Appendix B.

E.—2.

children in attendance at nineteen schools. The total expenditure in respect of these allowances was £790 19s. lOd. Voluntary Contributions. The total amount received during the year by way of voluntary contributions towards improvements to buildings and grounds, purchase of equipment, books for school libraries. &c, was £1,721 6s. 2d. Health of Children.—Very excellent work continues to be carried out by the School Medical Officer. Co-operation between the parents and the Medical Officer is encouraged, parents being invited to be present at the schools when their children are being medically examined. Many parents avail themselves of this opportunity of discussing with the Medical Officer the very important question of the health of their children. A. health camp was again held in the grounds of Mr. B. P. Lethbridge at Turakina. The duration of the camp this year was extended to five weeks, and was attended by some ninety-six children. The total cost of the camp was £302 13s. 9d., and was met entirely by donations from persons who were sympathetic with the idea of holding the camp. Physical Instruction and School Athletics. — The Department's physical instructor continues to do good work, although the fact of his being in charge of two districts renders it impossible for him to visit all the schools each year. It is sincerely hoped that the Department will in the near future see its way to increase the staff of physical instructors so as to provide at least one for each district. Athletic games in the schools continue to be carried on with enthusiasm. The activities of the Public Schools Amateur Athletic Associations, referred to in my last report, are undoubtedly contributory factors in the keenness displayed by the pupils of both the town and country schools. Sports meetings, and competitions in other sports, such as football, cricket, hockey, and swimming, according to the season, continue to be held. A pleasing feature in regard to these competitions is the enthusiastic manner in which the teachers, School Committees, and others co-operate in the endeavour to create amongst the children a fondness for amateur sport. Organizing Teachers. —The staff of organizing teachers is now reduced to two. These teachers are carrying out valuable work in assisting inexperienced teachers in charge of small schools in the country districts in the organization of their work. Unfortunately, the Department's policy of reducing the staff of organizing teachers has, of course, limited the field of operation of this otherwise excellent scheme. Model Country School. —During the year four male and six female teachers attended the model school. In all cases the work of the students was reported as excellent. The teachers concerned should derive considerable benefit from the course, and the experience thus gained should result in a higher standard of efficiency in their work at their schools. Correspondence Classes for Primary Pupils. —The applications for enrolment in the Department's correspondence classes have not been numerous. Only twenty-two applications were received by the Board during the year. Instruction of Backward Children.- -The special class for retardates formed at the Victoria Avenue School last year continues to show satisfactory results, and has fully justified its establishment. Buildings and Sites. —Five new schools were completed during the year, while the Marton Junction new school and the remodelling of the Sanson School were nearing completion at the close of the year. A considerable amount of maintenance-work was carried out. The reduction of the maintenance by 10 per cent, was seriously felt, and I trust that the grant will be reinstated at an early date. The Board still adheres to the policy of carrying out all its building operations with its own staff, under the direction of the Architect. The excellence of this system is evidenced by the fine workmanship displayed in the works undertaken —all of which have been completed at a minimum cost. The staff at the Board's workshop has been fully maintained throughout the year in the manufacture of school furniture and requisites. All the work turned out was executed at the lowest possible cost, and was invariably of a first-class order. Finance.- —The net credit balance at the close of the year was £2,010 17s. 10(1. The Alexander Bequest and Rees Bequest Trust Accounts were in credit £2,636 12s. Bd. and £1,248 9s. 3d. respectively. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. W. A. Collins, Chairman.

HAWKE'S BAY. Sir,-- Napier, 29th March, 1923. In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1914, the Education Board of the District of Hawke's Bay has the honour to submit the following report of its proceedings for the year 1922 : The Board. —The personnel of the Board at the end of the year was as follows : Napier Urban Area—Messrs. J. Clark Thomson and G. W. Venables ; Gisborne Urban Area —Messrs. G. T. Wildish and G. Crawshaw ; Hastings Urban Area —Messrs. G. F. Roach (Chairman) and A. W. Hamilton ; North Ward Rural Area —Messrs. W. Oates and J. R. Kirk ; Middle Ward Rural Area—Messrs. G. McKay, M.P., and A. King; South Ward Rural Area —Messrs. R. Soundy and W. Cuthbertson. The, Board's representatives on other educational bodies are as follows : Danncvirke High School Board—Messrs. R. Soundy, T. H. G. Lloyd, and Rev. G. B. Stephenson ; Napier High School Board Messrs. G. F. Roach and It. L. Paterson ; Gisborne High School Board Mr. L. T. Burnard ; Napier Technical High School Board —Messrs. G. W. Venables and J. Clark Thomson ; Waipawa Technical Classes Association —Mr. C. IT. Critchley. Finance,.— The receipts for the year totalled £162,863 12s. 7d., and the payments £157,905 Bs. sd. The credit cash balance on all accounts on 31st December, 1922, was £11,387 6s. 6d. A comparison

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