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Instruction of Teachers. —Saturday classes for the instruction of pupil-teachers, probationers, and uncertificated teachers were held during the year at Invercargill and Gore. During the period the schools were closed on account of the epidemic of infantile paralysis refresher classes for teachers were held at Gore and Riverton for one week, and at Invercargill for three weeks. The classes held during the first week were attended by practically all teachers able to attend, but only those uncertificated were required to be present at the extended courses of instruction held in Invercargill. The subjects dealt with were agriculture, general science, singing, drawing, physical drill, hygiene, and school method. Scholarship Regulations, Proposed Amendment of.' —The following were the principal resolutions adopted by the Board regarding the proposed alterations in the award of scholarships : —• (1.) That the Board is strongly of opinion that the policy of awarding scholarships should be maintained. (2.) That such scholarships should take the form of free books to pupils who do not need to reside away from home to attend a secondary school; and boarding-allowance, with free books, to pupils who need to do so. (3.) That a Trust Fund supplementing scholarships might assist in providing successively the assistance required by promising pupils to enable them to complete courses leading to various professions and callings. (4.) That a larger number of scholarships at the University stage should be available in the engineering, dental, and other faculties of like character at the University. At present the Arts and Science faculties have too large a proportion of scholarships. (5.) That it is considered inadvisable that any poverty clause should be attached to the award of scholarships. Conveyance and Board of Pupils.—The amount disbursed by the Board on the conveyance and board of pupils was £1,923 18s. 7d. Conveyance allowance was paid in respect of 402 children, and boarding-allowance in respect of sixty-nine children. School Medical Service.—Excellent work lias been done during the year by the School Medical Officer, Dr. Rosa Collier, and her staff of nurses. It is very gratifying to know that the parents are heartily co-operating with the doctor and her staff, with the result that there is a great improvement in the general health of the children. Dental Clinic.—This important branch of the Health Department continues to do excellent work in Invercargill. In all, 1,300 children have received treatment during the past year. The new dental clinic at Gore will be opened early in 1926. The Board desires to place on record its appreciation of the handsome donation of £100 by the people of Gore towards the erection of the "building. Physical Instruction. —The physical instructor reports that a very high standard of work continues to prevail in Southland. The Board is glad to have the instructor's assurance that the teachers as a whole show keen interest both in the more formal exercises and in organized games. Agriculture. —Recognized classes for instruction in agriculture were carried on at 135 schools —■ six more than for the previous year. Elementary Handwork. —The various branches of handwork received attention during the year, schools being supplied with the necessary materials to enable work to be carried on in plasticinemodelling, paper-folding and paper-cutting, cardboard-work, colour-work, and raffia-weaving. The kindergarten materials also supplied by the Department were much appreciated. Woodwork and Cookery Classes.—Classes in these subjects were held during the year at the three manual-training centres —Invercargill, Gore, and Riverton. Subsidies on Voluntary Contributions. —During the year 105 applications were received for subsidy on voluntary contributions, the total amount of the contributions received being £1,311 2s. lid. In addition, subsidy of £3 10s. was applied for in connection with donations of material valued at £7. It is gratifying to note that more than half of the contributions raised was for the purpose of effecting improvements to school-grounds by providing shelter-belts, shrub and flower borders, laying down concrete or asphalt drilling-areas and paths, levelling and grassing playing-areas, &c. School Libraries. —During the year forty-three applications were received for subsidy on contributions in aid of the establishment of or purchase of additional books for school libraries. The total contributions received for this purpose amounted to £146 Bs. 7d. With pound-for-pound subsidy from the Department, and grants from the Board totalling £31 17s. 6d., a sum of £324 14s. Bd. was thus available for expenditure on the purchase of books. School Furniture.—The Board desires to thank the Department for its special grant towards the cost of replacing the obsolete long desks with dual desks. Buildings.—ln addition to the maintenance of school buildings, teachers' residences, &c., the Board has undertaken during the year several very important new works. The erection of new schools at Athol, Lora Gorge, Glencoe, Five Rivers Siding; a domestic science room at Gore, additions to schools at Balfour, Waimatua, Greenhills, Tuatapere ; removal of Te Tipua and Roslyn Bush Schools to new sites. Additional new works, grants for which have been approved by the Department, are now in progress, of which full particulars will appear in next year's report. Conclusion. —The Board, in conclusion, desires to acknowledge the courtesy and consideration of your Department in dealing with claims for grants ; to your Inspectors, Messrs. Strachan, Inglis, and Service, for their assistance in promoting the educational welfare of this district; and to the School Committees for their hearty co-operation in all matters relating to the Board's activities. I have, &c., Hugh Smith, Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

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