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E.—l

EEPOETS OF EDUCATION BOAEDS.

AUCKLAND. Auckland, March, 1896. In compliance with section 102 of "The Education Act, 1877," the Board presents the following report of its proceedings for the year 1895 : — Board.—At the beginning of 1895 the Board consisted of the following members: The Bey. Canon Bates, Messrs. T. Cooper, W. Lambe, S. Luke, W. P. Moat, J. Muir, H. Wilding, W, Woodward, and B. Udy (Chairman). In March, Messrs. Luke, Wilding, and Woodward retired. Mr. Luke and Mr. Woodward were re-elected, and Mr. A. B. Harris was elected to succeed Mr. Wilding. Mr. J. H. Wright was elected in June to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Moat. The members who retire this month, Messrs. Cooper, Udy, and Wright, have been re-elected. Thirtyone meetings of the Board were held during the year, with an average attendance of seven members. Nine meetings of committees of the Board were held in reference to school accommodation, regulations, teaching staff, and examinations. Since July, a sub-committee of six members has met every fortnight to deal with accounts, and to select teachers for appointments. Public Schools.—The number of schools has increased from 326 to 332, of which number forty are half-time schools. New schools were opened at the following places: Otorohanga, Whangaripo, Woodside (Kaeo), Awitu (No. 2), Mangakura, Matahuru (2), Ofcaua, Ti Point, Tangihua, Aoroa, Pukekawa, Upper Waihou, Okoroire, Otumoetai. The following schools were closed in consequence of decreased attendance : Lower Matakana, Waitakerei, Maioro, Te Bangi, Okahu,- Buapuke, Fern Flat, Ruth's Island. By a reference to the printed list of schools it will be seen that twenty-four schools are ranked as "aided," and two as "itinerant." The question of providing for the maintenance of small schools has occupied the Board's attention during the year. The number of these schools was increasing to such an extent that it became necessary for the Board either to fix a limit to the cost of their maintenance, or to decline applications unless supported by a guarantee from the residents. In August, 1895, it was decided to limit the expenditure on schools under twenty average attendance to the statutory capitation of £3 15s. a year. Representations were, however, made to the Board that such a limit would lead to the closing of many small schools in isolated districts; and, after careful consideration, the following scheme was substituted: All schools having less than fifteen in average attendance are ranked as "aided" schools; the expenditure thereon is limited to a capitation allowance at the rate of £5 a year upon the average attendance (which is paid to the teacher), and the Board incurs no further charge for maintenance. For schools having an average of fifteen and less than twenty, a fixed salary is paid to the teacher. A circular was published explaining the position of the Board in regard to this matter. It w*as shown that unless Parliament should increase the grant for country schools the Board could do no more than at present for their maintenance. The capitation grant of £3 15s. voted for the education of each child in daily average attendance is insufficient to cover the cost of maintenance in about 250 schools in this district. Out of eighty-four new schools opened by the Board since 1890, only seven are large enough to be self-supporting. Were it not for the surplus income yielded by the larger schools in the centres of population the Board could not possibly continue the smaller schools upon their present basis. Teachers.—The number of teachers at the end of the year was 766, clasified as follows: Head teachers--214 males, 98 females; assistant teachers—27 males, 142 females; pupil-teachers —39 males, 180 females; sewing teachers—66 females. All teachers above the rank of pupilteachers are certificated except fourteen—viz., two licensed, two graduates awaiting classification, four having partial E, and six who have nob yet qualified for a certificate. The annual examination of pupil-teachers was held in June. Eighty-three pupil-teachers were examined, of whom sixty-six qualified for a higher grade. The candidates (140 in number) who had passed prior to 1895, but had not received employment, were invited to qualify anew by re-examination. Eighty-eight came up for examination, and forty-two passed. Employment has been offered already to all but four. The new regulations framed by the Board for the examination and training of pupil-teachers did not receive the approval of the Minister of Education, and were therefore abandoned. The scale of staff of teachers has been revised and altered so as to increase the efficiency of all schools. Attendance. —The roll-number of scholars has increased from 25,019 to 25,594, with an increase of 230 in the working average. There were, at the end of the year, 593 scholars above school age, and 553 scholars in the class above Standard VI. The number of Maori and half-caste scholars was 949. Scholarships.—Fifty-four scholarships—sixteen senior and thirty-eight junior—were held during the year. The district scholars have made satisfactory progress, and several of them have gained distinction in competing for higher prizes. As a result of the change made in the regulations the Board was enabled to award scholarships to all the candidates who qualified at the annual examination in December, 1895. Finance. —The receipts from all sources amounted to £95,318 16s. 4d., and the expenditure to £88,309 6s. 4d, leaving an unexpended balance of £2,580 3s. 6d. on Maintenance Account and £4,429 6s. 6d. on Building Account. The last-named balance is pledged to meet the cost of works in progress or authorised. Against the balance on Maintenance Account there were certain contingent liabilities amounting to £1,508 os. 3d. The statutory capitation-grant of £3 15s. per head was 9—E. 1.