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ordinary, two special, and one emergency meeting. The attendance of members was—Mr. J. E. Blair, 14; Mr. G. Beetham, 13; Mr. A. W. Brown, 13; Mr. W. C. Buchanan, 7; Mr. H. Bunny, 14 ; Mr. P. H. Fraser (nine months), 12 ; Dr. Newman, 9 ; Eev. J. Paterson, 13 ; J. Young, 12. New Distbict.—The boundaries of the Districts of Thorndon and Te Aro were altered to admit of the reconstitution of the Terrace District. There are now fifty-five school districts under the Board. Attendance.—At the close of the year there were 71 schools in operation, classified as follows : Under 15 pupils, 6 schools; 15 and under 20 pupils, 4 ; 20 and under 25 pupils, 6; 25 and under 50 pupils, 23 ; 50 and under 75 pupils, 8; 75 and under 100 pupils, 4; 100 and under 150 pupils, 4; 150 and under 300 pupils, 8 ; 300 and. under 500 pupils, 6; 500 pupils and upwards, 2. Included in this number aro 8 aided schools. The additional schools opened during the year are: Taueru (reopened), Pirinoa, Mauriceville Eailway-station, Glenburn, Alfredton, Otahuao, and Whakataki, the four latter being aided schools. New buildings have been erected at Mangaone, Paikakariki, and Karori South, and extensive additions made at Fernridge, Hutt, and Pitone. Alterations and repairs have been carried out at Carterton, Kaiwara, and Newtown. An admirable site has been secured at Clyde Quay, on a lease with right of. purchase, and plans are in course of preparation for a school to be erected thereon as soon as the title is complete. This has been delayed owing to the owners of the property residing in England. The want of a school on this side of the city has been very much felt for some time ; but until the present no suitable site could be obtained. It is anticipated that the school will fill immediately it is opened, and so release the pressure now severely felt at the other city schools at Te Aro end. There are now 9,611 children attending the Board schools, of whom 4,966 are males and 4,645 are females. The following table shows the steady increase in attendance since 1876. [Not reprinted.] There are thirty-five Maoris and thirty-four half-caste scholars attending fifteen schools. Teachees.—The teaching staff numbers 242, with 15 teachers of sewing. The classification is —Head of school, 30 males, 7 females ; sole teacher, 20 males, 14 females; assistant, 20 males, 42 females ; pupil-teachers, 14 males, 95 females. Scholarships.—The scholarships held by [4 at £20 and 1 at £30] expired at the close of the year ; those held by [9 at £15 and 4 at £30] remain in existence for another year. At the examination held in November 98 candidates presented themselves. As usual the examination was held simultaneously at Grey town and Wellington. Scholarships were awarded to [10 at £15 and 4at £30]. The scholarships were open to all children of school-age attending any school. One boy who gained a scholarship two years ago, and has since regularly attended the Wellington College, again competed, and stood third on list of winners. Amended regulations will be submitted for the consideration of the department, making provision for increasing the scholarships according to the revenue available, and placing the competition more clearly on the lines indicated by the Education Act. Tbaining College.—With a view to increase the usefulness of this institution the Board in March last decided to terminate its engagement with Mr. Howard. Mr. Hardy, 8.A., head teacher of the Mount Cook Boys' School, was placed in temporary charge until complete arrangements could be made for the appointment of a permanent Principal; but the reduction by Government of all subsidies in aid of training colleges necessitated the closing of the institution. On the grounds of economy this cannot be regretted, as the cost of training the few students who entered the Training College was out of all proportion to the practical results achieved. Of the fifteen students, two obtained full D, one partial D and full E, eight obtained full E, two gained partial E, and one each failed for D and E. The report of the Acting-Principal is attached hereto. Drawing.—The drawing-master, Mr. Eiley, reports that good progress has been made in this subject at the public schools. As is pointed out, the teaching of this subject has not yet reached the higher standards on the lines laid down by the syllabus. The teachers, pupil-teachers, and students continue to attend the School of Design for special instruction on Saturdays ; and Saturday instruction classes have been successfully carried on at Masterton for the benefit of teachers in the Wairarapa schools. Many of these teachers travel a considerable distance at their own expense to attend these classes, and show an evident desire to qualify for all the requirements of this section. The School of Design technical classes are now more numerously attended than in previous years, and the inconvenience of the accommodation is felt with increased force. At the close of the year the registers showed 155 students who regularly pay the fee required. The examinations were conducted by independent examiners, who report in high terms of the work shown by the students of this institution. Mr. Eiley's report is attached. Finance.—The sum of £969 13s. Id. has been spent on rents and repairs to buildings, and £375 12s. on School of Design. These amounts are heavy charges on the Maintenance Account, and the Board hopes that the Government will grant some assistance to the School of Design in recognition of the promise made by Sir Eobert Stout, the late Minister of Education. Inspection.—The Board granted Mr. Lee leave of absence to enable him to visit England, and arranged for the standard examination, as far as Standard V., being conducted by the head teachers, the test work having been previously prepared by the Inspector. The result has not proved unsatisfactory, and no inconvenience or delay has been caused by the arrangement. The work above Standard V. was taken by Mr. Lee. Committees.—The Board has again to express its appreciation of the efforts made by Committees to assist in carrying out the provisions of the Education Act. The abolition of the special capitation allowance rendered it absolutely necessary to make very serious reductions in the amount