E.—2.

REPORTS (EXTRACTS) OF EDUCATION BOARDS.

AUCKLAND. (Chairman, Mr. T. U. Wf.lls.) Teachers' Residences. —The Board appreciates the action of the Government in authorizing grants for the provision of residences at several schools during last year. The shortage of accommodation for teachers in country districts is, however, still very acute, and the Board is continually receiving complaints from Committees that schools have lost the services of highly graded teachers owing to the lack of suitable accommodation. The Board urges that favourable consideration be given to applications for grants for the erection of teachers' residences, particularly at schools of Grade ITI and higher grades, which are always likely to attract the services of married men. Consolidated and Intermediate Schools.—There is an increasing demand throughout the district for the establishment of consolidated and intermediate schools. The great majority of parents fully recognize the benefits to be obtained by the attendance of their children at such schools. The Board trusts that the Government will be able at an early date to authorize grants in respect of the applications which have been submitted for the establishment of consolidated and intermediate schools. Bible-reading in Schools. —The Nelson system of Bible-reading is in operation in 236 schools, the number of children attending the classes being 26,860. Five minutes' devotional exercises are taken in 129 schools, of which 53 have also the Nelson system. The attendance of children is, of course, entirely voluntary. Medical and Dental Services. —The Board desires to place on record its appreciation of the efficient services rendered by the School Medical Officers and Nurses and Dental Officers. The Board is gratified to learn of the restoration of the payment of subsidies on local contributions for the erection of dental clinics. It is hoped that, in connection with the proposals for the extension of arrangements for the dental inspection and treatment of school-children, provision will be made by the dental-caravan system or some other means to meet the requirements of country districts where the services of dentists are not available. Conveyance and Boarding Allowance. —The Board desires to renew its representations for ridingallowance to be granted under similar conditions to those stipulated in the case of children conveyed to school by vehicle. A return obtained towards the end of last year shows that about 800 country children would benefit by the granting of the allowance. The increase in the amount of the boarding-allowance to 7s. 6d. weekly is much appreciated. Grading of Schools. —The Board appreciated the further concession that has been granted in grading primary schools on the average roll number for the first four weeks of the December term. The new basis for primary schools and the grading of secondary departments of district high schools on the roll on the Ist March have resulted in much better staffing of schools than was allowed under the old system of grading on the average attendance. The grants to Committees and the Board have also been materially increased as a consequence of the new basis for grading of schools. Supply of Teachers. —Owing to the shortage of teachers, the Board experienced difficulty in the staffing of country schools. Several advertised vacancies for Grade I female assistants attracted no applicants. During the December term 140 married women were employed as relieving teachers. The Board also found it necessary to call upon the services of superannuated teachers for relieving work, and in a few cases had no option but to employ uncertificated teachers. Staffing of Schools. —The Board and Committees are concerned at the frequent changes that take place in the teaching staffs of schools. It is recognized, however, that the changes are unavoidable under the present Act and regulations. The Board understands that the question of modifying the scale for staffing of schools and teachers' salaries is now under consideration, and hopes that, as a result, many of the staffing changes will be obviated.

TAKANAKI. (Chairman, Mr. J. A. Valentine, 8.A.) District High Schools.—The two district high schools at Opunake and Ohura continue to render good service, and the attendance will increase if it is possible to extend the conveyance arrangements. Agriculture, and Boys' and Girls' Clubs. —A generally satisfactory course of rural science instruction has been carried out at all schools ; and the reports of the three instructors indicate that the work is being maintained at a high standard. One remark is particularly striking : " Oral response is better than at previous third term visits, and this is doubtlessly due to the disappearance of the Proficiency Examination, in preparation for which teachers were inclined to concentrate on technique in written examinations at the expense of oral expression."

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