had in hand a substantial order of duals of an improved design. Increasing population will render necessary the early authorization of grants for the following urgent works : Additions —Karori, Mornington, Muritai, Ngaio, Redwoodtown ; new schools —Central and South Miramar, Island Bay, Eastern and South Hutt. The report of last year regarding the Training College still stands. The Board continues to affirm the necessity for early acquirement of sites. Largely through the kindly co-operation of your Department and. the Lands Department the difficulties in connection with the Hutt development area are being satisfactorily solved by the acquirement of sites suitably placed to serve the whole district. A new site was acquired at Island Bay. General. —Exhibition : The very comprehensive and creditable collection of school exhibits sent to the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at Dunedin received the very warmest praise. It included every variety of school-work —science and woodwork exhibits, plans, schemes of work, school and college magazines, furniture, &c. The Board is indebted to all who took such care in preparation, to the officers of the Otago Education Board, and to the officers of the Education Court for much kindness received. Libraries: The excellent Wellington civic school-library scheme continues to confer much benefit. Through the generous gifts of Mr. J. L. Heckler, Wairarapa (amounting to over £100), with other contributions, it becomes possible during the coming year to establish a Sounds school library, an Akitio County schools library, and to strengthen the country section of the Training College library. Music : The Board heartily approves of the advance in musical education marked by the appointment of Mr. E. Douglas Tayler as Supervisor of Musical Education. Its thanks are due to the Royal Choral Union for the opportunity afforded to over one thousand senior scholars to attend the final rehearsal before each concert. The Board acknowledges the efforts of many Committees and many teachers to create beauty of environment. The sense of the beautiful grows slowly, but it grows. The Board acknowledges with appreciation the excellent service rendered during the year by the great body of its teachers. A recent return of long service on School Committees discloses a remarkable body of honorary public service which would be difficult to surpass. The various Committees reporting to the Board

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