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were closed. The Kairuru School was reopened. The Tarakohe School, which had recently been enlarged by the addition of a second room, was destroyed by fire. Scholarships.—lt is pleasing to record that a large number of scholarships were again awarded in this district, and no less than fourteen of these were gained by pupils in the primary schools. Buildings.—A large programme of building-work was carried out during the year. New schools were erected at Anatimo, Glenroy, and Nuggety Greek. Additions were made to the Cape Foulwind, Gowan Bridge, Hampden Street, Richmond, Tarakohe, and Waiuta Schools. A portable room at Kikiwa was removed to Harakeke, and the building previously in use at Te Kuhu was shifted to Tiroroa. A brick building at Westport was remodelled for additional accommodation. A new science and class room combined was erected at Reefton, and a building for use as a woodwork-room was purchased at Murchison and removed and re-erected on a new site. Dental clinics were erected at Stoke, Reefton, and Brightwater. New sanitary blocks were built at Stoke and Lower Takaka. The Board's painters were employed throughout the year, and the schools present a bright and attractive appearance. During the year twenty-four schools and eleven residences were painted. Conveyance and Board. —Parents of children in remote localities continue to take advantage of the allowances towards board and conveyance of children in order to attend schools. Conveyance allowance was paid during the year on behalf of 163 children at twenty-nine schools and boarding-allowance to sixty-five children attending twenty-four schools. In addition there were contracts for the conveyance of forty-five children to three schools. Voluntary Contributions and Subsidies. —School Committees have rendered excellent service in raising funds for the general improvements to the school-grounds, the establishment of school libraries, and other activities in connection with the schools. The Department's scheme of supplying gramophones and pianos has been taken advantage of by many Committees, and a considerable proportion of the schools are now equipped with these instruments. Typewriters have been obtained by several Committees for the district high schools, and three Committees were successful in raising funds for the erection of dental clinics. During the year forty-eight Committees claimed subsidies on cash contributions amounting to £741 3s. sd. The Board paid £22 10s. Id; from its General Fund by way of supplementary grants towards school libraries. Manual Instruction. —Manual-training classes were conducted at Denniston, Millerton, Westport, Reefton, Wakefield, Nelson, Motueka, and Takaka. Classes in agriculture were conducted at 116 schools and instruction given to 1,937 pupils, and dairy-work to 174 pupils in four schools. Instruction in handwork was given in every school. The material supplied by the Department in time for early distribution was of good quality, although some of the lines were not sufficient for the requirements of the classes. Technical Glasses.—Technical classes were conducted at Motueka and Takaka during the year, and a small class of woodwork instruction was held at Murchison. Other classes in the district were under the control of the Board of Managers at Nelson and Westport. Finance.—After taking the cash assets and liabilities into account, the net credit balance at the end of the year was £5,254 3s. lOd. The actual bank balance on the 31st December was £4,828 3s. 2d., of which £2,000 was on fixed deposit. General.—School Committees throughout the district rendered splendid service in improving the schools and grounds, and in general promoted the children's welfare in no small degree. To the teachers, Inspectors, the Secretary, the Architect, and their staffs, and the manual instructors, the thanks of the Board are due for the loyal and efficient manner in which they carried out their duties. I wish also, on behalf of the Board, to convey to the Minister, Director, and officers of the Department appreciation of the courteous consideration given at all times. I have, &c., F. W. 0. Smith, Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. CANTERBURY. Sir, — I have the honour to present the report of the Board for the year ending 31st December, 1928. The Board. —The following members retired by effluxion of time, but were all returned for a further term of four years: Christchurch Urban Area —Messrs. W. H Johnson and C. S. Thompson (unopposed) ; Timaru Urban Area—Mr. J. G. Gow (re-elected); Middle Ward—Mr. W. P. Spencer (unopposed); North-West Ward —Mr. H. Bignell (unopposed) ; South Ward —Mr. G. W. Armitage (unopposed). Schools.—During the year schools were opened at Docherty's Creek, Evans Creek, Jackson, Kaingaroa (Chathams), Linwood Avenue, Longridge, Mount Pleasant, Okarito, and Stew Point; while those at Coldstream, Domett, Hookbush, Stafford, and Winchmore were closed. Buildings. —The following are the most important building operations carried out during the year : New schools —Evans Creek, Linwood Avenue, Montalto, Mount Pleasant; schools rebuilt— Kowai Bush, Rangiora, Rewanui (after fire); schools remodelled—Bromley, Lyttelton West, Rakaia South; additions —Christchurch West, Culverden, Dobson, Elmwood, Hornby, Hunter, Kaikoura Town, Leeston, Methven, New Brighton, Rakaia South, Redcliffs, Runanga, Southbridge, and Sumner ; new residences —Hawarden and Killinchy. New sites have been secured at Paparoa Street, Selwyn Street, and St. Martin's, in the City of Christchurch, to provide for school buildings that will eventually be required in these localities.