E.—2.

Appendix A.l

XIII

Attendance.—The roll-number on the 31st December was 6,077. The average attendance of scholars during the year was 5,346. The numbers show a substantial increase on those of the preceding year. Scholarships.—Seven Junior National, two Senior Board (these scholarships are donated by the Governors of Nelson College), and thirty-two Junior Board Scholarships were held during the year. The Board's Scholarship Regulations'have been revised, the number of Junior Scholarships having been increased by the elimination of the bursaries. Free Text-books.—Satisfactory arrangements were made for the provision of text-books for Standard IV, for which a grant was provided for the first time. The Board is glad to find that provision has now been made for the replacement of worn-out books, but doubt is expressed as to whether the grant will wholly cover the replacements required. Physical and Military Drill.—The Board has to report that attention is given in the various schools to the requirements of the Act in respect to physical and military drill. Conveyance and Board of Children. —During the year assistance has been afforded m a number of cases where children have been conveyed or ferried to enable them to attend school. Allowances have also been granted to the parents of twelve children who have to live away from home to attend school. School Committees' Allowances.—The Amendment Act of 191.0, providing an increase in the capitation allowance to Boards from lis. 3d. to 12s. per head, and also setting outthe minimum payments to be made for the incidental expenses of schools, necessitated a revision of the scale of allowances to Committees. The new scale secures a more liberal payment to Committees, while the purposes of the allowance are better defined. Manual and Technical. —An advance has to be recorded in the number of manual and technical classes held during the year, and in the number of pupils attending classes. A new branch of manual instruction was taken up during the year—viz., dairy-work—-and equipment was provided and classes started at seven primary schools and two district high schools. This work is under the control of the instructor in agriculture. The work carried on in other manual-trammg subjects—cookery, woodwork, ironwork, agriculture, &c—is reported on favourably. Plasticenemodelling continues to be the chief handwork subject in the primary schools, but brushwork and free-hand drawing are being freely taken up. It is to be regretted that there is a decrease m the number of classes for swimming and life-saving. Instruction in needlework was given m seven schools in charge of male teachers, the special instructors receiving a payment at the rate of 10s. for each child taught during the year. In regard to technical instruction, continued progress is being shown at the Nelson and Westport schools. At the beginning of the year the Board was fortunate in securing the services of Mr. F. C. J. Cockburn, A.R.C.A., as art master at the Nelson School. A new art-room was built, and a large number of art students were enrolled. The day Trades' School at Nelson, inaugurated at the beginning of the year, did not attract many students, and it may become necessary to discontinue these classes for a time. The attendances at the afternoon and evening classes both at Nelson and Westport have been very good, and the Board feels that the instruction imparted is proving of great value to the community. At Reefton and Wakefield school classes in woodwork and cookery have been conducted; woodwork is also taught at the Stoke Orphanage by the Board's instructor, and classes in dressmaking have been held in the Waimeas, and commercial classes at Motueka. Provision has been made for commencing classes in cookery at Motueka this year, a room having been built for the purpose. A science-room has been erected at Takaka, portion of the cost being provided by donations received from the Takaka County Council and funds raised by the District High School Committee. Classes for teachers were held at Nelson and Westport. The Board's thanks are due to the Westport Borough Council, Buller County Council, Westport Harbour Board, Inangahua County Council, Takaka County Council, and Nelson City Council, and others who have donated funds towards the maintenance of technical instruction. ~...., Li, ™ ±v. -a a Training of Uncertificated Teachers.—lt is gratifying that the Department has provided a grant to assist uncertificated teachers to obtain a full qualification. Though the notification of the grant was received somewhat late in. the year, arrangements were made for a class at Murchison, and it is hoped to refund the fees paid by those teachers who were taking correspondence lessons with recognized colleges. ~,.,, • ■ • * Buildings —A large amount has been expended during the year in repairs, improvements, and repainting a number of buildings, but no schools were rebuilt. A school was erected at Waiuta out of special grant, and additions and improvements made to a number of teachers' residences the additions being in the nature of bathrooms and washhouses. The school at Kaka was destroyed by fire, and was not replaced until quite recently. The Board is confronted with the replacement of the remainder of the old wooden buildings at Westport, the primary school at Motueka and several other buildings which have been up for over forty years. It is anticipated that some of the works will be carried out during the current year, but the amount available for rebuilding is entirely inadequate to meet requirements. During the past five years two of the largest schools (Nelson Girls' and Westport) have practically been replaced, and in consequence the funds for rebuilding depleted. Until the Department provides a grant for rebuilding on a more liberal scale it appears impossible to reinstate all buildings when required Finance —From the general statement of receipts and expenditure it will be observed that the Board ended the year with a small credit balance on all accounts of £162 ss. 7d. Amounts were transferred from the Teachers' Salaries Account to the Administration Account, and from the Secondary Account and Buildings Account to Manual and Technical Account. It has also been found necessary to relieve the Manual and Technical Account of the charge for administration 7 Thanks —The Board desires to thank the School Committees of the district for their cordial co-operation'and willing assistance rendered during the year. W. N. Franklyn, Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.