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Staffing Conditions. —A steady improvement has taken place during recent years in the staffing of the schools. Certificated teachers are gradually replacing uncertificated teachers, and the number of the latter in the Board's employ is now very small. Junior teachers give evidence of interest in their academic studies. The number who have now failed to qualify for entrance to the training college is comparatively small. The Board is pleased to note that the regulations have been so altered, as to permit of the grading of schools for the year ending 30th September. This amendment has already had a beneficial effect upon the staffing of the schools, and the Board is satisfied that each year will prove its efficacy. Organizing Teachers. —The organizing teachers in this district continue to do good work. They have considerably improved the standard of efficiency in rural schools. " Adopted" Schools. —During the year the scheme of adopted schools inaugurated by the Senior Inspector has continued to prove a great benefit to teachers in outlying districts. The underlying principle—that a highly efficient school shall adopt one or more small schools and direct to some extent the work of the latter—has proved quite sound and beneficial. School Banks. -The movement to encourage thrift among the pupils attending the schools of the district by the establishing of savings-banks, inaugurated during 1926, proved highly successful, and is gradually being extended. Conveyance. —The Board has found some difficulty in the matter of arranging for the conveyance of pupils within the scheduled allowance. District School Authorities. —The Board desires to place on record the loyal co-operation of Inspectors, of teachers, and of School Committees in promoting the cause of education in the Auckland Education District. Conclusion. —ln conclusion the Board desires to thank you for many acts of kindness and consideration during the past year. You have at all times been willing to give courteous consideration to the various matters brought under your notice by the Board. The Board further desires to thank, through you, the officers of your Department for courtesy and attention received. I have, etc., Arch. Burns, Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

TARANAKI. Sir — In accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, 1914, I have the honour, on behalf of the Taranaki Education Board, to present the following report of our proceedings for the year 1927 : — Board Members. —The representative members of the three wards and one urban district are as follows : Central Ward (seventy-two schools) —Rev. J. L. A. Kayll, Mr. F. H. Sims ; North Ward (fifty-eight schools) —Messrs. H. Derapsey, P. J. H. White; South Ward (thirty-six schools) —Messrs. H. J. Eaves, A. Lees; Urban District of New Plymouth (six schools) — Messrs. R. J. Deare, S. G. Smith. Twelve ordinary meetings and one special meeting of the Board were held during the year. Schools. —The following schools were opened during the year : Dawson's Falls (Grade 0) ; Turuturu (Grade IIIc). Organizing Teachers. —The efficient state of the majority of the smaller country schools is due to no small extent to the zeal of the two organizing teachers, who have carried out their duties to the complete satisfaction of the Board and the Inspectors. Many of the schools allotted to them have been in charge of ex students of the training college, and it is found that these young people, though equipped with much theoretical knowledge, receive great, benefit from the visit of the organizing teachers, which helps them to meet the practical difficulties of sole-charge schools. Teachers' Refresher Course. —Prior to the schools reopening a very successful refresher course for teachers was held in New Plymouth. The course of instruction aimed at being of practical use to teachers in their daily work, and subsequent reports on schools prove the stimulative effect of the course, particularly in such subjects as agriculture, handwork, singing, and eurhythmies. Dental Clinics. —In July a new dental room was opened at the Eltham School. There are now three dental rooms in Taranaki, and this popular service is meeting a very real need. District High Schools. —At the end of the year there were three District high schools in operation. The aim of the course at each school is to provide a good general education with a marked bias towards agriculture, and including such subjects as natural sciences, dairy science and agriculture, afforestation, farm carpentry, metal-work (for boys), home science (for girls), poultry and bee keeping, and elementary book-keeping and. accounts. Administration. —A statement of the Board's income and expenditure is attached and shows, — £ s. d. Credit balance on all accounts brought forward, 1926 .. .. 5,668 2 8 Receipts from all sources, 1927 .. .. .. .. 157,736 9 4 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 163,404 12 0 Total expenditure and disbursements, 1927 .. .. .. 147,414 5 1 Leaving a credit balance on all accounts on 31st December, 1927, of £5,990 611