E.—2.

Appendix A.

posed ; Mr. G. F. Roach was unopposed for the Middle Ward, and was re-elected; and Mr. C. H. . Bridge (vice Mr. G. F. Wiklish) was elected for the North Ward. In August the Board's greatly esteemed Chairman (Mr. C. M. Whittington) died, and the Board desires here to place on record its high appreciation of the deceased gentleman's service to education during the ten years he was a member of the Board. Mr. Whittington was a member who gave a groat deal of his time to Education Board matters, and was recognized as a fearless and impartial administrator. His demise is a sad loss to education in Hawke's Bay. Mr. J. A. Miller, of Hastings, was elected to succeed Mr. Whittington. The following was the membership at the end of the year : North Ward- -Messrs. M. McLeod, J. R. Kirk, and C. H. Bridge ; Middle Ward—Messrs. J. A. Miller, G. F. Roach, and J. H. Sheath ; South Ward—The Rev. A. Grant, Messrs. W. G, Hunter, and P. G. Grant. Mr. J. H. Sheath was chairman. The Rev. A. Grant, Dr. Reid McKay, and Mr. W. G. Hunter represented the Board on the Dannevirke High School Board of Governors ; Messrs. J. H. Sheath and S. McLernon on the Napier High School Board ; Messrs. J. H. Sheath and S. McLernon on the Board of Managers of the Napier Technical College ; and Messrs. W. G. Downes and W. J. Pellow on the Board of Managers of the Waipawa Technical Associated Classes. Number of Schools. —The number of schools in operation at the end of 1913 was 134. During 1914 new schools were opened at Bushy Knoll, Ellingham's, Waihau, Waimata, Hihiroroa, Wharekopae, Wigan, Ngatarawa, Wahanui, Marumaru, Te Hauko, Mahora South, Napier West, while the schools at Ahititi, Puketawa, Tahunga, Tanguru, and Waihau were closed, leaving 142 schools Jn operation at the end of the year. Attendance.--The number of children attending public schools in the district continues steadily to increase. The number on the roll at the end of the year was 12,503, an increase of 708 during the year. The average roll increased 683 and the average attendance 773. The following table, showing the increases during the past eight years, may be of interest : — V Number of Average Average Percentage of " ar ' Schools. Roll. Attendance. Attendance. 1907 .. .. .. .. 101 9,409 7,878 83-7 1913 .. .. .. .. 134 .1.1,466 10,296 89-7 1914 .. .. .. ..142 12,149 11,069 91-1 The average roll and attendance during the several quarters of last year were as follows : — Average Average Percentage of Roll. Attendance. Attendance. March quarter .. .. .. .. 11,960 10,817 90-4 June quarter .. .. .. .. 12,033 10,966 91-1 September quarter .. .. .. .. 1.2,112 11,077 91-4 December quarter .. .. .. .. 12,491 11,415 91-3 Totals for year 1914 .. .. .. 12,149 11,069 91-1 Totals for year 1913 .. .. .. 11,466 10,296 89-7 Increase in 1914 .. .. .. 683 773 1-4 Though severe epidemics of whooping-cough, measles, and influenza were again prevalent during the year, particularly during the last two quarters, the percentage of attendance was a record for the district, and is evidence of the good work done by the Attendance Officer, who was loyally supported by the teachers. During the year it was found necessary to lodge information' in twenty-nine cases of persistent irregular attendance. Convictions were recorded in every case brought before the Court. Teachers. —On the 31st December there were in the Board's service 307 teachers, classed as follows : —

In addition to the above, the following instructors in special subjects were employed : Agriculture and dairying, 2 (male) ; domestic science, 2 (female) ; woodwork, 2 (male) ; total of special instructors 4 (male), 2 (female).

VIII

Certificated. Licensed. Uncertificated. Total. M. 55 12 29 F. 6 22 102 m. ir. M. V. 9 36 2 29 M. F. 55 66 22 59 32 134 Head teachers Sole teachers Assistants I 1 I 3 Totals of adult teachers Pupil-teachers Probationers 96 130 2 4 11 65 109 7 0 199 32 20 Totals for 1914 116 251