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HAWKE'S BAY. S IX) Education Office, Napier, 20th January, 1897. I have the honour to forward a report of the proceedings of the Hawke's Bay Education Board for the year 1896. The Board consists of the following members—viz., the Hon. J. D. Ormond, M.L.C. (Chairman), J. W. Carlile, Esq., J. G. Gilberd, Esq.. R. Harding, Esq., Captain W. R. Russell, M.H.R., Rev. D. Sidev, D.D., F. Sutton, Esq., T. Tanner, Esq., and F. W. Williams, Esq. Schools. —Five new schools have been opened during the past year—viz., Mangatu, Umutaoroa, Portland Island, Puketitiri, and Wanstead. The three last are aided schools. Two new schools will be opened at Pohui and Wakarara at the commencement of the coming school year.

School Attendance. —The following return shows a comparative statement of the children on the roll, and the average attendance in the schools under the Board from 1878 to date: —

Gisborne Disteict High School. —This school was opened at the commencement of the school year under the new agreement entered into between the Education Board and the Governors of Gisbome High School. A building has been erected adjoining the present district school building by the Board of Governors at a cost of £275. The Board of Governors has furnished the school with a set of scientific apparatus. There is no doubt that this school will be a great boon to the inhabitants of Gisborne and surrounding districts. School Committees. —It is a matter for congratulation that the most friendly relations exist between the School Committees and the Education Board. The Committees continue to subsidise the grants made by the Board for carrying out small but necessary works. Scholarships.—Twenty-six new scholarships have been granted for the year 1897, viz., two of £50, for a term of two years ; one of £50, for a term of one year; seven of £30, for a term of two years ; sixteen of £10, for a term of two years. Twelve of these were obtained by candidates from the country schools. The amended scholarship regulations embodying the addition of English history and elementary science works well. Pupil-teacheks.—lt has been found that the permission given to make the E examination the test for the examination of pupil-teachers of the fourth year has been unsuitable and has been discontinued. The disinclination of young men to embrace the profession of teaching still continues, only two appointments out of fifteen having been made of young men during the last twelve months. Sewing.—This branch of technical education continues to be fostered by the holding of an annual competitive examination for all schools in the district. The suggestions of the examiners have been well carried out, and show good results : 1,973 specimens were submitted for examination. Buildings.—One new school has been built during the past year; one that was burnt down by a late bush fire has been re-erected ; the Woodville School has been to a large extent renewed, owing to decay from the weevil insect; and very large additions have been made to Havelock, Dannevirke, Gisborne, Napier, and Ormondville Schools. A new teacher's residence has also been erected at Kaikora. A grant has been passed for the erection of a new school on the Western Spit. The Board has again to call attention to the utter inadequacy of the grant for building purposes. During last session of Parliament a grant was passed to assist in the erection of school buildings in special and bush settlements, but the amount allocated to this Board was so small that it could not take advantage of the same from lack of funds to supplement the grant. The Inspector of Schools' report, treating generally upon the progress of education in this district during the year 1896, is forwarded herewith. The audited sheet of the Board's income and expenditure for the year is appended hereto. The amount paid in teachers' salaries, bonus for results, and bonus for instructing pupil-teachers was £19,544 Bs. 7d.; the amount paid to School Committees was £2,247 9s. Id.; and the amount expended in school buildings, £4,031 17s. 6d. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. J. D. Okmond, Chairman.

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Average Weekly Number on the Roll. Average Attendance. ear. March. June. Sept. Dec. Average for Four Quarters. Percentage Increase Previous Year. March. June. Sept. Deo. Average for Pour luarters. Percentage Increase Previous Year. .878 .888 .893 895 .896 1,520 5,902 6,853 7,370 7,629 1,797 1,854 5,968 5,841 6,843 6,762 7,426 7,329 7,501 7,467 1,985 5,758 6,752 7,373 7,415 1,789 5,867-25 '6,802-5 7,374-5 7,503 6-4 3-8 4-3 1-7 1,259 4,686 5,532 6,016 6,353 i 1,612 1,580 4,733j 4,673! 5,435: 5,255 5,873 6,161, 6,139 6,270 1,649 4,627 5,349 5,985 6,251 1,525 4,679-75 5,392-75 6,008-75 6,253-25 8-3 1-8 6-5 4-0