J3.—l

27. KINDERGARTEN SCHOOLS. The number of schools, pupils 011 the roll, and average attendance at schools conducted in 1936 by recognized kindergarten associations were as follow :—

Table U.

28. CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS. During the year a number of schemes, involving the closing of one or more small schools and the conveyance of pupils to the consolidated schools, were put into operation. Wherever consolidation schemes have been established, they have provided increased educational facilities. An increasing number of applications for consolidation is being received. 29. CONVEYANCE AND BOARD OF SCHOOL-CHILDREN. During the year 1936 the conveyance of children to public primary schools and Native schools was continued under the same conditions as have been in force for many years. During the last term of the year it was decided to extend to post-primary schools the same facilities for conveyance as were already approved for primary and Native schools, and the concession is welcomed extensively. In terms of this approval conveyance services are now being arranged for a number of postprimary schools, and a considerable number of children are availing themselves of the concession when travelling by ordinary passenger services. In respect of all conveyance services, both primary and post-primary, capitation at the rate of 6d. or Bd. per head per school-day is payable according to the distance travelled and the age of the pupil. Where capitation is not sufficient and where transport is still necessary, special contract services are arranged. The number of these services in operation in December, 1936, in the various education districts was as follows : Auckland, 81 (includes 3 contract ferry services) ; Taranaki, 17 ; Wanganui, 17 ; Hawke's Bay, 23 ; Wellington, 21 ; Nelson, 8 ; Canterbury, 40 ; Otago, 32 ; Southland, 24 : total, 263. Included in the above figures are those services run by school buses owned by the Education Department and driven by either teachers or special contractors. Particulars of these buses in the various education districts were as follow: Auckland, 16 ; Taranaki, 4 ; Hawke's Bay, 1 ; Wellington, 1 ; Canterbury, 1 ; Southland, 1 : total, 24. All school vehicles carrying children to school come now within the provisions of the transport legislation and are subject to inspection by the officers of the Transport Department. In addition to the assistance granted to children travelling to post-primary ■schools assistance is now given to those requiring to board at school centres to the extent of ss. per week. Consideration is being given to the possiblity of increasing this allowance. It is anticipated that this number will increase considerably when this provision becomes more widely known.

36

I I I Association. Number of Schools, j at | Average Attendance, j L i 1 Auckland .. .. .. 9 453 326 Hastings ........ 1 44 32 Hutt Valley ...... 1 53 i 42 Wellington ...... 7 292 242 Christdmrch .. .. .. 7 387 : 301 Dunedin .. .. .. .. 5 292 223 Invercargill .. .. .. 4 180 112 Totals, 1936 .. .. 34 1,701 1,278 Totals, 1935 .. .. .33 1,836 1,447 Difference.. .. .. +1 —135 -169