Appendix B.]

E.—2.

White; South Ward —Messrs. H. J. Eaves and A. Lees ; Urban District of New Plymouth—Messrs. R. J. Deare and S. G. Smith, M.P. Messrs. Smith, Trimble, Hoskin, and Eaves were duo to retire in August. Messrs. Smith and Eaves were, returned unopposed, and Mr. F. H. Sims and Mr. H. Dempsey were elected to the Central Ward and North Ward respectively. Boards of Managers.--- During the year it was decided to place the technical schools under the government of Boards of Managers, and the several elections took place in September. The following is the, personnel of each: Stratford Technical High School—Messrs. H. Trimble, R. Masters, M.P., J. 11. Thomas, E. S. Rutherford, J. W. Boon, E. Marshall, Dr. W. Gordon, C. Birkett, Vincent Johnson, J. McAllister, W. Mac Donald, and Mrs. A. E. Copping; Hawera Technical High School — Messrs. A. Lees, H. J. Eaves, J. B. Murdoch, W. A. Spragg, j/W. J. Harding, F. Mills, .11. S. Sage, A. Reid, H. Chapman, G. H. Buckridge, T. C. Hobbs, Mrs. A. M. Buckridge; New Plymouth Technical School—Messrs. P. J. H. White, S. G. Smith, J. S. Connett, G. H. Dolby, A. L, Roberts, W. G. Reid, F. A. Coleman, Walter Bicknell, R. J. Clark. Board's representatives: High Schools Board —Mr. H. Trimble, ; Boards of Managers Messrs. H. Trimble and R. Masters (Stratford Technical High School), A. Lees and H. J. Eaves (Hawera Technical High School), P. .1. H. White and S. G. Smith (New Plymouth Technical College). Schools. —The number of schools under the jurisdiction of the 'Board at the end of the year was 163. The total roll number for the year was 11,121, an increase of 287 pupils on last year. The aggregate average attendance at all the schools was 10,060, which gives a ratio of 09045, as compared with 0 8753 for 1921. The following schools were opened during the year : Otaraoa and Optra. The Hapurua School was closed temporarily during the year. Teaching Staff. —The number of teachers in the Board's service on the 31st December, 1922, was as follows :—■ Male. Female. Total. Head teachers .. .. .. .. ..47 29 76 Sole teachers .. .. .. .. ..27 60 87 Assistants .. .. .. .. .'. ..13 142 155 Pupil-teachers ... .. .. .. .. 7 22 29 Probationers .. .. .. .. .. 7 30 37 Organizing teaohers .. .. .. .. ..2 .. 2 Agricultural instructors . . .. .. 2 .. 2 Woodwork instructors .. .. .. ..3 .. 3 Domestic-science instructresses.. .. .. .... 3 3 The numbers of uncertificated teachers were, 22 male and 91 female, total 113; and licensed teachers, 3 male, 4 female, total 7. There appears to have been much less difficulty in obtaining suitable teachers for all classes of schools, and it is pleasing to note that each year a better class of application is received for entrants into the teaching profession. During the last month of the year there were 113 uncertificated teachers employed in the public schools in this district, this being 35 per cent, of the total number of teachers, exclusive, of pupil-teachers, probationers, and instructors. A large proportion of these have made an effort—more or less successful- —to qualify for the D certificate. In October the Board carefully considered each case, and decided to advertise a number of the positions held by uncertificated teachers, and warned others that it was their duty to make an earnest effort to qualify next year. Buildings. —Throughout the year the Board has been greatly exercised upon the congested condition of the schools, more particularly in New Plymouth and Waitara. Increased accommodation has been provided at Okaiawa and Tawhiti by additions in concrete to the existing school buildings. New buildings in concrete and capable of extension are in course of erection at Fitzroy, Courtenay Street (Central Infants') ; and by remodelling or making additions the Central (New Plymouth), Carrington, and Oeo Schools have been greatly improved. Throe, of the Board's typo of movable schools have been erected, at Matemateaonga, Hapurua, and Astwood. Unfortunately, the nowly acquired Ohura residence was totally destroyed by fire. The new Technical High School at Stratford was opened during the early part of the year by the Hon. Minister of Education. Finance. The credit balance brought forward from 1921 was £5,904 12s. 3d.; the receipts from all sources amounted to £138,271 17s. Bd.; total, £144,176 9s. lid. The total expenditure in 1922 was £134,026 19s. Id., leaving a credit balance on the 31st December, 1922, of £10,149 10s. iOd. The Rebuilding Fund is now reduced to £3,074 ss. Id. instruction Classes for Teachers.—Saturday classes to enable all uncertificated teachers, pupilteachers, and probationers to receive practical instruction in science and handwork subjects were conducted in Hawera, Stratford, and New Plymouth. In all ninety-eight students enrolled, and (with one or two exceptions) attended with commendable regularity. Manual and Technical Instruction. —Elementary handwork subjects were taken throughout the year by all schools, but many schools were again handicapped by lack of an adequate supply of material. Needlework has been taught in all schools, and where necessary a competent instructress has been engaged. Manual-training classes have been held in New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Hawera, Waitara, Manaia, and Pungarehu, the subjects comprising woodwork, cookery and domestic science, and rural science. Agricultural Instruction. This section of the Board's activities still continues to make satisfactory progress. The work in many of the schools has reached a high standard. Instructive, displays have been exhibited in most of the agricultural shows, and indicate many commendable achievements effected on the school property.

III