EDUCATION. REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In Continuation of E.-5, 1881.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1882 Session I, E-08

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1882. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION. REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In Continuation of E.-5, 1881.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

LIST OF SCHOOLS.

Name. Act of Incorporation or Institution, Remarks. Auckland College and Grammar School Auckland Girls' High School Thames High School Whangarei High School New Plymouth High School... Wanganui High School Wanganui Industrial School... Wellington College... Napier Trust School Nelson College Christ's College Grammar School 1877, No. 51, Local. 1878, No. 55, Local 1878, No. 54, Local. 1878, No. 63, Local. 1878, No. 52, Local 1878, No. 42, Local [Nil.] 1872, No. 67. [Nil.] 1858, No. 38. Canterbury Ordinance, June 27, 1855 1878, No. 30, Local • ... [Nil] 1881, No. 15, Local 1881, No. 16, Local 1878, No. 49, Local. 1878, No. 26, Local. 1878, No. 18, Local 1877, No. 52, Local. 1877, No. 82, Local. Under management of Education Board. Under management of Education Board. Not in operation in 1881. Board identical with Education Board. Christehureh Boys' High School Cliristchurch Girls' High School Rangiora High School Akaroa High School Ashburton High School Timaru High School Waitaki High School Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools ... Southland Boys' and Girls' High School A department of Christ's College, Canterbury. No report received for 1881. Under management of Canterbury College. Under management of Canterbury College. Not in operation in 1881. Not in operation in 1881. Not in operation in 1881.

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STAFF, ATTENDANCE, FEES, AND SALARIES AT CERTAIN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GEAMMAB SCHOOL. The Board of Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School beg to report that they have, during the year, held twenty-one regular and eight special meetings for the despatch of business, in addition to twenty-one meetings held for the purpose of investigating certain charges brought against the conduct of some of the masters. The question of providing a boarding establishment in connection with the Grammar School has received the attention of the Board of Governors, and plans have been obtained for a building capable of accommodating the headmaster and family, assistant-master, and forty boys, with the view of proceeding with its erection during the coming year, on a site immediately contiguous to the Grammar School. The Board regrets that it has not yet been able to make arrangements for a suitable playground for the boys of the school, but, as a temporary measure, has obtained permission to make use of the field adjoining Government House. A change has been made in the headmastership of the school, the late headmaster, Earquhar Macrae, Esq., having sent in his resignation. His place has been filled by the appointment of Charles Frederick Bourne, Esq., M.A., late one of the masters of the Manchester Grammar School England. During the interval between the resignation of Mr. Macrae and the arrival of the new headmaster, Mr. Bourne, the school has been under the charge of Mr. Sloman, mathematical master. Mr. Wilson E. W. Morrison, late headmaster of the Napier Grammar School, has been appointed an assistant-master. The Governors have not lost sight of the necessity for a better system of classification, which is also regarded as of great importance by the examiners, as will be seen from their report; but, pending the arrival of the new headmaster, this question and the remodelling of the school generally have been left in abeyance. The evening classes have been continued during the year. The attendance for the last quarter has averaged thirty-one pupils. The subjects taught have been the same as during last year, viz., Latin, mathematics, English, arithmetic, and Trench. It has been proposed that this work shall, in

Staff. Attendance for Last Term or Quarter of 1881. ;es fo: Qua] r Last Term or rter of 1881. i o Annual 'atea of Fees. Schools, i © i A Annual Salaries at Kate for Last Quarter or Term of 1881. O © O 00 m i—I U ■i, O u i For Ordinary Day-school Course, !For Board, exclusive of Day-school Tuition. i§ For Boys only. Auckland Grammar School,.. 163 149 101 53 £ s. d. 8 8 0 f 7 0 0 { 6 0 0 C13 4 0 { 10 12 0 8 8 0 12 10 0: fl2 12 0 (.990 9 9 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 03,100 0 0 LO 163 60 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 ( 2)12 0 0 30 0 0 50 0 0 iVanganui Collegiate School 3 25 24 18 5 25 5 ] 800 0 0 | ( 3) 1,350 0 0 Wellington College Napier Trust High School ... kelson College 3hristchurcli Boys' High School... ... j Lshburton Higli School Dtago Boys' High School ... 3 87 70 67 20 8V 35 2 5 2 1 52 120 47 ? 6 p 39 p » p ■ 52 120 17 p ( 3)420 0 0 ( 4) 1,780 10 10 ( 5) 2,156 3 4 5 3 91 85 3 71 17 91 2 33 25 6 23 4 33 1 47 5 0 f 40 0 0 I ( 6)35 0 0 | 575 0 0 12 2 272 264 9 170 90 3 272 29 8 0 0 ] 03,616 10 8 Totals ... i;; Hi 843 843 i 13,798 4 10 Fob G-iels only. Auckland Girls' High School )hristchurch Girls' High} School... s 4 188 169 6 111 64 7 188 8 8 0 f12 12 0 (.990 (10 0 0 (.800 1,807 16 5 4 84 171 77 154 6 54 88 28 74 84 171 3 ( 5) 1,551 3 )tago Girls' High School ... 3 ( 8) 1,272 12 Totals ... 20 17 443 400 12 253 166 12 443 4,631 11 Foe Boys and Giels. iVhangarei High School Thames High Schools (b. 6 I.?. 8 (b. 21 I-7-26 ( b. 69 1.9.66 ( b. 57 U-48 f 5.153 1 iff.US 5 6 19 24 63 60 51 44 1 3 9 6 4 2 1 2 12 15 45 37 44 26 3 5 8 8 13 21 9 20 2 1 2 6 8 21 26 69 66 57 48 ] 8 8 0 | 8 8 0 ] 10 10 0 200 0 0 ( 9)87O 0 0 ?imaru High School 1,541 0 0 Southland High Schools 10 0 0 8 0 0 1 ( 10) 1,350 0 0 Totals ... 138 134 14 11 102 80 33 54J 4 3 153 148 ] 3,961 0 IN 4 Q) Exclusive of drawing and ■isiting teachers paid by fees, naster of the School of Art, no naster paid by fees. ( 8) Not inc! >aid hy fees. I singing : ( 4) Rate )t countei hiding vie nasters, who ai aot stated. T] L as one of tin iting teachers. •e paid by -io amount 3 teachers. O Two T pupils' fees. ( 2) Day^ for the year entered. ( 6) "Weekly boarders 'isiting teachers paid b; '-boarders. ( 3 ~ ( 5) Drawin; 3. ( 7) Exclusi >y fees. ( 10) C ) Exclusive of two g is taught by the Lve of one Tisiting )ne Tisiting master

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future, be undertaken altogether by some one of the masters, who can then give his whole time and attention to the evening classes, and thus avoid interference with the ordinary work of the school, but no definite arrangement could be made until the arrival of the new headmaster. The annual examination of the school in December was conducted by Neil Heath, Esq., headmaster of the Girls' High School, and the Eev. C. M. Nelson, M.A., the latter gentleman examining the boys in Latin, French, geography, composition, and dictation, and Mr. Heath in trigonometry, Euclid, algebra, arithmetic, chemistry, English, and history. The reports of the examiners are appended. On the 25th January notice was received from the Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, stating that in pursuance of " The Auckland College and Grammar School Act, 1880," the Senate had appointed Messrs. F. M. P. Brookfield and J. A. Tole, and the Eev. C. M. Nelson, M.A., members of the Board of Governors. During the year, three members, viz., Colonel Haultain, and Messrs. F. D. Fenton, and F. M. P. Brookfield, retired according to rotation, all of whom were re-elected. Mr. Edwin Hesketh also resigned his seat as a member of the Board, and his place has been filled by the appointment of Mr. E. A. Mackechnie. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Jno. James, Secretary.

Beceipts and Expend itttee for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. cL Balance, cash in hand ... ... ... 3 16 Balance, Bank of Now Zealand overdraft ... 942 18 O Rents... ... ... ... ... 2,129 11 6 New Grammar School ... ... ... 144 5 0 Interest ... ... ... ... 491 18 6 School repairs ... ... ... ... 45 19 0 Schoolfees ... ... ... ... 1,365 0 0 School salaries .... ... ... ... 2,93116 8 Securities realized ... ... ... 1,400 0 0 Books, prizes, and stationery ... ... 91 2 5 School Commissioners ... ... ... 3419 Printing and advertising ... ... ... 78 7 0 School salary refunded ... ... ... 25 0 0 Insurance (school building and properties) ~. 122 1 3 Evening-class fees ... ... ... 73 5 0 City rates on property ... ... ... 58 10 5 Balance-— City rates, asphalting ... ... ... 37 11 6 Bank of New Zealand overdraft ... 972 12 6 Repairs to property ... ... ... 550 17 2 Petty cash due to Treasurer ... ... 0 5 5 Miscellaneous* ... ... ... ... 246 13 9 Examinations ... ... ... ... 33 3 0 Evening classes ... ... ... ... 21512 6 Interest ... ... ... ... 69 12 1 Office salaries ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 School furniture ... ... .., 28 0 9 Purchas inquiry ... ... ... 746 3 8 Cash in hand ... ... ... ... 2 2 0 £6,494 16 2 £6,494 16 2 * Particiilars of "Miscellaneous:" —Travelling expenses, £19; refitting District Court (temporarily used during erection of school building), £48 17s. 5d.; property expenses (commission on leasing), £41 Is. Bd.; elections, £6 15s. 6d. j Board-room furniture, £18 145.; law expenses, £4 18s. 6d.; water-rate, £10 10s.; gas, £18 18s. 4d.; coal and wood, £14 16s. j cleaning, &c, £11 Bs. 9d.; closets, £17 19s. 3d.; office expenses and sundries, £33 14s. 4d.: total, £246 13s. 9d. 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, 1881, and that I find the same to be correct. —L. A. Dtjkeieu, Auditor.—loth February, 1882.

AUCKLAND GIELS' HIGH SCHOOL. The Board has the honour to present the following report of the school for the year 1881! —• The school is still conducted in the premises known as the Wesley College, Upper Queen Street* The site is a very suitable one, but the accommodation is most unsuitable and inadequate. The lease of the premises will terminate on the 31st December, 1883, and it is therefore necessary that immediate action should be taken towards providing a suitable building. The number of pupils in attendance during the year was 200, showing a decrease of thirty-five pupils from the number in 1880. The report of the Headmaster deals fully with the internal arrangements of the school and with the work done during the year. The Board deemed it expedient to discontinue the holding of an annual competitive examination at Christmas. The school is under the inspection of the Rev. W. J. Habens, Inspector-General, and examinations on the work done in each class are periodically made by the Headmaster. A statement of receipts and expenditure is subjoined. The usual yearly grant of £1,200 was voted by the Assembly, in lieu of an endowment. The income derived from secondary education reserves was only £34 Is. 9d. It is clear that, until an adequate endowment is provided, the school must depend upon a special grant from the Assembly for its maintenance. Free tuition is given to girls holding scholarships or certificates of proficiency. A list of those1 girls is appended to the Headmaster's report. The Board cannot too strongly urge the importance of action being taken during the coming year" to provide a school building. The school, being now permanently established, ought no longer to be left unprovided with a building suitable for its requirements. J. M. Clack, Chairmaa.

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Headmasteb's Genebal Report for the Tear 1881. The scholastic year has been divided into four quarters, the first commencing on 7tli February, the second on 21st April, the third on 18th July, and the fourth on 10th October. The school closed, for the year on 15th December. The following table shows (a) the number of pupils belonging to the school at the beginning of each quarter, (b) the number of those who left, and (c) the number admitted. First Second Third Fourth. Quarter. Quarter. Quarter. Quarter. Number at beginning of quarter ... 173 185 188 181 Number left... ... ... 57 21 17 21 Number admitted ... ... 40 22 19 8 From the above it will be seen that the average quarterly loss has been 29, and the gain 2522. The attendance throughout the year has been considerably under that of 1880. This is due to (a) the prevalence of fever; (b) the withdrawing of pupils, and the keeping back of others in consequence of parents finding that, when their daughters apply to be admitted as pupil-teachers, the education of the High School is reckoned of no more value than that of the district schools; (c) the raising of the fees for junior pupils; and (d) the closing of the school to boarders. English. —-The school has been divided into eight forms for English, which includes geography and history. The average percentage of marks for the year in English, geography, and history has been 595, 55, and 5(5 respectively. When I consider the character of the papers set, and the absolute accuracy required to obtain marks, and remember that the new pupils, who were being worked up to the standard of the forms, were examined with the old, I have much reason to be pleased with the result, more particularly in English grammar and analysis. I have not been .satisfied with the progress made in composition and etymology. The spelling of the school is good, and the ability to read clearly and intelligently is steadily becoming more common. Geography. —Geography has been studied with much enjoyment. The pupils fill in the places on traced maps, but no marks have been given unless the knowledge has been accurate in every particular. The percentage is lower than I had anticipated. History. —History is a subject much liked and fondly studied. The outlines, however, have been more attended to than the policy of the various governments, and hence the percentage. Latin. —The Latin school has been divided into four forms. With the exception of the lowest form, I can speak very favourably of the progress made in Latin. There has been no hurrying to get to translation. The pupils have been carefully grounded in grammar and composition. I had no pupils sufficiently advanced to make a sixth form, but hope to next year. The metrical translations of Virgil by the majority of the girls in the fifth were very promising. The average percentage has been 58. French.— Very great progress has been made in French. All my assistants have qualified themselves to teach French, and, having made them responsible for the grammar, composition, and translation, and the French Master, who is not so competent to handle large classes, for pronunciation, I am not astonished at the high percentage. It would have been higher had the translations into English not contained so much of the French idiom. In consequence of the very unsatisfactory results of last year, I made an effort, which has proved successful, to put the French on a proper footing. The percentage has been 64. German. —I cannot speak favourably of the German. Towards the end of the year there was an improvement, but, taking the quarters through, the results have not been satisfaclory ; the average percentage has been 49. It is only right to add that, had the papers been marked with the same exactness as those in other subjects, this number would have been considerably reduced. The back work had not been worked up. I hope to be able to report as favourably of German in 1883, as I.now do of French. Arithmetic. —More than usual time and attention have been devoted to arithmetic. This subject was rather weak last year, but now I can speak favourably of the general progress. The knowledge of book-wook is, especially in the lower forms, very accurate. I have not been satisfied with the style of the work in the upper forms, neither has it been so accurate as I could have wished. My assistants are gaining experience, and I feel assured that the average (52) of this year, though higher than last, will be still more so during the next. Euclid. —The subject of geometry appears to possess unusual attractions to the girls, and I have to report good solid progress. The percentage has been 63. Algebra. —The average for algebra has been 57. In consequence of the inaccurate working of the lowest form, the general average is much lower than it would have been. Trigonometry. —Only one form took up trigonometry. Most of the pupils are fond of mathematics, and are well deserving of the 65 per cent, of average. Statics. —The same form took up statics, and so kindly did the girls take to the subject, that they had little difficulty in securing a percentage of 68. Mensuration. —Mensuration was studied by one girl, who was preparing for an open scholarship. Sewing. —-No girl has been allowed to omit sewing and darning, to which the Upper school has devoted one afternoon per month, and the lower one hour per week. Each girl began and finished one article of clothing at least, and at the close of the year I was able to present the children of the Industrial Home with 194 articles, consisting of shirts, &c. Writing. —Great pains have been taken with the writing of the school. The exercise-books were examined along with I ho copy-books, and no marks were allowed unless the work in both was free from signs of carelessness or slovenliness. The percentage has been 63. Science. —During the second and third quarters the upper school attended a course of lectures on astronomy, while the lower devoted extra time to physical geography and object-lessons. Music. —The study of music has not advanced beyond the limit of last year. Drawing.— Drawing has been more successful this year than last. Towards the close of the fourth quarter the girls became enthusiastic, and made more progress in a few weeks than was to be

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expected. Shaded drawing from the " round " cannot be prosecuted with satisfaction either to teachers or pupils, because of the unsuitability of the building. Fancy-toork. —The girls have turned out some really creditable work in leather, wool, and wax, while several have excelled in lace-making. Drill, —The drill instructor reports very favourably regarding the progress which has been made throughout the year. Piano. —The yearly average of pupils for the piano has been 61. Singing. —The class (optional) for singing has been very popular. Examination. —The Board of Education thought it wise to discontinue the system of competitive examinations, and awarded certificates to those girls whose work throughout the year, tested orally and on paper, showed a percentage of 50 at least. Miss Harrison, who had been assisting me for upwards of two years, was compelled to retire at the end of the second quarter, her health not being equal to the double work of teaching and studying. Mr. Ashton Bruce was appointed in her place, and right loyally lias he devoted himself to his work. Miss White having retired, Miss Barnsley took charge of the first form. Neil Heath, P.E.1. 8., Headmaster.

Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at, Ist January, 1881 ... ... 287 2 0 Salaries ... ... - ... ~. 1,802 17 0 Fees ... ... ... ... ... 1,620 2 0 Rent ~, ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 Grant from School Comniissionci'S ... ... 34 1 9 Examiners'fees ... ... ... ... 30 0 0 G-overnment grant, balance, 18S0-81 ... 300 0 0 Advertising, books, stationery ... ... 69 16 5 „ half, 1881-82 ... 600 0 0 Furniture, fittings, and repairs ... ... 95 16 3 Water-supply and cleaning ... ... 36 13 11 Balance in bank at 31st December, 1881 ... 606 2 2 £2,841 5 9 £2,841 5 9 Vincent E. Eice, Secretary. Examined and found to be correct. —L, A. Dtjkmeu, Auditor.- —3rd March, 1882.

THAMES HIGH SCHOOL. Sib,— Thames, 21sfc February, 1882. I have the honor herewith to transmit you the annual report of the Governors of the Thames High School for the year ended December 31st, 1881, as well as an audited copy of the receipts and expenditure of the Board for a similar period. During the past year the Governors of the Thames High School have not to report any increase in the number of pupils, which stands at an average of about fifty. This fact may be accounted for partly by want of money in the place, and also in a great degree by the excellence of the gratuitous education given at the Government schools. The Governors have no reason to be dissatisfied with their staff of teachers, whose efficiency may be inferred from the success obbained by pupils of the school at the Civil Service examination, no less than three of them having passed that ordeal, while the general advancement is satisfactory. In order to complete the arrangements for tuition, it is very desirable —indeed, necessary-—that the examinations should be conducted by a disinterested and competent person ; and with that view the Governors would respectfully suggest that an arrangement might be made whereby the school would be examined by the same person who examines the Government schools, and at the same time. It will be seen from the annexed statement of accounts that the school is still far from paying its way, and it is evident that it will not do so in the immediate future. Accordingly, we believe that Government must continue to grant some assistance until the revenue from the endowment and the increase of scholars is large enough to render the school independent of that aid. We are happy to say, with respect to the reserve, that the prospect of income from that source is better than it has been heretofore, on account of the gold discoveries which have recently been made, not only on the endowment itself, but in the immediate neighbourhood ; and the Governors fire now about letting an additional portion of the land to that already leased, the rental from which, along with that accruing under the Gold Fields Regulations, will probably increase the resources of the school by £200 a year. With the extension of settlement in the country, the necessity of a boarding establishment in connection with the High School may bo looked for ; but that question, and the subject of school accommodation, may be left until they become of more pressing importance. I have, &c, The Secretary of Education, Wellington. E. A. Heald, Secretary.

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Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Tear ended 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance from last year ... ... ... 55 13 7 Rents ... ... ... ... 600 School Commissioners ... ... ... 61 17 4 Surveying reserve ... ... ... 77 12 4 Rents from reserve ... ... ... 85 9 6 Expenses leasing reserve ... ... 56 4 0 Government grant ... ... ~, 500 0 0 Insurance ... ... ... ... 515 0 Gold fields revenue ... ... ... 31 10 0 Printing and advertising ... ... 21 13 0 School fees ... ... ... ... 350 7 2 Office expenses ... ... ~. 419 0 Overdraft, Bank of New Zealand ... ... 29 1 5 Rates ... ... ... ... 10 18 0 Salaries ... ... ... ... 840 14 8 School repairs ... ... ... 12 6 6 School furniture ... ... ... 600 School requisites ... ... ... 41 13 0 Fires and cleaning ... ... ... 23 8 6 Bank interest ... ... ... 6 15 0 £1,113 19 0 £1^1.13 19 _0 W. Wilkinson, Chairman, Board of Governors. E. A. Heald, Secretary. I hereby certify that I have examined the books and vouchers of the Thames Boys' and Girls' High School for the'year ended 31st December, 1881, and that I find the same to be correct.—L. A. Durbieix, Auditor.—lBth January, 1882.

WHANGAEEI HIGH SCHOOL. Sic, — Whangarei, 26th January, 1882. I beg most respectfully to enclose the annual report of the Headmaster of the High School, and statement of income and expenditure. I am directed by the Governors to bring under your notice our difficulties, in a monetary way only, in obtaining buildings for the purposes of efficiently conducting the school. A number of new students are entering for the coming term, and our accommodation is but very limited. We have applications from other parts of New Zealand, asking if boarding convenience be provided in the master's house. The salubrity and the many advantages of Whangarei for the residence of students from less-favoured districts, leads us to look for this High School being a great success, and having a great future prosperity. Our reserve here producing no funds, and the land being such as to require many years to give substantial assistance, we are dependent solely upon fees and our share of the Auckland School Commissioners' funds. We are sanguine that, with suitable buildings, the school would soon be self-supporting, and the Governors earnestly beg your kind assistance in obtaining a Government grant to enable us to erect buildings suitable to the requirements. The Governors are quite willing to give security over our reserve for the advance, if required by the Government. I have, &c, Joseph Bell, Secretary, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

HeADMASTEe's BepOBT to the GOVERNORS. Gentlemen, — Whangarei High School, 31st December, 1881. I have the honor to submit to you my first annual report as Headmaster of the Whangarei High School. I regret that it should be.so brief and imperfect; but, the institution having commenced work only six months ago, and carried it on during that period under great disadvantages, any statement now furnished must be regarded rather as indicative of work to be undertaken in the future than as an account of what has been positively done in the past. The High School was formally opened under my charge on the 16th May, 1881. At that time only six pupils were entered on the roll. Gradually, however, as the fact of its existence became known, and the work executed began to give satisfaction, other students dropped in, until at the end of the year fourteen names stood on the register. This is so far encouraging, but lam glad to be able to assure you our numbers will be considerably augmented after the recess. The course of study in the Whangarei High School aims at supplying a good literary as well as a good commercial education. Hence, under the former heading fall more particularly Latin, Greek, German, Italian,logic,and metaphysics ; under the latter, English in all its branches, French, mathematics, physical science, mercantile book-keeping. Of these a student may select either one subject or the entire course, the scale of fees being so graduated as to admit of this. In Latin, during the past year, the class reached the end of the regular conjugations ; easy exercises in translation from Latin into English, and vice versa, being carried on contemporaneously. The textbook here employed was Smith's " Principia Latina," Part I. The English class devoted itself prin-

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cipally to rhetoric, English literature, English history, physical geography,. and English grammar. Under the first heading, using Bain's Composition as a text-book, we reached the close of the figures of similarity; under the next, to the beginning of the Elizabethan epoch in English literature, having glanced at the sources of English speech in Latin, Saxon, and Norman French; in history we reached the reign of Edward 11., having paid particular attention to the political development of the English people as influenced by their social progress ; in physical geography and English grammar the entire primers in Macmillan's series were gone over, with additional notes supplied, in the form of weekly lectures, from other sources. In French, besides studying grammar to the close of the regular verbs, the translation of the first hundred and twenty exercises in Ahn's Erench Course was effected, as well as thirty pages of Hachette's " Children's French Book." In Q-reek, the first forty pages of the " Initia Grseca," with a close study of the grammar, and particularly of the verb. The German class being opened but shortly before the recess, no report could be given of the progress made in this subject. In mathematics, the First Book of Euclid was most thoroughly studied, with accompanying exercises; in algebra, Todhunter's text-book up to simple equations. The logic class completed the study of the deductive part of the science, paying close attention to the moods and forms of the syllogism and the treatment of fallacies. In metaphysics, the outlines of the philosophy of mind were carefully analyzed up to the division of the faculties in Sir William Hamilton's lectures. We had reached Plato, in the historical study of the science, when the recess intervened. In natural science, the first fifty pages of Balfour Stewart's Elementary Physics were gone over, with explanation of each part of the text, and attempts in some instances to perform the more important of the experiments. To this study three-quarters of an hour is daily devoted. Owing to the absence of any auxiliary staff in the Whangarei High School, no arrangements could be made for the alternative teaching of the various classes. At a future date, when the school is so far increased as to admit of assistance in tuition, this will be carefully attended to as an important item in educational welfare. Both in quantity and quality, taking into consideration the novelty of the work to most of them, the progress made by the students is highly satisfactory, and speaks well for their application and zeal in labour. To the fact that all of them are of an age to appreciate the intrinsic value of learning, apart altogether from its extrinsic, this advance may perhaps be due. As an additional inducement to attendance at the Whangarei High School, it has been thought advisable to add music and singing next session to the course of study now pursued. That this will have a beneficial influence in drawing many more students to the institution is earnestly to be desired ; and, by securing an efficient teacher, as well as in making the most favourable arrangements, no efforts have been spared to insure this end. Next year, also, we trust to throw the institution open for the reception of boarders. Thanking you for the invariable courtesy I have received from one and all of the Board of Governors, I have, &c, W. H. 0. Sheatou, Headmaster. The Governors, Whangarei High School.

Receipts and Expenditube for the Year 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d' Balance in Bark of New Zealand ... ... 188 10 1 Salary to Headmaster to 17th December, School Commissioners, Auckland ... ... 130 0 8 1881 ... ... ... ... 116 13 4 Fees from students (two terms) ... ... 31 6 7 Kent of schoolroom (two terms) ... ... 6 0 0 Books supplied students (two terms) ... 4 10 8 Advertising ... ... ... ... 6 18 0 Rent of part of school reserve ... ... 5 0 0 Books for students, maps, stationery ... 13 13 6 Official seal ... ... ... ... 10 0 Furniture, desks, tables, chairs, &c. ... 25 12 9 Cleaning school, &c. ... ... ... 0 19 0 Petty cash, postage, cheque-book, exchange, carting furniture, &c... ... ... 014 5 Legal opinion ... ... ... ... 220 Caßh balance in Bank of New Zealand ... 185 15 0 £359 8 0 £359 8 0 J. I. Wilson, Chairman. Whangarei, 21st January, 1882. Joseph Bell, Secretary. I hereby certify that I have examined this statement, comparing it with the account-book and vouchers of the Whangarei High School, and that I find it to be correct. —L. A. Diteeieij, Auditor. —21st January, 1882.

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. Sib,— New Plymouth, 21st March, 1882. The High School was completed at the end of November; the total cost up to the 31st December, 1881, for buildings, plans, working drawings, clearing school site, and contingencies being £1,781 7s. 2d. Contracts have been entered into for furniture, appliances, and master's house to the extent of £757.

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The Board appointed as headmaster Mr. Ernest Pridham, M.A., of Trinity College, Dublin, and the school was opened on the 30th January with an attendance of thirty scholars. The headmaster's salary at present is £300 per annum with residence and a capitation allowance of £1 per head. The scholars' fees are to be £4 each for one in a family, and £2 each for each additional boy of the same parents. The master has already urged the great wrant that he feels of an assistant-master, owing to the very different attainments of the scholars; but the funds at the Board's disposal are at present insufficient to allow of one being appointed. I have, &c. The Hon. the Minister for Education, Wellington. Heney Govett, Chairman.

Receipts and Expenditure "for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. A. Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance, Ist January, 1881 ... ... 388 010 Building High School ... ... ... 1,530 16 0 Grant from Government ... ... ... 400 0 0 Furniture ... ... ... ... 80 0 0 Deposit from Bank of Kew Zealand... ...1,500 0 0 Plans and working drawings ... ... 113 0 0 Interest on ditto ... ... ... ... 65 9 6 Making drain ... ... ... 26 0 0 Esat of cottage ... ... ... ... 6 10 0 Legal expenses ... ... ... ... 9 19 6 Insurance ... ... ... ... 1 17 6 Grubbing furze on site ... ... ... 6110 Advertisements and telegrams ... ... 9 11 2 Trap-hire and cartage ... ... ... 100 Books ... ... ... ... ... 0 12 0 Allowance to country members of the Board 2 0 0 1,781 7 2 Balance ... ■ ... ... 578 13 2 £2,360 0 4 £2,360 0 4

Assets and Liabilities on 31st December, 1881. Assets. £ a. A. ■ Liabilities, £ s. d. Jash ... ... ... ... ... 578 13 2 Contracts ... ... ... ... 707 0 0 Unpaid accounts (estimated) ... ... 50 0 0 £578 13 2 £757 0 0 Wm, Northcroft, Secretary. Examined and found correct.—o. Eennell, Auditor. —New Plymouth, 31st January, 1882.

WANGANITI INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. (Account furnished by the Eight Eeverend Bishop Hadfleld.) Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. Meceipts. £ s. A. . Expenditure. £ s. d. Rents ... ... ... ... ... 587 17 5 Salaries ... ... ... ... 595 16 8 Schoolfees ... ... ... ... 158 15 0 School porter ... ... ... ... 26 0 0 Balance ... ... ... ... 90 14 8 Prizes, &c. (two years) ... ... ... 48 4 6 Firewood ... ~. ... ... 11 10 0 Repairs ... ... ... .., 41 5 1 Kates ... ... ... ... ~. 18 3 0 Advertising, &c. ... ... ... 17 3 0 Interest on overdraft ... ... ... 29 11 0 Trustees' travelling expenses ... ... 440 Insurance ... ... ... ... 7 12 6 Postage and exchange ... ... ... 010 9 B. Churlon's commission on £746 12s. 5d., at 5 per cent. ~, ~, ... ~, 37 6 7 £837 7 1 £837 7 1 Amount of school fees accrued during the year, £172 15s.

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WELLINGTON COLLEGE. Balance-sheet for the Tear ended 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Tuition fees ... ... ... ... 628 17 0 Masters'salaries... ... ... ... 1,532 13 4 Rents ... ... ... ... ... 1,016 310 Secretary, salary and commission ... ... 87 10 6 Refunds ... ... ... ... 8 2 1 Janitor ... ... ... ... 50 10 0 Interest ... ... ... ... 079 Printing, advertising, and stationery ... 5618 7 Government grant ... ... ... 1,500 0 0 Insurance ... ... ... ... 38 7 6 On account of year 1880— Repairs ... ... ... ... 580 Tuition fees ... ... ... ... 123 15 9 Sundries ... ... ... ... 11 911 Rents ... ... ... ... 56 15 0 Boarding fees ... ... ... ... 51 9 0 Levin prize money ... ... ... 10 0 0 Rates, &c. ... ... ... ... 36 18 4 Balance forward ... ... ... 557 810 Painting, buildings, and repairs ... ... 347 7 6 Roads in reserves ... ... ... 21 16 0 Compensation ... ... ... ... 135 0 0 Stamps, &c. ... ... ... ... 8 18 11 Interest ... ... ... ... 536 6 6 Payments on account of year 1880— Masters'salaries ... ... ... 483 6 8 Secretary, salary and commission ... 13 10 4 Janitor" ... ... ... ... 12 12 6 Examiner ~. ... ... ... 10 10 0 Prizes ... ... ... ... 12 13 0 Levin prize ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Moore and Rhodes scholarships ... ... 20 0 0 Printing, advertising, and stationery ... 47 15 5 Insurance ... ... ... ... 8 10 0 Repairs ... ... ... ... 31 1 6 Sundries ... ... ... ... 3 10 7 Boarding fees... ... ... ... 21 0 0 Roads in reserves ... ... ~, 72 3 6 Interest ... ... ... ... 4 8 6 3,671 16 1 Balance brought forward from 1880 229 14 2 £3,901 10 3 ' £3,901 10 3

Scholarship Funds. Turnbull Scholarship Fund. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. <1. Balance brought forward — Scholarship, 1881 ... ... ... 25 0 0 Capital sum invested ... ... ... 1,000 0 0 Balance ... ... ... ... 1,246 9 0 Interest deposited in P. O. Savings Bank ... 172 13 4 Interest on mortgages ... ... ... 87 10 0 „ P. O. Savings Bank ... ... 11 5 8 £1,271 9 0 £1,271 9 0 Balance invested in mortgages ... ... 1,000 0 0 „ deposited in P. O. Savings Bank ... 246 9 0 £1,246 9 0 Moore Scholarship Fund. Balance brought forward... ... ... 500 0 0 Nil. Bhodes Scholarship Fund. Balance brought forward... ... ... 500 0 0 Nil. Wellington, 10th March, 1882. Chables P. Powles, Secretary.

NAPIER BOYS' TRUST HIGH SCHOOL. The attendance has been much the same as in previous years, but during the last quarter decidedly higher than before; the number of names on the roll being 52, the average attendance about 48, and the ages of the pupils from eight to sixteen. Of this number, 45 have been learning Latin, 25 French, Euclid, and algebra, 2 German, 1 Greek, 1 trigonometry, and 20 Roman history and English literature, in addition to the various branches of English. It will thus be seen that the provision of an additional master for the school, which the trustees have resolved upon making for next year, has become an imperative necessity. From the report of the Inspector, it will be observed that decided progress has been made during the past year. Jno. Campbell, Headmaster.

NELSON COLLEGE. The accounts appended to this report show that the finances of the College continue in a satisfactory condition, although, owing to exceptional calls upon the funds during the past half-year, the balance to the credit of the current account has been somewhat reduced. Considerable expenditure 2—E. 8.

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has been incurred in building a new bath-room and lavatory, in painting the whole of the outside of the buildings, in draining and improving the grounds, and in the purchase from the late resident master of furniture and outbuildings erected at his expense. For advertising and printing also an unusually large outlay has been required. The Governors have had a more than ordinarily anxious task during the year just ended, in consequence of the resignation of the masters—the second, third, and fourth—at one time and at short notice, in order to accept engagements in Wellington College. Mr. Mackay, the second master, had filled that position for upwards of fifteen years greatly to the satisfaction of the Governors, while the management of the boarding establishment by Mr. and Mrs. Mackay met with cordial approbation from both parents and pupils. Mr. Barnicoat and Mr. Firth, the third and fourth masters, were old pupils of the College, and fulfilled the duties of their respective positions with zeal and ability. Changes of this kind are necessarily productive of temporary injury to the institution in which they occur, and the following comparative statement of the rolls for 1880 and 1881 shows that this College has been no exception to the rule: — 1880. 1881. First quarter ... ... ... ... ... 142 141 Second quarter ... ... ... ... ... 153 141 Third quarter ... ... ... ... ... 149 120 Fourth quarter ... ... ... ... ... 144 120 An unusually large number of new pupils are entering for the present quarter, but, independently of that fact, the Governors have no fear that the permanent interests of the College will suffer from the changes which have taken place in the teaching staff. The Eev. J. C. Andrew, under whose rule of five years the roll of pupils has increased by 75 per cent, retains his position as principal, and the post of second and resident master has been filled by the appointment of Mr. M. Fearnley, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge. The experience of the past six months has satisfied the Governors that the reputation of the College will be thoroughly well maintained by Mr. Fearnley, and that the management of the boarding establishment by Mr. and Mrs. Fearnley will not suffer by comparison with that of former years. In the selection of third master the Governors were less fortunate, and found a further change necessary. They have now appointed Mr. W. S. Littlejohn, M.A., Aberdeen, to that office, Mr. G. A. Harkness, an old pupil of the College, and scholar of the University of New Zealand, being fourth master, and Mr. Harling continuing his duties as teacher of modern languages. The Governors are again this year entitled to refer with particular gratification to the marked success achieved by the pupils of the College at the annual examinations for the Civil Service of the colony in December. In the senior examination, of the thirteen candidates who passed, no less than eight were from the Nelson College, and in the junior examination, on the list of twenty successful candidates, six Nelson College boys are to be found amongst the eight highest places. Special credit is due, the Governors consider, both to the masters and the pupils for so high a measure of success obtained under the pecular disadvantage consequent upon important changes taking place amongst the former only six months before the examination day. The accompanying table shows the number and present position of the various scholarships in connection with the College. By order of the Council of Governors. Oswald Curtis, Secretary.

Scholarships.

Scholarships. Tenable for Amount per Annum. When Obtained. Name of Holder. Expires Endowed — Newcombe Richmond Stafford Pell ... Foundation — 1st classical 2nd „ 3rd „ 1st mathematical 2nd 3rd Governors' Pees— 1st modern languages 2nd „ 1st English literature 2nd „ Provincial — Nelson Town ... 3 years 33 33 3) 1 year 33 33 £ s. d. 24. 0 0 24 0 0 20 0 0 16 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 Christmas, 1881 Christmas, 1879 ); Not awarded Christmas, 1881 » )) Andrews Johnson Fleming Andrew Caro Nicholson Talbot... Morice Mabin ... Christmas, 1884. 3) Christmas, 1882. 33 J) 33 )> it 33 )) ii 33 33 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 )) Munro Meyer .., Seymour Tindill 33 M 33 )) 33 fi ,, ... )? Country 2 years ti 33 33 33 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 6 0 0 5) Christmas, 1880 Christmas, 1881 Christmas, 1880 Kelly ... Johnson U arltrop Rose ... Painton Hodgson Terry ... Rutherford O'Leary Douslin Andrews Christmas, 1883. 3> Christmas, 1882. Christmas, 1883. Christmas, 1882. ,, ... 3) 33 "' J3 Christmas, 1881 Christmas, 1880 Christmas, 1881 Christmas, 1883. Christmas, 1882. Christmas, 1883. Christinas. ,, ... Marlborough J3 Simmons Prize 33 Annual )j

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Receipts and Expendituee for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at Bank of New Zealand on the 31st Scholarships— December, 1880 ... ... ... 1,394 18 9 Foundation ... ... ... ... 70 0 O Interest on mortgage securities ... ... 1,006 18 3 Endowed ... ... ... ... 84 0 0 Eents from endowments ... ... ... 409 5 0 Governors'fees ... ... ... 50 0 0 Boarding account ... ... ... 2,669 17 6 Exhibitions ... ... ... ... 177 10 0 Tuition account ... ... ... ... 1,562 0 0 Boarding account ... ... ... 2,130 0 0 Stationery account ... ... ■•• 65 17 6 Tuition account... ... ... ... 1,780 10 10 Miscellaneous receipts ... ... ... 79 11 10 Stationery account ... ... ... 86 2 3 Repairs account, including additions to buildings and improvements to grounds ... 783 13 6 Miscellaneous expenses — Further payment on account of arrears of Governors'fees ... ... ... 200 0 0 Purchase of right to paddock ... ... 30 0 0 Audit expenses ... ... ... 960 Appliances for science classes ... ... 28 10 5 Subscriptions to College sports, &c. ... 15 3 0 Legal expenses ... ... ... 23 1 6 Insurance from fire ... ... ... 67 4 0 City rates ... ... ... ... 23 17 4 Furniture ... ... ... ... 181 1 8 Printing and advertising, and office rent and expenses ... ... ... ... 134 15 2 Examiner's fee ... ... ... 25 0 0 Secretary's salary ... ... ... 225 0 0 Balance at Bank of New Zealand on the 31st December, 1881 ... ... ... 1,063 13 2 £7,188 8 10 £7,188 8 10

Assets and Liabilities on the 31st December, 1881. Assets. £ s. A. Liabilities. £ a. cL Mortgage securities— Governors of College— General endowment ... ... ...11,904 17 6 Amount of fees invested ... ... 1,000 0 0 Scholarship endowments ... ... 1,000 0 0 Balance of fees due to 31st December, 1880 320 17 6 Simmons prize ... ... ... 100 0 0 Fees payable for the year 1881 ... ... 100 0 0 Governors' fees ... ... ■•• 1,000 0 0 Outstanding accounts ... ... ... 100 0 0 Balance of loan account at Bank of New Zea- Estimated loss in collection of arrears included land ... ... ... ... 1,067 12 9 in statement of assets ... ... 500 0 0 Freehold property, exclusive of buildings ...10,650 0 0 Balance of assets over liabilities ... ...35,111 5 1 College buildings ... 7,500 0 0 Additions and repairs in 1881 556 0 5 8,056 0 5 Less depreciation, 5 per cent. 402 13 0 7,653 7 5 College furniture, as valued July, 1881 ... 867 9 1 Additions since that date... ... ... 51 12 0 Interest due upon loans ... ... ... 1,082 12 4 Rents due from endowments ... ... 186 0 0 Board and tuition fees due ... ... 504 18 4 Balance of current account at Bank of New Zealand 1,186 5 8 Less cheques not presented 122 12 6 1,063 13 2 £37,132 2 7 £37,132 2 7

Absteact of the Loan Account for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. £ a. A. £ a. d. Amount {outstanding upon loan on 31st De- Amount outstanding upon loan on 31st December, 1880 ... ... ... ...14,304 17 6 cember, 1881 ... ... ... ...14,004 17 6 Balance to credit of loan account on 31st De- Balance to credit of loan account at Bank of cember, 1880 ... ... ... ... 567 12 9 New Zealand on 31st December, 1881 ... 1,067 12 9 Receipts from current funds on account of arrears of Governors' fees ... ... 200 0 0 £15,072 10 3 £15,072 10 3 Oswald Ctjetis, 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, J. T. Catlet, Auditors.

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CHEISTCHUECH BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Account furnished by Eegistrar of Canterbury College) Eeceipts and Expendititee for the Year ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d* Balance ... ... ... ... 1,765 7 8 Salaries ... ... ... ... 1,631 16 8 Reserves, rents ... ... ... ... 1,102 11 8 Other ordinary expenditure ... ... 159 16 3 Fees ... ... •• ■•■ 686 & 6 Buildings, sites, furniture, and apparatus ... 703 11 7 Contribution from School of Art and Girls' Interest on loans on account of buildings ... 179 14 4 High School towards salary of caretaker ... 25 17 0 i Passage of masters from England ... ... 333 16 4 Interest 97 2 7 Balance 668 8 3 £3,677 3 5 £3,677 3 5

CHEISTCHUECH G-lELS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Account furnished by Eegistrar of Canterbury College.) Eeceipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. A. Expenditure. £ s. A Interest from money lent ... ... 125 4 5 Balance ... ... ... ... 142 5 0 Fees ... ... ... ... ... 1,201 0 9 Salaries ... ... ... ... 1,609 10 3 School Commissioners'grant ... ... 300 0 0 Other ordinary expenditure ... ... 412 19 0 Government grant ... ... ... 400 0 0 Buildings, sites, furniture, and apparatus ... 60 17 3 Interest ... ... ... ... 179 4 0 Bala-nce ... ... ... ... 17 2 4 £2,225 11 6 £2,225 11 6

ASHBUETON HIQH SCHOOL. Slit, — Ashburton, 15th January, 1882. According to the provisions of "The Ashburtou High School Act, 1878," I beg to forward, for your information, a statement of the Board's proceedings ending the 31st December, 1881, since I have had the honour of reporting to you last year. The Board is now composed of the following members, viz., J. E. Trevor, Chairman ; C. P. Cox, ~W. C. Walker, J. Jackson, E. G. Wright, J. Grigg, and D. Williamson, Mayor of Ashburton. The Board has the great pleasure of intimating to you since the school's formation the gradual influx of scholars, and the benefit parents and guardians of children apparently have derived from a school like this, especially in this county, so far removed from centres of population where high schools can be reached. From the increasing number of scholars attending the school, the Board found it necessary to appoint a second master to assist the headmaster. Mr. John Edgar Buchanan, London University, was therefore appointed to that post. The Board again thanks the School Commissioners for the assistance they have rendered it by placing at its credit the sum of £300. The Inspector-General of Schools has visited and inspected the school, but no report of the inspection has yet been received. Copy of the accounts duly audited by the Board's Auditor is attached to this report, also printed instructions forwarded from your office filled up and returned. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. James E. Tbetoe, Chairman.

Income and Expendituee for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. Income. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d< Deposit in Building.Society £375 0 0 I Salaries ... ... ... ... 500 0 0 Less overdraft ... ... 105 10 5 j School boots ... ... ... ... 53 7 7 ; 269 9 7 j Secretary, commission on collecting school fees 14 7 1 School foes ... ... ... ... 212 1 0 Cleaning school, &C; ... ... ... 24 2 3 i, books ... ... ... ... 18 19 2 Advertising ... ... ... ... 20 0 0 Rent reserves ... ... ... ... 413 19 3 Buildings ... ... ... ... 43115 6 School Commissioners ... ... ... 550 0 0 Planting ... ... ~, ... 12 16 6 Interest ... ... ... ... 1 18 6 Miscellaneous ... ~, ... ... i 3 13 3 Balance, Bank of New Zealand £315 8 4 „ Building Society 75 0 0 390 8 4 £1,464. 9 0 £1,464 9 0 [Note. —The above is an abstract of the Board's audited account,]

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TIMARTJ HIGH SCHOOL. Sib,— Timaru, 11th January, 1882. I have the honour, by the direction of the Board of Governors of the Timaru Boys' and Girls' High School, and in accordance with section 8 of "The Timaru High School Act, 1878," to lay before you the following report for the year 1881: — At the beginning of the year the Government again nominated the Rev. W. Gillies and Mr. R. A. Chisholm to be members of the Board; the South Canterbury Board of Education elected the Rev. G. Barclay and Mr. H. Belfield; the Geraldine County Council, Mr. W. B. Howell; the Waimate County Council, Mr. James Bruce ; and Captain J. H. Sutter, being Mayor of Timaru, took his seat ex offiaio. Mr. Howell having resigned his seat before the close of the year, the Geraldine County Council elected Mr. F. Le Cren to fill his place. The Board has much pleasure in having to report a great advance upon the number of pupils attending the school last year, an increase of about 50 per cent, having taken place. The number on the roll for the last quarter was 135 —boys, 69; girls, 66. Such an increase in the second year of the existence of the school affords gratifying proof of the success of the school, and points to the near probability of further provision being required for an entire separation of the two schools, and the erection of another building for the teaching of the girls. Both schools are at present under the charge of the Rector, and are taught by the one staff, so that by this arrangement provision has been made from the first for both boys and girls obtaining secondary education; the demand in relation to the two sexes being almost equal, as evidenced by the numbers attending. The teaching staff for the year consisted of the Rector, three male teachers, and two lady-teachers, besides which, the services of two advanced pupils, holding teaching scholarships, were utilized for an hour or two each day with the juniors. The post of principal lady-teacher being vacant, and the Board, having failed to obtain a suitable candidate by advertising, has sent the Rector to Melbourne during the holidays to report as to any eligible candidates he may hear of there. By this means the Board hopes to get the staff strengthened by the addition of a thoroughly qualified and efficient lady-teacher. The present staff, both male and female, have shown much zeal in their work, and have earned for themselves the confidence and approval of the Board. At the end of last year the Board instituted two scholarships, of £10 10s. each, to be held by two senior scholars, who might give an hour or two each day as required to teaching junior classes, and thus gain some practical experience in teaching, whilst carrying on their higher studies. Circumstances having required that their services were required more than was anticipated, and the Rector having reported well of their work, an additional allowance of £10 was made to each. The Board has further continued their scholarships for another year, that they may carry on their studies and prepare for higher examinations. Other two scholarships, of the value of £10 10s. each, were also instituted at the end of last year, and awarded to the boy and girl having the highest number of marks for the year. At the close of this year four such scholarships were awarded to be held during next year. The Board further determined, a few months ago, to institute four scholarships, of the value of £10 10s. each, to be competed for by pupils of the public schools of South Canterbury, the winners to attend the High School next year. The subjects of examination were the four principal subjects under Standard V. The competitive examination was held during the third week of December, when eighteen candidates presented themselves. There are accordingly ten scholarships in connection with the school, of the value of £10 10s. each, as follows: Four open to pupils of public schools, four open to pupils of the High School, and two teaching scholarships. The work done in the various forms for the year has been as follows:— Boys'. 111. Latin : Reading in C&sar, Virgil, and Cicero. Greek : Dr. Smith's Initia, Book ii. French : Hachette's Reader and Grammar. Mathematics: Algebra; Euclid, Books i., ii., iii,, iv., vi.; and trigonometry. Science: A course in chemistry, also weekly lessons on hydrostatics, hydraulics, and properties of bodies. 11. Latin: Dr. Smith's Course. French: Dr. Ahn's Course. Mathematics. Science: Weekly lessons in hydrostatics, hydraulics, and properties of bodies. I. Latin j Dr. Smith's Principia. French: Dr. Ahn's Course. Girls'. 111. Latin : Dr. Smith's Course, Csesar and Virgil. French grammar and Hachette, &c. German grammar and reader. Mathematics : Algebra, and Euclid, Books i., ii. Science: Same course as boys. 11. Same as boys. I. French : Dr. Ahn's course. In addition to these, all the branches of a sound English education. Drill, calisthenics, drawing, painting, and vocal music have also been attended to. Two hours weekly are devoted to the teaching of physical science, and a large order for additional apparatus has just been despatched to England. Anatomical models for teaching health have also been ordered. For calisthenics suitable appliances are likewise to be procured. There are no arrangements for affording alternative courses of instruction, and cannot well be so long as the two schools have to be taught by the one staff; but boys who at present take Greek do not take book-keeping. No arrangements were made for an examination of the school during the past year, but, as now it may be supposed to be getting into proper working order, it is proposed that arrangements be made to have it thoroughly examined next year. It was inspected by the Inspector-General in November, whose report the Government are already in possession of. The balance-sheet, duly audited by the Government Auditor, will show the revenue and expen ■ diture for the year, and the present financial position of the Board.

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Under sanction of the Government, the Board took advantage of " The High School Reserves Act, 1880," and sold two reserves which they could not get leased. Considerable delay has taken place in getting the title completed, but all difficulties will soon be overcome. The interest of the money arising from the sale of these reserves will augment the revenue of the Board by something over £100 per annum. The tabulated information required by the Government is appended hereto, and a copy of the Rector's report at the close of the school year is also appended. I have, &c, "Wm. Gillies, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Chairman of the Board of Governors.

Receipts and Expenditube for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from 1880 ~, ... ... 167 16 3 Salaries account, paid for 1881 ... ... 1,635 10 5 School fees account — Incidentals, sundries, &c.... ... ... 199 15 4 Pees paid for 1880 ... ... ... 15 15 0 Advertising ... ... ... ... 3113 5 „ Ist term, 1881 ... ... 2511110 Prizes account ... ... ... ... 6117 0 „ 2nd „ ... ... 263 4 3 Furnishing account ... ... ... 105 15 6 „ 3rd ~ ... ... 262 17 6 Secretary, one year's salary ... ... 70 0 0 „ 4th „ ... ... 259 12 0 Land purchase account ... ... ... 200 0 0 Reserve rents account — Scholarships ... ... ... ... 42 0 0 Bents paid for 1880 ... ... ... 86 5 0 Balance ... ... ... ... 309 2 8 „ 1881 ... ... ... 866 111 School Commissioners ... ... ... 217 0 0 Sale of reserves ... ... ... ... 223 9 6 Sundries, amount returned Hutton's cheque... 0 11 Scholarships account ... ... ... 42 0 0 £2,655 14 4 £2,655 14 4 Timaru, 31st December, 1881. I have audited this account and have compared the items with the vouchers, and find it correct.— J. Olliviee, District Auditor.—2sth January, 1882.

WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL. Sib,— Oamaru, 25th April, 1882. As per my telegram, I now have the honour to forward copies of audited accounts for year ending the 31st December, 1881. For the information of the Government I beg to state that a bonus of £20 was offered for best design for High School buildings (of stone) and master's residence, the total cost of the same when completed to be £5,000, the cost of the portion at present to be erected not to exceed £2,500. The design of Messrs. Forrester and Lemon, bearing the motto " Voila," was accepted. Tenders were called, and those of Messrs. Wilson and Roxburgh for mason work, £1,891, and of Mr. H. Sidon for carpenters' wort, £2,196 10a., were accepted. The foundation-stone was laid on the 12th October by the Chairman, Mr. Shrimski, and good progress has since been made with the building. The site chosen was part of the Board's Reserve in Block 1., Oamaru District, the portion so set aside containing about thirty acres. The Board proposes to pay for cost of erecting same out of sale of land of other portion of this reserve. Steps are being taken to obtain the services of a headmaster from Home, by permission of the Government, through the Agent-General. I have, &c, Geoege Stthpteb, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Honorary Secretary.

Receipts and Expeudittjbe for Year ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. A. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from 31st December, 1880.., ... 293 710 Balance of purchase-money of lease of site ... 263 15 5 Amount of rents collected ... ... 732 14 7 Labour at site ... ... ... ... 614 0 Interest ... ~■ ... ... 9 15 7 Ceremonial expenses, laying foundation-stone 15 5 3 Balance forward, overdraft at Colonial Bank Progress payment, contract for building ... 1,500 0 0 of New Zealand ... ... ... 890 15 11 Amount paid for survey and valuations ... 17 13 0 Printing, advertising, and stationery ~, 7 4 3 Incidental expenses, exchange, telegrams, &c. 0 12 8 Clerical assistance ... ... ~. 15 0 0 Balance forward, bank, fixed deposit ... 100 0 0 3, cash (petty) in hand ... 0 9 4 £1,926 13 11 £1,926 13 11 I certify the foregoing to be a correct statement of the Treasurer's transactions for the period stated. —H. Livingston, Auditor.

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Assets and Liabilities at 31st December, 1881. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d, Fixed deposit at Colonial Bank of New Zealand 100 0 0 Bank overdraft ... ... ... 890 15 11 Interest accrued thereon ... ... ... 678 "Unpresented accounts ... ... ... 17 15 0 Balance of petty cash on hand ... ... 0 9 4 Balance of contract price for building ... 2,587 10 0 Rents uncollected ... ... ... 166 17 11 Balance of purchase-money of release of site to 31st March, 1882 ... ... ... 211 9 6 High school buildings ... ... ... 1,500 0 0 £1,985 4 5 £3,496 0 11 Note. —Reserves vested in Board by " Waitaki High School Act, 1878," not valued. Correct.—H. Livingston, Auditor.

OTAGO BOYS' AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOLS. Sic, — Dunedin, 19th April, 1882. In accordance with section 8 of " The Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools Act, 1877," and your circular No. 795, dated Wellington, 28th November, 1881, the Board of Governors of the Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools has the honour to forward herewith its report for the year ended the 31st December, 1881. The Board is pleased to report that the attendance in both the boys' and the girls' schools has steadily improved during the year, the number on the roll showing an increase of seventy-two boys and eleven girls over the previous year. Relying on the promise of an early possession of the site for the new boys' school, the Board has completed the necessary preparations for proceeding with its erection. The Board has to report that the sale of part of Run 161, Wyndham District, as authorized by the Government, took place on the 21st January this year. The total area submitted for sale was 10,326 acres, and consisted of 61 rural, 65 suburban, and 306 town sections. Of this area, 5,671 acres were sold, realizing a total of £17,632 4s. 9d., or an average of £3 2s. 21d. per acre. In December last both the boys' and girls' schools were inspected by the Inspector-General. They were also visited from time to time by different members of the Board. Annexed hereto you will find schedules giving detailed information required by your circular, with reports from the Rector and Lady-Principal; also balance-sheet, duly audited, showing particulars of receipts and expenditure during the year. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. D. M. Stuart, Chairman.

Receipts and Expenditube for the Year ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d Balance in hand on Ist January, 1881 ... 601 18 10 ' Salaries, Boys' High School ... ... 3,933 10 10 Boys' High School fees ... ... ... 1,701 0 0 I Salaries, Girls' High School ... ... 1,484 2 9 G-irls'High School fees ... ... ... 1,237 610 Salary, Janitor, &c. ... ~, 127 18 9 Rectory boarding fees ... ... ... 1,204 00 \ Salary of Secretary ... ... .., 50 0 0 Rents from High School reserves ... ... 1,798 6 6 Incidental expenses ... ... ... 248 10 0 Grants from School Commissioners,.. ... 896 1 6 Prizes ... ... ... .., ... 17 0 0 High School buildings ... ... ... 357 7XO Rectory buildings ... ... ... 25 0 0 Rectory furnishings ... ... ... 18 211 Rectory supplies ... ... ~, 793 17 2 Office disbursements ... ... ... 422 Insurance premiums ... ... ... 24 13 6 Legal expenses ... ... ... ... 9 14 2 Surveying ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 Balance in Bank of New Zealand on 31st December ... ... ... ... 44 13 7 £7,438 JI3JS £7,438 13 8 I have examined the above statement and compared it with the Treasurer's books and vouchers and with the bank pass-book, and I certify it to be correct. —H. Livingston, Auditor.

SOUTHLAND BOYS' AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOLS. Sik, — _ Invercargill, January, 1882. I have the honour to forward herewith the report of the Board of Governors of the Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools Board for the year 1881, as follows : — Construction of the Board. —On the Ist of January, 1881, the following gentlemen composed the Board : Mr. N. Johnson, the Mayor of Invercargill; Messrs. G. Lumsden and F. W. Wade, nominees of the Government; and Messrs. T. M. Macdonald and James Harvey, elected by the Southland Education Board. In the month of January the Education Board elected Messrs. Thomas Watson and D. L. Matheson, in lieu of Messrs. Macdonald and Harvey, whose term of office expired. In August the term for which Messrs. Lumsden and Wade were appointed by the Government expired, and they were reappointed members of the Board. At the first meeting in January, after the change of members, Mr. Lumsden was elected Chairman for the remainder of his term of office, and was re-elected to that position in August, on his being reappointed by the Government as a member of the Board. The Board has held twenty-nine meetings during the year. There have been two schools under the control of the Board, viz., a Girls' High School and a Boys' High School.

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Subjects taught. — The subjects taught in the Girls' High School during the year have been — English (including grammar, analysis, composition, dictation, derivations, study of an English classic), History of England, geography, botany, Latin, French, German, arithmetic, algebra, Euclid, singing, and drawing. In the Boys' High School the following subjects were taught: Greek, Latin, French, German, Euclid, algebra, arithmetic, English (in all its branches), geography, history, animal physiology, and drawing. Teaching Staff. —In the girls' school Miss Spence was headmistress at the beginning of the year, and Miss Christie second teacher. In April Miss J. M. Tait was appointed junior assistant-teacher, and in July Mr. J. Yon Tunzelmann was appointed teacher of German. In the month of September Miss Spence resigned her appointment as headmistress, terminating her engagement at the end of the year. Mr. W. H, Tait has been visiting teacher of drawing during the year. In the boys' school at the beginning of the year Mr. Blanchflower was headmaster, Mr. J. W. Martin second teacher, and Mr. Tait visiting teacher of drawing. In the month of July Mr. J. W. Martin resigned, and Mr. J. R. Maguire was appointed to fill his place. Attendance. —The number of pupils on the roll of the girls' school has been as follows: First quarter, 55 ; second quarter, 60 ; third quarter, 48; fourth quarter, 48. The average daily attendance was as follows: First quarter, 47; second quarter, 54; third quarter, 38; fourth quarter, 43. The ages of pupils on the roll at the end of the year were as follows: Under ten years, 2; over ten and under fifteen, 26; over fifteen and under eighteen, 20. The school at the end of the year was divided into three classes,with the following numbers in each, viz.: In Class 1,16 pupils; in Class 2, 21 pupils; in Class 3, 11 pupils. The number of pupils on the roll of the boys' school has been as follows: First quarter, 45; second quarter, 48; third quarter, 54; fourth quarter, 57: with an average daily attendance of—first quarter, 40; second quarter, 46; third quarter, 44; fourth quarter, 51. The ages of pupils on the roll at the end of the year were as follows : Under ten years, 4 pupils ; over ten and under fifteen years, 44 pupils; over fifteen and under eighteen years, 9 pupils. The school was divided into three classes, with the following numbers in each: In Class 1, 23 pupils; in Class 2, 17 pupils ; in Class 3, 17 pupils. Fees. —The fees charged during the year have been as follows: Upper division, £10 per annum; lower division, £8 per annum; German, £4 4s. per annum, extra; drawing, £4 4s. per annum, extra. Reserves. —ln the month of June a portion of Section 21, Wairio District, was sold for £100 cash, and in September the remainder was sold by auction at £3 Bs. per acre, realizing £1,670 2s. Bd., of which one-fourth, £417 10s. Bd., was paid in cash, the balance to be paid by annual payments extending over three years, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum. Buildings. —The Board contemplated erecting a school building for the boys. It was thought that the amount realized by the sale of some of the Board's endowments would have supplied funds for this purpose, but a sufficient sum has not yet been obtained to warrant the Board in taking any steps in the direction indicated, It has therefore been necessary to continue the occupation by the boys of part of the school building originally intended for the girls exclusively. Income and Expenditure.—A statement of the income and expenditure of the Board for 1881 is appended hereto. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Geo. Lumsden, Chairman.

Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance from last year .., ... ~, 20 3 6 Bank of New Zealand overdraft from last year 555 6 9 Reserves, secondary ... ... ... 167 5 2 Building account ... ... ... 689 6 6 Reserves sold ... ... ... ... 517 10 8 Current expenditure (on account, 1880) ... 83 6 1 Reserves, rents ... ... ... ... 430 0 5 Eeserves ... ... ... ... 35 4 5 School fees, boys' ... ... ... 466 17 6 School furniture and fittings ... ... 84 13 10 School fees, girls' ... ... ... 486 410 Interest ... ... ... ... 35 5 8 Prizes, donations ... ... ... 550 Salaries, boys' ... ... ... ... 778 16 1 Furniture and fittings ... ... ",, 312 0 Salaries, girls' ... ... ... ... 493 4 1 Stationery, boys' ... ... ... 12 16 3 Printing, &c., boys' ... ... ... 17 13 10 Stationery, girls' ... ... ... 0 3 2 Printing, &c, girls' ... ... ... 12 0 8 Extra subjects, boys' fees received... ... 34 13 0 Fuel and light ~, ... ... ... 1415.0 Extra subjects, girls'fees received ... ... 61 19 0 Sundry expenses ... ... ... 529 Balance . ... ... ... ... 811 19 7 Cleaning * ... ... ... ... 42 15 0 Secretary's salary, including office rent, fire, and light ... ... ... ... 30 0 0 Pees for extra subjects, boys' ... ~, 34 13 0 Eees for extra subjects, girls' ... ... 61 19 0 Stationery, boys' ... ... ... 14 18 3 Stationery, girls' ... ... ~, 362 Repairs to building ... ... ... 1130 Insurance ... ... ... ... 4 10 0 £3,018 10 1 £3,018 10 1 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.

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Assets and Liabilities, 31st December, 1881. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Freehold property, Sections 27 and 28, Block Bank of New Zealand, overdraft ... ... 81119 7 XIII., Town of Invercargill, say ... ... 3,500 0 0 Building account (freehold property) ... 78 11 6 Reserves vested in Board by Acts of General Fees for extra subjects ... ... ... 6 6 0 Assembly, rents due not yet paid ... 64 12 10 Cleaning ... ... ... ... 800 Stationery and prizes ... ... ... 27 16 8 Eepairs ... ... ... ... 11 2 6 Printing and advertising ... ... ... 9 15 8 Secretary's salary ... ... ... 10 0 0 Sundries ... ... ... ' ... 4 6 0 £3,564 12 10 £967 17 11 Note. —Assets not valued ; —reserves vested in Board by Acts of Assembly. The items rentß due and overdraft are correctly stated. —H. Livingston, Auditor.

Authority: Gbobgb Didsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB2.