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GREY. Sir,— Education Office, Greymouth, 7th March, 1904. I have the honour to present the report of the Education Board of the District of Grey for the year ending the 31st December, 1903. Board.—ln July the three retiring members (Messrs. W. R. Kettle, James Kerr, and Frank White) were returned unopposed. The Board has thus throughout the year consisted of Messrs. John Byrne, John Flynn, S. R. Harris, James Kerr, W. R. Kettle, Jeremiah McCarthy, Joseph Petrie, Frank White, and the Hon. James Marshall. In August Mr. Frank White was re-elected Chairman and Mr. John Byrne Treasurer. Mr. W. R. Kettle was in February re-elected to represent the Board on the Greymouth High School Board. Mr. Byrne continues to represent the Board as one of the School Commissioners of Westland. During the year thirteen meetings—one special and twelve ordinary—have been held. Schools.—At the beginning of the year thirty-one schools were in operation. In August a new school was opened at Duncan's. The Board has not yet approached your Department for a grant for erecting a new school at the State Coal-mine. A site has been reserved, and, with the opening of the railway and the export of coal, steps will have to be taken towards establishing a school. Attendance. —The average attendance for the year was 1,352, which is a decrease of twentyeight for the year. Owing to the prevalence of sickness in several parts of the district the average for the June quarter was only 1,316. The December quarter, however, reached the satisfactory figure of 1,395. The attendance at some of the country schools is not so good as it might be. With a little effort on the part of teachers and School Committees an improvement might be effected. Owing to decreased attendance six schools have been reduced a grade. Teachers.—The number of teachers in the employ of the Board at the end of the year was 57 (15 males and 42 females), including 10 head teachers, 22 sole teachers, 16 assistant teachers, and 9 pupil-teachers. Excluding the pupil-teachers, there were 22 uncertificated teachers in the employ of the Board, most of whom have had little or no training. At the pupil-teachers' examination, held in December, five passed to a higher grade. Three had previously passed the necessary examination, and one who had been recently appointed was not examined. In fifteen schools—nearly half the number under the jurisdiction of the Board—there was a change in the staff during the year. These changes must, to a considerable extent, interfere with the children's progress. The Board finds the allowance for relieving-teachers far too small. The amount received last year will not provide salary for a competent teacher for any length of time. Scholarships.—At the annual examination ten candidates presented themselves. Two scholarships were awarded. The Board regrets that candidates from so few schools compete for the scholarships. Physical Drill.—For some months in the year drill classes for teachers were conducted every Saturday. The effect of these classes was most marked in the schools conducted by female teachers, who previously knew little or nothing of drill. In all schools a fair amount of time is now devoted to this important subject. It is pleasing to find that the pupils enter into the spirit of the subject, and in several schools wand drill is well done. The cadet-corps at Greymouth, Taylorville, and Dobson continue to do good work. During the year detachments have been formed at Ahaura and Blackball. Technical Instruction.—For the last four months of the year teachers received instruction in first aid. The expenses of this class were paid out of an unexpended balance remaining from an earlier grant. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining instruction for the teachers, little has been done in introducing hand and eye work into the schools. Finance.—At the close of the year the Board had a debit balance on the General Account of £244 12s. 7d., and a credit balance on the Building Account of £252 3s. 2d. There were liabilities of over £300 in the General Account. Against these the District High School capitation for the December quarter had not come to hand, and the building vote for the year had not arrived. For eight months of the year the Board has employed a carpenter, who has been repairing and painting the larger schools —work which was most urgently required. The Board hopes to be able to continue this practice. Conclusion. —In conclusion, the Board desires to place on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered by the late Hon. W. C. Walker to the cause of education. It regrets to state that during the year two old servants of the Board, Mr. J. A. Bromley and Miss Alice Kemple, were removed by the hand of death. At such times the necessity for retiring and compassionate allowances is brought home to every one, and the Board expresses the hope that in the near future the Government will see its way to provide the same. I have, &c, F, White, Chairman. The Right Hon the Minister of Education, Wellington.

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