E.—2.

Appendix A.

the exception of those situated in the Sounds. On the whole the buildings, with a few exceptions, were found to be in a satisfactory state of repair, and with the usual overhaul and painting will have an extended life. Several schools are, however, very old, and will require to be rebuilt in the near future. The schools erected during the last few years are of modern design with every attention to ventilation, light, &c, It is hoped that a complete survey of the remaining buildings will be made during the current, year. It has been necessary to postpone a good deal of work owing to scarcity of labour and high prices. When building conditions improve the Board purposes making some improvement in the residences occupied by married country teachers. There being no public drainage system anywhere in Marlborough, the Board before amalgamation had constructed a septic-tank system to a number of its larger schools. Urgent Works. —In several large centres of population there has been a steadily increasing attendance, and expenditure must be incurred in the near future — e.g., at Masterton, Miramar, Kelburn, and Upper Hutt. In addition, the Board considers the following—already mentioned in previous reports —as of extreme urgency: (1.) Wellington Technical School. The teaching conditions have now become positively discreditable, and in the interests of healthy boyhood and girlhood should be improved at once. The Board urges, as a preliminary step, an immediate settlement of the question of site on the basis of its recommendation. The design can then be developed for execution at the end of the war. (2.) The Main Normal School, Kelburn. The infant department is overcrowded, but apart from this the school should be completed on account of the large number of students who cannot at present obtain tit hand the teaching practice which is an essential part of their training. The War. —The teaching service continues to do honour to itself not only by the generosity of its voluntary enlistments, but by the fine achievement of its representatives in the field. Since last report the following (names not printed here; see Appendix to E.-l) have gone into camp or have proceeded to the front, or are under training in camp, making in all, since the outbreak of war, ninety-six accepted for foreign service, in addition to four discharged'as physically unfit after undergoing a large part of their camp training, and one at the front with the V.M.C.A. As opportunity presented the Board continued its policy of promoting teachers who are on military service abroad. Finance. —The following table shows in brief the state of the accounts of the two Boards at the time of amalgamation and that, of the combined account at the end of the year: —

Much more than the whole of the sums mentioned above will be required in the near future for the rebuilding of old schools. School Libraries. —Subsidy was willingly paid on a number of donations to school Libraries; The Board's desire is that a larger number of Committees should claim it. In this connection the Board wishes to thank the City Council, its Library Committee, the librarian and his staff for the great benefit conferred on the city schools by the lending scheme now in operation. The example is well worthy of imitation by other Corporations. A few figures will indicate the extent of the benefit. To thirteen schools and, two side schools were lent 4,375 volumes, an increase of 1,179; there were lent 36,671. individual books, of which half were stories, 5,072 fairy-tales, folk-lore, etc., 1,589 science, 702 useful arts, 1,147 literature, 5,919 travel and history, 2,869 biography. This is a gratifying evidence of an improving taste in books. Conveyance. —At Levin and Shannon the Board has established lines of conveyance to central schools—two at the former, one at the latter—and a third request has been received. The allowances payable under existing regulations would not by over .£lOO cover the cost of the best arrangement that can at present be made. The Board submits that, as the State is saved the cost of one or more schools, while the children receive more efficient instruction, the financial arrangements should cover the cost. Aided Schools. —The problem of the education of the children growing up in the remote parts of the district, especially the Sounds, is one surrounded with much difficulty. There are over forty of such schools in the district. The allowance of £6 per child does not under existing conditions secure the services of a trained teacher; yet the interests of the child must be safeguarded. The Board urges a reconsideration of the matter with a view to effective remedy either (1) by increase of the capitation to something approaching the capitation payable on account of secondary pupils, or (2), alternatively, to establish schools with living-quarters to meet the special needs of these remote districts. As against the disadvantage of separation from their homes there is the positive advantage of the intellectual stimulus of numbers, and also that of the more efficient training to be obtained at the hands of a trained staff. The provision for part-time schools does not here meet the requirements. T have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Wellington. J. G. W. Aitkek, Chairman.

X

District. Balances as at 31st July, 1916. ;As at 3)at Decern As at 1st Januar 1916. Cr. Or. Dr. J . ber, 1 916. Or. Weilirgton .. ' Marlborough Weilirgton (combined district) £ s. d. 7,8.11 18 2 636 6 6 £ s. 7,437 5 a. 0 £ s. 245 17 d. 3 £ s. (I. 6,781 19 2 I i