E.—2

19

APPENDIX 13. REPORTS (ABRIDGED) AND STATEMENTS OP ACCOUNTS OF EDUCATION BOARDS. 1. REPORTS. AUCKLAND. STR, — In accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, the Education Board of the District of Auckland has the honour to submit the following report for the year 1924 :— Board. —The members of the Board in office at the end of the year were as follows : Auckland Urban Area —Mrs. N. E. Ferner, Messrs. G. Brownlee, W. J. Campbell, H. S. W. King, J. P. McPbail, and T. U. Wells ; Hamilton Urban Area —Messrs. S. B. Sims and P. A. Snell; North Ward of the Rural Area—Messrs. J. D. McKenzie and R. Hoe ; East Ward of the Rural Area —Messrs. E. C. Banks and A. Burns (Chairman) ; West Ward of the Rural Area —Messrs. J. Boddie and J. Patterson. The Board's representatives on kindred bodies were: Auckland University College Council —Mr. J. Boddie; Auckland Grammar School Board of Governors —Messrs. G. Brownlee, A. Burns, and H. S. W. King ; Seddon Memorial Technical College Board of Managers—Mrs. N. E. Perner, Messrs. H. S. W. King and J. P. McPhail; " Elam " School of Art Board of Managers —Mrs. N. E. Ferner, Messrs. G. Brownlee and W. J. Campbell; Pukekohe Technical High School Board of Managers— Messrs. J. Roulston and J. B. Sim ; Thames High School Board of Governors—Mr. A. Burns ; Whangprei High School Board of Governors —Messrs. H. W. Crawford and J. D. McKenzie ; Hamilton High School Board of Governors —Messrs. J. Primrose, F. de la Mare, and F. A. Snell; Kowhai Junior High School Committee—Mrs. N. E. Ferner, Messrs. G. Brownlee and T. U. Wells ; Workers' Educational Association —Mrs. N. E. Ferner and Mr. G. Brownlee. The Board meets on the first and third Wednesdays in each month. Twenty-three meetings of the Board were held during the year, with an average attendance of eleven. Buildings.— During the year seventeen new schools were built and twenty-two schools were enlarged. Several schools were also remodelled. Three teachers' residences were also provided during the year, and four were enlarged. The grants made by the Department during the year enabled the Board to adopt a vigorous policy with reference to the provision of accommodation in the Auckland Education District. The Board is not yet, however, enabled to consider that the accommodation requirements have been even approximately overtaken. In many schools the accommodation is congested and inadequate. A large number of halls and other private buildings are still being used to provide school accommodation. In the Board's judgment the Department might well consider Ihe raising by loan of a sufficient sum to place the accommodation question upon a sound footing. The yearly needs could then be more easily met as occasion arose. The provision of teachers' residences is still a serious necessity in this district, especially in rural areas. The Board finds considerable difficulty in properly staffing the rural schools from lack of living-accommodation for the teachers. Finance. —The income for the year ended 31st December, 1924, totalled £797,255 ss. 5d., and the expenditure £808,447 Is. sd. Maintenance Fund.—During the year the Board has found that the monthly review of the position of the Maintenance Fund instituted the previous year has enabled the Board to keep expenditure within due bounds. Remodelling of Schools. —In pursuance of a definite policy the Board during the year remodelled, at the cost of the Rebuilding Fund, the Horahora, Thames South, and Paterangi Schools, and proposes to continue this policy until obsolete schools shall be brought into line with modern requirements. Training College.—During 1924 the number of students attending the Training College was 365 — namely, 124 men and 241 women. District High Schools.—The reports of Inspectors indicate that a steady and satisfactory improvement is being made in the tuition of the secondary departments of district high schools. Every year the district high schools are increasing in importance in the rural districts, and it is difficult to overrate the value of the influence they exercise in a community. The Board wishes to place on record its appreciation of the good work done by the Inspectors in connection with postprimary education. It is largely due to their efforts that the improvement herein noted is due. Junior High Schools. —The junior high school established in 1922 at Kowhai Road had a roll number at the end of the year of 781 and an average attendance of 720. So satisfied is the Board of the success of the junior-high-school movement that steps have been taken to ensure the establishment of junior high schools at Northcote and Matamata at the beginning of 1925, and at Whangarei at the beginning of 1926.