X—2.

[Appendix A.

Mr. Grant (Wanganui). and Mr. Banner (Feilding). The thanks of the Board are due to Mr. Short, of Parorangi, for the facilities for instruction that he places at the disposal of the instructors and pupils at his Almadale Farm, and for many acts of kindness done while they are in cam)) ; and to Mr. J. G. Wilson, for the use of his land at Marton Junction for a school farm, and for liberal assistance in horses and implements to facilitate the work. Thanks are due also to the manager of the State farm at Mounialiaki. and to the Agricultural Department for teaching-facilities, accommodation, and other considerate acts. One of the most satisfactory features of this department of educational work is the financial help given regularly by local bodies and societies from one end of the district to the other. In this connexion, donations received from the following towards the promotion of technical education in some of its forms are gladly acknowledged : Wanganui Borough Council, Wanganui Builders' Association. Oroua County Council. Marton Chamber of Commerce, Pohangina County Council, Manawatu County Council, Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Hawera Borough Council. Kiwitea County Council. Kangitikei County Council. Wanganui East Borough Council, Feilding Borough Council. Marton Borough Council. New Zealand Farmers' Union. Day Technical Schools.—The action of the Board in recommending the disestablishment of the Wanganui District High School, on Ihe ground that efficient instruction was being given in the Wanganui Technical College, opens up the question of the policy the Board desires to pursue in all cases of the kind. Where the same courses of study are given in the technical school by expert teachers, who are paid fairly good salaries it seems false economy to allow the hybrid district high schools, with their beggarly salaries, to drag out an existence in the same town. It should certainly be optional for the Board to make the change whenever it is considered advisable. Staff. —The Board is deeply indebted to Mr. G. D. Braik, Director of Primary. Technical, .mil Secondary Education, for the energy and ability he has displayed in the particular work expected of him, as well as for the resourcefulness, foresight, and organizing-power he has exhibited in directions entirely outside of inspectorial duties. Whatever meed of success the Board has attained in educational effort is in no small degree owing t; Mr. Braik's devotion to the cause he has so much at heart. It is hoped that Mr. Braik will visit Ausl ralia about the middle of this year, and while t here will inquire specially into tin- questions of agricultural education and the Montessori Bystem of infant-teaching. Mr. Milne and Mr. Strong, Assistant inspectors, and Mr. I). Stewart, Organizer of School Work, continue I he efficient and faithful sen ice which has done so much Io maintain the standard of primal \ education in this district. The Secretary (Mr. \V. 11. Swanger) and his office staff have all worked very hard in the interests of the Board, and must have welcomed the end of a strenuous year with pleasure. It is with regret the Board records the death in January last of Mr. Voreker-Bindon, MA. headmaster of the Manaia School, and for years a most efficient Chief Inspector for this education district. I have, &c, Tin- lion, the Minister of Education. Fred. Pirani, chairman.

WELLINGTON. Sir,— Education Office, Wellington. 31st March. 1913. In accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, 1008, I beg to submit the following report of the Education Board of the District of Wellington for the year 1912 : — Board. —At the annual election Messrs. W. Allan (City), W. C. Buchanan, M.P. (Wairarapa), and J. Kebbell (Hutt-Horowhenua) were re-elected. Towards the end of the year, Mr. A. H. Vile (Wairarapa) retired owing to pressure of private business, and the vacancy was filled by the election of Mr. T. Moss in January. At the August meeting, Mr. R. Lee was re-elected Chairman. The following was the membership of the Board at the end of the year : Wellington City Ward —Messrs. J. G. W. Ait ken, W. Allan, R. Lee ; Hutt-Horowhenua Ward —Messrs. H. Freeman, W. H. Field, J. Kebbell ; Wairarapa Ward —Messrs. W. C. Buchanan. M.l.. A. W. Hogg. The Board's representative managers of technical schools were : Wellington —Messrs. Aitken, Allan, and Field ; Petone —Messrs. J. W. McEwan and D. McKenzie. The retiring members of the committee of advice were re-elected, viz. : Representing Middle University District South Island Boards, Mr. W. Lock ; North Island Boards, Mr. G. Carson : Wellington Board, Mr. R. Lee and Chief Inspector Fleming ; Professorial Board, Victoria College, Professor Brown; Mr. Lee was re-elected Chairman. Number of Schools. —At the end of 1911 there were 169 schools in operation. During 1912, new schools, in each case household schools, were opened at Karapoti, Mona. Stronvar, and Weraiti. Schools were closed at Horokiwi, Kaikuri, Mona, Ngapopotu. Thus, at the end of the year there were 169 schools in operation. Attendance. —The average roll and attendance for the respective quarters and the year were : — Average Roll. Average Attendance, March .. .. .. .. 17.828 16.304 June .. .. .. .. 17.967 16,031 September .. .. .. 17.971 16,011 December .. .. .. 18.247 16.445 Year .. .. .. .. 18,003 16.198 The average attendance was thus 90 per cent, of the average roll number, a result very satisfactory, considering that epidemics prevailed during more than half the year. The Truant Officer paid 766 visits to schools, dealt with over three thousand cases of irregular attendance, enrolled twenty non-

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