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School Committees. —The efforts of School Committees for the betterment of school life were of great variety, and productive of very substantial results, as the totals of applications for subsidy clearly show : —

The corresponding figures for the preceding year were 173 applications for a total sum of £2,603 10s. Bd. The Board highly commends their efforts. General. —Libraries : Central libraries to serve the Sounds and Akitio County are now established. Those operating at other centres continue to confer much benefit on their school communities, and the teachers in charge will earn the gratitude of the children. Arrangement has been made for the establishment in Wellington of the nucleus of a teachers' reference library by contribution of £30 each by Department and Board. The Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute has kindly undertaken care and distribution. Music : The Royal Choral Society, the Harmonic Society, arid the Savage Club orchestra have on different occasions invited the senior scholars of Wellington to entertainments, and the Board acknowledges its obligation to them and to Mr. E. Douglas Taylor for valued assistance in cultivating musical appreciation. Special classes : Four classes were conducted, at Mount Cook (two), Miiamar (one), Petone (one). The teachers merit a word of special commendation. A most successful three weeks' camp at the Central Development Farm, Levin, brought delight, with improved health of body and mind. Much kindness was received from the medical staff, teachers, scholars, and neighbours. The benefit of these camps as there conducted is not open to question. The Board ventures to suggest that, if possible, the place should be kept for the benefit of such children. Dental and medical service : Appreciation of these valuable and well administered services continues to increase. Thanks. —The staff of the Board has met the demands of the year with admirable loyalty. The helpfulness and friendliness of the officers of your Department, especially of the Inspectors, have been much appreciated. The Board congratulates Mr. Bird, late Senior Inspector of this district, on his promotion to the position of Chief Inspector of the Dominion : it welcomes his successor, Mr. D. A. Strachan, M.A. The Board tenders you its grateful thanks for your courteous consideration of its representations. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. T. Forsyth. Chairman.

NELSON. Sir, — I have the honour to present the following report relative to the activities of the Education Board of the District of Nelson for the year ended 31st December, 1927 : — Board. —The personnel of the Board at the end of year was as follows : Nelson Urban Area — Messrs. F. W. 0. Smith and J. W. Treacher ; North Ward—Messrs. W. C. Baigent and C. B. Morris ; East Ward—Messrs. E. J. Scantlebury and J. G. Wilkens ; West Ward —Mr. J. H. Harkness and Hon. W. H. Mclntyre. Mr. F. W. O. Smith occupied the Chair during the year. Schools. —The new school at Auckland Point was opened as a mixed school, and the Shelbourne Street Girls' School and Haven Road Side School were closed. The Nelson Central School was converted from a boys' to a mixed school. This marked the closing stages from the change-over from separate girls' and boys' schools to mixed schools in the Nelson City. New schools were opened at Twynham and Omokau, and the Tophouso school was reopened. The Hillside School was closed, and the children conveyed to Clifton Terrace. Attendance. —The attendance at several schools was again affected, by minor epidemics noticeably in the March and June quarters, otherwise the attendance was well maintained, and except in a few instances prosecutions for non-attendance were not necessary. Teaching Staff. —During the year one of the organizing teachers resigned to take charge of a school and has not been replaced. The other two organizing teachers are rendering excellent service in the small schools.

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Purpose. Number of Applications. Amount of Contribution. Ground improvements First-aid outfits Gramophones and records Pianos Library Miscellaneous , .. 39 3 31 5 40 28 __ _ 1,157 15 11 4 12 0 208 '3 0 150 4 3 344 11 8 284 13 11 Totals 146 2,150 0 9