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70

EXPORTS OF EDUCATION BOARDS.

[Details are in some cases omitted.] 4UCKLAND. Siß,— Auckland, March, 1905. In accordance with section 166 of " The Education Act, 1904," the Board presents the following report of its proceedings during the year 1904 :— Board.—The members in office at the beginning of the year were : Messrs. L. J. Bagnall, F. Dye, G. Edgecumbe, H. J. Greenslade, A. R. Harris, R. Hobbs, S. Luke, C. J. Parr, and J. Stallworthy! The annual election in August resulted in the re-election of Messrs. Bagnall and Hobbs, Mr. J. D. McKenzie being elected to succeed Mr. Dye. Mr. Luke was elected in August to succeed Mr. Hobbs as Chairman. Twenty-four meetings of the Board were held with an average attendance of eight members. A committee consisting of all members meets on the day preceding each Board meeting to deal with finance and the selection of teachers. Schools.—There were 427 schools in operation at the end of the year, including 72 schools taught half-time. Every half-time school is taught three days a week. According to the Department's reckoning of two half-time schools as one school, the number is 391. There is still a tendency to increase the number of small schools in outlying districts. Several applications of the kind are now under consideration. Owing to the unformed condition of country roads, it is seldom practicable to take advantage of the provision made by Government for the conveyance of children to and from existing schools. Teachers.—The total number of teachers employed at the end of the year was 834 —368 males and 466 females. This number includes five relieving teachers and eleven teachers specially employed in district high schools. The proportion of male teachers is steadily growing, in spite of the meagre salary allowed them on entering the service as pupil-teachers. Several positions are still occupied by uncertificated teachers. The Board cordially approves of the action taken by Parliament at "its last session in providing a more liberal salary to the teachers of the smaller schools and in giving a larger salary to second assistant masters. The Board is glad to report that arrangements will soon be made for the establishment of a teachers' training-college. It is a matter for regret that no appropriation for buildings was made by Parliament at its last session, but it is proposed as a temporary arrangement to utilise the Wellesley Street School for the purpose. Attendances.—the roll number of scholars at the end of the year was 30,207, showing an increase of 949 above the number at the end of 1903. The average attendance increased from 25,114 to 26,107. The roll-number includes 1,783 Maori and half-caste scholars. The report of the Truant Officer snows that 159 prosecutions for breach of the School Attendance Act were conducted by him during the year, and that convictions were obtained in every case but one. Many parents have complied with the Act upon being notified by him ; and resort is had to prosecution only when other means have failed. Scholarships.—The number of district scholarships under tenure at the end of the year was 85— 27 seniors and 58 juniors. There were also five holders of Junior National Scholarships, and nine other scholarships were held by girls under special regulations dealing with a portion of the income derived from the Auckland Girls' High School endowment. The regulations regarding scholarships are under revision, with a view to bringing them into accord with the new syllabus and with the provisions of the Education Act relating to secondary schools. District High Schools.—Nine district high schools were in operation during the year. In these nine schools there were altogether 384 pupils receiving secondary instruction at the end of the year. The Board has received the promise of the Minister to authorise the establishment of two district high schools in the City of Auckland. Finance.—The receipts from all sources, including a balance of £1,593 Bs. 6d. brought forward from 1903, amounted to £138,376 15s. 9d., and the total expenditure was £138,727 6s. 4d., leaving a debit balance of £350 10s. 7d. at the end of the year. The Administration Account for the year shows a credit balance of £4,134 Bs. Id., as compared with £3,843 Is. 7d. at the end of 1903 The Building Account began the year with a debit balance of £2,249 13s. Id., and ended with a debit balance of £4,076 17s. The other balances at the end of the year were :on Manual and Technical Account £405 13s. lOd. in debit, and on secondary education, £2 7s. lOd. in debit. Buildings.—The ordinary grant was somewhat less than that for the preceding year. It is utterly inadequate to meet the numerous requirements of this extensive district. The wooden buildingsmany of them built of inferior timber nearly thirty years ago—need a large outlay for repairs and several must be rebuilt for the safety of the scholars and teachers. The Board does its best with the limited means at its disposal to cope with this difficulty; but the number of works which have to be postponed for want of funds is ever increasing, and a much more liberal grant will have to be made before they can be overtaken. Competent foremen are employed, under direction of the architect to carry out repairs and improvements and the inside and outside painting of school buildings.