Appendix A.]

E.—2.

dignity on the profession of teacher. Of 120 who undertook military service, 110 left New Zealand, and of these twenty-one were killed in action, seven succumbed to wounds, and two to sickness—a record most eloquent of duty done. At the present time the needs of the country school call for most generous consideration. The outstanding need of the hour is not the erection of buildings, though that is most urgent ; nor is it the, purchase of sites, though this, too, is essential: the supreme need of the hour is the creation of such conditions of service as shall make the profession acceptable above other callings to men and women of the requisite intellectual and moral calibre. The Board is assured that the solution of this most difficult problem will receive your most earnest consideration. I have, &c, The Hon the Minister of Education, Wellington. T. Fob'-vth, Chairman.

HAWKE'S BAY. Sib,— Education Office, Napier, 31st March, 1.920. In accordance with the provisions of the. Education Act, 1914, the Education Board of the District of Hawke's Bay has the honour to submit the following report of its proceedings for the year 1919. Board. There were no changes in the personnel of the. Board during the year, The members and the ward or area represented were as follows : Napier Urban Area Messrs. J. Clark Thomson and G. W. Venables ; Gisborne Urban Area- Messrs. G. T. Wildish and L. T. Burnard ; North Ward -Messrs. J. H. Bull, and W. Oates ; Middle Ward—Messrs. G. F. Roach and G. McKay ; South Ward Messrs. P. G. Grant and R. Soundy. The Board's representation on other educational bodies was as follows: Dannevirke High School Board—Rev. A. Grant and Mr. R. Soundy; Napier High School Board—Messrs. G. F. Roach and K. L. Paterson; Gisborne High School. Board—Mr, L. T. Burnard ; Napier Technical College Board—Messrs. R. L. Paterson, R. M. Chadwick, A. L. Beattie, and S. H. Tuck; Waipawa Technical Classes Association —G. McKay, C. H. Critohley, and H. M. Rathbone. Major G. Crawshaw, who has been Secretary of the Board for the past fourteen years, tendered his resignation, to take effect at the end of the year. The, Board desires to place on record its high appreciation of the valuable service which he has rendered to the Board, and to the cause, of education generally in this district. Number of Schools. -The number of schools in operation at the end of 1918 was 145. During 1919 new schools were opened at Ardleigh, Kaitangata, Marumoko, Ruakituri, Tihiomanono, while schools were, closed, at Clifton, Maharahara West, Makarctu South, Mangatoro, Ngapaeruru, Patangata, Waikari, Waiomoko, Waitio, and Whakarau. leaving 140 in operation at the end of the year. Woodlands Boad was attached as a side school to Woodville District High School, and a new side school was opened at Parkvale and attached to Hastings District High School. Attendance. —The number on the roll at the end of 1919 was 13,957, an increase of 343 during the year. The attendance for the, year averaged 12,417, being 90-7 per cent, of the average, roll (13,690). Teachers.- On the 31st December, 1919, there were in the Board's service 420 teachers, classed as follows :—

Instructors in special subjects employed : Agriculture and dairy science, 2 ; domestic science, 2 ; woodwork, 2. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining suitable teachers for the, more remote country schools. The increased salaries recently provided have brought some little improvement, but frequently the teachers art! unable to obtain suitable accommodation, and are forced to relinquish their appointments. During the, war all the higher positions in the service were filled temporarily, but during 1919 it was decided, as most of the teachers of this district who had returned from active, service were available, to make permanent appointments. In all cases where returned soldiers held positions prior to going on active service, the positions were kept open for them, or others of equal status were provided. The Board has endeavoured to ensure that no teacher should be adversely affected in regard, to position or promotion by his absence on active service. Instruction of Teachers. —Classes for the training of pupil-teachers, probationers, and uncertificated teachers in drawing and elementary experimental science were held at Gisborne, Napier, and Dannevirke. A class in general science was held at Gisborne, one in. vocal music at Dannevirke, and one in agriculture (for teachers' C certificate) at Hastings. Correspondence classes were continued in the subjects of English, arithmetic, mathematics, history, geography, hygiene, methods of teaching, dairy science, and agriculture. Two progress examinations were held during the year, when the papers submitted were of a high order. In addition a summer school was held at Hastings to enable

ii—E. 2 (App. A.)

IX

Certificated. Licen ed. Uncertificated. All Teachers. Total. (.er.inca.en. I Head teachers Sole teachers Assistant teachers . . Organizing teachers M. F. 56 11 4 20 27 130 3 M. E. 2 2 3 3 M. F. 9 36 2 49 M. F. 58 11 15 56 32 182 3 69 71 214 3 I i Total adults .. Pupil-teachers Probationers 90 161 7 3 11 85 108 249 5 32 3 23 357 37 26 Totals 1919 . Totals 1918 .. 90 161 77 162 7 3 2 5 I I 85 Ll 82 116 304 94 297 420 391