E.—2.

[Appendix A.

a small addition was made to the Riverlands School. Septic-tank systems were installed at Wairau Pa, Blenheim, Renwick (school and teacher's residence), Havelock (school and teacher's residence), and Canvastown (schoeil and teacher's residence). Finance. —The balance-sheet shows a credit balance of £636 6s. 6d. General. —The Board once more places on record its hearty appreciation of the able assistance which it has received from its officials, School Committees, and teachers in furthering the interests of eduoation in this district. In conclusion wo desire to place e>n record the names of the following members of our teaching staff who have enlisted for military service in connection with the great war [seven names, not printed]. I have, &c, J. J. W. White, Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

NELSON. Sir,— Nelson, 28th May, 1916. In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act the Nelsevn Education Board has the honour to submit the following report of its proceedings for the year 1915 :- — The Board. —The members of the Board are Messrs. G. H. Gothard, E. J. Scantlebury, and D. J. Williams, representing the West Ward ; Messrs. W. N. Franklyn, W. C Baigent, and T. Symes, representing the Middle Ward ; and Messrs. W. Leek, F. W. 0. Smith, and H. J. Harris, representing the East Ward. At the annual meeting in August Mr. G. H. Gothard succeeded Mr. Smith as Chairman. Twelve meetings have been held during the year, the average attendance at each meeting being eight. Primary Schools- The number of schools at the end of the year was 12.1. Again it has been demonstrated that the provision of grants for board of children who have to live away from home in order to attend school, and for conveyance of children who are not within easy walking reach e>f schewl, has obviated the establishment of several household schools which would otherwise have been necessary. District High Schools. —[See E.-6, Report on Secondary Education.]Attendance. —At the close of the year the total number of children on the roll of the public schools was 6,729, an increase of 190 on the figures of the previous year. The yearly average was 6,016. Medical Inspection — A short visit was paid to a number of the schools by Dr. Eleanor Baker towards the end of the year. The Be>ard was very pleased to receive from the Department a copy of the Medical Inspector's report. By permission several of the matters referred to in the report were submitted to Committees particularly interested. The Board trusts that the time will not be far distant when the work eif the medical inspection and physical instruction departments will be amalgamated, and that more attention will be paiel to the schools generally. Manual Instruction. —Manual-training classes in cookery and woodwork have been carried on at Nelsen, Wakefield, Motueka (cookery only), and Reefton, and classes for cookery and ironwork at Westport. Instruction in agriculture and dairy science is supervised by Mr. Bruce, who has done excellent work. In addition to the ordinary school classes, Mr. Bruce has conducted the science classes at the Takaka and Motueka District High Schools. Technical Instruction. —[See E.-5, Report on Technical Education.] Buildings. —The rebuilding of. the Millerton School was the principal work undertaken during the year. Owing to the situation of the school, the work cost considerably more than the grant allowed— namely, £1,600 —and the Board trusts that the Minister will preivide the difference in the cost. A third room was added to the school at Brooklyn, and small additions were also made to the schools at Brook Street, Nelson, the secondary school at Westport, and at Murchison. Additions were affected to the teacher's residence at Murchison. Apart from these buildings, a considerable sum was expended in providing modem conveniences and septic-tank drainage at a number of the larger country schools. Several applications for grants for the erection of small schools have been before the Department for some time, and, whilst the Board recognizes that there is need for strict economy during the present crisis, the claims of settlers in the remote country districts for facilities for the education eif their children must not be igneired. More particularly accommodation is most urgently required at Owen Junction and at Tutaki, but up to the time of writing no grants have b3en authorized. Finances. —The balance-sheet discloses a debit balance for £667 16s. lOd. This is largely accounted for by the very large amount emtstanding on account of manual and technical instruction. Teachers. —Reference must be made te> the number of young teachers who have obtained leave of absence and have joined the Expeditionary Forces. Up to the present sixteen teachers have gone to the front, and I much regret to add that two eif them, Henry Marr and Frank Senior, have been killed in action. In conclusion, I have to say that the Board is pleased with the decision of the Council of Education with respect to the recognition of our claims for the retention of the Nelson Education District. The disl-ict, though a small one, is warranted. The relations with the variems School Cermmittees have been nuisfc cordial, and the Board desires to thank them foi' the assistance rendered in the control of school affairs. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. G. H. Gothard, Chairman.

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