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WELLINGTON. (Chairman, Mr. T. Forsyth.) Training College.—The Board places on record that its hopes of better conditions for the Training College to bring it into line with the increased requirements of the district have been disappointed, and at the moment no steps have been taken to give relief. It repeats the comment of 1929 that the existing buildings are overcrowded. The accommodation for both students and staff is totally inadequate, notwithstanding that many students are sent for training to other centres, a matter of increased cost to the Department and to some extent a loss of teaching-power for the area served by the Wellington Training College. A new college site and building sufficiently spacious to meet the requirements of the Middle University District is a matter of the utmost importance. Report of Inspectors.—The Board notes with pleasure the higher estimate of the efficiency of the schools recorded therein, and it thanks all those teachers who by honest endeavour have contributed to this result. Centralization and Conveyance.—There are indications that where the conditions are favourable there is a growing preference for a centralizing conveyance service. Several proposals originating in country districts for closing small schools and conveying pupils to large schools are under consideration, but action is in several instances being deferred owing to financial considerations. Technical College.—The complete withdrawal of the Technical College from the Board's premises in Mercer Street to the new college on Mount Cook marks a notable advance in technical education. Few now recall the great part the Wellington Education Board, under the able guidance of that pioneer, the late Mr. A. D. Riley, played in the establishment of technical education in New Zealand. Nor must I omit acknowledgment of the splendid support received from the Industrial Association in assisting to provide the Wakefield Street building, and that received from the city, first in the lease of a site for the workshops in Mercer Street, and later by substantial contribution to the cost of the new college.

NELSON. (Chairman, Hon. Mr. W. H. Mclntyre.) Conveyance and Board. —Parents of children in remote localities continue to take advantage of the allowance towards conveyance and board of children in order to attend schools. Voluntary Contributions and Subsidies.—School Committees throughout the district continued to show practical interest in the welfare of their schools by raising various sums by means of voluntary contributions, concerts, &c., with the result that considerable benefits were derived by way of improved grounds, libraries, additional equipment, &c. It was with extreme regret that the Board received the intimation that the Government found it necessary to temporarily withdraw the granting of subsidies. The hope is expressed that subsidies will very soon be restored. Education Committee's Re-port.—The report of the Recess Education Committee was received in July last and was the subject of considerable interest. After giving the report very careful consideration the Board came to the conclusion that it contained many excellent recommendations.

CANTERBURY. (Chairman, Mr. W. A. Banks.) School Committees.—Householders generally continue to take a keen interest in their schools, and the Committees they elect to control the destinies of the local centres of learning deserve much thanks for the honorary duties they perform for the sake of the children. Committees sometimes complain that their's is a thankless task, but the Board's experience has been that the parents will respond with ready support if a good lead is given. Technical Education. —A. pleasing feature of the year's work was the resuscitation of interest in technical education in the small centres, particularly at Kaiapoi, Temuka, and in the Ellesmere district. In the last-named district, especially, keen interest and activity were displayed by the Ellesmere Technical Association in the matter of providing technical classes adapted to the needs of the district. The excellent attendances at these classes bear convincing testimony as to their popularity.

OTAGO. (Chairman, Mr. J. Wallace.) Elementary Agriculture.—The Board is satisfied that on both the practical and the theoretical side good work is being done, and that boys and girls going on the land will take with t.hem useful information. The scope of the work has been gradually developed in recent years, and the beautification of the school-grounds is now recognized as an important part of the programme. Both the Inspectors and the Agricultural Instructors have stressed this aspect, and with the further incentive of liberal subsidies teachers and Committees have combined in a ready response, with the result that many

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