A.—3.

drawing out the syllabus, the fact that four-fifths of the teaching had to be done by Natives had never to be lost sight of. It has been stated previously that eleven schools are managed entirely by Natives. Because of this and since 80 per cent, of the teaching is done by uncertificated Native teachers, the new syllabus is simple and definite. New Reading-books. —Not only has the Department introduced new regulations and a new Syllabus of Instruction, but also a modern course of physical education and new reading-books, Since these have either been put into practice or used during the year, there has been a general all-round standard of improvement. The Curriculum.—.All subjects in the course of study receive attention, but emphasis is placed on health, tropical agriculture, and English. Health and Dental.—Except for the usual epidemics, there has been no serious sickness among the children, and health, generally speaking, has been satisfactory. Schools were visited by the doctor, the matron, and the dentist. Special cases were treated either at hospital or at the Dental Umic. Vernon Reed Shield.—This is competed for annually, and goes to the school showing the greatest proficiency in English. It was won by the Avarua School this year. Pomare Medals.—These were presented during.the year, and can be won only by the best all-round pupils where there is a European headmaster. Good character and natural leadership are taken into consideration, as well as work in and out of school. Buildings.— This has been a year of major building operations. The hurricane took heavy toll and new buildings have taken the place of those swept away, while all structurally damaged ones have been renovated. On the island of Rarotonga alone, four substantial, open-air-type of schoolrooms have been erected, three being 60 ft. by 20 ft. and one 40 ft. by 20 ft. Grounds. —These are well kept and in most cases ample. Special efforts have beeni made to beautify school-grounds and results have been encouraging. Work of this kind has helped to develop the aesthetic sense of pupils, many of whom took plants and seeds from school to plant m gaidens arounc their homes. REPARATION OE HURRICANE DAMAGE. Last year's Annual Report sets out generally the damage done by the hurricane of February, 1935. During this year a great deal of construction and repair work has been undertaken (see illustrations, A PP 'The X following schedule sets out works which have already been completed, and which involve an expenditure of approximately £6,686 to date : Rarotonga. Roads —Road round island cleared of thousands of tons of rocks, stones debris, and also fallen trees Embankments and approaches to all bridges and culverts right round the island rebuilt. Work on Sea - front at Avarua.-Building new boat-shed. Renewing and repairing leading beacons. Foreshore cleared of rocks, stones, fallen trees, and other debris. Extending reinforced concrete retaining wall on hotel foreshore for 200 ft. Refilling with rocks and stones behind old and new retaining walls—total length 460 ft.—and constructing apron of concrete reinforced with expanding metal behind walls for full length. Constructing reinforced concrete channel on Vaikapuangi stream from hotel bridge to sea. Constructing reinforced concrete retaining sea-wall at Kingsbury s corner--185 ft by 10 ft" Repairs to wall protecting public conveniences from sea Repairs to posts on road along the whole foreshore, wharf to Avatiu, and replacing connecting chains. Replanting hedges, trees, palms, and shrubs on foreshore. _ . Sea-front Road at Avarua and Bridges,—Repairing and widening Main Bridge (reinforced c °ncrete) to width of roadway. Repairing and widening hotel bridge. Repairing approaches to Avatiu bridge , repairing and widening Avatiu bridge with reinforced concrete to full width of roadway. Telephone System— Repairing and renewing telephone lines and re-erecting poles from Arorangi through Avarua to Titikaveka—distance 13 miles. Schools-Arorangi: Grounds cleared of rocks and debris. New classroom, 60 ft. by 20 ft,, built to replace one destroyed. Repairing roofs of Main School and Infants' School and repairing both hml& Ngatangiia : Grounds cleared of rocks and debris. New classroom, 60 ft. by 20 ft. built to replace three Native-built classrooms destroyed. European School: Repairing building. Constructing three casement windows and erecting partitions. Titikaveka : Re-roofing with corrugated iron, and building new sides. Hospital Buildings and Doctor's Residence.—Grounds cleared of at least 1,000 tons of rocks, debris, and fallen trees and remodelled. Old Nurses' Home demolished and a new Nurses Home erected at a cost ofover £1 000. Furniture renovated. New hospital kitchen built. Built on beach a retaining of rock with reinforced concrete foot and concrete facing to protect hospital buildings and doctor's residence. Length of wall 500 ft. Back of wall filled m with rocks and sand, and levelled. New car-shed built. •.••in Wireless Station.-Clearing away rooks, fallen trees, and debris ; remodelling grounds, mlevellg and planting grass and shrubs': Repairing main and outer masts and aerials. Painting all buildings and masts. Erecting fence. Replanting hedges.

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