Appendix A.]

E.—2.

Buildings and Sites. —The principal works carried out during the year were the erection of additions to the schools at Taihape, Terrace End, Otakeho; the removal of the Pine Creek School to Ngaturi; alterations and additions to the teacher's residence at Foxton, and the installation of drainage systems at Durie Hill and Mangaweka. Extensive repairs (including painting), erection of shelter-sheds and outoffices, fencing, and clearing sites, &c, were carried out at the following: Matapu, Aramoho, Awahuri, Newbury, Bull's, Kiwitea, Ohakea, Silverhope, Sanson, Taihape, Mosston, St. John's Infants, College Street, West End, Kakaramea, Hawera, Alton, Raurimu, Otakeho, Ashhurst, Kapuni, Mangatoki, Whenuakura, Castlecliff, Mangaweka, Croiton, Momohaki, Fitzherbert East, Waverley, Warrengate, Patea, Manutahi, Ohingaiti, liurleyville, Rangiotu, Feilding, Central Infants, Opaku, St. John's Hill, Carnarvon. Schools were erected the settlers at Potaka Road and Woodlands. Works now in hand include the erection of new schools at Oreore and Te Pou, and additions at Alton and Te Arakura. Additions to the schools at Manunui ami Tiritea, and the erection of new schools at Omatane, Pan rinm, Upper Tutaenui. Turakina, and Campbell Street are contemplated. A new site was secured for the Campbell Street School, Palmerston North, and the acquisition of the new site at Aramoho under the Public Works Act was completed. Manual and Technical Instruction. —The Board desires to again place on record its appreciation of the practical support given by local bodies and individuals throughout the district to technical education. Without this support it would be impossible for the Board to continue the work commenced just over a decade since, and opportunity is here taken of conveying the Board's sincere thanks to all those who have assisted during the year. The total amount received by way of voluntary contributions was £608 19s. lid.; and when it is remembered that over £8,000 has been, received from this source in this district during the past eleven years the existence of local interest is so apparent that to centre the whole control of even this branch of our education system in the hands of I he Education Department would be a serious set-back to the cause of education. General. —The Board regrets thai the Department has not yet seen its way to face the question of the payment of teachers' removal expenses. The Board during the past year paid £52 9s. lid. under this head, but this amount represents only a portion of the expenses incurred by teachers in removing to new positions. There are cases on record of teachers having refused promotion because the expenses of removal would have more than absorbed the difference in salary during the first year or so in the new position. If a school falls in grade the teacher suffers no reduction in salary. The Board, however, is expected to transfer him at the earliest opportunity to another position, and the teacher is practically compelled to accept the transfer. He is put to considerable expense in removing, and it is surely reasonable to ask the State to bear this expense. In. the matter of sick-leave for teachers, it is time that the Department realized its responsibilities and increased the capitation for the payment of salaries of relieving teachers. The Board is compelled to exercise the strictest economy in. the matter of granting sick-leave on pay, but even so there was at the close of the year a deficit of £895 13s. Bd. in the account for the salaries of relieving teachers. A teacher who has given years of faithful service, and who requires leave of absence on account of illness is, in the opinion of the Board, entitled to better treatment than can at present, owing to a parsimonious Department, be extended to him during his illness. In the majority of cases the Board is able to allow only one month's leave on pay, and the consequence is that a teacher who cannot afford to accept leave without pay must return to duty before he is tit to do so. The Board believes that such matters as the payment of teachers' removal expenses and adequate provision for payment of salary during absence from duty on account of illness have only to be brought prominently before Parliament by the Government in order to secure the necessary reform. I have, etc., The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Fred. Pirani, Chairman.

HAWKE'S BAY. Sir, — ■ Education Office, Napier, 31st March, 1917. In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, the Education Board for the District of Hawke's Bay has the honour to submit the following report of its proceedings during the year 1916. Board. —The personnel of (he Board lias undergone very considerable change during Ihe year. Pursuant to the provisions of the amending Act of 1915, Napier and Gisborne became urban areas. Messrs. -I. 11. Sheath and J. Clark Thomson were elected to represent the former. and Messrs. J. 11. Bull anil G. Wildisli the latter. For the rural areas Messrs. ,!. R. Kirk and VV. Gates were elected for the North Ward. Messrs. (i. E. Roach and G. McKay for Ihe Middle Ward, and Messrs. P. G. Grant and P. Soundy for the South Ward. Mr. J. 11. Sheath was re-elected Chairman of the Board. Rev. A. Grant, Messrs. W. G. Hunter, and S. Ashcroft represented the Board on the Dannevirke High School Board of Governors, Messrs. J. H. Sheath and G. F. Roach on the Napier Technical College Board of Managers, Mr. .1. H, Sheath on the Napier High School Board of Governors. Messrs. H. Bull and G. Wildisli on the Gisborne High School Board, and Messrs. G. McKay and W. J. Pellow on the Waipawa Technical Associated Classes. Number of Schools.—'The number of schools in operation at the end of 1915 was 148. During 1916 new schools were opened at Pouawa, Mokairau, Otope, Waiomoko, Motea, Motuhora. Tahora, Te Hua, Putorino, Sherenden. Waikohu, ami Waiwhenua. while the schools at Bushy Knoll. Wahanui, Arlington, and Matapiro were closed, leaving 157 schools in operation at the end of the year.

V