EDUCATION. REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1881 Session I, E-05

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1881. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION. REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Presented to loth Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

[Note. —A summary of the operations of the Secondary Schools for the year 1880 will be found at pages 30-32 of the Fourth Annual Report of the Minister of Education (Appendix to Journals of the House of Representatives) 1881, E.-l).]

AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL The Board of Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School beg to report that they have; during the year ended 31st December, 1880, held twenty-seven regular and six special meetings for the despatch of business. The erection of the new and extensive building on the school reserve in Symonds Street, towards which a sum of £5,000 had, during the year 1879, been granted by the General Government, was completed in the early part of the year, at a total cost of £6,939 135., and the school was publicly opened by Sir George Grey, X.C.8., who delivered an inaugural address on the occasion, on the sth February. A great want has been supplied by the fitting up of a laboratory in this building for the use of the students of chemistry, but the Governors regret to state that they have been unable to procure a sufficient and suitable playground for the use of the boys attending the school. The important question of the best system of classification of the pupils of the Grammar School claimed the attention of the Board iv the early part of the year, and it was considered desirable to procure reliable information in regard to the system obtaining in the higher English schools ; with this view the Board put itself into communication with the Agent-General, Sir Julius Vogel, who forwarded a reply to the Board, affording very valuable information on the subject. A copy of the correspondence is appeuded. The Board reported last year that they had considered it their duty to address the Hon. the Minister of Education upon the subject of the appointments made to the Senate of the University of New Zealand, in which the claims of Auckland had not been considered. The Board has now to report that those claims have been, to some extent, admitted, and that two vacancies in the Senate have been filled by the appointment of the Right Rev. the Bishop of Auckland and Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, M.H.R. Two changes have taken place in the personnel of the educational staff during the year, caused by the resignation of the first master of the Lower School, Mr. F. de Lisle Hammond, appointed to the head mastership of the Church of England Grammar School, Parnell, and of Mr Alexander McArthur, appointed to the Auckland Training College ; these gentlemen have been succeeded by Mr. J. H. Tompson, late junior master at Christ's Hospital School, London, and by the Rev. E. H. Gulliver, M.A. of Cambridge University. A singing-master has also been appointed in the person of Mr. H. Gordon Gooch, Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, who entered upon his duties during the first quarter. The evening classes were resumed at the commencement of the year, with an average attendance of sixty pupils in all the branches of study, viz., Latin, mathematics, English, arithmetic, and Maori. Owing to the Maori teacher, Mr. W. St. Clair Tisdall, having removed to an appointment at Dunedin, the class was discontinued, and a class for French substituted. The average attendance at this class in the fourth quarter was 9, while that of the other four classes was reduced to 38. The Governors are led to believe that at the commencement many of the students of these classes joined from a love of novelty, became weary, and ceased to attend ; that some who ought to be at school were sent by parents or other guardians ; and that those who have attended with a certain degree of regularity are preparing for public examination, and will cease to belong to the classes when their object is attained. Tlie annual examination of the school in December was conducted by the Rev. W, E. Mulgan, M.A., and the Rev. D. W. Runciman ; Mr. Mulgan examining the boys in Greek, Latin, French, and geography ; Mr. Runciman in history, composition, grammar, arithmetic, geometry, and logic. The reports of the examiners are appended. I—E. 6.

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During the year two members of the Board, Theophilus Heale, Esq., and J. Logan Campbell, Esq., have resigned, and their seats have been filled by Edwin Hesketh, Esq., and Joseph M. Dargaville, Esq. Two members retired by rotation, as provided by the third subsection of the fourth clause of " The Auckland College and Grammar School Act, 1877;" both these gentlemen, Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, and the Hon. Colonel Haultain, were re-elected. One member, James McCosh Clark, Esq., resigned on being elected Mayor of the City of Auckland, and Thomas Peacock, Esq., was elected by the Board to fill the seat thus rendered vacant. The Hon. the Minister of Education. Jno. James, Secretary.

Enclosures. 1. The Agent-Geneeal to the Boaed oe Goveenoes. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 22nd September, 1880. Referring to my letter of the 7th instant, No. 769, in which I advised you of the communication I had addressed to Dr. Abbott, respecting the information required as to the method of instruction in public schools, I now have the honour to forward a copy of Dr. Abbott's reply, and of correspondence with the Rev. R. H. Quick, to whom he referred the matter. I have, as you will perceive, refrained from asking Mr Quick to take any further steps until I hear from you to what extent your Board would wish the inquiry to go. I have, &c, The Chairman of the Board of Governors, Julius Vogel, Auckland College and Grammar School. Agent-General.

2. Db. Abbott to the Agent-Geneeal. City of London East School, Milk Street, Cheapside, E.G., Deae Sic Julius, — 11th September, 1880. . . . Over-work and ill-health must be my excuse for delaying so long to answer your note of the 6th August, calling attention to a letter of the 22nd June from the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Auckland College. The man who is best qualified to give you information as to documents, reports, &c, is the Rev. H. Quick, author of "Educational Reformers," formerly an assistant-master in Harrow, whose address is Junior University Club, St. James's. To him I have forwarded the Chairman's letter, with a request that he would supply you with such information as he can. But I have no doubt that from all the great schools you will receive answers that the " special class " system is better than the " general class" system, or, in other words, that pupils ought to be " redistributed on each subject," and not " remain in one class according to their general proficiency." Mr. Macrae has pointed out the difficulties in the way of the "special class" system : it presupposes that all, or almost all, the masters can teach all subjects efficiently. Besides these difficulties, there is this to be said for the "general class " system : that the class master has more responsibility, more knowdedge of his pupils, a better and more complete view of the whole of their w 7ork, so that he is better qualified to detect laziness or overwork, or any moral defects that may be gradually manifesting themselves in his pupils. Probably a very good modification of the "special class" syslem is the one introduced into University College School by Mr. Eve, who has arranged that every pupil, besides having his " special " master in Latin, Greek, mathematics, &c, shall have some one master to whom he may repeat the general results of his work and resort in cases of difficulty—a kind of friendly supervising master, w:ho fills the place occupied by the class master in the "general class" system. Our traditions (and necessities) in the City of London School have always led us to teach on the " general class " system, except in German, drawing, natural science, and to some extent French. My opinion is that the adoption of either system should depend very much on the nature of the staff', and that in a day-school the " special class" system, without such modification as that introduced by Mr. Eve, is liable to the grave objection that a boy may have seven or eight teachers but no master; that is to say, no general guide and controller, except, of course, the head master, who (however energetic) is not likely to possess energy enough or time enough to be the friend and adviser of every boy in a large school. Believe me, &c, Sir Julius Vogel. Edwin A. Abbott.

3. The Rev. R. 11. Quick to the Agent-Geneeal. Deae Sib, — General Parr's, Bickley, Kent, 16th September, 1880. My friend Dr. Abbott has sent me a paper, and asked me to send you the information required by the writer of it. As far as I can gather, the information wanted is, what is the practice in English public schools with regard to the division of the boys for their different studies ? lam afraid I cannot name any publication that would throw light on this point. The Report of the Public Schools Commission refers to a state of things which has since undergone great changes. Perhaps the only way is to fix on some particular schools, and to learn the practice in those schools. I shall be glad to aid in getting such information; meantime I send such as I have. University College School, London, is, as far as I know, the only great school where the boys are grouped differently for every subject taught, and where the choice of subjects is left overmuch to the parents. This is exclusively a day-school, so the masters have no responsibilities beyond their class-rooms. Where the school is not a mere apparatus for teaching a variety of subjects, there must be some recognized gradations in the boys' school rank. This has been determined till recently almost exclusively by proficiency in classics, but of late years it has been found necessary to allow increasing weight to mathematics, natural science, and modern languages. In some schools there are two distinct orders —one depending on mathematics and natural science, the other on classics, modern languages, history, and geography. In this case there are two " sixth forma," which are supposed to be of equal dignity. Both masters and boys may take a high rank in one division, and a low one in the other. At Harrow, (andJ! believe at Winchester) the plan is to divide the school into four parts. The whole of the sixth ranks before the fifth, the fifth before the shell, &c.; but the sixth is rearranged for mathematics, and

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natural science; similarly the fifth, &c. The mathematical divisions are more numerous than the classical; there are three divisions of the fifth form in classics, and, say, five or six in mathematics. A boy may be in the first fifth, and yet in the last division of tho fifth in mathematics. The last mathematical division of the fifth ranks before the highest mathematical division of the form below, but in attainments is probably much below it. The main difficulty is to determine how much mathematical and modern-language marks ought to count in determining the general order on which a boy's promotion depends. This has to be settled in a very arbitrary way, and gives a deal of trouble. It is not many years since the old system, in which every thing was neglected except classics, began to give way. At present, the problem is how to combine the advantages of tho form system, which are many, with the necessity of having fresh divisions in mathematics, natural science, and perhaps in some other subjects. No compromise that I have heard of has proved quite satisfactory. I should be very glad to give or get you any information to the best of my ability. I have, &c, Sir Julius Togel. E. H. Quick.

4. The Agent-Geneeal to the Rev. R. H. Quick. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 17th September, 1880. I am in receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, and desire to thank you for the very valuable information which it contains respecting the systems of education carried out at various schools in this country. lam much obliged also by your offer to aid in getting further information, but, before availing myself of it, I shall forward a copy of your letter to the Board of Governors of the Auckland College, and wait their further instructions as to the extent to which they wish the inquiry to go. Again thanking you, I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Rev. R. H. Quick. Agent-General,

Statement of Receipts and Exbendituee for the Year ended 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance from 1879 ... ... ... 470 7 8 New Grammar School building ... ... 2,434 13 0 Loan and Mercantile Agency, deposit returned 1,200 0 0 School salaries ... ... ... ... 2,933 6 8 Deposits on leases ... ... ... 11 0 0 School rent ... ... ... ... 32 0 0 Rents and interest ... .., ~. 2,537 11 11 Books, prizes, and stationery ... ... 107 13 9 School fees ... ... ... ... 1,577 2 0 Advertising and printing , ... ... 103 18 0 School Commissioners ... ... ... 63 7 0 Insurance ... ... ... ... 99 6 6 Evening-class fees ... ... ... 116 19 0 City rates ... ... ... ... 73 1 4 Insurance refunded ... ... ... 3 4 0 Repairs to properties ... ... ... 32 8 7 School salaries ditto ... ... ... 12 10 0 Examinations ... : ., ... ~, 30 0 0 Overdraft, Bank of New Zealand, 31st Dec. ... 942 18 0 Evening classes ... ... .., 260 16 2 Office salary and expenses ... ... 160 5 0 School furniture ... ... ... 296 9 2 Coals and gas ... ... ... ... 26 1 11 Interest on overdraft, and commission ... 55 9 8 Spreading scoria, emptying closets, &c. ... 67 6 5 Chemicals ... " ... ... ... 29 9 5 Ironmongery, &c. ... ... ... 34 2 8 Sundry disbursements and expenses ... 54 9 10 Contractor's deposit returned ... ... 100 0 0 Deposit on lease returned ... ... 10 0 Cash in hand .., ■ ... ... ... 316 £6,934 19 7 £6,934 19 7 Auckland, 28th January, 1881. John James, Treasurer. I hereby certify that I have examined the books and vouchers of the Board of Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School for the year ended the 31st December, 1880, and that I find the same to be correct. 15th February, 1881. L. A. Dueeieu, Auditor.

AUCKLAND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. In forwarding the Head Master's Report and Appendices, the Board has little to add to the very full and complete information which those documents contain regarding the work of the school during the past year. The number of pupils, 235, still continues to be the largest at any secondary school in the colony. No action has yet been taken towards providing a suitable building for the school. The lease of the present premises, for which the Board pays a yearly rental of £200, will expire in December, 1883. The accommodation is most unsuitable and inadequate. Additional accommodation has been temporarily obtained by discontinuing the boarding arrangements and utilizing a part of the space formerly occupied by boarders. The Board has frequently represented to Government the urgent want of a school building, and it is earnestly hoped that something may be done during the coming year to provide one. The school still remains unendowed. In lieu of an endowment, the Government have provided a grant of £1,200 per annum towards the cost of maintenance ; but for this grant-in-aid the school could not be carried on. The income derived from reserves for secondary education during the year was £85 lis. 3d. The Board represented to the Commissioners the special claims of the school to a larger proportion of the moneys accruing from this source, but no change has yet been made in the scale of distribution.

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A statement of accounts is appended hereto, and is certified by the Provincial District Auditor. The Board has been enabled to adjust the accounts of the school for the past three years. The accounts are now kept separate and distinct from the ordinary Board Fund. The salaries of the teachers were subjected to the same scale of reduction as that applied to teachers in the primary schools, consequent upon the retrenchment made by the General Assembly in the Education Vote. The scale of fees has been altered to a uniform charge of £2 2s. per quarter for each pupil. Free tuition is given to holders of scholarships established under the Education Act, and to girls from the district schools who obtain certificates of proficiency at the examination for such scholarships. The Board is indebted to Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.Q-., for the presentation of a special prize, which was competed for at the last annual examination of the school. Adopted by the Board at its meeting, 11th March, 1881. The Hon. the Minister of Education. J. M. Clabk, Chairman.

Head Master's Geneeal Repoet fob the Yeae 1880. The scholastic year was divided into four terms; the first beginning on February 3rd, and ending March 19th ; the second April Ist, and ending on July 2nd ; the third July 19th, and ending September 28th; the fourth October 6th, and ending December 17th. Of the pupils who were present at the close of 1879, 182 returned to pursue their studies. This number was very much larger than I had anticipated. However, several parents found it would be wise to give their daughters another year's training, and hence the large number returning. As usual, I had to enrol a much larger number of new pupils at the commencement of the year than at any other time. Fifty-six were entered on February 3rd, 15 on April Ist, 26 on July 19th, and 13 on October 6th, thus making an average terminal increase of 275. Attendance. —The attendance has been fitful, especially from April to September. This was due partly to the.continued inclemency of the weather and consequent prevalence of colds, but to a greater extent to the unwise demands made upon or by the children at home. Hitherto these demands had been confined, generally, to assisting the parents in household work, because of the absence or inefficiency of servants; but in 1880 a new element was introduced : dancing classes, and reunions of young people to show what they or their parents were learning, came on with alarming frequency. Exposure to the night (often morning) air laid many of them low wdth sickness, and prevented their attendance at school. The scholarship of the school suffered, and the tone of the girls was not improved by the dancing mania, whose return I look forward to with the deepest aversion. English.—The subject of English has received very careful attention during the year. Commencing in the first form with elementary analysis of sentences and easy parsing, we proceeded slowly but surely with the assistance of the best text-books, until in the sixth form the subject was treated Very exhaustively. In my oral and written examinations of the various classes I have been much pleased with the good work that was being done. Composition, done without help and in the presence of the teachers, is an unerring means of ascertaining the amount of real benefit that has been derived from the study of the language. A majority of the girls have given in excellent essays, well thought out and clearly expressed. The second form has not shown up so well in the averages, neither has the middle fourth. In the former case, this was due to the inefficiency of the teacher, and in the latter to the fact that that form had to absorb a large number of the new pupils, who were not sufficiently advanced for the higher forms, and too old for the lower. lam deeply indebted to the teacher of the middle fourth for giving much extra training to these girls. The reading did not altogether please me. However, I have to report progress. Geogeapht.—The pupils having become accustomed to the drawing of maps from memory, and having had the comparatively uninteresting lists of towns, &c, enlivened by the teachers' wellconsidered remarks on the same, have studied geography con amove, and with marked success. Histoet. —I cannot report as favourably of the study of history. My examinations in this subject show a lower average than in any other. In one form the average was, on one occasion, 23 out of a possible 100. I have striven hard to induce my assistants to acquire a thorough knowledge of the period of history they have to teach, to examine their scholars without having the text-book in their hands, and so to breathe reality into the lesson by drawing freely, but judiciously, from their own stores of knowledge. Towards the end of the year I noticed signs of improvement, but still much requires to be done. Abithmetic. —The important subject of arithmetic has obtained a large share of our time. In the year 1879 I was pained to observe that the girls, generally, lacked staying powers. They were not self-reliant. With a view to correct, or, at any rate, to modify this, I arranged that long sums should be given pretty frequently for some time. The sustained attention such sums require has been secured, and for several months short sums have taken the place of the long ones. There is, throughout the school, too great a desire to use the slate and not the head. 1 hope to succeed in getting this order reversed. Very good wrork has been done in arithmetic in all the forms. Weiting.—Writing has deservedly occupied a prominent place in the work of the school. Whatever was put down on paper or on the slate, in or out of school, was looked upon as a writing lesson. Neatness, cleanliness, and order have thus been compulsory. I have every reason to be satisfied with the progress of the pupils. Euclid. —I never knew pupils better up in the text of Euclid. I cannot speak in so flattering a manner of the work of the pupils in the solution of riders. However, they did their best, and at the end of the year they were fairly acquainted with the most common processes in geometry. . Algebra.—ln algebra I have made haste slowly, my intention having been to give the students a thorough comprehension of the principles, without a ready and intelligent comprehension of which further progress is an uncertain quantity. I believe that all the scholars felt at home in algebra; they liked it, and spared no pains to master it.

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Trigonometry.—The subject of trigonometry was not prosecuted to any extent. The foundations for future building were laid. Next year will show to what extent these foundations have been sound. Latin. —The study of Latin has progressed on the whole to my satisfaction. The stock of Latin grammars and Eclogte Latinos was not sufficient for our wants, and many of the girls in the middle fourth had to get up their work as best they could. The results were, however, encouraging. In the upper fourth, fifth, and sixth, the pupils made varying progress. My assistants are becoming better acquainted with the language, they are anxious to do their work to my satisfaction, and I look forward with good hopes of a considerable advance in Latin scholarship next year. French.—ln French the work of the year has not been what I could have wished. Where my own assistants were responsible for the grammar, composition, and translation, very satisfactory progress indeed was made; but not so in the classes which I had to intrust to the French master. German. —The few pupils who remained loyal to their German have been making excellent progress. They have ceased to dislike the study, and now lam certain of good results. Science. —Lectures on the basis of Roscoe's Chemistry were delivered to the sixth form during the first term. The upper fourth has devoted one-half of the year to the study of physiology. Objectlessons varied the work of the other forms where and when it was found to be desired. Music.—The theory of music has been taught to every pupil in the school; the knowledge of scales, intervals, &c, enabling the fifth and sixth forms to proceed to the study of harmony, in which they have taken marks that would have entitled them to honors in the Senior University Local Examinations in England. Drawing.—The progress made by the school generally in drawing has not been marked. I observe that a very large number of the girls have not, and do not appear to be able to acquire, a reasonable knowledge of proportion. The drawing-master does his best. The sixth went through a course of geometrical and perspective drawing. Sewing.—Sewing has been, as usual, a great success —each girl having contributed some useful article, the work of her own hands, to the Benevolent Society. Fancy-Work.—A few enthusiasts have held on to the leather-, wool-, and wax-work. The lady who teaches them reports very favourably. Visitors have admired, and, in some instances, been astonished at the beauty of some of the work. Singing.—An extra class for singing, according to Hullah's system, was opened about midwinter. It has met with very moderate support. Dancing.—A dancing-class, which was very badly patronised, was held twice a week during the winter months. A system, reputed to be new, was being taught outside, and the pupils of the school preferred to join the private classes. Drill. —A drill-instructor has given each girl one hour's drill per week. He has greatly improved the carriage of the girls. Piano. —The yearly average of pupils learning the piano has been sixty-nine. Each girl had two lessons per week, half an hour in the early and half an hour in the latter part. Changes.'—Mr. E. F. C. Browne, 8.A., :f Christchurch, was appointed assistant-master at the commencement of the year. Having ascertained on his arrival what; subjects he had to teach, he thought it better not to enter upon work with which he was not familiar, but to return at once to Christchurch, which he did. The Board of Educatiou, under these circumstances, appointed the Rev. Mr. Brown, of Onehunga, who taught up to the end of July, when bad health compelled him to resign. Instead of recommending any fresh appointment, I determined to make the most of my assistants, and of myself I have had no reason to regret the stop. A junior teacher for the second form had to be appointed, and my staff was once more complete. The death of Miss Williamson, one of the assistants, towards the close of the year, was very unexpected. This lady had improved very much, and was fast becoming an influence for good amongst the younger children, whose affections she had gained. The tone of the school is excellent. I have to regret the loss of the girls of the sixth form. Their conduct has had an exceedino-ly good effect on that of the other forms. Neil Heath, F.G.S., F.E.1.5., Head Master.

Statement of the Accounts for the Tear ended 31st December, 1880. Seceipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Fees ... ... ... ... ... 1,648 0 4 By balance due to Board Eund, being excess of Grants from Government... ... ... 2,100 0 0 expenditure over receipts in 18. 8-7-t* ... 1,224 18 2 Grant from secondary reserves ... ... 85 11 3 Salaries ... ... ... ... 1,877 0 3 Rent ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 Examination, printing ... ... 314 0 Books and stationery ... ... ... 79 17 3 Furniture and fittings... ... ... 35 8 2 Repairs to buildings ... ... ... 40 16 7 Cleaning, repairs, water-supply, and sundries ... ... ... ... 57 5 2 Balance ... ... ... ... 287 2 o £3,833 11 7 £3,833 11 7 * Statement appended. Vincent E. Rice, Secretary. J. M. Clark, Chairman. Examined and found to be correct. —L. A. Durrieu, Auditor. 25th February, 1881.

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Memorandum of Adjustment of Accounts between the Auckland Girls' High School Account and the Education Board Fund, compiled from Statement, 1878 and 1879. Receipts by Board. £ s. d. Expended by Board. £ s. d, 1878. School fees ... ... ... 79110 0 1878. Salaries and sundries as per statement. 1,767 3 4 Capitation allowance at £4 5s. —■ Ist quarter on average of 96 ; 2nd ditto, 96 ; 3rd ditto, 111 ; 4th ditto, 142 472 16 3 1879. School fees ... ... ... 1,599 3 4 1879. Ditto ... ... ... ... 2,771 2 9 Grants from cchool Commissioners ... 105 13 4 Capitation allowance, January to June —■ Ist quarter on average of 141; 2nd ditto, 183 344 5 0 Total receipts, 1878-79 ... ...£3,313 7 11 Balance, excess of expenditure over receipts ... ... ... 1,224 18 2 £4,538 6 1 £4,538 6~1 Vincent E. Rice, Secretary. J. M. Clark, Chairman, Examined and found to be correct.—L. A. Duebieu, Auditor. 25th February, 1881.

THAMES BOYS' AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. Thames, 14th June, 1881. The school was opened on Ist April, 1880, by means of a grant from Government of £1,500 to purchase premises, &c, the which was effected at a cost of £1,572 9s. Bd. The staff of teachers consists of —a head master, at £100 a year, with house ; a female teacher, at £200 ; and an assistantmaster, at £130, whom it will be necessary to replace by a man of more experience at a higher salary. The singing-master is paid £20 a year, and music is paid for by fees. The fees taken from Ist April to 31st December, 1880, amounted to £125 3s 9d.; while the expenses of the school for the same period reached £638 9s. Bd., leaving a deficiency of £513 ss. lid., which was partly met by a grant from Government of £400. 'A small sum (£lO6 15s. 7d.) in aid of the funds of the school was also received from the School Commissioners. For the current half-year ending 30th June, the fees amount to £186 Bs. 6d., showing a considerable increase in the attendance, but yet falling much short of the necessary expenditure, which may be estimated for the next six months at £500. It is true that the Thames High School possesses an endowment of about 3,400 acres at Mount Aroha, which was valued by Government at the time the grant was made at £10,000. It is obvious, however, that this is a large over-estimate of the value of the property, one-half of which consists of mountain which cannot be utilized, except, perhaps, for gold-mining purposes ; but, as the search for the precious metal has much slackened in that quarter, little hope exists at present of obtaining a revenue from that part of the estate. Of the remainder, available for farms, 781 acres 1 rood 4 perches have just been leased for twenty-one years at an annual rental of £139 15s. This constitutes the most valuable part of the land, so it cannot therefore be expected that an equal amount of rent will be obtained from the remaining agricultural sections ; nor can we look for a larger rental from the whole property than £250 a year. Upon this assumption, which may not be realized, the financial position of the school would stand thus : — Revenue. £ s. d. I Expenditure. £ s. d. From Endowment ... ... ~. 250 0 0 For Salaries ... ... ... ... 850 0 0 Fees ... ... ... ... 375 0 0 Other expenses ... ... ... 150 0 0 £625 0 0 £1,000 0 0 The above statement shews an annual deficit of £375, which, in the meantime, can only be met by Government aid. It must be understood that no part of the revenue from the endowment will be available until next year, which leaves us for this year in the following position : — Revenue. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ 8. d. Fees to 31st December, 1881 ... ... 186 8 6 Salaries, &c, to same date ... ... 500 0 0 Repayment of overdraft ... ... ... 151 511 £186 8 6 £651 5 11 —leaving a deficiency of £464 17s. sd. to begin next year with. It is therefore clear that, unless a grant of £500 be made this year, the Board cannot meet current expenses, nor, indeed, carry on the establishment, which in twelve months has risen from 18 to 54 scholars, a number which may be expected to increase with the progress of settlement, and which certainly encourages further effort to maintain the school upon an efficient footing. Another ground upon which Government help ought to be extended to the Thames High School is this: that it was started under the idea that we possessed an endowment worth £10,000. Had such been the case, the income arising from it would have served, along with the fees, to maintain the school. As it is, the probable income will not at present represent a capital sum of more than £3,500, And even supposing the mountain part of the land to become profitable in the future, it cannot reasonably be expected to yield a revenue equal to that of the flat. We trust that this statement of the position of the Thames High School will enable you to form

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a judgment as to its prospects and present necessities ; while the result of the census has shewn that the institution subserves a population of about 13,000, now beginning to increase rapidly. Wm. Wilkinson, Chairman of Governors. The Hon. the Minister of Education, James Kilgour, Governor. Wellington.

Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 3.lst December, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ c. d. To Balance from last year ~, ~, 103 7 2 By Insurance ... ... ... ~, 610 0 School Commissioners ... ... 107 15 7 Printing and advertising ... ... 33 18 0 Rents ... ... ... ... 18 0 0 Office expenses ... ... ... 9 17 0 Government grants ... ... ... 1,900 0 0 Rates ... ... ... ... 710 2 School fees ... ... ... ... 125 3 9 Secretary ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Scholarships ... ... ... •12 12 0 Salaries ... ... ... ... 490 0 0 School buildings ... ... ... 1,200 0 0 Repairs and alterations ... ... 259 3 0 School furniture ... ... ... 113 12 3 School requisites ... ... ... 744 Travelling expenses ... ... ... 35 19 6 Legal expenses ... ~, ... 2444 Fires and cleaning ... ... ... 13 3 0 Bank interest ... ... ... 0 3 4 Balance, Bank of New Zealand ... 55 13 7 £2,266 18 6 £2,266 18 6 R. A. Heald, Secretary. W. Wilkinson, Chairman. I hereby certify that I have examined the books and vouchers of the Governors of the Thames Boys'and Girls' High School for the year ended the 31st December, 1880, and that I find the same to be correct. 20th January, 1881. L. A. Dureieu, Auditor.

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. Sic,— New Plymouth, 29th March, 1881. I have the honor to submit the following report on the progress of the proceedings regarding the New Plymouth High School. On the 10th May, 1880, the Board resolved to offer a premium of £25 for the most approved plan of a high school, limiting the cost to £1,200. No. 1, the plan most approved, was guaranteed not to exceed that sum. On inviting tenders from builders, the average of six tenders was £2,010. This result has created considerable delay, and tenders were invited on No. 2 plan, considered next best. These not resulting satisfactorily, No. 3 was tried. Ultimately No. 1 plan (a copy of which w^as forwarded to the department) was adopted, on a tender of £1,600; the necessary steps are now being taken to erect the building. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Benjamin Wells, Chairman.

Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance in Bank of New Zealand, Ist i By Advertisements and telegrams inviting January, 1880 ... ... ... 769 14 1: plans and tenders ... ... ... 718 8 Grant from General Government ... 1,000 0 0 Travelling allowances to country members 7 0 0 Rents of reserves from School Commis- Mating tracings of plans ... ... 6 0 0 Bioners ... ... ... ... 154 19 7 Maori curiosities for the Museum ... 22 10 0 Rent of cottage on school reserve, Cour- Deposit account, iSank of New Zealand... 1,500 0 0 tenay Street ... ... .., 7 0 0 Cheque-book ... ... ... 0 4 2 Balance in Bank of New Zealand ... 388 0 10 £1,931 13 8 £1,931 13 8 Wm. Northcroet, Secretary. Benjamin Wells, Chairman. I certify that I have examined the books and accounts of the New Plymouth High School, and find them to be correct, and corresponding with this statement. C. Rennell, Auditor.

WHANGAREI HIGH SCHOOL. Sir, — Whangarei, sth February, 1881. I have the honor to forward herewith the audited balance-sheet of accounts of the Whangarei High School up to the 31st December, 1880, in accordance with section 8, " Whangarei High School Act, 1878." I have nothing to report, except that we have been unable to start classes as we contemplated, from two causes —paucity of means at our disposal, and the difficulty of obtaining the services of qualified teachers. We have also been endeavouring to utilize the endowment, but have not as yet succeeded. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, J. I. Wilson, Chairman,

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ended 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ b. d. Expenditure. £ s. dTo Balance from 1879 ... ... ... 105 13 4 By Printing and advertising ... ... 214 6 School Commissioners, Auckland... ... 85 11 3 Balance at Bank of Now Zealand ... 188 10 1 £191 4 7 £191 4 7 I hereby certify that I have examined the above statement, and that I find it to be correct. 3rd February, 1881. L. A. Durrieu, Auditor.

WANGANUI INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. Head Mastee's Repoet to the Teustees. My Loed and Gentlemen, — I have the honor to inform you that on this occasion I only intend to include (with your permission) in my annual report the work which has been done during the six months ending 30th June, 1880. Ido so, because, having written a lengthy and exhaustive account last March, of the general arrangements in connection with the school and the work done by it, for the information of the Trustees and the General Synod, I scarcely think it necessary to recapitulate the facts therein contained. During the last six months the number of boys on the school roll amounted to 26, out of which number 25 attended daily. The class of work generally, I am very pleased to say, has much improved, i.e., the work accomplished has been of a much higher order of merit than that done during the corresponding terms of last year (1879). This has been more particularly noticeable in English subjects: History, geography, essay writing, mapping, grammar. This fact wras made very apparent at the last midwinter examination, when the boys at the head of the list obtained nearly full marks in almost all the above-mentioned subjects. Comparing the papers set and the answers obtained with those of 1879, the masters of the school are decidedly of opinion that the work has been of a successful character. In mathematics, during the past six months, the fourth form have read the first two books of Euclid and as far as the twentieth proposition of the third, and appeared, from the results obtained at the recent examination, to have acquired a fair grounding in the greater part of the work read. In the third form, all the boys (8), with two exceptions, obtained three-fourths marks on their paper, which included propositions I—2o, Book I. In the second form one boy, Wicksteed, obtained full marks, and four others obtained within eight marks of the maximum number. Arithmetic has been very carefully treated, and already I see the signs of improvement in the general work; although I cannot say that all the boys are making the same steady improvement that a few are certainly doing. This branch of the school-work is nearly always found to be slow of development, and, in order to encourage the boys to make progress in this particular study, the masters have set arithmetical problems for home work, and have found this plan answer satisfactorily. Algebra is taught twice a week, and the boys at the head of this class have been reading as far as the problems relating to equations of one unknown quantity. In classics the work has been of a varied character. The fourth form have read the second book of Caesar, a few Odes of Horace, and about 250 lines of __Eneid, Book 11. A marked improvement is found in the syntactical knowledge, and the masters regret that more time cannot be found for taking the separate classes in the Latin authors. The lower forms showed, at the recent examination, that they understood the elementary parts of the Principia as far as the end of the active voice. Indeed, the chief difficulty that exists appears to lie in the fact that, after the boys have left the supervision of the masters in school, they find the time which they ought to occupy in preparing their school-work for the following day taken up, by either helping their parents in their pursuits or in some other way ; the result is that careful preparation is rarely obtained. On the whole, lam pleased with the work done. The boys themselves seem to have taken a fresh interest in their studies, and this in itself has caused the masters much gratification. I may take this opportunity to state that during the past six months, I have made arrangements whereby I receive pupils residing at a distance as boarders in the schoolhouse. There are five at present. The space is very limited, and, as I have had direct applications for three more boys recently, and inquiries have been made respecting two others, I feel it necessary to state that unless some extension takes place I shall be compelled to refuse these latter applicants. The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Wellington, I have, &c, Wellington. G. R. Saunders.

Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. To Rents ... ... ... ... 686 6 9 By Salaries ... ... ... ... 544 1 8 School fees ... ... ... ... 171 5 0 School porter ... ... ... 26 0 0 Prizes, &c. ... ... ... ... 19 0 6 Borough rates ... ... ... 17 4 0 Law costs ... ... .., ... 24 15 6 Advertising, printing, stationery, __c. ... 18 7 6 Insurance ... ... ... ... 9 12 6 Repairs ... ... ... ... 19 12 4 Interest ... ... ... ... 20 14 8 Sundries ... ... ... ... 0 5 8 E. Churton's commission on £857 10s., at 5 per cent. ... ... ... 42 17 6 Balance ... ... ... ... 114 19 11 £857 II 9 £857 ,11 9 Edwaed Chueton, 24th February, 1881. Attorney to Trustees.

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WELLINGTON COLLEGE. Balance-sheet for the Tear ended 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Tuition fees ... ... ... ... 954 19 3 By Masters'salaries ... ... ... 1,697 3 4 Boarding fees ... ... ... 35 10 0 Secretary, salary and commission ... 83 9 1 Rents of reserves ... ... ... 974 0 4 Janitor ... ... ... ... 37 17 6 Rents from School Commissioners ... 24 11 4 Examiner ... ... ... ... 10 10 0 Fees for evening classes ... ... 29 14 0 Printing, advertising, and stationery ... 219 12 3 Levin prize, 2 years ... ... ... 20 0 0 Prizes ... ... ... ... 16 12 0 Refund ... ... ... ... 25 0 0 Repairs ... ... ... ... 34 4 7 Government grant ... ... ... 2,450 0 0 Insurance ... ... ... ... 27 6 3 Balance ... ... ... ... 229 14 2 Sundries ... ... ... ... 7 5 6 Rhodes scholarship ... ... ... 30 0 O Moore scholarship ... ... ... 30 0 O Boarding fees paid to principal ... .., 3116 6 ~ for scholars „ ... ... 42 0 O Rates and fencing ... ... ... 36 17 5 Roads, &c, in College Reserve ... ... 315 15 9 Interest ... ... ... ... 549 5 10 Expenses, change of loan .., ... 19 3 0 £3,188 19 0 Balance brought forward from 1879 ... 1,554 10 1 £4,743 9 I £4,743 9 1 Balance ... ... ... ... 229 14 2 Wellington, 15th February, 1881. Charles P. Powles, Secretary. Examined and passed.—R. Macalistee, Provincial District Auditor.

Scholarship Funds. Tumbnll 'Fund. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ t. A. To Balance brought forward— By Prizes, 1879 and 1880... ... ... 50 0 0 Capital sum invested ... ... 1,000 0 0 Scholarship, 18S0 .., ... ... 25 0 0 Interest in Savings Bank and in hand 177 0 3 Balance ... ... ... ... 1,172 13 4 Interest on mortgages ... ~. 65 0 0 „ Savings Hank ... ... 513 1 £1,247 13 4 £1,247 13 4 To Balance invested in mortgages ... ... 1,000 0 0 „ deposited in Savings Bank ... 172 13 4 £1,172 13 4 Moore Scholarship) Fund. To Balance brought forward ... ... £500 001 By Balance ... ... ... ... £500 0 0 _; ~..i.rT.T_-ir~_i r. iii . — Balance down (deposited at Bank of New Zealand) ... ... ... £500 0 0 | Rhodes Scholarship Fund. To Balance brought forward ... ... £500 0 0 By Balance ... ... ... ... £500 0 0 Balance down (deposited in Bank of New Zealand) ... ... ... £500 0 0 Wellington, 15th February, 1880. Charles P. Powles, Secretary. Examined and passed, subject to observations herewith. R. Macalistee, Provincial District Auditor. It is observed that a sum of £500, being the amount of the Moore Scholarship Fund, was placed as a fixed deposit in the bank, bearing interest. This interest is erroneously appropriated by the bank against interest accrued upon the overdraft of the ordinary College account kept at tho bank. Trust Funds given for specific purposes, together with all interest which may accrue thereon, should be applied to such purposes only. 26th May, 1881. R. Macalisteb, Provincial District Auditor.

Assets and Liabilities for the Tear ending 31sfc December, 1880. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. A. To Rent due ... ... ... ... 56 15 0 By Masters'salaries ... ... ... 470 6 8 Fees due ... ... ... ... 163 7 0 Sundry College expenses ... ... 76 17 0 Levin prize money ~. ... ... 10 0 0 Departmental expenses ... ... 28 13 3 Printing, advertising, and prizes ... 54 8 6 £230 2 0 Repairs, &c. ... ... .., ... 37 16 1 — i — Roads, &c, in Reserve... ~. ... 61 9 6 Insurance ... ... ... ... 810 0 Interest ... ... ~, ~, 181 9 7 Scholarships ... ... ~, ... 20 0 0 Levin prizes ... ... ... .., 10 0 0 Bank of New Zealand overdraft ... 229 14 2 Boarding fees ... ... ... 3 13 6 £1,182 18 3 College buildings (cost £9,000) and Collogo , — : reserves, together not less than ...£5,000 0 0 Loan contracted for building purposes ~,£5,000 0 0

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Turnbull Fund. To Interest on mortgages due ... ... 25 0 0 Nil. At Post Office Savings Bank ... ... 172 13 4 Invested on mortgage ... ... ... 1,000 0 0 £1,197 13 4 Moore Scholarship Fund. To Principal deposited at Bank of New Zealand £500 0 0 1 Nil. Hhodes Scholarship Fund. To Principal deposited at Bank of New Zealand £500 0 0 1 Nil. Wellington, 15th February, 1881. Chaeles P. Powles, Secretary. Examined and passed.—R. Macalistee, Provincial District Auditor.

NELSON COLLEGE. The Governors are glad to be able to report that the steady increase in the number of pupils attending the College, to which reference was made in their last annual report, has been well maintained during the past twelve months. The rolls for 1879 and 1880 show the following relative numbers: — 1879. 1880. First quarter ... ... ... 131 ... 142 Second quarter ... ... ... 125 ... 153 Third quarter ... ... ... 131 ... 149 Fourth quarter ... ... ... 134 ... 144 The results of the late Civil Service examination may, the Governors think, be justly referred to as evidence of the character of the teaching work, for which they are indebted to the principal and masters of the College. Of the thirteen candidates who from all parts of the colony passed the senior examination, seven, and of the thirty-six who passed the junior examination, twelve, were pupils of the Nelson College. As none of the endowed scholarships fell in this year, the competition was confined to six Foundation, four Governors' Fees, and six Provincial Scholarships. The annexed table gives the names of the present holders and the date at which each scholarship in connection with the College will be free for competition:—

The accounts which are appended to this report will show that the finances of the institution are in a satisfactory condition. In the course of the year the Governors have lost, with deep regret, the services of two of their colleagues, by death, at a comparatively early age, namely, the Hon. N. Edwards and Mr. A. J. Richmond. Two other vacancies have been caused by the retirement of Mr. Henry Adams, under the provisions of the deed of foundation, and the resignation of Mr. Oswald Curtis. His Excellency the

Scholarships. Tenable for Amount per Annum. When Obtained. Name of Holder. Expires. Jndowed— Newcome Richmond Stafford ... Fell foundation— 1st classical 2nd „ 3rd 1st mathematical... 2nd 3rd (•overnors' Fees — 1st modern languages 2nd „ 1st English literature 2nd 'rovincial— Nelson Town 3 years 3 „ 3 „ 3 „ 1 year 1 „ 1 „ 1 „ 1 >. 1 „ £ s. 24 0 24 0 20 0 16 0 20 0 10 0 5 0 20 0 10 0 5 0 Christmas, 1878 ... „ 1879 ... 1879 ... 1879 ... Not awarded Christmas, 1880 ... „ 1880 ... 1880 ... 1880 ... „ 1880 ... Thompson Hark n ess Fleming Andrew Harknoss, ii. ... Caro Kelling Talbot Fookes, ii. Christmas, 1881 „ 1882 „ 1882 1882 1881 „ 1881 „ 1881 „ 1881 1881 1 „ 1 „ 1 „ 1 .. 12 10 12 10 12 10 12 10 1880 ... „ 1880 ... 1880 ... „ 1880 ... Parltrop Meyer Drey er Chaytor, ii. „ 1881 „ 1881 1881 „ 1881 „ ... ,, ... ,, ... Country... 2 years 2 „ 2 „ 2 „ 2 „ 2 „ 2 „ 2 ,, 2 „ 2 „ Annual 12 10 12 10 12 10 12 10 52 10 52 10 52 10 52 10 52 10 52 10 6 0 „ 1879 ... 1879 ... 1880 ... 1880 ... 1879 ... „ 1880 ... „ 1880 ... 1879 ... „ 1880 ... „ 1880 ... „ 1880 ... Johnson Bartell l_arltrop Rose Harkness Hodgson Terry Talbot O'Leary Tindill Peat „ 1881 „ 1881 1882 „ 1882 „ 1881 1882 „ 1882 1881 „ 1882 „ 1882 „ 1881 ,, ... ... „ ... ... ,, ... ... Marlborough „ ... Simmons' Prize ...

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Visitor has filled the vacant seats by the appointment of Mr. Albert Pitt, M.H.E., Mr. James Selanders, Mr. A. S. Collins, M.H.E., and General Davidson. The Council of Governors is, therefore, now constituted as follows : —"W. C. Hodgson and A. S. Collins, M.H.E., representing Nelson, and Q-eneral Davidson, Marlborough ; term of office expires 14th November, 1882. J. Sharp and C. T. Pell, representing Nelson, and A. P. Seymour, M.H.E., Marlborough ; term of office expires 14th November, 1885. J. Selanders and A. Pitt, M.H.8., representing Nelson, and J. W. Barnicoat, Marlborough; term of office expires 14th November, 1888. By order of the Council of Governors. Oswald Cuetis, Secretary.

Absteact of Receipts and Expendituee for the Tear ending 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ a. A. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at Bank of New Zealand on the By Scholarships— 31st December, 1879 ... ... 76 6 8 Foundation ... ... ... 70 0 0 Interest on mortgage securities ... 1,416 6 10 Endowed ... ... ... 84 0 0 Rents from endowments ... ... 519 10 0 Governors'fees ... ... ... 50 0 0 Boarding account ... ... ... 3,019 2 0 Exhibitions ... ... ... 232 10 0 Tuition account ... ... ... 1,653 0 0 Simmons'prize, two years ... ... 12 0 0 Stationery account ... ... ... 72 16 5 Boarding account ... ... ... 2,360 16 0 Tuition account ... ... ... 1,753 0 0 Stationery account ... ... ... 56 11 7 Repairs account ... ... ... 220 19 10 Clerical assistance during illness of late Secretary ... ... ... 20 0 0 Audit expenses ... ... ... 9 9 0 Special lectures on science ... ... 50 15 0 Subscriptions to College sports ... 10 0 0 Legal expenses ... ... ... 25 7 2 Insurance from fire ... ... ... 68 13 6 City rates ... ... ... ... 38 8 1 Printing, advertising, office rent, furniture, and expenses ... ... ... 49 13 0 Examiner's fee ... ... ... 25 0 0 Secretary's salary ... ... ... 225 0 0 Balance of receipts over expenditure to credit of current account with Bank of New Zealand ... ... ... 1,394 18 9 £6,757 1 11 £6,757 1 11

Estimated Assets and Liabilities on 31st December, 1880. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Mortgage securities— Governors of College— General endowment ... ... ... 12,404 17 6 Amount of fees invested ... ... 800 0 0 Scholarship endowments ... ... 1,000 0 0 Balance of fees due to 31st December, 1879 447 17 6 Simmons'prize ... ... ... 100 0 0 Fees payable for the year 1880 ... 73 0 0 Governors'fees ... ... ... 800 0 0 Outstanding accounts ... ... ... 120 0 0 Balance of loan account at Bank of New Estimated loss in collection of arrears inZealand ... ... ... ... 567 12 9 eluded in statement of assets ... ... 500 0 0 Freehold property, exclusive of buildings, Balance of assets over liabilities ... ... 35,167 11 1 estimated at ... ... ... 10,650 0 0 College buildings, estimated at ... ... 7,500 0 0 College furniture ... ... ... 720 5 2 Interest due upon loans ... ... 997 11 10 Rents due from endowments ... ... 164 0 0 Board and tuition fees due ... ... 809 2 7 Balance of current account at £ s. d. Bank of New Zealand ... 1,555 1 3 Less cheques not presented 160 2 6 1,394 18 9 £37,108 8 7 £37,108 8 7

Absteact of the Loan Account for the Tear ending 31st December, 1880. Amount outstanding upon loan on 31st £ s. d. Amount outstanding upon loan on 31st £ s. d. December, 1879 ... ... ... 14,804 17 6 December, 1880 ... ... ... 14,304 17 6 Amount on fixed deposit on 31st December, Balance to credit of loan account at Bank of 1879 ... ... ... ... 6 10 3 New Zealand on 31st December, 1880 ... 567 12 9 Balance to credit of loan account at Bank of New Zealand on 31st December, 1879 ... 61 2 6 £14,872 10 3 £14,872 10 3 Oswald Curtis, Secretary. We hereby certify that we have examined the above accounts and compared them with the several vouchers relating thereto, and found them correct, H. C. Daniell, 7 a j-i. J. T. Catley, 'jAudlt°™

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CHRISTCHURCH GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.* Receipts and Expenditube for the Tear 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Foes (school and extra) ... ... 1,316 5 6 By Balance last audit ... ... ... 146 16 5 Interest from invested loans ... ... 497 11 8 Salaries, including house allowance to ladyGrant from School Commissioners ... 250 0 0 principal and capitation fees ... ... 1,540 5 4 Transfer of cost of conveyance of site to Lecturer on science ... ... ... 35 0 0 College Building Account, and ashphalt- Teachers, extra subjects ... ... 241 17 7 ing ... ... ... ... 14 1 0 Exhibitions ... ... ... ... 86 13 4 Interest ... ~. ... ... 192 10 2 Examination fees ... ... ... 31 10 0 Balance ... ... ... ~, 142 5 0 Rent of playground ... ... ... 75 0 0 Prizes " ... ... ... ... 22 3 0 Insurance ... ... ... ... 21 10 0 Gas and fuel ... ... ... 29 7 9 hates ... ... ... ... 57 10 0 Advertising and stationery ... ... 36 7 11 Miscellaneous ... ... ... 88 12 0 £2,412 13 4 £2,412 13 4

CHRISTCHURCH BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.* Prospectus. Head master, Thomas Miller, M.A., late Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge, and recently on the staff of University College, London. Second master, George Hogben, 8.A., St Catherine's College, Cambridge, late Mathematical and Science Master at Aldenham Grammar School, Hertfordshire. Junior masters will be appointed in the colony. This school will open on or about the 18th May, and will be a preparatory school for boys who will afterwards enter on their regular course of study as students of the University, and also for boys whose parents may wish them to receive a good education at a public school, without intending that they shall subsequently pursue a regular University course. There will be two divisions in the school—the one to give more prominence to the ancient classics ; the other to the modern languages, mathematics, and science. Instruction will be given in English, French, German, drawing, class-singing, and drill, without extra fees. Fees: For boys over twelve years, £12 12s. per annum, or £4 4s. per term; under twelve years, £9 9s. per annum, or £3 3s. per term. Application for admission to be made to the Registrar, at his office, Canterbury College.

ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL. Sir,— Ashburton, 29th April, 1881. In accordance with section 8 of "The Ashburton High School Act, 1878," I beg to forward you the second annual report of the Ashburton High School Board. Since the Board had the honour of reporting to you last year, it has, on the representation of certain parents and guardians of children wishing to obtain a higher education than that now provided in this county, endeavoured to meet this want by initiating a high school. The Board inserted advertisements in the leading newspapers of Australia and New Zealand, inviting applications for the mastership of this school, and met with such success that it had the difficulty of selecting a master from 33 applicants. The choice fell upon Mr. C. Hogg, 8.A., who, the Board believes, will form a school which will be a credit to this county. The Board has erected a brick-and-stono building for the accommodation of 65 children, which the Board thinks will be about the number likely to attend for the present. This building has been so constructed that, when required, it will form part of a larger school. The site has been fenced in, and a belt of trees planted on the north-west and south-west sides; an inner fence preventing the trees from being spoilt by the boys attending the school. The cost of the building, without furniture, is £596 10s., and the expenditure in connection with the site is £91 Bs. 6d. The Board wishes to mark its sense of the great aid the School Commissioners have rendered it by placing to the Board's credit the sum of £250 towards payment of the master's salary. Copy of accounts, duly audited, and statement of reserves, showing the rents for which reserves are let, are attached. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. James E. Teevoe, Chairman.

Abstbact of Accounts for the Tear 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. To Balances ... ... ... ... 291 611 By Office salaries, advertising, &c. ... ~. 61 611 Proceeds of endowments ... ... 407 8 2 Cost of building, fencing, &c. ... ... 293 13 6 Deposit refunded ... ... ... 316 0 Sundries ... ... ... .., 78 1 1 Deposited in Building Society ... ... 150 0 0 Balance ... ... ... ... 119 9 7 £702 11 1 £702 11 1 Note. —A copy of the full accounts of tho Board's intromissions for the year, of which the foregoing is an abstract, was forwarded, bearing the following certificate : " Examined and found correct.—J. Ollivier, Provincial District Auditor. 13th January, 1881."

* See also Paper relating to Canterbury College, Appendix to Journals of House of Representatives, 1881, E.-4.

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TIMARU HIGH SCHOOL. Sic, — Timaru, 10th January, 1881. I have the honor, by direction of the Board of Governors of the Timaru High School, to submit to you the following report for the year 1880. The school was opened for the first time on the 2nd February last. The teaching staff consisted of rector, second master, and lady-superintendent. During the first quarter 72 pupils were enrolled, 41 girls and 31 boys. The pupils were at many various stages of their education, having been taught on different systems in 33 different schools, making the work of classification exceedingly difficult. As the boys and girls had to be taught separately, but with the one staff for both schools, this made the work heavier, and during the first quarter neither drawing, singing, nor needlework could be attempted. The work done was necessarily, to a large extent, elementary, but included, besides the ordinary subjects of an English education, French, German, mathematics, Latin, and botany. At the beginning of the second quarter it was decided to form a low rer school, the requirements of admission being those of Standard 111. of the Government regulations, without history and geography, the fees charged to be the same as for the upper school. The work done in this department has been the ordinary English subjects with the addition of French. With the increased attendance for that quarter it was found necessary to add to the staff by the appointment of another lady-teacher. Drawing was then added to the course, but only one hour per week could be devoted to it throughout the rest of the year. With the third quarter a further increase of pupils took place, and it was found necessary to add a junior master to the staff. Singing was then added to the course, to which one hour per week was devoted for the rest of the year. For the fourth quarter 91 pupils were enrolled, 42 boys and 49 girls. A set of apparatus for the teaching of physics and chemistry having been provided, some practical instructions in these subjects was given during the last three months. Needlework was also added to the girls' course during the last quarter. Early in the year the Board found it necessary to arrange for the purchase of an additional two acres in front of the school buildings, possession of which, however, is not to be obtained till February, 1881. This will enable a separate playground to be set apart for the girls. ' From the tables appended to this report the work done in the various subjects, the state of the finances, and other information relating to the working of the school will be obtained. With special reference to the teaching of science the Board deems this a matter of great importance, and so far as lies in its power will provide every facility therefor. The rector has himself taken charge of this department, and has willingly given an extra hour on two days of the week for further instruction therein to senior pupils, both boys and girls. His work in his previous position embraced the teaching of science along with English. From the necessity of teaching the two schools of boys and girls with the one staff, it has not been possible to arrange for alternative courses of instruction, modern and classical. In the meantime the two have been combined ; modifications being introduced to provide for the preparation of pupils for what their future course is intended to be. At the close of the year Mr. Stewart retired from his position of second master, and Mr. Arthur Buechler, of the Dunedin High School, has been appointed to fill his place. Miss Jardine has also resigned her position of lady-superintendent on account of ill health, but her successor has not yet been appointed. The second mistress and junior master appointed during the year retain their positions, and for the work of next year another junior master is appointed in accordance with the recommendation of the Inspector-General on the occasion of his recent visit of inspection. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Wm. Gillies, Chairman.

Receipts and Expendituee for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance from 31st December, 1879 ... 908 3 1 By Building and furniture ... ... 763 18 1 Rents of reserves ... ... ... 837 310 Teachers'salaries ... ... ... 1,880 1 8 School fees ... ... ... ... 733 5 8 Secretary's salary ... ... ... 70 0 0 Interest during year ... ... ... 30 8 5 Members'expenses ... ... ... 14 10 0 Scientific apparatus ... ... ... 39 0 5 Incidental, advertising, &c. ... ... 123 14 7 Balance at credit, 31st December, 1880 ... 107 16 3 £2,559 1 0 . £2,559 1 0 I have audited this account and have compared the items with the several vouchers, and find it correct. The rents and school fees have been duly verified. 22nd January, 1881. J. Ollivieh, Provincial District Auditor.

WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL. Receipts and Expenditube for Year ending 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ 8. d. To Balance from 31st December, 1879, bank By Amount paid on account purchase of lease current account ... ... ... 11 6 2 of site ... ... ... ... 529 2 2 Cash in hand ... ... ... 8 10 0 Labour at site ... ... ~. 2 17 6 Bank fixed deposit ... ... ... 158 2 4 Auctioneer's charges re sale of lease ... 21 11 0 Amount of rents collected ... ~, 640 0 7 Advertising, printing, and stationery ... 012 6 Interest collected ... ... ... 45 7 11 Clerical assistance ... ... ... 15 0 0 Incidental expenses, stamps, and exchange 0 16 0 Balance forward, bank current account ... 109 9 6 Cash in hand ... ... ... 0 16 0 Bank fixed deposit ... ... ... 183 2 4 £863 7 0 £863 7 0 I certify the foregoing abstract to be correct. —H. Livingston, Auditor.

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Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December, 1880. Assets, £ a. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. To Cash in bank and in hand ... ... 110 5 6 By Third instalment, purchase of lease of site 263 15 5 Cash in bank, fixed deposit ... .., 183 2 4 TJnpresented accounts,.. ~, ~, 10 13 0 Interest accrued thereon ... ... 10 5 3 Rents uncollected ... ... ... 365 9 4 Purchase-money of release of site to 31st March, 1882, uncollected ... ... 338 7 0 £1,007 9 5 £274 8 5 Correct.—H. Livingston, Auditor.

OTAGO BOTS' AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOLS. Sic,— Dunedin, 23rd May, 1881. In accordance with section 8 of " The Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools Act, 1877," and your Circular No. 84, dated the 10th December, 1880,1 have the honor to forward report of the Board of Governors of the Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools for the year ended the 31st December, 1880. I am glad to be in a position to state that the attendance, both in the Boys' and in the Girls' High Schools, has improved very considerably during the year, there being an increase of 3L boys and 21 girls. In view of a still larger increase, the Governors are anxiously looking forward to the time when they will be in a position to erect more commodious buildings. In November last the Inspector-General of Schools inspected both the Boys' and Girls' High Schools. Several members of the Board also visited the same from time to time. Annexed hereto you will find schedules giving the detailed information required by your circular; also annual reports from the rector and the lady-principal; and balance-sheet, duly audited, showing the particulars of receipts and expenditure of the Board of Governors for the year. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. D. M. Stuaet, Chairman.

Rectob's Repobt. Dueino the past session, 80 boys have entered the school for the first time, and the total number enrolled is 233—171 in the lower, and 62 in the upper school. This is an increase of 31 over last year —11 in the lower, and 20 in the upper school. The numbers on the roll for the four quarters were 202, 206, 207, and 205. Ten senior and four junior provincial scholars of the Otago Education Board, and two provincial scholars of the Westland Education Board, have been in attendance throughout the year. Mr. Thomson informs me that 23 boys have been received into the boarding establishment. I wish to say a few words with respect to the preparatory class, which has been increasing during the past two seasons, in consequence, no doubt, of the skill with which it has been taught and managed by its teachers. This class was instituted by the Education Board in 1875, apparently with the view of introducing boys at as early an age as possible to regular high-school training. I consider this, in the circumstances, a wise arrangement; provided always that a sufficient staff is maintained, and that the fees of the class cover the additional outlay. While, however, properly organized feeding-schools are an essential part of a complete system of secondary education, it must be admitted that there is a limit to the extent to which a high school can advantageously supply elementary instruction within its own buildings and by means of its own teachers. The report of the Royal Commission on University and Higher Education recommends Standard 111. of the primary school in reading, writing, and arithmetic, as a suitable test for admission to the secondary school. The adoption of such a standard would, in my opinion, adequately protect the interests of secondary education, and also recognize, to use the words of the Commissioners, " that the proper subjects of the secondary-school course should be begun early, and that children who are intended to receive the full benefit of such a course should enter upon it as soon as they can profitably do so." The report of the Royal Commissioners on University and Higher Education, to which I have just referred, contains a review of the state of secondary education throughout New Zealand. With respect to the organization of the schools, the Commissioners make some excellent recommendations which well deserve the careful consideration of the various governing bodies. It is obvious, however, that for some time to come serious obstacles will tend to retard an entirely satisfactory organization of the schools. Head masters, for example, refer in their evidence to the difficulty which arises from the influx of pupils at widely different stages in the knowledge of Latin. I can illustrate this difficulty from our own experience this year. During the first two quarters it became apparent that a considerable number of boys who had joined one of the Latin classes of the lower school were unable to keep pace with their companions, or to make any satisfactory progress in the subject. Such boys could not but lose all heart in their work and become a hiudrance to the progress of their class-fellows, and a serious addition to the work and anxiety of the teacher. I laid the matter before the Governors, who at once sanctioned the withdrawal of these boys from the study of Latin, and appointed a teacher to give them additional instruction in arithmetic. Such expedients, however, are not always practicable or indeed desirable. It is satisfactory to reflect that the adoption of the recommendations of the Commissioners with respect to primary and middle schools, and the more careful classification of our own lower forms, will gradually remove this difficulty ; and in the meantime we must hopefully work on. Mr. Arthur Buechler, after five years of faithful service, leaves us to become the second master of the new high school at Timaru. His fellow-masters part with deep regret from one who has always been most kindly and helpful in his intercourse with them, and heartily wish him all success in that important position. The Board of Governors has appointed to the vacant mastership Dr. F. A. Biilau, who was for some years a successful master of the German language and literature in the high school of Berne. William Macdonald.

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Lady Peincipal's Eepobt. Dueing the session, just closed, 176 pupils have been enrolled—s of whom are provincial scholars : 61 of these have been in the upper, 115 in the lower school; 59 have entered the school for the first time. The attendance for the four quarters has been, respectively, 150, 154, 150, 138. As in several preceding years a number of girls left at the end of the third quarter, ill-health or need of rest being, in most cases, assigned as the reason. Many of these girls were promising pupils who had worked well and diligently so far, on whom the year's teaching was beginning to tell, and who seemed likely to take an honorable position in the class-lists at the close of the session. The loss of such pupils causes regret and disappointment to teachers. In connection with this fact, I would again urge on parents the advisability of making gymnastics an item in the educational course of their girls. From the results of long experience, I can testify to the beneficial effect of systematic physical training on the general health and mental vigour of both boys and girls. No pupils have attended Mr. David's classes during the last six months. The five provincial scholars have given me every satisfaction as regards conduct, diligence, and regular attendance. In the first quarter 46 pupils took music lessons ; in the second, 44; in the third 40 ; and in the fourth, 32. M. G. Buen.

Receipts and Expendituee for the Tear ending 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. A. To Balance in hand, Ist January, 1880 ... 85 5 6 By Salaries, Boys' High School ... ... 3,579 17 11 Boys' High School fees ... ... 1,425 6 0 Salaries, Girls' High School ... ... 1,386 17 4 Girls' High School fees ... ... 1,208 8 0 Salaries, Janitor, High School ... ... 166 13 4 Rectory High School fees ... ... 83110 0 Salary of Secretary ... ... ... 50 0 0 Colonial Government grant ... ... 2,000 O 0 Incidental expenses ... ... ... 303 3 5 Rent of High School reserves ... ... 1,275 1 1 Scbool buildings ... ... ... 121 7 5 Grant from School Commissioners, Second- Rectory buildings ... ~, ... 43 10 11 ary Reserves rents ... ... ... 203 7 9 Auctioneer's charges ... ... ... 64 11 3 Interest from bank on credit balances ... 115 9 Rectory supplies ... ... ... 662 12 0 Gymnasium ... ... ... ... 852 School prizes ... ... ... 18 10 6 Insurance ... ... ... ... 23 6 0 Balance in Bank of New Zealand ... 60118 10 £7,030 14 1 £7,030 14 1 - — D. M. Stuaet, Chairman. I certify the above statement to be correct, and the transactions included therein to be properly vouched, and in accordance with law. H. Livingston, Auditor.

SOUTHLAND BOTS' AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOLS. Sic, — Invercargill, January, 1881. I have the honor to transmit to you herewith the report of the Board of Governors of the Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools for the year 1880, as follows :— Constitution op the Boaed.—On the Ist January, 1880, the following gentlemen composed the Board : Mr. George Goodwillie, the Mayor of Invercargill; Messrs. H. Jaggers and J. P. Joyce, appointed by the Government; and Messrs. James Harvey and T. M. Macdonald, who were elected by the Southland Education Board. Mr. Macdonald was Chairman of the Board. During the month of January the Education Board re-elected Messrs. Harvey and Macdonald to the seats previously held by them on the Board. In the month of August the term for which Messrs. Jaggers and Joyce had been appointed expired, and Messrs. George Lumsden and F. W. Wade were appointed by the Government to fill their places. At the first meeting of the Board after its reconstitution, Mr. Macdonald was re-elected Chairman, until the expiration of his term of office as a member. There were 19 meetings of the Board during the year. Schools.—Before Christmas there were two schools under the control of the Board, viz., a Girls' High School and a Boys' High School. The Girls' High School has been in existence since the beginning of 1879. The subjects taught in it during the year 1880 were: Arithmetic, algebra, Euclid, English composition, and grammar (including analysis), English and European history, local and physical geography, French, German, Latin, elementary science, drawing, needlework (plain and fancy), and music (vocal and instrumental). The Boys' High School was opened on the 17th December, and closed for the Christmas holidays on the 22nd December. As this school has been in existence so short a time, any account of its operations is unnecessary in this report. Teaching Staff. —At the beginning of the year 1880 the staff of the Girls' High School was composed of the following ladies and gentlemen : Miss Hood, lady-principal; Miss Christie, first assistant; Miss Milne, mistress of languages ; and Miss Mehaffey, second assistant. Miss Waymouth was a visiting teacher of instrumental music ; Mr. West, visiting teacher of of singing and instrumental music; and Mr. Tait, visiting teacher of drawing. In the month of July the Board considered it necessary, on account of its financial position and the diminished attendance at the school, to reduce the staff, and to intrust the teaching of French and German to a visiting teacher, who should undertake these subjects in both the girls' and boys' schools. To carry out the intentions of the Board, notice was given to Miss Milne, Miss Mehaffey, and Mr. West that their respective engagements as mistress of languages, second assistant, and visiting teacher of singing, would terminate at the end of the year. In the month of September Miss Hood resigned the position of lady principal, and in the month of December Miss C. S. Spence, lady-principal of the Government Training School at Madras, was appointed to fill her place. In the month of December Mr, Blanchflower, 8.A., of the Geelong Scotch

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College, and Mr. J. Wilson Martin, of the Scotch College, Hobart Town, Tasmania, were appointed to the respective offices of head master and second master of the Boys' High School. Duties of Teachers. —In the Girls' High School the lady-principal instructs the highest classes, and directs and supervises the teaching throughout the school; the first assistant takes the second division of the school in the various branches of English ; the mistress of languages instructs in French, German, and Latin; the second assistant teaches the lowest division of the school; and the visiting teachers instruct in drawing, and instrumental and vocal music respectively. Attendance.—The number of pupils on the roll of the Girls' High School for the first term of the year was 46 ; for the second term, 43 ; for the third term, 42. The average daily attendance was as follows: For the first term, 40 579 ; for the second term, 40161; for the third term, 37174. The ages of the pupils on the roll during the month of December were as follows : Under 10 years, none ; over 10 years and under 15 years, 23; over 15 years and under 18 years, 19. Classes. —The Girls' High School is divided into three classes, viz., A (the highest), B, and C. Classes A and B have each two divisions, and Cis undivided. This arrangement existed in the month of December. In that month the numbers of pupils in these classes were as follows: In class Al, 4; in class A 2, 13; in class 81, 10; in class 82, 9; in class C, 6. The subjects of study in the month of December were as follows : In class A (both divisions), arithmetic, algebra, English composition, dictation, drawing, Euclid, English grammar (including analysis), French, geography (local and physical), history (English and European), Latin, needlework (plain and fancy), science (elementary), singing, and writing. In class Bl the subjects of study were the same as class A, omitting Euclid. In class B2 the subjects were the same as class A, omitting algebra, analysis, Euclid, and Latin. In class C the subjects taught were arithmetic, grammar, geography (local), history (given by oral lessons), object-lessons, reading, dictation, composition (very elementary), spelling, singing, writing, poetry, needlework (plain and fancy). Inspection—The Girls' High School was inspected by the Inspector-General of Schools in the month of November. When the Board was apprised of the intended visit of the Inspector-General, it was' supposed that the school would be examined as well as inspected by him, and accordingly no arrangements were made by the Board for any examination. When it was found that Mr. Habens had confined himself to the inspection of the school, there was not sufficient time before the close of the school to admit of arrangements for an examination being made. Scholaeships.—There are no scholarships attached to the schools, and none of the pupils hold any of the scholarships established by the Southland Education Board. Pcpil-boaedebs.—No arrangements have yet been made for the accommodation of pupil-boarders. . Fees. —The following is the scale of charges for the day pupils of both schools: Upper division, £12 per annum ; lower division, £9 per annum ; German, £4 10s. per annum extra ; drawing, £4 10s. per annum extra. School Buildings.—Reference was made in the Board's Report for the year 1879 to the commencement of the building intended for the Girls' High School. That building is now approaching completion, and it is anticipated that it will be fit for occupation at the beginning of the first term of 1881. The accommodation which that building will afford being much more at present than is absolutely required for the Girls' High School, the Board has resolved to carry on the boys' school there temporarily, and a division of the premises is being made for that purpose. This, however, is entirely a temporary measure, as the Board proposes to erect a boys' school as soon as funds from the sale of some of its rural reserves have been obtained. The Board also contemplates erecting houses for the accommodation of the head master of the Boys' High School, and the head mistress of the Girls' School respectively, and probably also for accommodating pupil-boarders for each school. Income and Expenditure.—A statement of the income and expenditure of the Board for the year 1880 is appended. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Chaeles Rout, Acting Secretary.

Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. "Expenditure. £ s. d. To School fees ... ... ... ... 688 18 9 By Balance brought forward from last year ~. 7118 7 Rents of reserves ... ... ... 480 11 11 Teachers'salaries ... ... ... 867 13 2 School Commissioners (for secondary re- Music and drawing teachers' fees ... 178 12 0 serves) ... ... ... ... 52 8 4 stationery and prizes ... ~, 36 II 4 Paymaster-General, for buildings ~, 2,000 0 0 Printing and advertising ... ... 55 11 6 Donation for prizes ... ... ... 2 2 0 School furniture and fittings ... ... 6 10 0 Deposits on contracts ... ... 19 0 0 School appliances ... ... ... 44 16 6 Balance overdraft ... ... ... 556 6 9 Rent ... ... ... ... 20110 0 Cleaning ... ... ... ... 43 8 0 Fuel and light ... ... ... 8 3 0 Inspection and examination ... ... 22 1 0 Building account ... ... ... 2,178 9 10 Legal expenses (reserves account) ... 7 4 6 Secretary's salary, including office rent, fire, and light ~. ... ... 30 0 0 Sundries ... ... ... ... 16 16 0 Interest on overdraft... ~, ~, 8 18 10 Cash in hand ... ... ~, 20 3 6 £3,798 7 9 £3,798 7 9 I have examined this account and compared it with the Treasurer's books and vouchers, and I certify it to be correct. H. Livingston, Auditor.

Authority: G-eoege Didsbt/bt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBl.