E.—2.

[Appendix B.

WANGANUI. Sib,— Wanganui, 31st March, 1924. 1 have the honour to present tho following report of the proceedings of this Board during tho year ended 31st December, 1923 : — Board. —The personnel of the Board at the end of the year was as follows : Messrs. W. A. Collins (Chairman) and E. F. Hemingway, West Ward ; Mr. A. J. Joblin and Mrs. N. Dunne, North Ward ; Messrs. A. Eraser and H. Mclntyre, South Ward ; Messrs. J. Aitken and E. V. Laws, Wanganui Urban Area; and Messrs. W. R. Birnie and W. F. Durward, Palmerston North Urban Area. The Board was represented on other bodies as follows : Wanganui Girls' College Board of Governors —Messrs. W. A. Collins, A. Fraser, and E. V. Laws ; Palmerston North High School Board of Governors —Messrs. J. W. Rutherfurd, W. R. Birnie, and T. R. Hodder ; Wanganui Technical College Board of Managers —Messrs. W. Bruce and W. H. Swanger; Feilding Technical High School Board of Managers — Messrs. H. Mclntyre and. H. Tolley. Mr. H. Mclntyre represented the Wanganui, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Nelson Education Districts on the Committee of Advice of the Wellington Training College. Schools and Attendance. —Two new schools were opened, the Patoa School was re-established as a district high school, and a special school at the Wanganui Public Hospital was opened. Eight schools were closed during tho year. At the close of tho year there were open 199 main schools, five side schools, and one model country school. The total roll at the end of the year was 16,922, showing an increase of 121 over the December quarter of 1922. The number on the rolls of the secondary departments of the district high schools was 169, being an increase of forty-one. The average attendance for the year was 15,034, and the average weekly roll number was 16,797. The average attendance expressed as a percentage of tho roll number was 89-5, which is 1-3 lower than for 1922. Tho highest attendance recorded during the year was in the December quarter, the average being 15,409. The attendance was affected considerably during the June quarter, and very badly during tho September quarter, by epidemics. The Attendance Officer paid 204 visits to schools; 117 informations were laiel against parents, and 100 convictions were recorded out of 107 cases proceeded with. This officer's duties include the. inspection of out-offices. His reports show that the most satisfactory method for use in country districts is what is commonly known as the dry-earth system. Teachers. —Tho number of adult teachers on the staff at the end of the year, excluding twenty relieving teachers, was 433, of whom 114 were uncertificated. Seventeen of the uncertificated teachers were in charge of Grade 0 schools, thirty-five in charge of Grade 1 schools, fourteen in charge of Grade 2 schools, and one in charge of a Grade 3a school. Forty-seven were assistants, a large proportion being located in country schools. The number of uncertificated teachers was twelve less than at the end of 1922. There were twenty-seven male and twonty-fivo female pupil-teachers, and fifteen' male and forty-one female probationers, totalling in all 108, on the staffs. Compared with the previous year the number of males shows an increase of twelve and the females an increase of two. The majority of the applicants for appointment were well prepared educationally, and of a good type physically. The Inspectors' reports show that in general the instruction of pupil-teachers and probationers at their schools has been carried out in accordance with tho regulations. Voluntary Contributions. —Voluntary contributions received during the year totalled £2,301 13s. 6d., an increase of £570 over the previous year. The main purposes of the contributions were the improvement of buildings and grounds, the purchase of.pictures and special equipment, and tho establishment and enlargement of school libraries. The Board desires to gratefully acknowledge the generosity of those who so freely subscribed for the benefit of the schools throughout the district. The Department has done its part by subsidizing contributions, and in many cases the Board has given assistance from its Maintenance Futid. Health of Children. —The Board wishes to express its appreciation of the work of tho School Medical Officer and her assistants. The annual health camp was held, as in former years, in the grounds of Mr. B. P. Lcthbridge at Turakina. Some ninety children attended, and the majority of these showed considerable improvement in health as a result of their sojourn in camp. Once again it is my pleasure to thank Mr. and Mrs. Lcthbridge for their kindly assistance, and all those who contributed in various ways to make the camp a success. Tooth-brush drill continues to be carried out daily in practically all schools. School Dental Clinics. —Clinics are now in operation at Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hunterville, and Taihape, and excellent work is being done. The Board trusts that the Department of Health will push on with the establishment of clinics in other centres. Physical Instruction. —The Department's instructor visited as many schools as possible. An increase in the number of instructors is required to enable this branch of the work, to receive the attention it warrants. The Public Schools' Amateur Athletic Associations carried on their activities with enthusiasm and success. These associations arc deserving of all the assistance and encouragement that can be given them. Organizing Teachers. —The work of the organizing teachers is of a very valuable nature, and is doing a great deal to improve the efficiency of those country schools which are in charge of teachers with little experience. Model Country School. —Under the regulations as amended last year, teachers attending a model country school are entitled to receive only half-pay, instead of full pay as formerly. The result is that the Board is having great difficulty in inducing teachers to attend the school in Wanganui. Quite a number of the teachers who should attend are married men, who cannot afford the cost of living in Wanganui and keeping their homes going also. It is true that uneler the regulations the Board may require any teacher to attend a model school, but the Board cannot reasonably enforce attendance

IV