8.—4.

School Committees' Allowances. 245. Up to the present the allowances paid to School Committees have not been reduced, and we are of the opinion that it would be reasonable to reduce these allowances by at least 10 per cent. We are informed that a considerable number of School Committees are able to finish up the year with a credit balance, which would indicate that the allowances paid at the present time are liberal. In view of present conditions a reduction of 10 per cent, would be reasonable, and we recommend accordingly. Estimated saving, £10,000. Capitation Allowances to Boards on Account of Secondary Pupils in District High Schools and for Science Classes in Secondary Schools. 246. The present capitation rate is 7s. 6d. per pupil. We are of the opinion that a flat rate of 4s. should, in view of present conditions, be sufficient, and we recommend a reduction accordingly. Estimated saving, £3,000. Special Capitation for Science Classes in Primary Schools. 247. In view of present conditions, the special capitation for science classes in primary schools should be discontinued. The effect of this will be that the primary-school teachers must depend on improvised apparatus, and, although the instruction may be somewhat lessened in efficiency through lack of material, other instruction such as plant-study relating to elementary agriculture can be taken more fully, and for this little apparatus and material are required. We recommend that the special capitation be discontinued. Estimated saving, £6,000. Material for Handwork in Primary Schools. 248. Up to the present it has been usual to provide special materials for handwork in primary schools. In view of the necessity for the utmost economy, teachers should be required to use waste material for this work, and we recommend accordingly. We are informed that this has already been done to a much wider extent than formerly, and it appears that the change will be beneficial not only to teachers and pupils, but to the whole community, as it will serve to inculcate habits of thrift. Estimated saving, £1,000. Free Books to Primary-school Children in Necessitous Cases. 249. We recommend that the supply of free school-books to pupils be discontinued. There is a tendency for expenditure under this heading to increase ; but parents, teachers, and School Committees could assist by gathering used school-books which could be passed on free to the pupils who need them. The books in the primary schools are standardized over the whole Dominion, and we recommend that there be no alteration during the next five years. Estimated saving, £2,000. Capitation Grants to Secondary -school Boards for Incidental Expenses. 250. We recommend that the present capitation allowance of £2 to Secondary School Boards for incidental expenses should be reduced to £1 15s. If this reduction presses heavily upon the Boards, an extra effort should be made in the direction of economy in administration. Estimated saving, £2,000. * Incidental Allowances to Technical-school Boards. 251. Incidental allowances paid to Technical School Boards have proved more than sufficient for the purpose, and many of the Boards have succeeded in accumulating considerable reserves. We are of the opinion that the Boards should be able to effect economies in administration. The allowance is at present 25 per cent, of the salaries paid, and we recommend that it be reduced to 20 per cent. Estimated saving, £5,000. Native-school Scholarships. 252. We recommend that no further Native-school Scholarships be granted. The ordinarv facilities which exist in our primary and secondary schools should meet the need for Native children also. Estimated saving, £1,750. Maintenance of School Buildings. 253. We are assured that most of the school buildings at present in use have been kept in very good repair of late years, and that a considerable temporary saving could be effected in maintenance costs. We recommend that the grants for maintenance of the undermentioned buildings be reduced by the amounts stated : — £ Institutions under the Child Welfare Act, 1925 .. . . . . 1,000 Native schools .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,000 Technical schools .. . . . . . . . . . . 1,750 Public schools .. . . . . .. .. .. . . 20,000 We consider that the economies recommended under this heading should not result in permanent deterioration of the buildings. Estimated saving, £23,750. s—B. 4.

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