63

B.—l

Chairman. The Board then consisted of Mr. R. G. Bauchope (Chairman), Miss Heywood, Messrs. E. G. Allsworth, G. A. Adlam, W. Ambury, H. Faull, S. Hill, J. Mackay, and J. Wade. The Board held twenty-three ordinary and two special meetings during the year, and the attendance of members has been as follows : Miss Heywood, 25; Mr. Bauchope, 23 ; Mr. Adlam, 24 ; Mr. Allsworth, 24; Mr. Ambury, 23; Mr. Faull, 25; Mr. Hill, 23; Mr. Mackay, 23; and Mr. Wade, 22. Several committees were appointed to consider and report on various matters of importance. The members of these committees were assiduous in their attendance, and cheerfully devoted the additional time to the service of the Board. Schools.—-There were fifty-two schools open at the beginning of the year, and two have been opened during the year—viz., Stanley Road and Ngariki. The latter is conducted in a building belonging to one of the settlers, and the teacher is paid a capitation allowance equal to the Government grant on the average attendance. Teachers.—The number of teachers in the Board's service at the end of the year was 124, being an increase of ten on the previous year. They are classified as follows: Head-teachers— 22 males, 2 females ; sole teachers —13 males, 18 females ; assistant teachers—3 males, 12 females ; pupil-teachers—s males, 23 females; sewing teachers —26 females: total, 43 males, 81 females. The payment of the teachers is a source of constant anxiety to the Board, and the scale of salaries has been revised from time to time so that all the money that can be spared from other necessary purposes may be devoted to this object. The average number of pupils on the roll in 1885 was 2,263, and 3,769 in 1895, an increase of 1,506. The greater part of this increase has been in the newly-settled parts of the district, necessitating new schools in places where they cannot be selfsupporting for a number of years. Two-thirds of the schools now open are carried on at a loss; and the Board would respectfully urge on the Minister the necessity for making an additional capitation grant to bush districts which are being rapidly settled in small holdings. An additional ss. per head would enable the Board to cope with the progress of settlement. Attendance.—The roll-number for the year shows and increase of 132. The number on the roll for the quarter ending 31st December was 3,769, as compared with 3,637 for the corresponding quarter of 1894. The following table shows the attendance from the year 1885 to 1895 [not all reprinted]: —

A gratifying feature in the above table is the steady increase in the average attendance, it having risen from 67 per cent, in 1885 to 76 per cent, last year. There is still room for improvement in this respect, and the Board trusts that Committees and teachers will do their utmost to improve on this percentage during the current year. Buildings.—At the end of 1894 contracts were let for school buildings at Stanley Road and Purangi; these buildings are now completed, and the schools opened. Several schools have been lined and painted, and contracts are now let for the following works : New schools at Mangere, Huiroa, and Tongaporutu ; removal and addition to Waipuku School; addition to Rahotu School; teachers' residences at Cardiff Road and Kaimata; and painting and repairing a number of school buildings. These works more than absorb the liberal building grant f0r.1894-95, and will necessitate drawing on the general fund, though to a smaller extent than in previous years. The addition to the building grant received by the Board at the end of the year enabled it to build two residences. The need of more residences is so urgent that the Board trusts it will receive a similar grant this year, as, judging from the applications for schools from newly-settled districts already received, the Board will not be able to build more residences without the additional grant. Scholarships.—The result of the examination for scholarships was disappointing, only three out of eighteen candidates receiving sufficient marks (60 per cent.) to entitle them to a scholarship. The Board considers its teachers are somewhat to blame in this matter. A teacher who takes a proper interest in his work should prepare a scholarship candidate as thoroughly as possible, so that, when competing with pupils from the whole district, he may take part in the examination without bringing discredit on himself, his school, and his teacher. Committees.—The Board would urge upon Committees the necessity of enforcing the compulsory clauses of the Act and amendments thereof. Several Committees are now doing so, and the increased average attendance is greatly owing to their efforts in this direction. The Board is pleased to be able to state that it still continues to work harmoniously with the Committees. Inspection.—Mr. W. E. Spencer, M.A., entered on his duties as Inspector on Ist March, 1895. For information respecting the state of education in the district I beg to refer you to his exhaustive report. Manual and Technical Education.—Shortly after the passing of "The Manual and Technical Elementary Instruction Act, 1895," the Board appointed a committee to report on the best means of availing itself of the provisions of the Act. The committee has met, but has not yet finished its report. Finance.—The income of the Board from all sources, including the balance of £1,929 12s. from last year, was £15,326 12s. 5d., and the expenditure was £12,587 13s. lid., leaving a credit balance of £2,738 18s. 6d., against which there are appropriations and liabilities to very nearly a similar amount. Particulars of the income and expenditure will be found in the statement of accounts appended to this report. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Robt. G. Bauchope, Chairman,

Y Average Average ear * Roll-number. Attendance. Percentage of Attendance. y , Average Average ear * Rol-number. Attendance. Percentage of Attendance. 1885 1890 2,263 2,656 1,526 1,924 67 per cent. 72 „ 1894 1895 3,493 3,769 2,598 2,866 74 per cent. 76 ,,