Appendix A.J

E.—2.

Messrs. E. Dixon, S. G. Smith, and H. Trimble: and at the election held on the 17th July the following were elected: Urban District of New Plymouth.—Messrs. H. H. Grayling and S. G. Smith, M.P.; Central Ward—Mr. H. Trimble; North Ward—Mr. A. G. Knight"; South WardMr. H. J. Eaves. In consequence of the resignation of Mr. A. G. Knight an extraordinary election was held on the 21st October, when Mr. T. Buchanan was duly elected a member of the North Ward. Schools. —The number of schools under the jurisdiction of the Board at the end of the year was 151. The following table shows the grading of the schools : — „ , . Number ( ' radc - Averi « c ' of Schools. 0 ... ... ... ... ... ... 1-8 7 1 ... ... ... ... ... ... 9- 20 35 II ... ... ... ... ... ... 21- 35 40 lIIa ... ... ... ... ... ... 26- 80 49 lIIb ... ... ... ... ... 81-120 9 IVa ... ... ... ... ... ... 121-160 3 IVb ... ... ... ... ... ... 161-200 1 Va ... ... ... ... ... 241-280 1 Vb ... ... ... ... ... ... 281-320 2 Vlb ... ... ... ... ... ... 451-500 1 VII ... ... ... ... ... ... 601 and upwards 3 151 The following new schools were opened during the year—Aukopae and Matemateaonga; while the schools at Bexley, Moss, Rerekapa, and Tahunaroa were closed, and the Auckland Board resumed control of the Mangaotaki School. Scholarships. —Senior National Scholarships have been awarded to three pupils of the New Plymouth Girls' High School and one pupil of the New Plymouth Boys' High School. Junior National Scholarships were awarded to scholars attending the following schools: New Plymouth Girls' High School, 1; New Plymouth Boys' High School, 3; Stratford District High Sohool, 2; Manaia, 1; Okato, 1; West End, 1; Hawera District High School, 1. Teaching Staff. —The number of teachers, junior teachers, and probationers at the end of the year was 334, as under :— Male. Female. Total. Head teachers ... ... ... ... 40 26 66 Sole teachers ... ... ... ... 18 67 85 Assistants ... ... ... ... ... 27 107 134 Junior teachers ... ... ... ... I 25 26 Probationers ... ... ... ... 1 22 23 87 247 334 It will be noted that out of forty-nine junior teachers and probationers in the service of the Board only two are males. The percentage of male teachers, including probationers, being only 2605 per cent, of the total employed in this distriot amply illustrates the necessity for the Government to make every effort possible to render the teaching profession more attractive to capable youths in the future. Finance. —The total receipts from all sources for the year was £83,396 lis. lid., the expenditure £80,165 6s. Id. The credit cash balance on the 31st January was £1,599 17s. 9d. The credit cash balance on the 31st December was £3,373 12s. 2d. Since the constitution of the new district the Board has given considerable consideration to its expenditure with the view of gradually placing the finances on a thoroughly sound basis. Buildings. —New school buildings have been erected during the year at Aukopae, Matiere, and Mount Messenger, and additions have been completed at Auroa, Hawera, Inglewood, Puniho, and West End Schools. The Board's building staff and the workshop has had a very busy year, and for a considerable portion of the period was handicapped through the shortage of skilled labour. The conditions are now somewhat easier, and it is felt that in the near future, with the return of our soldiers, the difficulties in this connection will soon be back to normal. ■ The Board has now under its control a complete factory plant and staff of workmen to undertake the maintenance and new work, concrete or otherwise, without calling on outside contractors in any way. This system enables the work to be carried out in a very economical manner, and at the same time ensures a higher class of work that will reduce the call on the Maintenance Fund for the future. Manual and Technical Instruction. —During the year technical education has been carried out at New Plymouth, Hawera, Stratford, Eltham, and Mangatoki. The increased number of pupils attending the Hawera centre clearly indicates the urgent necessity for the establishment of a technical high school. At Stratford the compulsory clause of the Act was brought into operation and is working satisfactorily. It would appear that the best results will be obtained by the Department making the compulsory clause operative at every centre wliere suitable classes are held. Physical Instruction. —Where so many young people are brought together from shops and offices it seems wise to take the opportunity of introducing a certain amount of physical instruction. To this end it is imperative that each technical school be supplied with a gymnasium. Manual. —In pursuance of the policy mentioned in last year's report the Board inaugurated a system of travelling woodwork instructors at various centres. The scheme has been successful

III