Appendix B.]

8.—2.

instruction was given, and the roll-numbers of the students in attendance : Drawing (three classes), 72; advanced needlework (two classes), 47 ; agriculture, 15; vocal music, 25 ; cardboard-work, 20 ; English, 11 ; elementary hygiene (two classes), 52 ; physical drill (three classes), 69. For the benefit of pupil-teachers and probationers attending the Invercargill town and suburban schools a class in drawing was held on two afternoons a week for a period of thirty-eight weeks, the number of students attending being twenty-five. At the close of the school year a special class for practical work in agriculture was held for a week at a local nursery for the sake of those teachers who wished to complete the time necessary to secure a certificate for practical work to enable them to qualify for the D examination in agriculture. This class was attended by ten students, who all showed the keenest interest in the work they were called upon to do. Where teachers are so situated that attendance at Saturday classes is impossible, assistance may be obtained towards meeting the cost of receiving instruction through correspondence classes, and in this connection a sum of £21 9s. sd. was refunded to teachers who took advantage of the assistance thus provided. Junior and Senior National Scholarships. —For the junior competition there were eighty-nine candidates, and for the senior thirty-seven candidates. In the junior division scholarships were awarded to seventeen candidates, and in the senior division to three candidates. Although head teachers were requested to make a selection from their pupils and present only those who had good prospects of qualifying, the results in the junior competition point clearly to the fact that a fair proportion of the candidates did not have a reasonable chance of passing the examination. The total number of scholarships in force at the end of the year were —Junior National, thirty-nine ; Senior National, four. The amount disbursed to scholarship-holders during the year was £839 15s. Conveyance and Board of Pupils. —The Board has on several occasions urged the Department to increase the allowance to children who are compelled to use a conveyance owing to the distance of their home from a school. The Board also urged that the allowance should be extended to children who ride to school on horseback. As stated in last year's report, the Board is strongly of the opinion that a substantial increase in the allowance for conveyance as well as boarding would prevent the undue multiplication of small schools. The amount disbursed by the Board on the conveyance and board of children was £1,946, as compared with £2,016 17s. 4d. in 1919. Conveyance allowance was paid in respect of 392 children, and boarding-allowance in respect of thirty-two children. Voluntary Contributions. —The total amount raised this year by School Committees by voluntary contributions was £621, showing a decrease of £126 as compared with the amount raised in 1919. The Board respectfully urges the Department to include such games as football and cricket in its interpretation of the regulations regarding organized games on which subsidy is obtainable for apparatus and equipment. Board's Library. —The Board's library for teachers contains approximately four hundred volumes. In view of the fact that the library is open at all times to the teachers, and that no fee is charged for the use of the books, it is surprising that so few of our teachers make use of the books. School Books and Stationery. —Once again the Board expresses the opinion that the purchase of all school material .should be made by the Department in bulk from, the manufacturers and sold at cost price to Education Boards. The Department has been advised that the Board is prepared to undertake the distribution of the material to the schools in this district. School Certificates. —897 pupils were presented for examination in the subjects of the Sixth Standard. Of these, 656 gained proficiency certificates, 138 gained competency, two gained endorsed competency, while 101 failed. Medical Inspection. —When the scheme for the medical inspection of school-children by the School Medical Officer was first put into operation many parents protested against the examination of their children. The Board is pleased to report that evidence is not wanting that the opposition to medical examination no longer exists. The Board trusts that during the coming year there will be a considerable extension of this branch of school-work. It is hoped that the Medical Officer and the School Nurse will be able to visit the pupils in the remote parts of the district. School Dentists.- Three months of 1921 have passed and no appointment of a School Dentist for this district has yet been made. The Chief School Medical Officer in his annual report states, " All Medical Officers concur in emphasizing the urgent need for a scheme of dental treatment." If the need for dental treatment is urgent, why the delay on the part of the Department in appointing a dental officer for this district ? Financial obligations should, not be allowed to stand in the way. The children are the State's best asset. It is only when Medical Inspectors, School Dentists, and physical instructors work hand-in-hand that the most beneficial results will accrue. Physical Instruction. —Your Inspectors report that physical education has been carried on in a satisfactory manner throughout this district, and the schools have, as a whole, taken a keen interest in this branch of school-work. The physical instructor has during the year visited all the principal schools, as well as several of the smaller schools in the remote parts of the district. School Committees. —The Board has again to express its appreciation of the keen interest evinced by the majority of the School Committees in educational matters in this district. During the year the incidental allowances paid to Committees have totalled £6,005 6s. 6d. Buildings. —During the past year the Board has continued its policy of carrying out building operations with its own staff of workmen. The following works were completed during, or were in progress at the end of, the year, viz. : Additions to the school buildings at Hillend South, Bluff, East Gore, Wyndham, Waikiwi, Gore, Lumsden, Tokonui, Waimahaka, Lower Hedgehope, and Mossburn ; additions to the teacher's residence, Waimahaka ; a new residence for the teacher at Tuatapere ; and the erection of new schools at Glenham, Pukemaori, Brown's, and Dunearn. In addition to the foregoing works, ordinary repairs to school buildings and teachers' residences have been carried out under the supervision of the Board's architects. During the year the school building at Gore was destroyed by fire. Finance. —The receipts from all sources, including a credit balance brought forward from 1919, amounted to £143,012 18s. 4d., and the year closed with a credit balance at the bank of £876 Is. 9d. I have, &c, P. A. de la Pehrelle, Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

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