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such courses advisable. In the Grey district, for instance, in proportion to population, there is necessarily a large number of small schools at shorter-distance intervals than the present regulations allow. The Board further urges that chief officers of the secretarial and administrative branches of the Department make periodical visits to Board centres and acquaint themselves personally with the local and general conditions obtaining. Were such course followed, the Board is certain that the cause of education throughout the Dominion would greatly benefit, an appreciable amount of expenditure would annually be saved, and considerable correspondence and occasional misunderstandings obviated. The advantages of personal contact with specially informed departmental officers is obvicnis : knowledge and assistance is as essential in the administrative branches as is the work of departmental Inspectors in secondary and technical education, and similar benefit would mutually result from closer knowledge and acquaintance between Board members, staffs, and the Department. Schools.—During the year there were in operation thirty-two schools. Two new schools (Grade 0) —viz., Doolan's and Johnston's—were opened during the year. The average attendance of the district was 1,468, as compared with 1,338 for the previous year. Teachers , . —At the end of the year there were in the Board's employ 56 teachers—ll male and 45 female. Of the 50 adult teachers 25 are certificated and two licensed. Secondary. Education.—.The increased attendance recorded for the previous year has been fully maintained, and the work accomplished is of a most satisfactory nature. Scholarships.—At the December, 1906, examinations four candidates presented for National and twelve for Board Scholarships. The National Scholarship and a Board Scholarship were won by a girl pupil of the Greymouth District High School. Electing to accept the latter, the National Scholarship reverted to the next qualified candidate in order of merit, a girl pupil of the same school. Of Board Scholarships, four were awarded— three town scholarships of an annual value of £8, and a country scholarship of the value of £26. On the recommendation of the Inspector, the Board, by resolution, has decided to adopt the Department's examination for future scholarship awards. Drill, Cadet and Physical.—These important branches of school training are receiving every attention, and the school-children are deriving corresponding benefit therefrom. Teachers and Technical Instruction.—During the year considerable attention was devoted to teachers' instruction, classes being conducted in cookery by Miss Irene Dillon, in agriculture by Mr. James Bruce, in drawing by Mrs. F. R. Creasey, and in wood-carving by Mrs. F. C. Widdop. All were largely and regularly attended, and good work was accomplished. A special cookery class for adults was held, also two school special classes for children attending Conyent schools. Of school classes, several forty-hour courses in cookery were most successfully conducted, and attended with profit and advantage by over 80 per cent, of qualified schoolgirls in the Board's district. In school agriculture, Mr. James Bruce did good work. Tn addition to instructing teachers in class, he visited the various schools, and as a result ten school agricultural classes have been established. Undei tuition by Mr. Austin, two woodwork classes were carried on at the Technical School with gratifying results. Hand and eye work received considerable attention in the principal schools. Finance. —The drastic scheme of economy initiated in the preceding year was continued throughout 1907. The year commenced with a debit balance of £132 18s. 2d. on General Account, and a credit balance of £589 13s. 3d. on Building Account. It ended with a debit balance of £334 7s. Bd. on General Account and credit balance of £207 18s. 2d. on Building .Account. In this reference, however, the assets in connection with teachers' training, Manual and Technical, and Building Fund Accounts exceeded £(>OO. Generally, the finances of the Board are in a healthy condition, and at date of writing all accounts may be said to be in credit. School-books.—My Board is still of opinion that uniformity of school-books throughout the Dominion is desirable. This is, in ;i manner, borne out by the success attending the publication of the School Journal, which is doing excellent and thoroughly appreciated work. The Board is further of opinion that in the interest of education the Department should supply all school libraries with copies of the Hon. Mr. McNab's books on the early history of New Zealand; and, further, that school editions of the books would be of great benefit to the rising generation of Dominionites. Staff Changes.—Mr. E. A. Scott, Acting-Inspector in the latter part of 1906, was permanently appointed Inspector, Director of Technical Education, and Inspector of Secondary Schools as from the Ist May,' 1907. His reports upon the schools and educational work of the district show that matters are on a sound basis and everything is in a most satisfactory condition. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. James Kerr, Chairman.