Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1887 Session I | EDUCATION: REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In...

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E.—9

1887. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-9, 1886.]

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

SECONDARY SCHOOLS INCORPORATED OF ENDOWED.

SDMMAEY OF THE ACCOUNTS OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOE 1886 FUBNISHED BY THE GOVERNING BODIES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Receipts. & s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Or. balances on Ist January, 1886 .. 8,638 17 By Liabilities on Ist January, 1880 .. 11,583 2 1 General Assembly's votes .. .. 3,735 0 0 Office management and expenses .. 2,360 10 6 Endowment reserves sold .. .. 1,199 3 9 Teachers' salaries .. .. .. 31,985 13 3 Rents of reserves .. £17,395 4 5 Boarding-school accounts .. .. 3,378 3 8 Interest on investments 3,182 19 10 Examination fees and expenses .. 850 13 9 Reserves Commissioners 1,132 18 2 Scholarships and prizes .. .. 887 10 6 ■ 21,711 2 5 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 1,015 17 11 School fees.. .. .. .. 21,139 13 7 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 1,360 9 0 Boarding-school fees .. .. 3,530 11 7 Buildings, furniture, rent, insurance, Books, &c, sold, and refunds.. .. 1,115 19 1 rates, &c. .. .. .. 10.921 8 1 Sundries not classified .. .. 4,102 16 11 Interest .. .. .. .. 3,436 11 7 Interest on current accounts .. .. 64 18 5 Sundries not classified .. .. 2,058 11 10 Dr. balances, 31st December, 1886 .. 15,660 11 2 Cr. balances, 31st December, 1886 .. 6,395 6 4 £79,137 18 6 £79,187 18 6 Receipts, excluding balances .. £59,889 5 9 Expenditure, excluding balances .. £61,209 10 1

Expenditure. £ s. d. By Liabilities on Ist January, 1880 .. 11,583 2 1 Office management and expenses .. 2,360 10 6 Teachers' salaries .. .. .. 34,985 13 3 Boarding-school accounts .. .. 3,378 3 8 Examination fees and expenses .. 850 13 9 Scholarships and prizes .. .. 887 10 6 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 1,015 17 11 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 1,360 9 0 Buildings, furniture, rent, insurance, rates, &c. .. .. .. 10.924 8 1 Interest .. .. .. .. 3436 11 7 Sundries not classified .. .. 2,058 11 10 Cr. balances, 31st December, 1886 .. 6,395 6 4 £79,137 18 6 Expenditure, excluding balances .. £61,209 10 1

I—E. 9.

Name. Act of Incorporation or Institution. Remarks. Auckland College and Grammar School .. Auckland Girls' High School Thames High School Whangarei High School 1877, No. 51, Local. 1878, No. 55, Local .. 1878, No. 54, Local. 1878, No. 63, Local .. Under management of Education Board. New Plymouth High School Wanganui High School 1878, No. 52, Local .. 1878, No. 42, Local .. Not in operation in 1886. Act may be repealed by Gazette notice under Act of 1885, No. 30. Under management of Education Board. Board identical with Education Board. Not in operation in 1886. Endowment, Reg. L, fol. 52. See also D.-16, 1866, p. 9. Wanganui Endowed School [Nil] Wellington College Wellington Girls' High School Napier High Schools Gisborne High School .. Nelson College Nelson Colege for Girls Greymouth High School Hokitika High School Christ's College Grammar School 1872, No. 67. 1878, No. 40, Local. 1882, No. 11, Local. 1885, No. 8, Local .. 1858, No. 38. 1882, No. 15, Local .. 1883, No. 21, Local .. 1883, No. 7, Local .. Canterbury Ordinance, 1855 1878, No. 30, Local .. [Nil] Not in operation in 1886. Under management of Nelson College. Not in operation in 1886. Not in operation in 1886. A department of Christ's College, Canterbury. Christohurch Boys' High School Christchurch Girls' High School Under management of Canterbury College. Under management of Canterbury College. Endowment, Gazette, 1878, Vol. 1, p. 131. Rangiora High School Akaroa High School Ashburton High School Timaru High School Waimate High School Waitaki High School Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools .. 1881, No. 15, Local. 1881, No. 16, Local. 1878, No. 49, Local. 1878, No. 26, Local. 1883, No. 19, Local .. 1878, No. 18, Local. 1877, No. 52, Local. 1877, No. 82, Local. Not in operation in 1886.

E.—9

Income of certain Secondary Schools for the Year 1886.

Fro] Endowmeirl ;s. 1. 2. 6. 7. Total Current Paid by Revenue School Fees. School from Commis- Endowments sioners. (viz.,. Columns 4, 5, and 0). 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Cr. Balances on Jan. 1,188G. Voted by Geheral Assembly. 3. i. 5. Boardingschool Fees. Stationery and Books sold, and Befunds. Sundries Unclassified. Interest on Current Account. Dr. Balances, Dec. 31,1886. Totals. Schools. Interest on Moneys invested. Sales. Rents. Auckland College and Grammar School Auckland Girls' High School Thames High School Whangarei High School .. New Plymouth High School Wanganui High School .. WanganuiEndowed School} Wellington College Wellington Girls' High School Napier High Schools Nelson College (Boys') Nelson College (Girls') Greymouth High School .. Hokitika High School Christchurch Boys' High School Christchurch Girls' High School Christ's College Grammar School Rangiora High School Akaroa High School Ashburton High School .. Timaru High School Waimate High School Waitaki High School Otago High Schools Southland High Schools .. I £ s. a. £ s. d.i £ s. d. •• £ s. d.l 3,186 12 6 £ s. d. £ s. d. " i £ s. d. £ s. a. 3,186 12 6 1,012 18 6 200 0 0 1,254 10 6 I £ s. a. £ s. d. £ a. d.l 29 0 0*2,000 0 0! £ s. d. £ s. a. 132 14 0 £ s. a. 1 6,961 5 0 | 193 12 7 750 0 0 200 0 0 i 2,398 3 1 763 2 10 31 15 7 ... 317 1 1 i. 47 ,90 304 10 1 376 11 0 499 2 7 295 12 6 466 3 10 678 9 9 18 0 0 995 11 6 1,693 16 6 1,304 4 71 1,295 14 7 1,690 6 8] 1,367 6 9 835 16 6 206 0 0 1,119 9 2 157 10 0 178 1 0 2,726 3 5 861 0 0 589 0 11 1,675 10 0 1,769 0 8 3,308 7 6 233 0 0 188 13 0 215 0 0] 98 15 0 421 15 7 243 6 9 1,C99 2 8 762 9 0 193 19 Oj 687 1 61 548 11 0 3,493 16 ll] 2,612 14 0 687 19 2 638 15 5] j .. 1,504 3 11 31 15 7 1,075 0 0 1,514 13 0 827 12 1 3,835 19 6 1,726 15 4 200 0 0 500 0 0 250 0 0' 334' 2 7 '.'. 165*0 0 466 3 10 '•I - i 80 4 11 258 9 2 i : 1790 0 0 2 18 0 10 1 2 62 19 5 7 7 0 3 11 Oj 678 9 9 995 11 6: .. \ 128 4 4 573 10 11 161 12 9 i ! . . | 378"'9 0 859 15 6] 451 6 6) 315 19 1 120 0 0 916 0 3 206 0 0 7 10 0 150 0 0 28 1 0 150 0 0 357 0 5] 102 9 Hi io"o 0! .. 142'io 0 '.'. 12 10 0 14 14 0 732 12 4 30 0 0; 141 18 2; 1,359" '8 7 j 399 13 0 119 8 9; 301 2 5] 2,648 2 8 5,753 12 8 4,242 3 3 4,889 0 0 797 1 6 1,072 3 0 4,023 1 9 500"0 0] ■■ \ 2,663 17 10 35 1 6 j 19 2 0] •• '.'. tooi'io 0 f625 0 0 25o"o 0 i •• i i 2,726 3 5 •• I •■ 435 'l8 4 470 6 7 200 0 0; 232 0 6 8 6 8| 64 18 5 3,008 8 7 i 1,666 10 9 487 14 8' 6 16 6 3,769 2 6 9,341 1 10 .. .. 188"6 10 •• 5l"o 8 324 15 9 ■ .. 325"o 0 233 0 0 205 0 0 421 15 7 956 12 8] 181 9 0 672 7 6! 2,761 4 7! 516 1 0] • - ! 10 0 0 5 3 0 1 27 8 io: 50 0 0 t250 0 0 74 4 9 43 "*3 10! '.'. 212 14 8 460 1 4 580 5 5 644 7 8 507 4 10 1,152 12 6 2,816 17 1 497 19 8 2,394 6 3 15,323 13 11 2,848 16 6 500 0 0 40 0 0 3,851 4 9 250 0 0 307 19 0 1,771 10 0 •• •• i 219 3 3 3,594 8 3 920 19 1 i •- I •■ Total '3,638 1 71; ,725 0 01 4,199 3 91 7,395 4 5;3, 182 19 104,132 18 2 21,711 2 5:21,139 13 7 1 79,187 18 6 ,3,530 11 7^ 4,115 19 114,402 16 111 64 18 5l 5,660 11 2] * Loan on mortgage. t Fixed deposit withdrawn. J The school fees are paid to the Principal, who pays all salaries and expenses of the school.

E.—9

Expenditure of certain Secondary Schools for the Year 1886.

Schools. Liabilities on Jan. 1,1886. Expense of Boards' Management: Office aud Salaries. School Salaries. Boardingschool Account. Examiners' Fees and Expenses. Scholarships, Exhibitions, Prizes. Printing, Stationery, Advertising, •&c. Land, Buildings, Furniture, Insurance, Bent, Bates. Cleaning. Fuel, Light, &c. Interest. Sundries Endowments; unclassified. Proceeds invested. Cr. Balances, Dec. 31, 1886. Totals. Aucklana College and Grammar School Auckland Girls' High School Thames High School .. Wliangarei High School New Plymouth High School Wanganui High School Wanganui Endowed School t Wellington College Wellington Girls' High School Napier High Schools .. Nelson College (Boys').. Nelson College (Girls') .. Greymouth High School Hokitika High School .. Christchurch Boys' High School Christchurch Girls' High School Christ's College Grammar School Rangiora High School .. Akaroa High School Ashburton High School Timaru H igh School Waimate High School.. Waitaki High School .. Otago High Schools Southland High Schools £ s. d. 1,762 9 2 £ s. d. 422 5 5 £ s. d. 3,236 6 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 330 19 3 £ s. d. 152 4 6 £ s. d. 40 8 9 £ s. d. 388 0 3 £ s. a. 98 17 3 £ s. a. 313 19 2 £ s. d. 215 15 3 £ s. d. • • £ s. d. £ s. d. 6,961 5 0 40 0 0 1,713 12 6 42 7 6 58 5 9 69 0 7 330 14 0 65 16 7 0 13 8 77 12 6 2,398 3 1 38 5 5 922 0 0 53 12 0 10 2 0 28 15 0 0 13 0 22 5 2 53 5 10 39 0 0 3 12 6 25 19 5 324 11 9 31 2 7 1,504 3 11 31 15 7 1,075 0 0 156 19 4 65 9 10 751 5 0 49"l9 6 24 8 8 4 12 6] " 142 15 6 5 4 0 71 1 0 io'io 0 5*8 6 326 16 7 27l' 0 6 *1,509 9 0 1,514 13 0 827 12 1 673 10 10 3 14 9! 135 12 2 73 3 11 1,906 5 4 1,183 6 8 22 1 0 26 5 0 84 0 0 3 0 0 94 16 0| 79 9 6 404 11 10; 257 11 7; 73 13 0! 52 8 8 417 8 6 1 3 2 1 24 0 10 44 13 2 3,835 19 6 1,726 15 4 1,797 9 10 75 11 4 270 9 2 135 5 0 0 4 0 1 14 5 80 0 0 2,200 3 5 1,549 18 3 998 8 2 40 17 6 952 'l0 0 583 4 11 80 0 0 11 11 0 7 7 0 12 15 0 282 10 0 30 0 0 7 10 101 8 2 83 3 11 1,211 9 6 615 16 6 146 16 9 111 n 0 43 5 5 36 17 0 152 0 3 99 10 10 265 7 3 20 6 0 149' 7 6 5,753 12 8 4,242 3 3 4,889 0 0 797 1 6 1,072 3 0 4,023 1 9 2,523 11 3 321 "0 0 2 16 01 255 17 6 30'l9 7 750' 0 0] J1.067 12 7 498' 3 11 2,615' 7 6 43'io 0 24 '3 6 76 15 8 35 13 5 362 1 8 70 0 0 1,598 2 11 73 19 0 28 13 0 54 10 1 273 4 11 25 10 6 67 11 7 816 16 1 3,008 8 7 546 13 1 354 6 1 3,829 18 2 03 0 0 51 0 4 58 4 10 3,670 7 4 167 14 9 122 7 10 477 9 5 9,341 1 10 220 18 11 340 'l4 9 82 13 9 1 12 11 0 10 0 16 12 10 S6 1 8 15 17 8 64 8 11 251 13 9 85 1 0 355 0 0 290 1 8 613 15 0 1,860 19 2 75 0 0 1,018 13 4 6,833 14 8 1,320 8 0 410 0 112 11 1 18"8 0 54 15 6 11 12 1 6 0 0 13 4 5 77 6 3 5 5 0 24 15 8 105 16 8 49 17 8 14 5 1 50 0 0 44 9 8 573 7 0 13 2 0 638 4 6 1,499 10 7 99 1 2 21 5 6 17 6 0 42 2 9 100 0 0 15 7 8 31 17 0 13 1 3 0 2 6 277 5 10 1,118 18 8 4 5 6 7 5 9 49 16 1 134' 8 6 §329 7 0 644 7 8 507 4 10 1,152 12 6 2,816 17 1 497 19 8 2,394 6 3 15,323 13 11 2,848 16 6 2,833' 7 0 1,842 8 9 9l"3 0 58"8 4 17 11 2 08 7 6 265 11 10 70 18 8 302 10 6 423 0 8 1,20518 10 -- •• Total 3,378 3 8 850 13 9 887 10 6 1,015 17 11 40,924 8 11 ! 2,058 11 10 111,583 2 1! 2,360 10 6| 134,935 13 3l 11,360 9 0; ;3,436 11 7: 6,395 6 i\ [79,187 18 * Including fixed deposit, £1,313 10s. t The principal pays all salaries and expenses of the school. I Including fixed deposit, £1,050. § Including fixed deposit, £310.

E.—9.

EXTRACT FEOM TENTH ANNUAL EEPOET OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. The high schools named in the following table (Z) have all furnished statistical returns; and all except Thames have sent in statements of accounts. A separate paper (E.-9) will contain all the most important information as to the state and work of the schools. Table Z gives the principal statistics. For Nelson Girls' College a number has been assumed for the average attendance, to supply an omission in the returns. On the whole the attendance at secondary schools has fallen off during the year.

STABLE Z. —Staff, Attendance, Fees, and Salaries at certain Secondary Schools.

The income of these schools (omitting the Thames, which has not yet furnished accounts) has been about £58,500, of which £21,339 2s. 4d. was derived from endowments, and ,£3,725 from parliamentary votes.

Sta: ft*. Attendance for Last Term or Quarter of 1886. m o w Annual Rate3 ot Fees. ■a o Salaries at Hates paid at End of Year. Schools. 3 o K be a g* s a 5* £J <j o b a 0 A For For Board, Ordinary exclusive of Day-school Day-school Course. Tuition. Begular Stall. Visiting Teachers.« Auckland College and Grammar 1 School j £ s. a. (880 ( 10 10 0 (880 1 10 10 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. a. 10 »>8 2 110 74 83 63 7 13 202 152 189! 134 I J " 2,940 0 0 bl,370 0 0 150 10 0 Auckland Girls' High School .. 2 fhames High School.. 34 18 1 50 52 8 8 0 850 0 0 97 0 0 a 3 Slew Plymouth High School .. 8 29 27 [I. 33 \g. 24 j 50 5 0 0 "680 0 0 Wanganui Endowed School .. Wellington College Wellington Girls' High School Napier Boys' High School 5 3 25 5 78 98 60 37 68 38 50 1 4 4 154 138 117 97 150 130 102 91 81 30 J 9 0 0 I 12 0 0 ( 10 12 0 \ 13 4 0 J 10 12 0 US 4 0 (880 1 9 9 0 I 42 0 0 l 42 0 0 I i '-40 0 0 | 40 0 0 J- 50 0 0 I 50 0 0 dl,300 0 0 1,660 0 C 1,060 0 0 1,140 0 0 86 0 0 150 0 0 200 0 0 5 31 22 Napier Girls' High School 5 12 44 17 73 73 12 9 9 0 860 0 0 287 0 0 Nelson College Nelson College for Girls 3hrist's College Grammar School Dhristchurch Boys' High School 12 5 8 3] 2 4 28 31 102 37 40 38 119 31 151 7 7 75 78 240 70 69 ? 72 225 66 16 11 96 ( 8 10 0 1 12 10 0 ! 8 8 0 '( 12 12 0 J 15 0 0 1 18 0 0 | 9 9 0 1 12 12 0 J 9 9 0 ( 12 12 0 (880 1 10 10 0 8 8 0 ■ 9 9 0 10 10 0 j j- 52 10 0 1 j " } - I .. J I 40 0 0 ! - I i | 47 5 0 "1,470 0 0 72 0 0 0 e3,840 0 0 2,050 0 0 295 0 0 3hristomirch Girls' High School 1.8 M 63 60 7 135 127 i 1,035 0 0 210 0 0 Rangiora High School 1 14 9 (6. 22 I 22 I- \ 94 ) 380 0 0 ikaroa High School (6. 5 i<7- 5 (6. 22 \g. 25 |Z>. 51 \g. 49 290 0 0 Ashburton High School 3, li 25 11 6 0 0 765 0 0 rimaru High School.. 7] 6 51 29 37 29 el 16 (660 18 8 0 18 8 0 1 10 10 0 1,875 0 C vVaitaki High School 2 58 55 970 0 0 50 0 0 Dtago Boys' High School 1 116 99 5 221 216 8 0 0 40 0 0 13,630 0 0 100 0 0 I'll 24 Dtago Girls' High School m7 74 94 172 166 16 8 0 0 (600 \ 8 0 0 ( 10 0 0 40 0 0 ml,860 0 0 Southland High Schools 5 2 3 49 29 /&. 57 \g. 25 |n I" 1,275 0 0 30 0 0 Totals 123 6-3" 83 1191 997 87 2,358 2,213 335 30,955 0 o! a Visiting teachers are paid in nu if matron, £100. <; Headmaster r ■ Principal's allowances {amount no natron, £100 ; three assistant mist iddition to sa] ary. h Three are p >t boarding-school stall master, ££ lOs. and residence. m Exclusive c Lany pas receive; :>t state tresses oart-tiir 50 and of matr aes b> >a alsc id) ini have ae tea cap it con, £ f fees o > a capi eluded ; boar( ichors. bation 1150. dv by litatic 1; on< •d ani capit Dn alii e mae d res i Lac .van cc Exclu nation, ai owance ;ter has ddence dy-princ ) of .£2; isive of s nd sue' of £1. i board in add ;ipal tit matrc some c h pay] 1 and lition as car* Ml, £11 .apita; merits are not included in d Two junior masters hav( residence in addition to to salary. g Five station of .£1 10s. in additit 00. i Eector receives tion allowances. this column. b Exclusive e board in addition to salary. salary. t Exclusive oi masters have residences in on to salary. k Exclusive also capitation allowance ot allov n]

E.—9

The following circular has been addressed to headmasters of High Schools:— Sir, — Education Department, Wellington, 16th February, 1887. I have the honour, by direction of the Minister of Education, to invite your consideration to a proposal for the institution of a scheme of general examination of secondary schools. The Government and the University have both been often requested to institute such a scheme, but hitherto it has usually been considered that the expense involved would be greater than either the Government or the University was prepared to bear. The scheme that I have now to submit is one that would probably involve no greater expenditure of labour than is required in the annual examinations conducted by headmasters in their several schools, and no other cost to the Government than payment for the necessary clerical work of correspondence, printing, and record. The Education Department is prepared to undertake the task of acting as the medium of correspondence and co-operation among the headmasters or the schools if they are willing to act together as joint examiners of the higher forms in a number of schools. It does not appear practicable to make provision for the examination of all the forms in all the secondary schools, but it seems reasonable to believe that such provision may be made with respect to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Forms of the strongest schools, and to such forms in smaller schools as are doing the same work as any of these three forms. In such subjects as classics and mathematics a programme of work for the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Forms respectively might bo drawn up by representatives of the headmasters, three being appointed to prepare the programme for each subject. In some subjects of the " Modern Side "it might be sufficient to have a programme for a " First Stage " and a " Second Stage " prepared in a similar way. Some of the schools could prepare pupils for examination up to the work of the Sixth Form, others to the Fifth, and some, perhaps, only to the Fourth. So also in subjects of the " Modern Side," some would send in candidates for the " First Stage " only, and others would send in candidates for both " stages ;'" and some schools could prepare pupils in all the subjects for which examination was provided, while others would find it advisable, or even necessary, to confine their attention to a certain limited range of subjects. Such limitation, in the case of smaller schools, might be advantageous. The several subjects might be allotted to the several headmasters, year by year, according to some plan of selection and rotation to be hereafter defined, without giving the headmasters any more work to do than they now expend in examining their own schools,' seeing that at present one man may have to examine his own school in several subjects, whereas on the plan proposed each man would examine several schools in one subject alone, and that only once in several years. Of course the adhesion of any school to the scheme proposed would bo a purely voluntary matter. The Department is quite prepared to begin with those schools that are ready to make the experiment during the last months of the present year, provided only that the number of such schools is not very small. I should be very glad to receive as soon as possible an expression of your opinion first as to the feasibility of the scheme in general, and next as to certain details, which I will here number in succession. (In detail.) (1.) Will you name three headmasters to whom you would be willing to confide the task of drawing up a scheme of examination for the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Forms in Latin, and three whom you would trust in the same way to prepare a syllabus for each of the other subjects for which a three years' programme is required, and also three for each of the subjects that ought to be divided into a " First Stage " and a " Second Stage " only? In case of a fair degree of agreement in the proposals made by way of nomination, the Minister will do his best to give effect to any nomination supported by a majority of writers in reply to this letter. In case of marked want of agreement, I have no doubt he will feel himself at liberty to act entirely upon his own discretion. Please notice that I ask three names for each subject, so that a full reply to this part of my letter will indicate your opinion as to the subjects that ought to be embraced in the scheme. In answering this question please distinguish between the subjects for which there should, in your opinion, be three examinations, and those for which two would suffice. (2.) Please say whether you think all schools coming under the scheme ought to read the same books for examination in classics for any one form in any one year, or, rather, that the syllabus should give a list of books for each form, so arranged as to make certain books equivalent to certain other books for examination purposes. The former alternative would simplify examination, the latter would allow more freedom. (3.) I suppose that any school availing itself of the proposed machinery would not select the best pupils from any form, but would subject whole forms to the test. My own opinion certainly is that what is wanted is a bond fide form examination, and that, whether the highest class in a school is fit to stand the Sixth Form examination of the proposed syllabus in any subject, or fit only for the Fourth, the class as a whole should be entered for the appropriate examination. I should be glad to know your mind on this point. (4.) Do you think that, when a master of any school acts as examiner in a subject in any year, his school should stand out of the examination in that subject for that year? I should prefer to have this question answered in the negative by a clear profession of thorough mutual confidence on the part of the masters. Yet I can understand that high motives may inspire an affirmative answer.

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(5.) As to the time of the examination, I suppose for most schools the early part of December would be most suitable, if the examination is to be (as I think it ought to be) a form examination, and therefore to be regarded as a part of the ordinary annual school examination. (6.) In what subjects would you be willing to examine ? No doubt it will be found that I have overlooked some details of practical importance, and perhaps you will be good enough (if you approve generally of the outline of the scheme) to send me notes of any that occur to you. It is probable that it may be necessary, after a few weeks, to submit to headmasters that are favourable to this proposal a synopsis of replies to this letter, and to seek further advice from them. You will see therefore that I must naturally wish to receive your reply as soon as it is possible for you to send it. I have, &c, Wm. Jas. Habens, Inspector-General of Schools. Up to the date of this report nineteen replies have been received. An analysis of them will be made in a few days, and will be printed with the reports of the schools (E.-9).

EXAMINATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. The Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Sir, — Education Department, Wellington, 6th May, 1887. I have the honour to submit to your notice an analysis of the letters received in reply to the circular letter in which I propounded a scheme for the examination of high schools. The last reply was received nearly three weeks ago ; but I have been so much occupied with the preparation of the annual report of the department that it has not been possible for me to present this summary till now. The replies are nineteen in number: six of them are favourable to my proposal, two signify a qualified approval, eleven are unfavourable. A.—Approval. 1. Auckland Girls' High School (Mr. Sloman). —Hearty sympathy with scheme in general outline and purpose. -Cannot accept as substitute for school examination. Thinks chief assistant-masters might examine as well as headmasters.——Three years : Literary subjects and mathematics. Two years : Geography and chemistry. Equivalent books should be allowed for classics. Whole forms to be examined. Examiners' schools should not stand out. Early part of December best time. 2. Napier Boys' High School (Mr. Heath). —Delighted to see that Government has resolved to undertake the examination. Examiners' schools need not stand out. Suggests that beadmasters be invited to a conference at Wellington. Equivalent books for classics. Whole forms.' Early part of December. 3. Napier Girls' High School (Miss Heioett). —Likely to prove practically useful. Committee of masters, with authority to appoint examiners not of their number. Capitation fee of ss. or 10s. for pupils examined. Examiners to be paid. Examiners not to be frequently changed. Three years: Literary subjects, history, geography, arithmetic, and algebra. Two years : Geometry, trigonometry, and science. One book to be selected as compulsory for classics, with choice of two or three for second author. Whole forms. Master may examine his own school if a subject is divided into sections given to different examiners. Early in December. 4. New Plymouth High School (Mr. Pridham). —Three years: Latin, mathematics, and, perhaps, modern languages. Two years : English—including history, geography, and grammar. If choice of books is allowed it should be small. Whole forms. Examiners' schools not to stand out. Not earlier than the Ist December. 5. Bangiora (Mr. Boice). —Scheme as a whole is feasible. Choice of books to be allowed. Whole forms. Examiners' schools not to stand out. Early part of December. 6. Southland High Schools (Mr. IHghton). —Thinks scheme is feasible, and would give more satisfactory results than examinations by outside examiners usually do. Examiners should be paid out of a contribution from the schools, proportioned to the income of schools or to the number of pupils sent up. Three years: Classics and mathematics only. Choice of books to be allowed. Whole forms. Examiners' schools need not stand out.——First week in December at latest. B.—Qualified Approval. 1. Alcaroa High School (Mr. Walton). —The examiners would not be responsible to Government or to public opinion. Different schools ought to be judged by different tests. Uniformity and cram are to be feared and avoided. Convinced of necessity of some scheme ; gives in adhesion to this fro tern., relying on the understanding that the widest latitude is to be allowed to small schools. ——Conference of headmasters should be held in Wellington.- Three years : Latin,

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French, German, mathematics, and science. Two years: English, arithmetic, history, and geography. -Choice of books. Master ought not to be expected to send up the " tail "of a form. Examiners' schools should not stand out. First week in December. 2. Waitaki High School (Mr. Harkness). —Would "like to see thoroughly experienced examiners come down every year or two, ascertain from the headmaster the scope and intention of his work, and then examine the school to see whether the work was being properly done." If this is at present impracticable will be glad to further any scheme the Department may decide upon, but sees difficulties in the present proposals. Proposed examination could not well take the place of Christmas examination for prizes ; and it would conflict with matriculation work. Uniformity would be injurious. The best work of small schools would be displaced by efforts to produce results at examination to compare with those produced in large schools. If the other headmasters approve of the scheme will help to make it work, but cannot promise that Waitaki High School shall be examined under it this year. Hopes that proposed conference of headmasters to discuss this subject will be held.' No special books unless, perhaps, in English. Whole classes. Examiners' schools not to stand out. Biennial; or as seldom as would satisfy the public demand for investigation. Some time before the Easter holidays. Deprecates action antecedent to proposed conference. Thinks small schools would suffer unjustly by comparisons based only on examination of the kind proposed. C. —Disapproval. 1. Auckland College and Grammar School (Mr. Bourne). —Regrets that there was no opportunity for correspondence between the headmasters. Not surprising if New Zealand finds a difficulty where English schools do not yet see their way. Doubts whether the public is disposed to regard the judgment of headmasters as sufficient. Considers that the most useful examinations are such as are conducted in situ, and take account of the actual life of the school. Uniformity interferes too much with useful freedom. One more would be added to the number of examinations and to the burdens of the scholars, unless the examination were recognized for other purposes. Labour for headmasters would be intolerable. If the scheme should secure the adhesion of two or three leading schools it would no longer be a voluntary matter for the rest. Answers to detailed questions. 2. Christchurch Boys' High School (Mr. Bevan Brown). —The scheme would probably prove to be too unwieldy and complicated. A " leaving examination," that might be recognized by the University, the Government, and the Judges, and accepted in lieu of matriculation, Class D Examination, Senior Civil Service Examination, and General-knowledge Examination would offer much greater advantages. Uniformity not to be desired. Results could not be known in time for school prizes.—■—Doubtful whether Governors would be content to accept verdict of headmasters. The examinations are not now conducted by masters. Suggests that, if attempts now being made to institute a Secondary Schools Conference, to be held next January, are successful, a full discussion of this question might take place there. 3. Christ's College Grammar School (Mr. Corfe). —Proposed examination could not well take the place of the school examination. 4. Nelson College (Mr. Ford). —The Council of the College resolves that it " cannot agree to any proposal for the establishment of anything in the nature of a competition between the various schools of New Zealand, and generally support the view's taken by the principal." Rivalry and possible ill-feeling. Want of confidence between examiner and teacher. Absolute uniformity would tend to drive teachers into a groove. Allowance could not be made for term's marks. No provision for competitors in different forms being examined for scholarships. Time would not allow of results being known by prize-day. Proposed examination would probably clash with University and Civil Service examinations, which are all that is necessary. Enormous work for headmasters. 5. Otago Boys' High School (Bev. H. Belcher, LL.D.). —Dr. Belcher proposes another scheme —appended to this analysis. Objects to selected authors. If there must be selected authors, all must read the same; equivalents cannot be got. Whole forms. Examiners' schools should not stand out. End of November, or beginning of December. Examining other boys is harder than examining one's own. Putting reports into shape for public view is extra work. ■ Assistant-masters should be invited to help. Extra work should have extra pay. 6. Otago Girls' High School (Mr. Wilson). —The scheme sets rivals to criticise one another's work. Headmasters do not now perform the whole work of examining their own schools, and could not examine the work of many schools in one subject (such as Latin or English) in December. A syllabus would interfere with the teacher's exercise of judgment. If a syllabus were desirable it ought to be drawn up at a conference, which should include teachers of special branches, and not consist of headmasters alone. Text-books ought not to be prescribed. Every one teaches most heartily from an author of his own choice. Whole forms ; but sometimes there is internal classification of a form. Examiners' schools should stand out. Examination in December would clash with certain fixed arrangements (prizes, scholarships, preparation, &c.); and, if not in December, it should be at least two months earlier. Scheme unworkable. 7. Thames High School (Mr. Adams). —Masters of [small schools would have much extra work thrown upon them. Prefers examination by Professors of Auckland University College. University examinations test sixth-form work. Choice of books should be allowed, unless all public examinations are brought into harmony. All that do the same work in schools should undergo the same examination.- Examiners' schools should not stand out. Early part of December. Headmasters should not be examiners. 8. Timaru High School (Mr. Halkett Daivson),— -Satisfied with existing arrangements.

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9. Wanganui Collegiate School (Bev. Dr. Harvey). —Thinks individual headmasters would like to confer with others equally interested. Suggests that Government should invite them to meet in Wellington during next holidays. 10. Wellington College (Mr. Mackay). —Examination should be by competent men, who are not actually engaged in teachiug in the schools. The work would be very burdensome to headmasters, and could not be done in time to answer practical ends. Lower forms as well as higher should be examined by independent examiners. Headmasters ought not to be the sole judges of their assistants' work. It would be a mistake to require all schools to read the same authors. Individuality and originality would be repressed. Matriculation and junior scholarship examinations must be the standard examination for secondary schools. A "whole-form test" can with difficulty be applied where boys may be in one form in Latin and in another form in mathematics. Another scheme proposed—appended to this analysis. 11. Wellington Girls' High School (Miss Hamilton). —Three stages for literary subjects, and algebra and Euclid. Two stages for arithmetic, trigonometry, science, and geography. All schools to use the same books. Whole forms. Examiners' schools should stand out. December seems to be the best month, but the occurrence of the matriculation examination in that month is against this. Assistants should take part in some cases. Head masters do not, as a rule, examine their own schools. This new work would have to be done in the holidays. The examination would be fragmentary, owing to the number of examiners, and therefore the tone of the school would not be ascertained. An examination that would involve competition between schools would be attended by danger of over-straining and "cram." Suggests that pupils going up for University examinations should be excused from school examinations. It appears to me that, while such great diversity of opinion exists as is shown by these repliesto my circular, it would not be wise to attempt to establish a general examination; and, as it seems probable that there will be a conference of principals of secondary schools about the end of this year, I think it would be well to wait and see if at that conference any scheme can be devised that will command a more general assent than has been awarded to my proposal. At the same time I feel that hearty thanks are due alike to those who have signified their willingness to make the suggested experiment, and to those others who have so frankly and so fully stated their objections and difficulties. I trust that this publication of opinions and criticisms, and of the counter-schemes proposed by Dr. Belcher and Mr. Mackay, may prove to be of some service in any future discussion of the subject. I may perhaps be allowed to say that, for my own part, I consider that neither my own scheme nor any other would be required if the principals of the schools were always treated with the confidence they deserve, and that there are already too many examinations. I agree with Mr. Bevan Brown in desiring to see a good leaving examination instituted, that might might render unnecessary several of the examinations with which our young students are now harassed. In making the proposal now under discussion it was part of my design to prepare the way for the institution of such a leaving examination. I have not thought it necessary to direct attention to any point on which the replies show some misapprehension of my meaning, feeling sure that, in such a careful discussion of the questions at issue as I hope will soon take place, anything of that kind will be easily cleared up. I have, &c, Wm. J as. Habens, Inspector-General of Schools. The Hon. the Minister of Education.

Enclosure No. 1. Scheme submitted by the Headmaster op Wellington College. As the circular invites suggestions I venture to make one. I would recommend that the University be urged to constitute an examining syndicate on the lines of the examining syndicates of Oxford and Cambridge, and most of the Home Universities. The syndicate might comprise the professors of university colleges and all graduates, whether by examination or cod eundem, of the New Zealand University. Such an examining body would be a bond of union among all interested in higher education, and would tend not only to keep alive, but to widen and deepen, the feeling in its favour. It would also command the confidence of the public. The University, I am aware, has been repeatedly urged to take this step, but has hitherto declined, on the ground that the number of graduates is too small. The number of graduates now, however, is such that that plea is no longer available. The constitution of the Oxford and Cambridge Syndicates is so well known to all interested in such matters that I shall not enter into detail here further than to say that they undertake the examination of schools at the rate of £3 3s. per day for each examiner. Now,

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supposing each of our secondary schools were to contribute to an examining fund about £40 a year, the amount, if properly administered, would surely suffice to defray the examiners' fees, and also, if necessary, their travelling expenses. If the University would only organize some such syndicate I am sure it would be supported by the governing bodies of all our secondary schools, and would be almost, if not altogether, self-supporting. Should the University decline to take its proper position as the head and director of our educational sytem—a position which I believe all secondary teachers would like to see it take —then it might be possible for the Education Department to offer some encouragement to teachers and others interested in education to organize a college of preceptors on the lines of the London College of Preceptors, which has done so much for middle-class schools in England.

Enclosure No. 2. Scheme submitted by the Rector op the High School op Otago, Dunedin. 1. The University* of New Zealand is prepared to receive applications for the examination of schools not being primary or first-grade schools, to be conducted under the direction and by the authority of the Senate. 2. Applications should be addressed to the Registrar of the University of New Zealand, at Wellington, by the trustees or governing board of the school (if there be such a corporation), or by the principal of the school. 3. Every application should be made four clear months, at least, before the date proposed for the time of examination, and should be accompanied by specific information as to— (a.) The number of classes proposed for examination, with the number and average age of the pupils of each class : (b.) The subjects taught, the degree of proficiency attained, and in some subjects the textbooks in use in each class : (c.) The extent to which inspectional papers may be available for the purposes of the exami- ( nation. [Definition. —An inspectional paper is a paper set by the examiner or examiner-in-chief, the answers to which are not, in the first instance, revised by the examiner-in-chief, but are revised and marked by teachers in the school examined, according to a scale of marks furnished by the examiner-in-chief; to whom, after this operation, the whole of the papers marked are sent, with results of marking, for his further inspection or revision.] 4. No examination in languages shall be based upon prepared books, but shall comprise examination in grammar, composition, and translation (with or without a word-list); and no textbooks shall be specified either in grammar or composition. 5. No text-books shall be specified in the subject of mathematics; and by " geometry "it shall be understood that Euclidian geometry is specified. 6. In the case of the English language, history, and literature, text-books shall be specified, and there shall be prepared books, or parts of books, to be specified at least two years beforehand. 7. The examinations shall be conducted by printed papers only, and in every case the following details of management shall be observed : — (a.) No paper shall be set for less than two or more than three hours' duration. (b.) The duration of each paper shall be printed clearly at the head of each printed paper. (c.) All examination papers shall be forwarded to the school to be examined under official seal, with the name of the school, date of examination, duration and subject of paper inscribed clearly on the cover. (d.) Every such cover shall be opened at the time specified for examination on the cover, by the principal of the school, in the presence of at least one of the assistants, who shall subsequently sign a declaration, to be forwarded to the Registrar of the University of Zealand, that all these and other details have been duly complied with. (e.) The examinations shall be conducted, so far as may be, according to a scale of marks already in force under the regulations of the University of New Zealand for matriculation. 8. The scale of fees shall be at the rate of, say, £2 10s. per hundred answer-papers sent in, under which fee shall be included— (a) the preparation of the examination papers ; (b) the report on the results. The fee shall not include expenses arising from —(a) printing of either examination paper or report; (b) postages, or any other secretarial material. Always provided that, for the purposes of estimation of fees, any number between fifty and a hundred answer-papers shall count as a hundred, and any number between nought and fifty shall count as fifty; and that, in any subject for which two or more papers are set, the number of answer-papers arising from each examina-tion-paper shall be an independent unit of calculation for the purpose of estimating fees, as, e.g., a form of twenty-three boys is examined in Latin by two papers — (a) an author paper, (b) a grammar paper : the two sets of papers shall be allowed for separately, and considered as two sets of fifty, and not as one set of forty-six, it being equitable that the specific work of preparation of each examination paper should be represented in the fee under this scheme. 9. Scale of examination of VI. and Upper V. Forms in a school of two hundred boys.—Assume total in two classes to be less than fifty. By groups a graduated paper can be set in the following subjects : Mathematics—Euclid, £1 ss. ; algebra, £1 55.; arithmetic, £1 ss. English—Grammar, £1 ss. ; history, £1 ss. Latin—Translation, £1 ss. ; grammar- and composition, £1 ss. FrenchTranslation, £1 ss. ; grammar and composition, £1 ss. German —Translation, £1 ss. ; grammar and composition, £1 ss. Science—One paper (in any subject, e.g., chemistry), £1 ss. Specific papers, Form VI. only, as follows: Latin—Higher composition, £1 ss. Mathematics —Trigonometry, mechanics, £1 ss. English—Prepared author, £1 ss. Science —Special subject, e.g., biology, £1 ss.

* Bead for " University," " Registrar," " Senate," if necessary, " Education Department," &«.

2—E. 9.

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From the foregoing estimate it may be seen that the higher boys of a school might be examined for £20 examiners' fees; add for printing, &c, £10, giving a total of £30—a very moderate burden on the resources of a school if the examination occurs only every second year. 10. The whole expense of examination shall be borne by the school ; examined, and shall be payable to the Eegistrar of the University of New Zealand as soon as the report of the examiners has been received, and the Eegistrar shall proceed immediately to distribute, without any deduction whatever, their fees to the examiners. The Senate shall keep a list of persons qualified to examine, selected from men and women actually engaged in secondary teaching of University rank, always provided that no member of the Senate shall, under the scheme, bo an examiner of schools. 11. The Senate (or a Committee), assisted by such persons as they may call to their counsels, shall arrange such a syllabus of subjects and such a scale of marks as may secure approximate uniformity in these school examinations, and shall issue to every pupil who shall have attained a certain minimum of marks severally in not less than five subjects a leaving-certificate, which the University of New Zealand shall accept, in lieu of the matriculation examination, providing that the existing regulations of the University have been complied with as to certain compulsory subjects. 12. No pupil shall receive his leaving-certificate until he has forwarded a fee of £1 to the Eegistrar of the University. 13. The schools which avail themselves of this examination shall be enumerated as A, B, C, in the order of their application ; but this enumeration shall be known to the Eegistrar only : while in the school classes everybody shall be enumerated 1, 2, 3, &c, and this enumeration shall be known only to the principal of the school examined. 14. All papers, as soon as the examination is completed, shall be arranged in order of enumeration in each class, and the whole of the papers of each class shall be packed up together as one parcel, and sent to Wellington, where the Eegistrar shall, on receipt of all the papers of the examinations wherever conducted throughout the colony, redistribute them to the examiner according to subjects, e.g., as the Latin papers of school A, B, C, &c. 15>. The examiners shall retain the papers for three months after the sending in of their report, after which they shall destroy them ; and they shall report on each school in each subject severally, that is to say, Latin of School A on a folio marked School A, Latin of School B on a folio marked School B, and remit their several reports to Wellington, where the Eegistrar, combining all the reports in the several subjects of the several classes in School A, School B, &c, shall send such reports on to the principal of School A, School B, &c, to be dealt with as may be locally determined. 16. No report shall be reprinted for publication unless it is printed in extenso.

AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 1, Report op the Board. Board of Governors ; Meetings; Attendance. —The Board at present consists of the following gentlemen: Elected by members of the Legislative Assembly for the Provincial District of Auckland : The Hon. Sir G. M. O'Rorke, Chairman; Messrs. Graves Aickin and J. H. Upton. Elected by the Senate of the New Zealand University: The Hon. Colonel Haultain, Vice-chairman ; the Rev. C. M. Nelson, and the Hon. J. A. Tole. Elected by the Auckland Board of Education : Messrs. W. S. Aldis, Theo. Cooper, and S. Luke. Ex officio : Mr. A. Devore. Messrs. Aickin, Devore, and Luke are new members, the first having been elected upon the resignation of Mr. F. D. Fenton, the second having succeeded Mr. W. R. Waddel as Mayor of Auckland, and the third having been elected upon the expiration of Mr. J. M. Clark's term of office. During the year twelve ordinary and ten special meetings have been held. Staff. —At the close of 1885 the staff was reduced by one master. The resignation of Mr. A. H. Highton, M.A., who had been elected to the headmastership of the Southland High Schools, and the promotion of Mr. H. J. Carson to be master for natural science in his place, left a vacancy, to which another was added during the Christmas vacation in consequence of the death by accident of Mr. W. Tomlinson, B.A. To meet the emergency, two masters were appointed for one term only. On the resignation of one of these, Mr. B. E, S. Stocker, under medical advice, after serving for three weeks, and the expiration of the engagement with the other, Mr. W. Wright, LL.B., further reductions were made. In April Mr. J. Anderson having vacated his mastership, Mr. A. Inkersley, 8.A., formerly Scholar of B.N.C, Oxford, was appointed. Yet another reduction was made in August, when Mr. G. V. Cox, 8.A., left, to take up a more lucrative appointment at Hobart; and, Mr. Inkersley having recently resigned, the question whether the vacancy shall be filled has been reserved for consideration after the commencement of term. The staff at present consists of the following : Headmaster, C. F. Bourne, M.A., sometime Exhibitioner and Scholar of St. John's College, Oxford. Assistant masters :J. W. Tibbs, M.A. Oxford, sometime Tasmanian Scholar, Chief Mathematical Master; J. G. Trevithick, N.A., Drawing and Writing Master, Instructor in the Workshop; E. R. Watkins, French Master; H. J. Carson (Univ. Coll., London), Natural Science Master; J. P. E. Francis, M.A., sometime Scholar Melb. Univ.; R.Dickson, M.A. Edin.; E. 11. Kirby, 8.A., sometime Scholar of Cavendish College, Cambridge. Drill Instructor :J. P. Birley, formerly Sergeant, Grenadier Guards. 801l. —The number of pupils has continued to decrease. In the first term of 1886 it was 237, in the second. 207, in the third 202. Fees. —Before the commencement of the second term it was resolved that the higher fee of £10 10s. per annum (reduced in favour of brothers to £9 95.) should be paid not only, as previously, for boys in the upper school, but also for those in the lower school who had attained the age of thirteen years. Scholarships, Free Education, &c. — It was also resolved, for financial and other reasons, to substitute two senior foundation scholarships of the value of £30 for one year, to be open to boys under the age of seventeen years, for the three of the value of £40 per annum, tenable for three

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years and open to boys under the age of sixteen years, previously maintained. No change was made as to the junior foundation scholarships or the grant-of free education to both foundation and district scholars, and to six or any less number of the winners of certificates in each year. Last term forty-one boys, or 20 per cent, of the total number on the roll, were thus exempt from fees, as were also four sons of officials. The Board notes with pleasure the prominence in the honour lists of the names of district scholars since the tenure of scholarships has been extended from two to three years, and looks for still better results from the new regulations of the Board of Education, which came into force this year, under which district scholars enter the school at an earlier age and will be able to compote for further scholarships. It is believed that under this system the school will, for many of these boys, be a link between primary and University education. Examinations, ate. —The school having undergone a special examination last year, it was not felt necessary to incur the expense of calling in examiners from outside this year. Examinations were held, in each term by the staff. In external competitions many successes have been won ; in the senior Civil Service examination, in particular, several high places were obtained. The Board would regret any alteration of the regulations as to this examination which would deprive the boys of this school of the opportunity of competing. Drawing, Workshop, dc. —Great attention has been paid, as heretofore, to freehand, geometrical, and, especially, mechanical drawing. Good results have been obtained in the workshop. At the close of the year the offer of prizes for the best models elicited several excellent specimens of workmanship. Many of these were made from working drawings copied by the competitors from those actually used in the construction of public works. Evening Classes. —These have been duly advertised, but in no case has the minimum number of candidates prescribed, namely eight, been reached. In fact only two applications were received during the year, each for only one of the five classes (chemistry, drawing, English, French, Latin) offered. Finances.— The Board has still to report straitened finances. In consequence of this, reductions of the staff more than proportional to the diminution in numbers have been made ; nor have any increases of salary been given to deserving masters. The Board also regrets to have to report that the audit at the close of the year brought to light irregularities on the part of the late Secretary, Mr. G. von der Ileyde. The deficiency first discovered was made good; but, after Mr. von der Heyde had been removed from his office and had left the colony, further investigation by the Provincial Auditor revealed others (vide returns). It was resolved that in future the Secretary should furnish security for £200. Secretary. —The Eev. E. Kidd, L.L.D., has been appointed Secretary. Beturns, &c. —The usual returns and copies of the school list, the Headmaster's report, a statement of the assets and liabilities, and the audited statement of the receipts and expenditure, are forwarded herewith. Ist March, 1887. Eobert Kidd, Secretary.

2. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year .. .. 13 19 1 By Overdraft at beginning of year .. 1,776 8 3 Current income from reserves .. 3,183 12 6 Office salary and commission.. .. 226 18 8 School fees.. .. .. .. 1,612 18 6 Other office expenses .. .. 60 14 2 Loan on second mortgage .. .. 2,000 0 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 3,236 6 0 Pee for a lease in hand .. .. 3 0 0 Examiners'fees * .. .. .. 286 14 0 Proceeds of old houses sold for removal 29 0 0 Other expenses f .. .. .. 41 5 3 Overdraft, end of year, Bank New Zealand 132 14 0 Scholarships .. .. .. 86 13 4 Prizes .. .. .. .. 65 11 2 Printing .. .. .. .. 11 3 6 Advertising .. .. .. .. 29 5 3 Cleaning, fuel, light, &a. .. .. 53 15 6 Book and stationery account, and other temporary advances— School stationery, per Governor's order t .. .. .. 35 16 0 School stationery and books for sale per J. Anderson, late assis-tant-master, net} .. .. 119 5 3 Advance account, W. Tibbs, for school stationery § .. .. 43 4 0 Site and buildings— Balance to complete expenditure on Grammar School .. .. G2 10 0 Repairs to school-building .. .. 40 16 8 Repairs to houses on endowments .. 27 13 4 Insurance and rates (including waterrates) on, and for use of, school .. 38 9 4 Ditto for houses on endowments .. 131 12 4 Interest on current account .. .. 116 9 2 Expenses of leases by auction, and sale of old houses .. .. .. 49 12 0 Interest on loans .. .. .. 197 10 0 Cleaning, and closets—school .. 25 19 9 Cleaning, and closets—property .. 19 2 0 General law expenses .. .. 14 8 4 School furniture and requisites .. 37 6 9 School sports and cricket-ground .. 17 10 0 Election expenses .. • ■ .. 12 13 0 Travelling expenses .. .. .. 18 5 0 Deficiency account late Secretary .. 89 6 3 £6,975 4 1 £6,975 4 1 * Ordinary, £5 ; special, j£2Bl lis, t Ordinary, £0 17s. Cd.; special, £31 It. 9d. I Old accounts. § New account. G. Maurice O'Borke, Chairman,

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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 31st December, 1886, and that I find them to be correct, and that the above statement is correctly made. —L. A. Durrieu, Auditor. 11th January, 1887. Note. —This form introduces " Stationery " twice. In the return now made, office stationery is included in " Office expenses," and stationery used for examinations is included in " Other expenses " under that heading. Books for sale and school stationery have been for many years under the management of an assistant-master, who left the school in April last. As the business did not pass through the books of the Board it is now quite impossible to ascertain the amount of each item. The Board settled the tradesmen's accounts up to the time quoted to the amount (deducting receipts for books sold) of £119 ss. 3d. The item £35 16s. was ordered directly by the Board. There remains a stock of books on hand against these amounts. The £43 4s. is an advance to an assistant-master under a new arrangement.—L.A.D.

3. Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Engagements at 31st December, 1886. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Value of endowments .. .. .. 40,000 0 0 Overdraft, Bank of Now Zealand .. 132 14 0 Rents outstanding .. .. .. 209 4 0 Loan on first mortgage. .. .. 2,000 0 0 Loan on second mortgago .. .. 2,000 0 0 Outstanding accounts owing .. .. 70 4 4 £40,209 4 0 £4,202 18 4 Engagements. —Agreement with Headmaster for ten years at £700 per annum and capitation allowance ; five years unexpired. G. Maurice O'Borke, Chairman. Eobert Kidd, Secretary.

4. Work op Highest and Lowest Classes. Wbrk of Highest Form, 1886. —Latin: Cruttwell and Banton's Specimens, Vol. 11., Part i., Nos. 13, 15, 16, 22, 23, 173, 175, 176; Part ii., Nos. 33, 34, 46, 49, 52, 53, 61, 64-67; Part iii., No. 24; also others—one weekly —as "unseens;" Horace, Epist. Book 1., 4, 5, 8-20; Walford's Extracts from Cicero, pages 130-138, 207-240; Livy, Book 1., ss. 1-65; Frost's Materials for Prose Composition, Exercises xxii.-lxxviii. ; revision, mainly viva voce, of Bradley's Arnold, Exercises xxix.-lxiv.; Public School Primer generally; notes on higher grammar; grammar papers weekly; repetition, Horace, Ars Poetica, lines 1-262, and preface to Livy, Book I. French: Le Medecin malgre lui; L'Avare, Acts ii., iii.; Le Cid, Actsi.,ii.; Brenhet's Elementary Syntax, Exercises 1-66; Blouet's Composition, Book 1., Exercises 1-75; Book 11., Exercises 7-32; Chardenal's Advanced, Exercises 1-20; general grammar. English: Shakespeare's Julius CaßSar; Keats's Hyperion, Book I. (also learnt by heart); Pope's Essay on Man, Books 1.-III.; Chaucer's Prologue to Canterbury Tales, Morris's Elementary Historical Accidence, Nichols's Primer of Composition, frequent essays. Natural Science : Chemistry, electricity, and magnetism as for junior University scholarships; botany—description of more obvious parts of plants, diagnosis of specimens of Umbelliferae, Cucurbitaceffi, Papaveraceas, Compositse, Rosace®. Mathematics :As for junior University scholarships. Work of Lowest Form for One Term, September to December, 1886 (entrances and promotions occur in every term). —History, reading, dictation: From Blackwood's First Historical Reader, pages 14-155. Spelling : From this book and Comprehensive Spelling-book. Grammar: Matter of large print in Trotter, pages 1-48; also very simple analysis. Eepetition: Ancient Mariner, lines 1-180. Geography : British Possessions, from Cornwell's For Beginners

5. Scholarships held at the School during Last Quarter op Year. College Scholarships. —Senior foundation (£4O and free education), 2 ; junior foundation (free education), 6 ; under Education Board's certificates of proficiency (free education), 8; sons of members of staff (free education), 4. The college also gives free education to holders of Education Board scholarships. Education Board Scholarships. —At £45, 3 ; at £40, 8; at £30, 11; at £20, 3. Baivlings Scholarships (£lO 10s. and books), 5.

6. Report op the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister op Education. Auckland College and Grammar School (Bth October, 1886). —The number of pupils has suffered considerable diminution since my last visit. I fail to observe anything in the management or course of instruction to account for this. Except in point of numbers, I think the school has been for some years steadily improving, and I have never been better pleased with it than on the occasion of this visit. I consider that the instruction given here is very systematic, accurate, and thorough.

AUCKLAND GIELS' HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Report op the Board. Numbers. —The number of pupils at the beginning of the year was 169, being thirty less than the number at the end of 1885. During the year the number decreased to 152. The chief cause of this falling-off is believed to exist in the general depression which has pervaded the colony. Staff. —The number of teachers has been reduced by one, and a further reduction is contemplated. A large saving has been made in the cost of the staff. The appointment of French

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master became vacant in August, but has since been filled up. The Board has not been able to obtain the services of a qualified teacher of German. Scholarships. —Twenty-five girls holding scholarships (or certificates of proficiency) have received free tuition during the year. Five of these girls are holders of scholarships founded in and for the school; the remaining twenty came from the primary schools. The terminal reports of the Headmaster upon the conduct, attendance, and progress of these girls are most satisfactory. Examination and Inspection. —The annual examination of the school was conducted by the Headmaster and principal assistant. Copies of their reports and of the examination questions are appended to this report. The school has been once visited by the Inspector-General during the year. The Board is of opinion that it should be inspected at least twice a year. Finance and Building. —The Board has received the parliamentary grant-in-aid of £1,000, and also a grant of £200 from the Eeserves Commissioners. Supplemented by these grants, the income has covered the expenditure. An endowment of 4,770 acres of land in the Maungam Survey District has been made over to the Board, but no income is yet derivable from it. It was hoped that before the close of another year the school would be housed in a proper building of its own; but this hope has not been realised. A clause was introduced by the Government into the Special Powers and Contracts Bill of last session to authorise an advance of £5,000 (upon security of the endowment) for the erection of a building; but the clause was struck out during the passage of the Bill in the Legislative Council. The Board cannot too strongly urge this long-standing want upon the attention of the Government. The want of a building has existed, with increasing pressure, for ten years. During that period the school has been conducted in most unsuitable premises, the accommodation being greatly inferior to that provided for the primary schools. The Board trusts that Parliament will not withhold its sanction from any scheme which the Government may submit to remedy the existing state of things, and that provision for the erection of a suitable building may be secured during next session. In the meantime the Board has been obliged to accept a further lease of the premises in Upper Queen Street at a rental of £300 a year, while the Howe Street property remains unoccupied for the purpose for which it is vested in the Board—namely, as a site for a school. Arfckland, 4th March, 1887. Samuel Luke, Chairman.

+ 2. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning at year .. .. 193 12 7 By Office—salary .. .. .. 40 0 0 Grant from vote of the General Assembly 750 0 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 1,713 12 6 Paid by School Commissioners .. 200 0 0 Examinations .. .. .. 42 7 6 School fees.. .. .. .. 1,254 10 6 Scholarships .. .. .. 40 0 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 18 5 9 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 69 0 7 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 65 16 7 Fencing, repairs, &c... .. .. 30 14 0 Rents, insurance, and taxes ~ .. 300 0 0 Interest on current account .. .. 013 8 Balance at end of year .. .. 77 12 6 £2,398 3 1 £2,398 3 1 Samuel Luke, Chairman. Vincent E. Eice, Secretary and Treasurer. Examined and found to be correct.—L. A. Durbieu, Auditor.

3. Statement op the Work done during the Year 1886 by the Highest and Lowest Forms respectively. (a.) Highest Form. —English : Chaucer's Prologue to Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare's Hamlet, literature of Elizabethan era, Morris's Grammar, essays on original and historical subjects. History: William I. to Edward 111. (Curnow) ; outlines of period 1688-1837. Geography: Political—Continents of Europe and America, and chief towns throughout the world. Physical— General. Latin : Livy, Book XXII.; Virgil, iEneid, Book VI.; Bradley's Arnold, chapters 25-36; continuous prose, various selections. Grammar: General. French: Siecle de Louis Quatorze, Chardenal's Advanced Book, Blouet's Composition, and continuous passages for translation into French. Mathematics : Arithmetic, general ; algebra to permutations and combinations ; Euclid, Books 1., 11., 111., IV., VI., and riders; trigonometry, Hamblin Smith's book. Chemistry : Non-metallic elements and atomic theory. (b.) Lowest Form. —English: No. IV. Globe Eeader, analysis of simple sentences, and parsing. Composition: Easy essays. Geography: Physical geography of Europe and North America; British possessions. History: House of Hanover. Arithmetic: Simple and compound rules. French: Chardenal's First Course to Exercise 52 ; avoir and etre. Object-lessons: On familiar subjects. Laws of Health : Berners's Laws of Health. Sewing. John F. Sloman, 8.A., Headmaster.

4. Scholarships held at the School during the Last Quarter op the Year. School Scholarships. —At £15 and free education, 2; free education, 3. Master's daughter (free education), 1. The school also gives free education to holders of Education Board scholarships. Education Board Scholarships. —At £40, 4 ; at £35, 1; at £20, 12.

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5. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Auckland Girls' High School (Ist October, 1886). —The mathematical work of the school is of a very satisfactory kind. The instruction in the highest Latin class is very good. I was much interested in a lesson in English history given by a lady who has lately joined the staff. On the whole the staff has been weakened by large changes made since my last visit, and the loss of efficiency is most noticeable in the French classes.

WHANGAREI HIGH SCHOOL. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year .. .. 31 15 7 By Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 013 0 Balance at end of year.. .. .. 31 2 7 £31 15 7 £31 15 7 Wm. Bedlington, Chairman. Examined and found to be correct.—L. A. Durrieu, Auditor.

THAMES BOYS' AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. & s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance in bank at beginning of year By Dr. balance at beginning of year .. 30 17 2 (fixed deposit) .. .. .. 800 0 0 Office—salary .. .. .. 30 0 0 Current income from reserves .. .. 191 11 3 Other office expenses .. .. 8 5 5 Interest on moneys invested and on unpaid Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 922 0 0 purchase-money .. .. .. 47 9 0 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 53 12 0 School fees .. ~ .. .. 376 11 0 Prizes .. .. .. 10 2 0 Goldfiolds revenue ~ ~ .. 125 910 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 28 15 0 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. 39 0 0 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. .. 13 12 7 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 30 2 3 Interest on current account .. .. 312 6 Expenses of survey, sales, management, &c .. .. .. 14 11 0 School requisites .. .. .. 25 19 5 Balance at end of year— Fixed deposit .. .. .. 250 0 0 Current account .. ~ .. 74 11 9 £1,541 1 i £1,541 1 1 W. Fraser, Chairman. R. A. Heald, Secretary and Treasurer. Examined and found to be correct.—L. A. Durrieu, Auditor.

2. Work done by Highest and Lowest Classes. Highest Form. —Latin : Virgil, Book IV.; Cicero, De Amicitia; Smith's Principia Latina, Part IV. French: Translation, De Musset; Gram., Chardenal, Part ii. ; Blouet (English to French). Trigonometry: Exercises, I. to X., 10. Algebra: Todhunter, to quadratic equations. Arithmetic: General. Geometry: Euclid, Book IV. Chemistry: Eoscoe; inorganic, laboratory work. Physics: Stewart's Primer. English Grammar: Morris's Historical Grammar. History: Roman, Saxon, and Norman periods. Geography : General, Proctor's Physical Geography. Lowest Form. —French : Elementary. Arithmetic : Simple rules. Geography : Cornwell's Small Geography. History : Outlines of English history. Reading : Royal Reader V. English Composition: Chambers's.

3. Scholarships held at the School during the Last Quarter op the Year. College Scholarships. —Under Education Board's certificates of proficiency (free education), 2, The college also gives free education to holders of Education Board scholarships. Masonic Scholarships. —Free education for three years, 3. Ladies' College Fund Scholarships. —Free education for three years, 2. Education Board Scholarships. —At £45, 1; at £30, 1; at £20, 2.

4. Eeport op Inspector-General op Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Thames High School (sth October, 1886). —I consider that this school is well adapted to the wants of the locality. It is strongest on the "modern" side. The amount of classical work clone is apparently determined by the requirements of the Civil Service examination. "De Amicitia "is being read now for examination purposes, but the grammatical knowledge possessed by the pupils and their proficiency in composition are not such as in an old-fashioned grammar school would be considered consistent with the reading of such a book. The best French work in the school is very good indeed. The study of mathematics is pursued with vigour and success. Physical science suited to a mining district is well taught, and there is good provision for laboratory practice. Natural history

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"object-lessons" of a very real kind are given to the youngest pupils. This school is the only secondary school in New Zealand in which boys and girls are taught in the same classes. Ido not see any defect in discipline due to this cause, nor do I hear of any difficulty arising from it.

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Grant from vote of the General Assembly 200 0 0 By Dr. balance at beginning of year .. 156 19 4 Current income from reserves.. .. 334 2 7 Management .. .. .. 65 910 Paid by School Commissioners .. 165 0 0 Teachers' salaries and allowances .. 751 5 0 School fees .. .. .. .. 295 12 6 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 22 5 2 Balance at ond of year .. .. 80 411 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 24 8 8 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 39 19 6 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 10 0 0 Interest on current account .. .. 4 12 6 £1,075 0 0 £1,075 0 0 Thomas Kelly, Chairman, E. Veale, Secretary and Treasurer. Examined and passed.—C. Eennell, Auditor.

2. Work done by Highest and Lowest Classes. Algebra. —Highest: Todhunter, to end of quadratics. Lowest: None. Arithmetic. —Highest: The subject generally. Lowest: Four first rules, reduction, and easy fractions. Euclid. —Highest: Books I. to VI. and exercises. Lowest: None. Latin. —Highest: Smith's Principia and Caesar, Book I. Lowest: Smith's Principia. French. —Highest: Ahn's course and tables. Lowest: Ahn's course, Exercises 1-80; and verb (regular). Geography. —Highest: Physical features of world in outline, New Zealand and British Isles in detail; outlines of physical geography. Lowest: Same as highest, but less complete grasp of the subject expected. History. —Highest: Accession of Sovereigns; principal wars, treaties, and constitutional changes; biographies; special period, Tudors. Lowest: Outlines of history, with a few of the important events of each reign. Grammar. —Highest: Morell (except structure of words), Morris's Historical Grammar. Lowest: Parsing of sentences and easy analysis. Science. —Highest: Mensuration of solids (more strictly mathematics). Lowest: Outlines of botany. Beading. —Highest: Shakespeare's Tempest. Lowest: Royal Reader No. IV.

3. Scholarships held at the School during Last Quarter op the Year. Education Board Scholarships. —At £15, 3 ; at £10, 4. Hon. H. Scotland's Scholarships. —At £15, 1; at £10, 1.

4. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister op Education. New Plymouth High School (14th and 15th October, 1886). —On this occasion I spent two days in the school, and examined the several classes, instead of observing the ordinary processes of instruction from the point of view of an Inspector. The senior Latin class consists of eight boys. Three of them were absent —an indication of irregularity of attendance that must prove a great hindrance to the progress of individual boys and of the school. The class was decidedly more proficient in construing and showed much more power in dealing with complex sentences than on former occasions; but the parsing (except in the case of Olson) was weak. In Euclid one boy (Rawson) is in the Sixth Book, and I was well pleased with his knowledge of it; the rest of the Euclid class, except one dull boy, knew the First Book very well. In history and geography most of the boys answered very fairly. The progress of the boys in algebra is satisfactory, and they are working intelligently at mensuration. I was sorry to see that some of the pupils spend part of their school time in book-keeping, in deference, I believe, to the wishes of their parents. lam of opinion that their time could be much better spent. The girls are doing well in algebra. Both boys and girls read part of "The Tempest," and answered well the questions I put to them on obscure and difficult constructions, the girls especially showing a very satisfactory degree of intelligence and power of comprehension. The pronunciation of French, on the part of both boys and girls, was very failindeed ; and the translation of French fables was well done. The girls answered elementary questions in physiology and botany very creditably. Two days is not a sufficient allowance of time for an exhaustive examination, but I saw enough to justify me in saying that there is abundant evidence of able, careful, and conscientious teaching. I have before called attention to the fact that few pupils remain long in the school; and I observe that some, having long distances to travel, lose a part of the school-hours of each day. It must be borne in mind that there are only three teachers, although the girls are taught separately, and the pupils have to be divided into as many classes as would be required if their number were doubled. In these circumstances results of the highest order are not to be expected, but very good results are obtained. Ido not see how the girls' school is to go on wdthout cither an increase of the staff or an arrangement for teaching boys and girls together.

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WANGANUI HIGH SCHOOL. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year .. .. 258 9 2 By Office—salary .. .. ■ .. 5 0 0 Interest on moneys invested and on un- Other office expenses .. .. 0 4 0 paid purchase-money .. .. 466 3 10 Fixed deposit, National Bank of New Fixed deposit withdrawn .. .. 790 0 0 Zealand, twelve months . . .. 1,319 10 0 Bank balance .. .. .. 189 19 0 £1,514 13 0 SMJ: 3 __0 W. H. Watt, Chairman. A. A. Browne, Secretary and Treasurer. Examined and passed.—R. Macalister, Provincial District Auditor.

WANGANUI ENDOWED SCHOOL. 1. Report of the Trustees. The Trustees have to report that the school continues working very satisfactorily under the management of Dr. Harvey. The income from rents amounts to £697, and is devoted to reduction of overdraft, to paying interest on moneys borrowed for erection of school-buildings, and in gradually paying off the principal sum. It will be seen by the Statement of Accounts that during the year ended the 30th June, 1886, the overdraft has been reduced by £118 ss. 3d., and a sum of £135 18s. 6d. has been paid off the mortgage debt. The school fees are all paid to the Headmaster, who pays all salaries and expenses of the school. Wellington, 24th August, 1886. O. Wellington, Chairman.

2. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Current income from reserves .. 678 9 9 By Balance at beginning of year .. 142 15 6 Arrears of school fees .. .. 18 0 0 Management— Refund of rates .. .. .. 218 0 Office commission .. .. .. 30 0 0 Debit balance at end of year .. .. 128 4 4 Other expenses of management .. 13 14 2 Teachers' salaries and allowances (old account) .. .. .. 10 10 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 5 8 6 Site and buildings— Purchases and new works .. .. 152 13 0 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 79 10 7 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. 94 13 0 Interest on current account .. .. 271 0 6 Law (old account) .. ... .. 27 610 £827 12 1 £827 12 1 Chas. P. Powles, Secretary to Trustees. I have compared the above balance-sheet with the books and vouchers, and find the same to be correct. —David Lundon, Auditor. Wanganui, 18th February, 1887.

3. Work of Highest and Lowest Classes. Work in Highest Form (Upper Fifth). —Latin : Cicero, De Amicitia ; Horace, Odes, Book 111., Ars Poetica; Virgil, iEneid, Book V. Greek : Portions of Xenophon, Anabasis; Homer, Iliad, Book I.; Euripides, Alcestis. French: Grammaire de Grammaires, L'Avare. English History : Smith, Green. Geography : Hughes. Physical Geography : Hughes. English : Morell's English Grammar ; Stopford Brooke's English Literature; Hamlet (Clarendon Press) ; Macmillan's No. VI. Reader. Mathematics: Euclid, Books I. to IV., and riders; algebra to quadratics, series, &c.; trigonometry to solution of triangles ; elementary mechanics and hydrostatics ; arithmetic, general. Lowest Form (First). —History, geography, English grammar, arithmetic, reading, writing, about Third Standard work in the State schools.

4. Statement respecting Scholarships. There are no scholarships founded in connection with the school, nor have the Trustees as yet any funds at their disposal for this purpose. The following, however, have been awarded and are maintained by the Headmaster at his own expense :• — Day Boys. —One senior scholarship, annual value £12; three junior scholarships (£9 each), £27; one exhibition, £9; two sons-of-clergy exhibitions, £18. Boarders. —Two senior scholarships (£33 each), £66; six junior scholarships (£33 each), £198; two exhibitions (£33 each), £66 ; three sons-of-clergy exhibitions (£54 each), £162. The scholarships are competed for on yearly examinations. The exhibitions have been given to deserving boys without examination.

5. Eeport op the Inspector-General op Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Wanganui Collegiate School (18th October, 1886).—This school is a very prosperous one. There are about a hundred and fifty pupils, of whom about eighty are boarders. I think the mathematical work is the most satisfactory, though the results in the Latin, French, and English classes are very fair. I was interested in observing the method adopted to encourage excellence in hand-

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writing: the boys who are not proficient in this department are required to devote a part of what would otherwise be playtime to this exercise. I think the cadet corps in connection with the school is exerting a good influence.

WELLINGTON COLLEGE AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Report op the Board. Wellington College, Secretary's Office. The Governors of the Wellington College and Girls' High School are glad to be able to report favourably of both the institutions under their charge. Wellington College. The results of outside examinations (University matriculation and Civil Service) prove that the college is capable of working up to a high standard, while the report of the examiners attached hereto shows that good work is done throughout the school, and this notwithstanding that there have unfortunately been several changes in the staff during the year. The Board of Governors still find the interest on the moneys borrowed for building a great burden on the funds, necessitating an annual application to Government for a grant of money equivalent to the amount of such interest. The Public Bodies' Leaseholds Act of last session enables the Board to deal somewhat better than hitherto with the reserves under their control. They have already somewhat increased their revenue from these reserves, and hope ere long to have a still further increase. At present all the revenue they can get is required for current expenditure, and it will be so for some time to come. As soon as there is any surplus revenue over and above what is required for salaries and maintenance of the school, such surplus, or at least a part of it, should be laid aside to form a fund for reinstating the buildings ; they are of wood, and will not last very many years. The Governors hope that steps will soon be taken by the Government to further carry out the recommendation of the Commission on Higher Education in 1879 by the establishment of a University College in Wellington. Wellington Girls' High School. This institution maintains its position as one of the best of our secondary schools for girls. The report of the examiners is here attached, and it bears evidence that exceedingly good work has been done, notwithstanding the difficulties the Lady Principal and staff have had to contend with in conducting the school in a building which it has completely outgrown. The Governors have long had in view the erection of new buildings, and, having at length obtained a site, and having received an assurance from the Premier on behalf of the Government that they would assist the Board in the matter of funds at the next session of Parliament, they have entered into an agreement with a local firm of builders for the erection of new school-buildings. The work has been begun, and it is hoped that the building will be finished for occupation by the third term of this year. Hitherto the school fees have been the only source of revenue (beyond a small annual grant from Parliament), but, having been brought under the provisions of the Public Bodies' Leaseholds Act of last session, they have been enabled to let a few sections of the reserves vested in them, and hope soon to lease other sections, thereby increasing their revenue. As, however, the land is all covered with bush, and the conditions upon which it can be let are not so favourable to lessees as those granted by the Government, the rental obtainable is small. The school fees do not quite equal in amount the sum paid for salaries of teachers; the Governors therefore must look to the Government to aid them until the revenue from endowments considerably increases. Chas. P. Powles, Secretary.

2. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure of the Wellington College for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. & s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Grant from vote of the General Assembly 500 0 0 By Dr. balance at beginning of year .. 673 10 10 Current income from reserves.. .. 995 11 6 Office—salary .. .. .. 135 12 2 School fees .. .. .. .. 1,693 16 6 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 1,906 5 4 Refunds .. .. .. ... 10 1 2 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 22 1 0 Interest, Moore and Rhodes scholarships 62 19 5 Scholarships .. .. .. 80 0 0 Balance at end of year .. .. 573 10 11 Prizes .. .. .. .. 4 0 0 I Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 94 16 0 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c, and part salary of janitor .. .. .. 73 13 0 Furniture and apparatus .. .. 36 5 0 Fencing, repairs, &c.. .. .. 125 4 10 Insurance .. .. .. 70 17 6 Interest on current account .. .. 49 14 6 Rates, fencing, &c, on endowments .. 147 4 6 Interest on loan for buildings .. .. 367 14 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. 6 310 University examination fees advanced.. 17 17 0 Grants to school library and cricket club .. .. .. .. 25 0 0 £3,835 19 6 £3,835 19 6 J. R. Blair, Chairman. 15th February, 1887. Chas. P. Powles, Secretary. Examined and passed.—R. Macalister, Provincial District Auditor. 15th April, 1887. 3—E. 9.

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3. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure of the Wellington Girls' High School for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year, Buildings By Dr. balance at beginning of the year .. 136 19 5 Account .. .. .. 133 4 8 Secretary, commission on fees .. 65 7' 3 Grant from vote of the General As- Stamps .. .. .. .. 716 8 sembly.. ... .. .. 250 0 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 1,183 6 8 School fees .. .. .. 1,304 4 7 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 20 5 0 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds .. 7 7 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 3 0 0 Donations for prizes .. .. 3 11 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 79 9 6 Balance at end of year .. .. 267 5 8 Cleaning, fuel, light, Ac. .. .. 52 8 8 Music .. .. .. .. 25 10 8 Furniture .. .. .. .. 27 11 9 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 14 18 6 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 170 12 6 Interest on current account .. .. 3 2 1 Rates on reserves .. .. ~ 44 810 Sundries .. .. .. .. 11 15 0 University fees advanced .. .. 7 7 0 Balance at end of year, Buildings Account .. ".. .. .. 105 12 11 £1,905 12 11 £1,965 12 11 J. E. Blair, Chairman. 16th February, 1887. Chas. P. Powers, Secretary. Examined and passed.—E. Macalister, Provincial District Auditor, 15th April, 1857.

4. Work done by the Highest and Lowest Classes, College. Highest Form. —Latin : Sallust, Jugurtha; Horace, Odes, Book 111., and Ars Poetica ; Cicero, In Cat. I. and II.; sight translations ; Eatin composition ; Simpson and Potts ; and Public School Latin Primer. Greek: Accidence; Xenophon, Anab. I. Mathematics : Arithmetic ; algebra to end of quadratics; Euclid, Books 1., 11., 111., IV., VI.; plane trigonometry; and elementary mechanics of solids and fluids. English: Smith and Hall, Morris's Historical English Grammar, Richard 11. and 111. ; Milton's Lycidas, L'Allegro, and II Penseroso ; paraphrase and precis from standard English authors ; and composition. French :Le Bourgeois Gentilhomrne, L'Avare, first half Lazare Hoche, composition, and Merlet's Grammar. Science : Inorganic chemistry and heat. History : Elizabeth to Victoria, and Roman History Primer. Geography : Political and physical. Loiuest Form. —Latin : Accidence and easy exercises. Arithmetic : Simple and compound rules, and vulgar fractions. English : Reading, grammar, analysis, and easy composition. History : Part of Edith Thomson's. Geography: General.

5. Work done by the Highest and Lowest Classes, Girls' High School. Highest Class. —English : Morris's Historical English Grammar (omitting pp. 187 to 202) ; Dr. Abbott's "How to write clearly "; from writers of reign of James I. to 1832 (notes dictated, with illustrative readings from authors, and biographical notices); from Morell's Literature, Nichols's Landmarks of Literature, and Morley's Library of Literature; reading of Macbeth. History : Outline from Elizabeth to William 111. ; and Green's Short History of the English People, William 111. to the end, with notes. Geography : As for matriculation, with special reference to England and New Zealand. Latin: Virgil, iEneid, Books XL and XII.; Horace, Odes, Book 11., Odes 1 to 12, omitting 5 and 6 ; Livy, Book 1., preface to end of chapter 30 ; Smith and Hall's Latin Grammar, the whole subject except prosody and appendices, also omitting pages 130-146; Bennet's Latin Exercises, 1-69, in Part ii. German : Herrmann und Dorothea, to and of Clio; Dr. Aue's German Grammar to end of pronouns, p. 107, and all irregular verbs. French: L'Avare (whole), Lazare Hoche (whole), Merlet's Grammar (whole). Arithmetic: The whole subject, chiefly from Hamblin Smith. Euclid: Books 1., 11., 111., IV., with definitions of Book V. Algebra: To end of quadratics, with miscellaneous examples. Trigonometry : Work required for junior scholarship examination. Lowest Glass. —English : Abbott's " How to tell the Parts of Speech; " easier poems from Treasury of Song; writing in copybooks. History : Chambers's Historical Reader, Pt. ii. Geography : Use of geographical terms ; Europe. Arithmetic : Simple rules and money rules.

6. Scholarships held at the College and Girls' High School during Last Quarter op the Year. College _ College Scholarship. —Free education, 1. Moore Scholarship. —£4o, 1. Bhodes Scholarship. —£40, 1. Education Board Scholarships. —At £30, 3 ; at £20, 6. Girls' High School. Education Board Scholarships. —At £30, 1; at £20, 4.

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NAPIER HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Report of the Board. Sir,— Napier, 4th March, 1887. The Governors of Napier High School have the honour to report, for the information of the Hon. the Minister of Education, that the Boys' and Girls' High Schools under their care have had a fairly prosperous year. During the last term of the year the former had an average attendance of ninety-one pupils, and the latter had seventy-three. Owing to the increased number of pupils, the Governors required to add to the accommodation and to the teaching staff in both schools. The Inspector-General of Schools visited them both in September, and reported on them as exhibiting fairly satisfactory work. Professors Shand and Sale examined both of the schools in December, and gave detailed statements of their condition. Copies of these reports are enclosed, as well as those of the Headmaster and Headmistress of the boys' and girls' schools respectively, and a balance-sheet of the accounts as audited by Mr. Macalister. I have, &c, The Secretary for Education, Wellington. David Sidey, Secretary.

2. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Current account from reserves .. 275 15 6 By Dr. balance at beginning of year .. 1,797 9 10 From property not a reserve .. .. 584 0 0 Office—salary .. .. .. 60 0 0 Interest on moneys invested .. .. 315 19 1 Other office expenses .. .. .. 718 6 Paid by School Commissioners .. 120 0 0 Other expenses of management .. 7 12 10 School fees .. .. .. .. 1,690 6 8 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 2,206 3 5 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds .. 62 5 0 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 80 0 0 Old stock sold .. .. .. 57 3 9 Prizes .. .. .. .. 12 15 0 Overdraft at end of year .. .. 2,648 2 8 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 7 10 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 11l 11 6 Book and stationery account, &c. .. 99 10 10 Buildings— Purchase, &c. .. .. .. 824 14 3 Fencing, &o. .. .. 261 6 3 Rents, insurance, &c... .. .. 125 9 0 Interest on current account .. .. 152 0 3 £5,753 12 8 £5,753 12 8 J. D. Ormond, Chairman. David Sidey, Secretary. Examined and passed.—R. Macalister, Provincial District Auditor. 18th February, 1887. 3. Statement of Assets and Liabilities on the 31st December, 1886. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Girls' school .. .. .. .. 3,250 0 0 Overdraft at Bank of New Zealand .. 2,648 2 8 Furniture .. .. .. .. 700 0 0 Interest on same, but not charged till end Boys' school .. .. .. .. 4,000 0 0 of March .. .. .. 46 9 8 Furniture .. .. .. .. 400 0 0 Reserves .. .. .. .. 3,104 0 0 Property not a reserve .. .. 8,176 0 0 Mortgages .. .. .. .. 5,568 0 0 £25,198 0 0 £2,694 12 4 Working Balance on the 31st December, 1886. £ s. d. School fees unpaid .. .. .. 43 2 6 Rents unpaid .. .. .. .. 26 15 0 £69 17 6

4. Work op the Highest and Lowest Forms, Boys' School. Highest Form.— Latin : Cicero, Pro Lege Manilia, De Senectute ; Latin composition. Greek : Homer, Lib. XVI.; composition. French: Selections from best authors, composition, and grammar. Euclid: Six books. Algebra: To the binomial theorem. Trigonometry :To end of solution of triangles. Statics : Hainblin Smith's and Todhunter's. Dynamics : Todhunter's. Optics : Ganot. Hydrostatics : Hamblin Smith's and Phear's. Chemistry : Roscoe's. History : Bright's. Geography: General. English : Morris, Skeat, Oliphant, selections. Lowest Form.— English : Elementary. Geography : Elementary. History : Elementary. Writing: Elementary. Drawing : Elementary. Object-lessons.

5. Work of the Highest and Lowest Forms, Girls' School. Highest Form. —Scripture: Old Testament history. Arithmetic: Sonnenschein, complete course; miscellaneous exercises. Algebra: To quadratics, inclusive. Geometry: Euclid, Book I. Astronomy : Elementary. Chemistry : Second year's course. Physics : First year's course. Geography : Physical and political. Grammar : Parsing and analysis. History : English to Tudor period. Literature : Elizabethan; Shakespeare (Richard II.). French: Grammar; Trans. Moliere. German : Elementary. Latin : Grammar ; Virgil, iEneid I. Lowest Form. —Scripture : Old Testament history. Arithmetic : Simple and compound rules. Botany : Elementary. French : Elementary. Geography: Physical and political. Grammar; Easy analysis and parsing. History : History of England, Will. I. to Henry IV. «

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6. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister op Education. Napier Boys' High School (24th September, 1886). —The school has increased considerably in numbers since last year, and is doing good work. The mathematical part of the work is, perhaps, the most thoroughly satisfactory. The preparatory class has now a separate room, and I was much pleased with the good discipline and with the instruction in that department. The arrangements for teaching French in the lower part of the school are not quite perfect. I think I have never before seen the»school on the whole in as good a condition as it is in now. Napier Girls' High School (23rd September, 1886). —The work done in this school is not yet of a very advanced order; but what is done appears to bo done very methodically, and, for the most part, thoroughly. The programme contains the names of a larger number of sciences than one would expect to find there. I made some inquiry as to the reason, and found that the plan approved by the school authorities contemplates the broadening of the view by means of a simple introduction to several sciences rather than a discipline in precision by a more thorough course in one subject. There seems to be a healthy tone in the school, good manners and diligent attention to work being conspicuously noticeable.

GISBORNE HIGH SCHOOL. Sir,' — I have to report that the Gisborne High School Board was duly constituted in 1885, and held its first meeting on the 9th December, 1885. It was at once recognised that the Gisborne High School Act of 1885 gave the Board no power, for the only revenues absolutely vested in it were revenues to arise from the leasing of the Marunga Block when that property could be utilised. The revenues arising from the reserves named in the First Schedule to the Act, under the 21st section, do not appear to be payable to the Board until a school is established at Gisborne, or elsewhere in the County of Cook. These last revenues, if available, would not maintain a school if one were actually built, and no buildin'g fund is provided; and there is no immediate prospect of the Board's revenues increasing, as they arise in all cases from leases of the reserves in the First Schedule, the rentals of which are fixed for several years to come, The exact revenue derived from these reserves will no doubt be dealt with by the School Commissioners, who receive the rentals and invest them. Under these circumstances the Board speedily came to the conclusion that it could give no assistance to secondary education. The Marunga Block has been let in terms of the High Schools Reserves Act, and the highest of several tenders has been accepted. The rental payable by the lessee will be £35 per annum for the first seven years, £75 per annum for the second seven years, and £165 per annum for the third seven years. The first rental will be payable on the 11th of April, 1887. The following liabilities have been incurred : Marunga Block, county rates, £10 15s. 6d.; advertising High School Bill, £1 16s. ; advertising Marunga Block for lease, £2 3s. ; stationery and account-books, 14s. 6d.: total, £15 9s. There have been no receipts, no disbursements, and no audit. An Amendment Act has been prepared with the approval of the Governors, and will be introduced as a local Bill in the next ensuing session of Parliament. Power will be asked for to enable the School Commissioners to pay to the Governors revenue from time to time accruing from the reserves set apart by the principal Act. It will also be proposed to empower the Governors, until such time as a secondary school can be established under the Act, to give a grant-in-aid to the district school not exceeding £150 per year, provided such school is maintained as a district high school under " The Education Act, 1877." The Governors hope this very necessary provision will be sanctioned, as Gisborne, from its isolated position, is entirely cut off from secondary schools, except in the case of parents who can defray the large expense of maintaining children from home at Napier, Nelson, Wellington, Auckland, Wanganui, or Christchurch. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. W. L. Williams, Chairman.

NELSON COLLEGE. 1. Report of the Governors for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. The Governors present the usual accounts for the year just ended, and they have only to say in reference to them that, although there has been some loss incurred in the working of each of the colleges, the deficiencies are not more than might reasonably be expected in the present depressed condition of this district in common with the rest of the colony. The most important event of. the year as regards the Boys' College has been the retirement of the late Principal, the Rev. J. C. Andrew, and the appointment in his place of Mr. W. J. Ford, M.A. Cantab. For many reasons the Governors regret the loss of the services of Mr. Andrew, whose high personal character, added to his well-known classical attainments, have tended greatly to maintain the recognised position of the college in all parts of the colony. The selection of Mr. Ford was made by one of the Governors, the Hon. J. C. Richmond, who happened to be in Europe at the time, on the advice of Dr. Bright, Master of University College, Oxford, and Dr. Percival, President of Trinity College, Oxford (now Headmaster of Rugby, one of the highest scholastic positions in England); and after six months' experience of Mr. Ford's services the Governors see every reason to believe that the selection was a most judicious one, and that the appointment will be of much value to the college. In addition to the experience in teaching which Mr Ford has had as assistant master for many years in Marlborough College, England, he takes a

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strong interest in athletic sports, which the Governors think is a very desirable qualification in the master of a public school. . _. A considerable sum has been expended during the year—about £400—m building a_ concrete water-tank, together with new baths and other improvements and alterations, at the Boys' College; and other exceptional expenses, amounting to a further sum of about £200, have been incurred. The Governors cannot conclude this report without referring in grateful terms to the generous contribution made by Miss Edger to the college funds by the appropriation of £30 per annum for two additional scholarships in the Girls' College. The audited accounts of both colleges for the year 1886, together with a comparative statement of the rolls for 1885 and 1886, and a schedule showing the number, value, and present position of the scholarships connected with both colleges, are appended to this report. By order of the Council of Governors. Oswald Curtis, Secretary.

2. Statement of Eeoeipts and Expenditure, Nelson College, for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year .. 378 90 By Office—salary .. .. .. 200 0 0 Current income from lands .. .. 451 6 6 Other office expenses .. .. 45 6 0 Interest on moneys invested .. .. 916 0 3 Teachers' salaries and allowances .. 1,549 18 3 School fees .. .. • • • • 835 16 6 Boarding-school account .. .. 952 10 0 Boarding-school fees. . .. .. 1,359 8 7 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 11 11 0 Refunds .. .. • ■ • ■ 267 14 11 Scholarships and exhibitions .. .. 282 10 0 Stationery ' 33 7 6 Prizes, printing, stationery, and advertising .. .. .. .. 101 8 2 Light (cleaning and fuel included in boarding account) .. .. 43 5 5 Temporary advances.. .. .. 100 0 0 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 413 10 9 Insurance and taxes .. .. .. 106 10 3 Furniture .. .. .. .. 67 19 0 Travelling expenses (Principal, from England) .. .. .. 103 12 9 Sundries not classified .. .. 114 14 2 Balance at end of year .. .. 149 7 6 £4,242 3 3 £4,242 3 3 Auditor's certificate attached to accounts as kept in the college books. Printed copy herewith. Oswald Curtis, Secretary.

3. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure, Nelson College for Girls, for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Grant from vote of the General As- By Dr. balance at beginning of year .. 2,523 11 3 sembly .. .. .. 500 0 0 Office—salary .. .. .. 100 0 0 Paid by School Commissioners .. 206 0 0 Other office expenses .. .. 30 0 0 School fees .. .. .. .. 1,119 9 2 Teachers' salaries and allowances .. 998 8 2 Boarding-school fees .. .. 399 13 0 Boarding-school account .. .. 583 411 Dr. balance at end of year .. .. 2,663 17 10 Examiners'foes .. .. .. 7 7 0 Scholarships .. .. .. 30 0 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 83 3 11 Cleaning, fuel, light, &a. .. .. 36 17 0 Purchases and new works .. .. 31 16 9 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 20 6 0 Rents, interest, insurance, and taxes .. 418 2 9 Auditors' fees .. .. .. 5 5 0 Furniture .. .. .. .. 20 17 3 £4,889 0 0 £4,889 0 0 Oswald Curtis, Secretary.

4. Work op Highest and Lowest Forms, Nelson College. Highest Form. —Latin : Virgil, Mr\. IV. and VI.; Livy, Book XXII. (part only) ; composition, and unseen translation. English: Grammar, composition, Pope's Essay on Man. Mathematics : Arithmetic, algebra, Euclid, trigonometry, statics. French: Translation, grammar, and composition. History : William 111. to death of George 111. Lowest Form. —Latin : Principia Latina, Part 1., to passive voice. English: Composition and analysis. Geography : British Isles, Australia, and New Zealand; general physical. Arithmetic : To decimals.

5. Work of Highest and Lowest Forms, Nelson College for Girls. Highest Form. — Arithmetic: General subject. Algebra: To binomial theorem. Euclid: First six books. Trigonometry :To solution of triangles. Latin: Virgil's ißneid, Books XL and XII.; Livy, Book I. (part) ; grammar and composition : Roman history. English: Study of modern literature, Mrs. Browning and Tennyson, Shakespeare's Tempest and King Lear, Morris's Elementary Historical Grammar; essays, writing, parsing, and analysis. English History : From William 111. to accession of Victoria. Geography : Physical and political of North America and of New Zealand. French : Bossuet's Funebres Oraisons, Moliere's Le Misanthrope, grammar, and composition. German : Act I. of Schiller's Maria Stuart, parts of Otto's German Grammar.

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Lowest Form. —Arithmetic : Simple and compound rules. English : Grammar and elementary parsing and analysis, reading from London Reader V., spelling, dictation, and writing. English History: Latter part of Louise Creighton's First History of England. Geography : Physical of Europe and elementary political of England and South Island of New Zealand. French: Elementary, without any class-work. Latin: Elementary, from Principia Latina, Part I. Elements of botany. Object-lessons on common things. Stories from mythology. Class-singing and plain needlework. In giving this work it must not be understood that quite the same pupils do it all; for, as the school is arranged differently in classes according to the different subjects, it is impossible to say exactly which the lowest form all round is. Thus, in the work given for the highest form, one pupil might do both the Latin and German put down; another might do the German, but more elementary Latin; a third might do the Latin and no German at all. Or, in the work for the lowest form, some who do the lowest English work might do both Latin and French, others only one of these languages, others neither.

6. Scholarships held during the Last Quarter op the Year. Boys' College. Endowed.—Richmond, £24; Newcome, £24; Stafford, £20; Fell, £16 ; Tinline, £52 10s. Foundation. —First classical, £20; second classical, £10; third classical, £5. First mathematical, £20 ; second mathematical, £10; third mathematical, £5. Governors' Fees. —First modern languages, £12 10s.; second modern languages, £12 10s. First English literature, £12 10s. (2); second English literature, £12 10s. Provincial.— At £52 10s., 5; at £12 10s., 8. Simmons Prize. —£6. Girls' College. Tinline.— £s2 10s. EUgcr.—M, £15 2s. Governors' Fees. —At £15, 2. Provincial.— At £52 10s., 2; at £12 125., 8. School Commissioners. —At £12 125., 3.

GEEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. ' £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance in hand and in bank at beginning By Expenses of management .. .. 0 4 0 of year .. .. .. 35 1 6 Loans on approved securities .. .. 750 0 0 Paid by School Commissioners .. .. 150 0 0 Amount voted to Grey Education Board Interest on current account .. .. 710 0 on account of High School .. .. 46 17 6 Fixed deposit in National Bank of New Zealand .. .. .. .. 004 10 0 £797 1 6 £797 1 6 Eich. Nancarrow, Chairman. E. T. Eobinson, Secretary. I hereby certify that I have examined the above statement, and, having compared it with cashbooks, bank pass-books, vouchers, and other documents, find the same to be correct.—E. F. Rich, Auditor. 28th April, 1887.

HOKITIKA HIGH SCHOOL. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year .. 19 2 0 By Expenses of management .. .. 114 5 Grant from vote of the General As- Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 216 0 sembly .. .. .. 250 0 0 Fixed deposits .. .. .. 1,050 0 0 Interest on moneys invested and on un- Balance at end of year .. .. 17 12 7 paid purchase-money .. .. 28 1 0 Paid by School Commissioners .. 150 0 0 On fixed deposit, Ist January,-1886 .. 625 0 0 £1,072 3 0 £1,072 3 0 Note. —In addition to the interest actually paid—viz., £28 Is. —the Board has earned interest at the rate of 5 per cent, on £250 placed on fixed deposit on the 19th January, 1886 ; also on £150 placed on fixed deposit on the 20th March, 1886. This interest is not payable by the bank until the bills mature —viz., on dates respectively. J. Giles, Chairman and Secretary. I hereby certify that I have examined the above statement of accounts, and, having compared the same with vouchers, bank pass-book, and fixed-deposit receipts, find the same to be correct and according to law, —W- A. Spence, District Auditor. 13th January, 1887.

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CHRISTCHURCH BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Current income from reserves .. 2,726 3 5 By Dr. balance at beginning of year .. 498 311 School fees .. .. .. 861 0 0 Contribution towards expenses of ReDebit balance at end of year.. .. 435 18 4 gistrar's office .. .. .. 80 0 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 2,615 7 6 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 38 0 0 Other examination expenses.. .. 5 19 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 24 3 6 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 76 15 8 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 35 13 5 Purchases and new works .. .. 24 4 0 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 26 3 3 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 110 0 10 Interest on current account.. .. 12 1 8 Reserves, inspecting, and advertising .. 62 19 5 Water-race through Reserve 1157 .. 5 0 0 Rent of cricket-ground .. .. 27 10 0 Music .. .. .. .. 10 10 0 Grant to cadet corps .. .. 7 10 0 Sundries, petty cash .. .. 12 19 7 Interest on loan from Trust and Loan Company .. .. .. 350 0 0 £4,023 1 9 £4,023 1 9 F. de C. Malet, Chairman. F. G. Stedman, Registrar and Treasurer. Examined and found correct. —J. Ollivier, Provincial District Auditor.

■' 2. Work of Highest and Lowest Classes. Highest Glasses. Latin V. —Virgil, iEneid, Book V., by Calvert (Macmillan's Elementary Classics); Livy, Book 1., Chaps, i.-xxx. ; Cicero ; Stories from Roman History (Macmillan's Elementary Classics); Abbott's Latin Prose through English Idiom; Abbott's Via Latina; Smith's Smaller Roman History, Chap. xvii. to end; Public School Latin Primer. English V. —Scott's Waverley, edited by Eve (Storr's English Classics); Shakespeare's Julius Caasar (Eolfe); Milton's Paradise Lost, Book I. (Chambers); Morris's Smaller Historical English Grammar ; Hale's Longer English Poems ; Student's Hume, 1689-1837. Science. — Chemistry (Elementary) : Roscoe's Primer. Physics (Elementary) : Balfour Stewart's Primer ; Garnett's Elementary Mechanics (S.P.C.K.) ; Garnett's Elementary Heat (Deighton and Bell). Physics (Advanced) : Hydrostatics and Pneumatics (London Science Classbooks) ; Mechanics (London Science Class-books). Geology: Geikie's Primer. Greek. —Sidgwick's First Greek Writer; Smith's First Greek Book ; Stories in Attic Greek, by Morice. French 7. —Brachet's Nouvelle Grammaire Fran9aise; Moliere's L'Avare (Hachette); Erck-mann-Chatrian's Le Conscrit; Dussouchet's Exercices Fran9ais sur Brachet (Hachette); French composition. Mathematics Vl. —Todhunter's Euclid, Books 1.-VI.; Todhunter's Algebra for Beginners ; Barnard Smith's Exercises in Arithmetic ; Hamblin Smith's Trigonometry. Drawing (at the School of Art). —Freehand, model, mechanical. Loivest Classes. English I. —Morrison's English Grammar for Junior Classes; Palgrave's Children's Treasury of Songs, Part II.; Gardiner's Outlines of English History; Petrie's First Geography. Mathematics I. —Davis's Arithmetical Examples (without answers), Part I. Upper I. Latin. —Abbott's Via Latina. Lower I. Latin. —Principia Latina, Part I. French I. —Bu6's First French Book. Singing. —Collegiate Singing Manual, Parts 3 and 4; Novello's Glees. Writing. —For junior boys, 3 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Class : Tuesday, 4 to 5 p.m. Drawing (at the School of Art). —Freehand, model, mechanical.

3. Scholarships held during the Last Quarter of the Year. School. —Free education, 4. North Canterbury Education Board. —At £40, 3; at £20, 3. Haivke's Bay Education Board. —At £20, 2. Caledonian Society. —At £20, 2. Masonic.—At £50, 1.

4. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education Ghristchurch Boys' High School (22nd November, 1886). —My visit to this school was decidedly too late in the year. The pupils were engaged in revision preparatory to examination.

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CHRISTCHURCH GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance in bank at beginning of year .. 470 6 7 By Contributions towards salaries and exGrant from vote of the General Assembly 200 0 0 penses of Registrar's office .. 70 0 0 Current income from reserves .. 232 0 6 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 1,598 2 11 Interest on moneys invested .. .. 357 0 5 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 67 0 0 School fees .. .. .. .. 1,675 16 0 Other examination expenses .. .. 619 0 Interest on current account .. .. 64 18 5 Prizes .. .. .. .. 28 13 6 Cheque cancelled .. .. .. 8 6 8 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 54 10 1 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 25 10 6 New works .. .. .. .. 66 0 0 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 40 1 2 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 117 18 9 Music and tuning pianos .. .. 11 5 0 Expenses of teaching cooking (exclusive of salary) .. .. .. 39 8 6 Rent of gymnasium .. .. .. 35 0 0 Inspecting reserves .. .. .. 3 4 0 Scientific apparatus.. .. .. 11 1 0 Sundries, petty cash .. .. 16 18 1 Balance at end of year .. .. 816 16 1 £3,008 8 7 £3,008 8 7 F. de C. Malet, Chairman. F. G. Stedman, Registrar and Treasurer. Examined and found correct. —J. Ollivier, Provincial District Auditor.

2. Work op Highest and Lowest Classes. Highest Form. Eitglish. —Literature : Shakespeare's Richard 11. and Julius Cassar, and, as subjects for composition with less attention to the text, Cymbeline, The Winter's Tale, and The Mill on the Floss; Morell's Sketch of English Literature from Chaucer to Dryden. Composition : Essays, &c, on subjects from books read, correction of sentences, &c. Grammar: Morris's Smaller English Historical Grammar, Smith and Hall's Student's Grammar. Latin. —Translation : Cicero's Pro Milone ; Virgil, Book II.; selections from Horace's Satires and Epistles ; twenty chapters of Livy, Book I. Composition : Latin prose; text-books, Abbott's Prose and Bradley's Arnold. The more important antiquities. Roman History: Smith's Student's History and Merivale's Three Triumvirates. French. —Translation : Selections from Alfred de Musset, Guizot's Guillaume le Conquerant, and Moliere's L'Avare. Grammar : Brachet's Public School French Grammar, French prose and idioms. Mathematics. —Arithmetic, algebra, Euclid, and trigonometry as for junior University scholarship examinations. Science. —Botany and heat as for junior University scholarship examinations. Lowest Form. English. —Grammar: Simple rules without text-book. Composition: On Stone's Reader and on the writing of easy letters; simple readers such as " Poetry for the Young; " simple geographical reader (Phillips's No. 4), with elements of general geography and geography of New Zealand; The Child's History of England (Mrs. Creighton) ; dictation and spelling. French. —The elements as far as the verbs. Arithmetic. —The four simple and compound rules, reduction of money, and weights and measures. Science. —The first principles of physical and natural science, the laws of health. Seioing and Elementary Drawing. The general work of the school is much the same as that of the previous year, 1885, except for the introduction of cooking, which was very successfully taught last year to about twenty of the older girls.

3. Report op the Inspector-General op Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Christchurch Girls' High School (23rd November, 1886). —Here also revision had begun. I saw, however, every reason to maintain my steadfast opinion as to the great excellence of the school.

CHRIST'S COLLEGE, CANTERBURY. 1. Report of the Agent for the Twelve Months, Ist May, 1885, to 30th April, 1886. The income from ordinary sources (General Account) has exceeded my estimate given a year ago by £183, as follows : — Estimate for Twelve Months. Actual Cash Receipts. £ s. d. £ s. d. Rent and interest ... ... 1,800 0 0 ... 1,769 0 8 Tuition fees ... ... ... 3,100 0 0 ... 3,308 7 6 Sundry incidental receipts ... ... ... ... 5166 £4,900 0 0 £5,083 4 2

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A further sum of £152 15s. has been received during the year on General Income Account, being proceeds of sale of thirteen permanent-investment shares which had been accumulated from income during previous years. Rents have been well paid. The arrears on the 30th April were £239, as compared with £257 on the 30th April, 1885. I append a detailed list of tenants in arrear. I consider all these amounts good except one, which I have marked bad, and which I would ask authority to write off. Receipts from tuition fees show an increase of about £400, due to the increased number of boys attending the school. Fees have been fairly well paid, but in several instances I have had to take legal proceedings to enforce payment. A list of arrears is submitted herewith showing £260 unpaid on the 30th April, which was only one day after the end of term. Several amounts have since been paid, and the total now outstanding is very small as compared with the total receivable. I consider all these arrears good, except the following amounts of £8 Is. 5d., 13s. 6d., and £6 125., all of which have been outstanding for many years, and which I now consider bad. I estimate receipts for the ensuing year, on the General Account, as follows: Rent of land, £1,750 ; tuition fees (exclusive of books and stationery), £3,900. This may bo increased by £50 or £100 if certain town sections, now under offer, are sold. The principal items of expenditure will probably be : Interest, bank overdraft, and temporary deposits, £175; masters, £4,500; bursar (moiety), £50; porter, £100; insurance, £120; furniture and repairs, £100; examiners' fees, £65 ; prizes, £55 ; coals, gas, printing, and advertising, £120; expenses connected with weekly tenancies, £40; cost of management, salaries, &c, £300. I have omitted both payments and receipts for books and stationery, as sales cover cost. The number of boys attending the school has considerably increased as compared with previous twelvemonths: Second term, 1884, 204; 1885, 227. Third term, 1884, 205; 1885, 244. First term, 1885, 224; 1886, 243. The balance-sheets and statement have been audited by Mr. A. M. Ollivier, and are now submitted to the governing body. It will be seen that there is a credit balance carried forward on the General Income Account of £239; but against this there is a liability of about £90 for master's passage-money, &c, which was not paid until after these accounts were closed. If allowance is also majde for the extraordinary item of receipts, £152, for sale of permanent-investment shares, the expenditure for the twelve months would have almost exactly equalled the receipts. I am now able to keep the Building Account in a more satisfactory manner than hitherto, as under the authority of " The Christ's College Act, 1885," the balance of £3,698, which has been standing to credit of Land Account for many years, has now been transferred to credit of a new account called " Building Account," which has been debited with £5,700, spent out of Income Account on buildings up to the 30th April, 1885, and also with £3,357 spent on buildings, drainage, &c., during the past year. Temporary deposits to the amount of £1,450, at 5 per cent., have been received on this account, making a debt of £5,458 to be provided for by sale of land. This sum will be further increased during the ensuing year by about £1,200 on account of new stone classrooms; and if the debit balances on Chapel-building Account, £840, and the building formerly Principal's House Account, £211, are carried to Building Account, there will be a total liability of £7,708 against future sales of land. The Library Account I would suggest might be closed, and the debit balance transferred to Income Account. The rental of the Somes Estate has been (including rent and interest on special investment) £717 ; the expenditure on scholarships, £743 ; other expenditure, £176. Permanent-investment shares, which represent accumulated surplus of income during previous years to the amount of £2,890, have been realised, and the cash carried to the credit of the account. A credit balance of £2,157 is carried forward to credit of the Somes Scholarship Account. Lyttelton Town Section No. 1 has, with the consent of Mrs. Somes, been sold, realising £5,211 (net), of which sum £3,466 has been reinvested in the purchase of three-quarters of an acre of land, with buildings, in Antigua Street, leaving about £1,750 yet to be invested in the purchase of land. This must be done before November next in compliance with Mrs. Somes's instructions. Rent and interest, Buller and Reay Endowment, have realised £470, being about £100 below my estimate. This is due to the failure of a mortgagor (owing £160 for interest) shortly before the closing of the year's accounts. The amount has, however, since been paid in full. The expenditure has been upwards of £1,000. Rent and interest, Rowley Endowment, have been paid in full, realising my estimate of £160. Only one scholarship of £100 was paid from this fund, leaving a credit balance of £264 carried forward. If the suggestion made by me to the governing body is acted upon, £100 from this fund and a similar sum from the Buller and Reay should be carried to Building Account. There will be an increase in the rental of the Rowley Estate next year of £57, owing to the expiry of an old lease, and the granting of Glasgow leases at higher rents. The proceeds of the Watts-Russell and Hulsean-Chichele Endowments have not quite realised my estate of £410, but the full amount will, in all probability, be made up with next year's receipts. The amount paid for Principal's salary and rent-allowance, £534, was for thirteen months and some days, bringing the quarterly dates of payment to end of March, June, &o. A sum of about £20 has been expended on furniture for lecture-room, making, with sundry charges, total expenditure about £90 in excess of receipts; but, as there was a credit balance of £180 at the beginning of the financial year, there still remains about £100 to carry forward to next year. Students' fees have amounted to £100, but will probably be considerably more next year. The income on both the Dudley and Tancred Scholarship accounts is at present accumulating, there being no payments for scholarships. The total amount expended last year on scholarships and exhibitions was as follows: Somes Scholarships, £743 10s. Id.; Buller and Reay (sons-of-clergy exhibitions), £503 16s. Bd.; Buller and Reay (scholarships and other exhibitions), £471 ss. lOd.; Rowley Scholarship, £100. 4—E. 9.

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I estimate the income for the ensuing year from the various special endowments as follows : — Subject to charges for management, &c. : Somes, £700; Buller and Reay, £650. Net: Rowley, £220 ; Tancred, £40 ; Dudley, £25 ; Watts-Russell, £200 ; Hulsean-Chichele, £210. W. G. Brittan, 31st May, 1886. Agent for Christ's College.

2. Income Account from Ist May, 1885, to 30th April, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. To Rent .. .. ... .. 1,666 10 9 By Balance .. .. .. .. 5,548 7 1 Jackson Trust Endowment .. .. 91 14 4 Interest on bank overdraft .. .. 104 4 6 Permanent-investment dividend .. 10 15 7 Interest on deposit .. .. .. 18 3 4 Tuition fees.. .. .. .. 3,308 7 6 Grant towards cost of making new Books and stationery .. .. 487 11 8 cricket-ground .. .. .. 85 0 0 Thirteen permanent-investment shares Memorial plate to late Ven. Archdeacon sold .. .. .. .. 152 15 0 Harris (advance, to be refunded by Tho Most Rev. the Primate, Warden's subscriptions) .. .. .. 12 11 5 Prize .. .. .. .. 016 6 School Account— Dr. Irving, special prize .. .. 5 0 0 Salaries — Repayment from Building Account, Masters .. .. .. 3,829 18 2 under authority of" Christ's College Bursar (moiety) .. .. .. 50 0 0 Act, 1885," sections 3 and 4 .. 5,700 0 0 Porter .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Transfer to Balfour Medal Account debit Expenses re new master .. .. 213 8 balance, Ist May, 1885 .. .. 10 0 Books .. .. .. .. 446 3 4 Examination fees .. .. .. 63 0 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 51 0 4 Commemoration-day expenses .. 213 0 Printing and advertising .. .. 58 410 Insurances .. .. •. 121 15 0 Coals and gas .. .. .. 43 2 6 Scientific apparatus .. .. 2 14 6 Scavenger .. .. .. 18 14 9 Ironmongery .. .. .. 13 8 0 • Charwoman .. .. .. 3 5 0 Furniture for two classrooms (wood) 46 1 0 Sweeping chimneys .. .. 212 6 Repairs— Mr. Corfe's house .. .. .. 12 6 Rev. F. A. Hare's house .. .. 5 6 6 Mr. Worthy's house .. .. 8 4 3 Mr. Condell's house .. .. 5 0 0 Library and offices .. .. 5 5 0 Sundry repairs and fittings to buildings 118 6 Expenses connected with Weekly Tenancies— Commission on letting and collecting rents .. .. • .. 8 14 3 Repairs to cottages .. .. 6 8 G Rates .. .. .. .. 11 6 0 Insurance .. .. • ■ 3 8c Expenses of Management— Salaries and auditors' fee .. .. 217 9 5 Telephone half subscription .. 4 0 0 Survey .. .. .. .. 19 4 0 Law charges .. .. .. 7 7 0 Stamps, stationery, and sundries .. 47 11 5 Transfer deposit to Building Account .. 200 0 0 Balance carried forward, 30th April, 1886 239 4 7 £11,424 14 4 £11,424 11 4 Building Account. Receipts. £ s. d. ■ Expenditure. £ s. d. To Deposit, Harman and Stevens (3rd May, By Transferred to Income Account, under 1884) .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 authority of " Christ's College Act, Deposit, Torlesse Trustees (21th Septem- 1885," sections 3 and 4 .. .. 5,700 0 0 ber, 1885) .. .. .. 1,250 0 0 New classrooms (wood) .. .. 193 0 0 Transferred from Land Account, under „ „ (stone) .. .. 1,806 13 2 authority of "Christ's College Act, Gymnasium .. .. .. '942 13 9 1885," section 3.. .. .. 3,698 19 0 New fives-court .. .. .. 56 14 0 Balance carried forward, 30th April, 1886 4,008 7 1 Additions to big schoolroom .. .. 89 3 6 Additions to Mr. Walter's house .. 56 12 6 Additions and alterations to library and offices .. .. .. .. 14 16 .6 Drainage .. .. .. .. 100 8 2 Painting .. .. .. .. 97 4 6 Repayment deposit .. .. .. 100 0 0 £9,157 6 1 £9,157 6 1 Land Account. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Balance brought forward, Ist May, 1885 3,698 19 0 By Transferred to Building Account, under authority of "Christ's College Act, 1885," section 3 .. .. .. 3,698 19 0

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3. Work op Highest and Lowest Forms. Highest Form. —Divinity, Greek Testament, Latin, Greek, English, French, science, and mathematics as required for junior University scholarships. Lowest Form. —Bible history and Catechism; Macmillan's Latin Course I. ; English; arithmetic, first four rules, simple and compound.

4. Statement respecting Scholarships. Senior Somes Scholarships of the value of £40, with £20 added to boys boarding in houses recognised by the governing body of Christ's College. Six or eight of these scholarships are offered for competition annually, and are tenable for one year. Junior Somes Scholarships of the value of £20 or £15, with £20 added towards boarding expenses at the College boarding-houses. Four of these scholarships are offered for competition annually, and are tenable for two years. The Gould Scholarships are two in number, and are given to deserving boys who require assistance. These scholarships cover the school fees and cost of books. Besides these scholarships a considerable number of exhibitions are given to the sons of clergy, and other boys who may require assistance. The value of the exhibitions is determined annually according to the amount available. An endowment of £700 has lately been presented by Mrs. Tancred in memory of her husband, Mr. H. Tancred, for the establishment of prizes derived from the income of the endowment, for proficiency especially in history. Six prizes have been offered for competition at the beginning of the second term of this year.

RANGIORA HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Report op the Board. Sir, — i have the honour, on behalf of the Board of Governors of this High School, to submit a brief report of the proceedings of the Board for the year 1886, together with a tabular statement of attendance of pupils, ages, course of instruction, fees charged; also a balance-sheet showing receipts and expenditure. The Board held seven meetings during the year. Early in the year, the attendance of pupils having fallen off considerably, the Board found it advisable, after much deliberation, to take steps to change the Headmaster. This was done, and another advertised for, when, from eighteen candidates for the appointment, the Board elected Mr. Thomas W. Eowe, M.A. in Honours of the University of New Zealand, to the mastership. Mr. Eowe entered on his duties on the Ist July. Good results have followed. The Inspector-General has since paid a visit to the school, and the Board are led to believe that he was favourably impressed with its condition. Previous to the school breaking up for the Christmas holiday the school was carefully examined by Professor Haslam, of Canterbury College, Ovid and Cicero being the chief subjects in Latin in the upper division, Delectus and Caesar chiefly in the lower. The Professor comments in detail on the work done in each class, and reports favourably on the most of it. In the Upper Third Ovid was very well done by certain boys. In the Lower Third Caesar was a little too hard; yet one, a girl, did her composition almost without a mistake. The Professor compliments the Headmaster on the subdivision of classes, as insuring more individual attention, though causing very much more work. Of the upper room as a whole, the Professor says that "it is quite satisfactory, and I wish to emphasize the point that the grammar and the composition were decidedly good and accurate: this shows that the pupils are being thoroughly well grounded." Mr. P. Kime, M.A. in Honours, examined in mathematics. He says, "In the upper department, papers in arithmetic, algebra, and Euclid were set. Two scholars did excellently in all three subjects; their work was accurate and intelligent. The others did fairly well in arithmetic, but were weak in algebra and Euclid. The papers sent in by the Maoris, though showing only ordinary ability, could not be surpassed in neatness." Mr. Joseph P. Grossman, M.A., examined both divisions in grammar, composition, history, and geography. He says, "The grammar in the upper was, on the whole, very fairly done. The composition was satisfactory. Some essays showed considerable imaginative and descriptive powers." The geography results are more generally good—gained a good percentage of marks. History not so well done as geography, but papers classed first were exceedingly good. In the lower division, the grammar results satisfactory, as far as they go. . . On the whole, the condition of the school as regards English seems to me very satisfactory. Several scholars display more than average ability. All seem getting a sound training." Mrs. Catherine Eowe, 8.A., examined in science (botany and physiology), also in French. In the former, " Considering the short time, it was on the whole very well done. . . . Four exceedingly good papers. . . Of the rest, . . very fairly ; the papers on botany, especially, showing accurate observation and careful description." In French, " results uneven : two did fairly well in the upper form, and but one in the lower. In pronunciation, one very good ; two very fair." On the 10th December, 1886, " breaking-up day," a great many of the friends and parents of the pupils assembled to see the exhibits of work done, hear recitations, &c, and to witness the distribution of prizes. These, to the value of £6, were presented at the hands of Mrs. Eowe to the most deserving as assigned by the examiners. The Chairman gave a resume of much that had been done during the year, and cordially thanked the contributors to the Prize Fund, expressing the hope that, as the Board had no fund to draw on, as some schools have, this school might ever enjoy the sympathy and good wishes of the neighbourhood, as it does at the present time. The examiners were thanked for their willing and valued service, the teachers for their zealous and

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faithful work, and the pupils commended for their good conduct; after which the visitors and pupils partook of light refreshment contributed by friends, when the school broke up in the usual way. The master's house, with the schoolrooms and premises, are in thorough repair. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. A. H. Cunningham, Chairman.

2. General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Current income from reserves .. .. 233 0 0 By Balance at beginning of year .. .. 220 18 11 School fees .. .. .. .. 188 13 0 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 4 0 6 Subscriptions .. .. .. 10 0 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 355 0 0 Debit balance at end of year .. .. 212 14 8 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 11 12 1 Cleaning, fuel, light, <fec. .. .. 21 5 6 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. ~ 10 4 7 Interest on current account .. .. 15 7 8 Cricket .. .. .. .. 4 5 6 Postage, &c. .. .. .. .. 112 Law.. .. .. .. .. 0 6 8 Telegrams .. .. .. .. 0 4 1 Stamp .. .. .. .. 0 10 £644 7 8 £644 7 8 A. H. Cunningham, Chairman. Geo. John Leech, Treasurer. I have audited this account, and have compared the items with the vouchers, and find it correct.—J. Ollivier. Ist March, 1887.

3. Report op the Inspector-General op Schools to the Hon. the Minister op Education. Bangiora High School (6th December, 1886). —This is a small school, established, as I think, before its time. I think it is in good hands, and is being managed with energy, and promise of skill.

AKAEOA HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Report of Chairman of the Board. Gentlemen, — I have the honour to present to you the annual report of the High School for the year ending on the 31st December, 1886, and have again great pleasure in giving my testimony as to the very satisfactory manner in which the school has been carried on under the Headmaster, Mr. W. Walton, B.A. It is a matter of great regret that more appreciation is not shown of the advantages afforded us of obtaining a superior education for our children; but I have good reason to believe that the turning-point has been reached, and that we shall begin the first term of 1887 with a considerable increase in the number of our pupils. You will, I am sure, agree with me that we are much indebted to our Headmaster for his voluntary action of waiving his claim to the half of the girls' fees for the two last terms, and also for his liberality in offering to give two scholarships open to all children on the Peninsula (under twelve years of age) for the coming year. This is a beginning which I hope may be followed by others, as the usefulness of the school must be largely increased by promising children from the various district schools being provided with the means of profiting by its advantages. I must again urge on the public the importance of supporting this school. We have used every possible means of reducing our expenditure, and a very moderate amount of support would once more place us in the happy position of having our receipts exceed our expenditure. I would especially appeal to the Governors of this institution, and beg of them to clo their utmost to carry' out this object. The collapse of the school would be a very serious loss to both town and district generally. I attach to this report a balance-sheet showing the receipts and expenditure during the past year, from which it will be seen that, notwithstanding the difficulties we have had to contend with, we still have a considerable sum on our credit side. But the time has come when, if we intend the school to go on and prosper, we must determine that no further reduction of this sum shall' take place ; and if each Governor will not only send his own children, but use his influence also with his friends and neighbours to do the same, I am quite sure this very desirable result may easily be obtained. I have, &c, William B. Tosswill, Chairman.

2. General Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. | Expenditure. £ s. d. To Current income from reserves .. .. 205 0 0 By Dr. Balance at beginning of year .. 1113 2 Interest on moneys invested and on vm- Teachers' salaries and allowances .. 290 1 8 paid purchase-money 10 0 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 112 11 School fees .. .. .. .. 98 15 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 6 0 0 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds .. 5 3 0 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 17 6 0 Debit balance at end of year .. .. 65 11 6 Book and stationery account, and other temporary advances .. .. 6 7 4 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 50 0 0 Stamps .. .. .. .. 010 0 Sundries, as carriage of goods, &c. .. 018 5 £384 9 0 £384 9 6 William B. Tosswill, Chairman.

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3. Report of Mr. H. B. Kirk, M.A., to the Inspector-General of Schools. Sir, — Education Department, Wellington, 27th December, 1886. I have the honour to report that I spent the morning of the 3rd instant in the Akaroa High School. Nine scholars were present —five girls and four boys. The boys and girls are taught in separate rooms, an arrangement which involves a great and, I think, in the circumstances, needless waste of power. There are two classes of boys and two of girls. Among the school documents there is no official register of attendance. I would suggest that the admission register should show progress and withdrawal. With regard to the teaching, there should, I think, be a little more use of the blackboard, and text-book lines should not be followed too closely. Mr. Walton informed me that the year's work was not to be concluded with a general school examination. This seems a pity. Enclosed is a syllabus of the year's work. I have confined the foregoing remarks to notes of what seemed to me to be defects. I am, however, satisfied that good work is being done, and done very thoroughly. I have, &c, The Inspector-General of Schools, Wellington. H. B. Kirk.

4. Work op Highest and Lowest Classes. English. —Highest: Smith and Hall's Grammar, parsing, analysis, composition, Shakespeare's Tempest. Lowest: Morrison's English Grammar, parts of speech, Contie's Word Expositor. French. —Highest: Macmillan's Second Year Course, De Fivas' Grammar, Hachette's Reader. Lowest: Ahn's First Course to Exercise 100. Latin. —Highest: Cicero, Catiline Orations ; Public School Latin Primer, Bennett's Latin Exercises. Lowest: Smith's Principia, Part I. —nouns and adjectives. Arithmetic. —Highest : The whole subject. Lowest: Compound rules. History. —Highest: Edith Thompson's—William 111. to Victoria. Lowest: Brief History of England (portions). Geography. —Highest : Cornwell's Geography, and Patterson's New Zealand and Australia. Lowest: Phillips's First Geography ; New Zealand and Australia. Mathematics. —Highest: Euclid,'Books I. and 11., with riders; algebra to quadratics. Lowest: Euclid, Book I. to Proposition 13; algebra, simple rules.

WAIMATE HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance .. .. ' .. 54 0 8 By Salary .. .. .. ..800 Current income from reserves .. .. 181 9 0 Postage-stamps and stationery .. .. 214 2 Fixed deposits matured .. .. 250 0 0 Subsidy to South Canterbury Education Interest on fixed deposits .. .. 12 10 0 Board .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 Examination expenses .. .. .. 410 0 Scholarships .. .. .. .. 42 10 0 Prizes .. .. .. ..330 Printing, stationery, and advertising ... 5 5 0 Interest on current account .. .. 0 2 6 Cheque-book .. .. .. ..040 Exchanges on cheques .. .. .. 0 5 6 Travelling expenses of members .. .. 4 14 0 Landbroker's account .. .. 13 2 0 High School scholars' fees paid by Board .. 9 2 6 Deposited in bank at fixed deposit .. 310 0 0 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 19 7 0 £497 19 8 £497 19 8 J. H. Graham, Secretary and Treasurer.

2. Statement of Scholarships. Scholarships granted by the Board and held at the Waimate District High School: lat £20 ; 2at £10 ;1 at £5. In addition three pupils had their school fees paid by the Board.

ASHBUBTON HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Current income from reserves .. .. 421 15 7 By Dr. Balance at beginning of year .. 340 14 9 School fees .. .. .. .. 213 6 9 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 613 15 0 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds .. 27 810 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 13 4 5 Debit balance at end of year .. .. 400 1 4 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 42 2 9 Book and stationery account and other temporary advances .. .. 37 0 2 Fencing, repairs, &c. ... .. .. 41 9 8 Interest on current account .. .. 31 17 0 Law expenses .. .. .. 16 12 10 Incidentals .. .. .. .. 12 15 11 £1,152 12 6 £1,152 12 6 W. C. Walker, Chairman. J. E. Buchanan, Secretary and Treasurer. I have audited this account, and find it correct. Like all other accounts of high schools, its debt is increasing every year. There is no remedy but that of largely increasing the fees.—J. Ollivier. 13th April, 1887.

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2. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Ashburton Boys' and Girls' High Schools (19th November, 1886). —This school is on a small scale, and very much subdivided into small groups of pupils, but there is considerable enthusiasm, and sound teaching. The girls have a separate building to themselves with an able mistress, and the masters of the boys' school take classes in the girls' school in turns.

TIMARU HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d, To Bents from reserves .. .. .. 956 12 8 By Bank balance .. .. .. 82 13 9 Interest from loans .. .. .. 142 10 0 Salaries .. .. .. .. 1,860 19 2 School fees .. .. .. 702 9 0 Secretary and janitor .. .. 170 0 0 Government grant .. .. .. 325 0 0 Building .. .. .. .. 479 15 0 Gain's legacy .. .. .. 50 0 0 Printing, advertising, books, stationery, Dr. to Bank— &c. .. .. .. .. 77 6 3 Actual balance due to bank .. 557 2 5 Sundry expenses .. .. .. 70 8 0 Cash in hand of Mr. Miles .. .. 23 3 0 Bent, insurance, &c. .. .. 27 2 0 Prizes and medals .. .. .. 10 0 0 Travelling expenses members, and inspection .. .. .. 20 11 8 Interest .. .. .. .. IS 1 3 £2,816.17 _1 £2,816 17 1 I have audited this account, and have compared the items with the vouchers, and find it correct.—J. Ollivier, Brovincial District Auditor. 19th March, 1887.

2. Scholarships. (1.) Caledonian Society grant one scholarship of £12 12s. (2.) Governors grant one of £8 Bs. (3.) Free education is granted to scholarship-holders from Education Boards.

3. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education Timaru Boys' and Girls' High School (18th November, 1886).—The punctuality, good order,' and industry that have always characterized this school are as noticeable as ever. lam not quite satisfied with the arrangements for teaching French, and I think it would be a good thing to alter the methods of teaching drawing, which at present differ rather widely from those approved by the South Kensington Department.

WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Report of the Board. Sir,— Oamaru, 28th March, 1887. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual report of the Waitaki High School. The attendance reached during the past year the highest point it has yet attained—viz., sixtyfour. Candidates have been sent in for the first time for the Civil Service and matriculation, and have passed their examinations. The cadet corps has taken part in the Easter manoeuvres held at Oamaru, and in the general inspection by Major-General Sir George Whitmore. The Board have obtained a site for a Girls' High School, and are taking steps to commence operations. The Board have not as yet been able, from want of funds, to erect a workshop for manual instruction. The Hon. Mr. Miller resigned his position as Chairman in consequence of leaving the colony, Mr. T. W. Hislop, M.H.R., being appointed in his stead. Mr. K. Fleming has been appointed by the Ota°- 0 Education Board m place of Dr. McGregor, resigned. The health of the school continues excellent. I have, &c, The Secretary, Education Department. George Sumpter, Secretary.

2. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. m «, , , , . . Ee, cwpt*- £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year .. .. 321 15 9 By Office—salary .. . 65 0 0 Grant from vote of the General Assembly 500 0 0 Other office expenses .. 9 811 Beserves sold .. .. .. 40 0 0 Teachers' salaries and allowances '.'. 1 018 13 4 Current income from reserves .. 072 7 6 Printing, stationery, and advertising . '24 15 8 Interest on moneys invested and on un- Gleaning, fuel, light, &c 68 7 6 paid purchase-money .. .. 14 14 0 Book and stationery account and other School fees .. .. .. .. 548 11 0 temporary advances .. 79 13 3 Books, &c, sold and other refunds .. 74 4 9 Fencing, repairs, &o. 121 11 10 Debit balance at end of year .. .. 222 1 9 Bents, insurance, and taxes .. '.'. 16 5 8 Interest on current account .. .. 23 10 10 Home expenses re appointment of Headmaster .. .. .. .. 222 17 3 Interest on loan on school-buildings .. 253 15 0 Amount paid in reduction of loan .. 500 0 0 School appliances .. .. .. 0 7 0 Balance at end of year .. .. 2 8 6 £2i°9° U 9 £2^96 14 9 John Reid, Chairman. George Stjhpter, Secretary and Treasurer. Correct by Treasurer's books and vouchers and bank pass-book.—H. Livingston, Auditor.

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3. Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December, 1886. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Petty cash in hand .. .. .. 2 8 6 Overdraft at Colonial Bank of New Zealand 222 1 9 Bents uncollected .. .. .. 362 9 0 Loan on mortgage .. .. .. 3,500 0 0 Fees uncollected.. .. .. .. 175 6 6 Scholarship Fund .. .. .. 100 0 0 Deferred-payment balances .. .. 656 16 0 Salaries .. .. .. .. 74 10 0 John Reid, Chairman. George Sumpter, Secretary and Treasurer. The items petty cash, rents and fees uncollected, and deferred-payment balances on debit side, and overdraft, loan, and scholarships on credit side, are correctly stated.—H. Livingston, Auditor.

4. Work of Highest and Lowest Forms. Highest Form. —Latin : Virgil's iEneid, Book V.; Smith's Principia, Part 11. (all); Bradley's Arnold, Exercises 1.-XXVH.; Public School Primer. Arithmetic: Text-books, Brook Smith and Hamblin Smith (all). Algebra: Text-books, Hall and Knight, and Hamblin Smith, to problems on fractional simultaneous equations. Euclid: Text-book, Hamblin Smith, Books 1.-VI. Trigonometry : Measurement of angles, trigonometrical ratios, easy formulas, and equations involving them. French: Moliere's Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Femmes Savantes; La Fontaine's Fables (Macmillan's edition); Chardenal, Parts I. and II.; Blouet's translations into French ; French repetition. English: Gardiner's History (all), Bain's Higher English Grammar (all), weekly essays, Horton's History of the Romans, Clarke's Geography (all), repetition from Milton (700 lines), Geikie's Physical Geography, political economy. Mechanics: Text-book, Balfour Stewart's Physics, composition and resolution of forces; simple machines, motion of falling bodies, and elementary hydrostatics. Lowest Division. —Latin: Cook's Latin Course, 1-50; Via Latina, Exercises 1-20. French: Chardenal, Part 1., Exercises 1-110. English : Hall's Grammar ; Gardiner's History, First Period. Petrie's»Geography (with maps). Mathematics : Hamblin Smith's Algebra (to division) ; Euclid, Book 1., Propositions 1-22; arithmetic, miscellaneous.

5. Scholarships held during the Last Quarter of the Year. School: Five of £10 10s. Jones : One of £10 10s. Besiclents : One of £10 10s. Shrimski : One of £10 10s.

6. Report of the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister op Education. Waitaki High School (17th November, 1886). —The staff here is not a large one, but the instruction is very good. The tone and discipline seem to be quite satisfactory, and I observe a decided improvement in the attainments of the pupils, who are quite as far advanced as could be expected, considering that the school is of recent foundation.

OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS. 1. Report of the Board. Sir,— Dunedin, 12th April, 1887. In accordance with section 8 of "The Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools Act, 1877," and in terms of your circular dated Wellington, the 30th December, 1886, I have the honour to forward herewith the report of the Board of Governors of the Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools for the year ended the 31st December, 1886. The Board has pleasure in reporting that the work of the schools has been carried on satisfactorily during the year, and that, notwithstanding the commercial depression, the attendance in both schools shows signs of a steady increase. With the view of extending the benefits of the schools, the Board gave during the year free education to thirty-six holders of Education Board's scholarships, and also to fifteen competitors for Education Board's senior scholarships who gained 50 per cent, of the attainable marks. Owing to a large decrease in its revenue, consequent on the non-payment of pastoral and perpetual-lease rents, the Board was during the year reluctantly compelled to make reductions in the number of, as well as in the amount of salaries paid to, its teaching staff, by which an annual saving of £1,058 was effected. In order to be empowered to reduce rents where deemed advisable, the Board has taken advantage of " The Public Bodies' Leaseholds Act, 1886," by becoming a leasing authority in terms of that Act; and it is now in treaty with several of its tenants for a readjustment of their rents on an equitable basis. The Board has to report that at the commencement of the year 1886 the holder of the Gray Russell Scholarship failed to pass the necessary examination, and consequently it was not awarded. A number of candidates have now signified their intention of entering for it this year, and considerable competition is anticipated. The particulars asked for in your circular before referred to were posted on the 7th instant, and an audited copy of the statement of receipts and expenditure will be forwarded in the course of a few days. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. D. M. Stuart, Chairman.

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2. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Price of reserves sold .. .. 3,851 4 9 By Balance at beginning of year .. 2,833 7 0 Current income from reserves .. 2,761 4 7 Office salary or salaries ' .. .. 170 0 0 Interest on moneys invested and on un- Legal expenses .. .. .. 10 2 0 paid purchase-money .. .. 732 12 4 Incidentals .. .. .. 56 1 3 School fees .. .. .. 2,612 14 0 Report on reserves .. .. .. 15 10 6 Boarding-school fees .. .. 1,77110 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 6,833 14 8 Overdraft or debit balance at end of year 3,594 8 E Boarding-school Account— Disbursements .. .. .. 1,717 7 8 Furnishing, &e. .. .. .. 125 1 1 Examiners' fees .. .. .. 91 S 0 Appointment of Rector .. .. 423 0 8 Prizes .. .. .. .. 58 8 4 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 105 16 8 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. (including wages of two janitors) .. .. 205 11 10 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 164 17 0 Interest on current account .. .. 417' 8 3 Expended on site or buildings .. 623 4 8 Expenses of survey, sales, management, &c. .. .. .. 12 2 3 Destroying rabbits .. .. .. 16 0 0 Discount on promissory notes .. 701 10 5 Road-making .. .. .. 683 6 8 £15,323 13 11 £15,323 13 11 D. M. Stuart, D.D., Chairman. C. Macandrew, Secretary and Treasurer. I certify this statement to be correct by the Treasurer's books and vouchers.—H. Livingston, Auditor.

3. Gray Russell Scholarship Fund. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Amount invested on mortgage .. 750 0 0 By Capital .. .. .. .. 1,000 0 0 Balance in bank .. .. .. 333 17 6 Balance of receipts, uninvested .. 83 17 6 £1,083 17 6 £1,033 17 6 D. M. Stuart, Chairman. Correct.—H. Livingston, Auditor. C. Macandrew, Treasurer.

4. Richardson Cadet Corps Fund. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Bank of New Zealand shares .. 150 0 0 By Capital .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 Amount advanced on mortgage .. 50 0 0 Eeceipts (interest uninvested) .. 183 4 3 Balance in bank .. .. .. 133 4 3 £333 4 3 £333 4 3 D. M. Stuart, Chairman. Correct,—H. Livingston, Auditor. C. Macandrew, Treasurer.

5. Work op Highest and Lowest Forms, Boys' School. Form VI. —Latin : Composition and translation (unseen), Latin grammar, Livy, versions done in school once a week, versions done at home twice a week ; text-books —Arnold's Latin Prose Composition, Millington's Latin Prose Composition and translation, Allen's Latin Grammar; Belcher's Livy, Book II.; various unseen examination-papers, &c. English: English philology, home exercises in philology, Chaucer's Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, weekly essays and exercises, English literature ; text-books —Morris's Elementary Lessons in Historical English Grammar, Clarendon Press edition of Chaucer, Chambers's English Literature ; Earle, Skeat, Wedgwood, Marsh, Abbott for reference. Gorman : Accidence (no text-book used) ; German author, Goethe's Gotz von Berlichingen. French : Translation and accidence, French versions done at home, French version done in school once a week ; text-books—Newspaper Beading-book (Jeffcott and Tossell), Blouet's French Composition, Manuel des Examinations (Belcher and Dupuis). Botany : From written notes. Science : Inorganic chemistry, practical chemistry, testing for acids and bases ; text-books—Eoscoe's Elementary Chemistry, Jones's Junior Course of Practical Chemistry, Boscoe and Schorleimer for reference, Thorpe, and various other collections of papers. Mathematics: Algebra to quadratics ; trigonometry to solution of triangles; geometry, Book VI., with riders ; mechanics (statics, hydrostatics, kinematics); weekly problem papers in algebra, arithmetic, trigonometry, Euclid, and mechanics ; arithmetic (all). Second Form (Lowest in School). —Latin : Latin grammar, with exercises to end of four conjugations. French : French grammar, with exercises to end of avoir and Ure. English : History, outlines 1066-1485. Geography : New Zealand, Great Britain and her colonies. Grammar : Elementary. Beading, writing, spelling, and dictation. Arithmetic :To end of vulgar fractions (simple treatment). Books: Macmillan's First Latin Grammar, Bust's Latin Composition. First French Course (Fasnacht). Historical outlines on a card, and Jardine's History of England. Geography: Chiefly from maps; Petrie's. Grammar: Morris. Reader: Standardly. (Nelson). Arithmetic : Book used in State schools for Standard V. Class-drawing and Gymnastics—part of school-time course.

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6. Work of Highest and Lowest Classes, Girls' School. Sixth Form. —English: Chaucer, The Prologue; Bacon, Selected Essays; Shakespeare, The Tempest; Tennyson, The Princess ; English history, the age of Elizabeth; Historical English Grammar, Morris; exercises in composition, &c, weekly. Latin — Senior Division: Livy, Book XXV., nineteen chapters; Horace, Odes, Book 1., selected odes; Virgil, iEneid, Book 1., 600 lines ; composition, Bradley's Arnold. Junior Division: Smith's Principia Latina, Parts 11. and 111., selections; composition, Principia Latina, Part IV. French: Picciola, Books 11. and 111., pp. 1-80; Chardenal's Exercises for Advanced Pupils, French syntax, pp. 1-94; Chardenal's Exercises on French Conversation, pp. 1-104; composition, once a week; dictation, once a week. German : Accidence and exercises, Arnold's Grammar ; Fouque, Undine. Mathematics : Arithmetic, the whole subject; algebra, to quadratic equations; geometry, Division A, Books 1., 11., 111., IV., VI.; Division B, Books 1., 11., 111. (Props. 1-31); trigonometry, Division A, Todhunter's Smaller, Chapters 1-12; Division B, Todhunter's Smaller, Chapters 1-8. Science : Botany— Examination and life-histories of selected types of cryptogams, &c.; vegetable histology and physiology. Chemistry—lnorganic chemistry, Roscoe's Lessons, and Thorpe's Problems. First Form. —English : Globe Reader No. III.; Grammar, Blackie's Parts of Speech, simple parsing. Geography : Outlines of England, Scotland, Europe, and America; part of New Zealand. Object-lessons : Simple lessons on common objects, with a view to subsequent composition on the subject of the lesson. Arithmetic : Revisal of simple rules, compound rules in money.

7. Scholarships held at the School during the Last Quarter of the Year. Boys' School. Otago Education Board. —At £10, 8; at £20, 10. Westland Education Board. —At £20, 2. . Girls' School. Otago Education Board. —At £40, 8; at £20, 8. Free education is given to the holders of Education Board scholarships/and also to candidates at the scholarship examinations who gain 50 per cent, of the attainable marks. The numbers attending the schools under the latter concession at the end of the year were—Boys' school, 9 ; girls' school, 2. Six children of members of the teaching staffs were receiving free education at the boys' school, and six at the girls' school.

8. Reports op the Inspector-General of Schools to the Hon. the Minister op Education. Otago Boys' High School (15th November, 1886). —This time of the year is not the best for inspection. At this school and those that I visited later I found that revision, or even examination, of the year's work had begun, and I had not an opportunity of observing the ordinary course of instruction. I find it is not possible for me to visit all the schools at the most suitable time, seeing that I must be in Wellington during the session of Parliament and for some time after its rising. This is one of our best schools, and it appears to me to be improving in tone and discipline. The present administration is able and vigorous. The instruction given in some branches of natural and physical science is very good, though here as in other places I should like to see a broader foundation laid in a knowledge of the elementary principles of experimental science in general. I think that English reading is receiving rather more attention in the lower school than was at one time paid to it. It is too commonly assumed in high schools that the boys can read English without instruction from the masters. There is good provision here for instruction in gymnastics. Otago Girls' High School (15th and 16th November, 1886). —This also is one of our best schools. The study of the English language occupies a prominent place. Latin and mathematics are very well taught. The instruction in gymnastics is excellent. There are some good earnest students among the elder girls.

SOUTHLAND HIGH SCHOOLS BOABD. 1. Report op the Board. Sir,— Invercargill, 31st March, 1887. I have the honour to forward report of the Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools for the year 1886, together with documents, in terms of circular of the 30th December. The members of the Board of Governors at the beginning of the year were Messrs. G. Lumsden (Chairman) and H. Wilson, appointed by His Excellency the Governor ; Messrs. T. Watson and D. L. Matheson, appointed by the Southland Education Board; and Mr. J. L. McDonald, the Mayor for the time being. In July Mr. Watson resigned his position as a Governor of the Board, and Mr. J. A. Preshaw was appointed by the Education Board to fill Mr. Watson's place. Messrs. Lumsden and Wilson were reappointed by the Government in September. In the last annual report reference was made to a change in the staff of teachers. Both the boys' and girls' schools have been superintended during the year by Mr. A. H. Highton, M.A. Under his management, on the boys' side the number of scholars has steadily increased; but the Board does not anticipate that the girls' school will bo a success until the two departments are 5—E. 9.

8.—9

carried on in separate buildings, which cannot be accomplished until there are sufficient funds to erect a boys' school. The average attendance for the year has been forty-five boys and twentyfour girls. The number on the roll at the end of the year was fifty-seven boys and twenty-five girls. In order to induce parents more extensively to avail themselves of the privileges of secondary education, the Board has reduced the fees to one-half the usual charge in cases where boys have competed for a scholarship and have gained 60 per cent, of the possible number of marks, but who have failed to obtain the scholarship. A preparatory class has been formed, but it has not met with the support the Board anticipated. The matter of annual examinations of the schools by outside examiners has occupied attention; but no satisfactory system within the means of the Board lias been devised. The importance of such examinations is much felt; but it is not within the power of the Board to make satisfactory arrangements. The endowments dealt with during the year have been Section 10, Block LIX., and Section 6, Block LXVIII., Town of Invercargill. The leases of these reserves expired, and the properties were again leased to the previous lessees for seven years at the upset annual rent in each case. Owing to the inferior quality of the largest of the Board's endowments, Eun 214, Eyre District, it was found desirable in the interests of the Board, and with the advice of its solicitor, to reduce the rent from £260 to £175 per annum, the lease being cancelled, and the tenancy being from year to year. The annual statement of receipts and disbursements is enclosed herewith, also other documents required for the compilation of statistics and for the preparing of annual returns. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Geo. Lumsden, Chairman.

2. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance, at beginning of year .. .. 320 19 1 By Salary .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 Grant from vote of the General Assembly 250 0 0 Teachers' salaries and allowances, inBeserves sold.. .. .. .. 307 19 0 eluding fees to visiting teachers .. 1,320 8 0 Bank of New Zealand, fixed deposit from Prizes .. .. .. .. 17 11 2 last year .. .. .. 600 0 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 49 17 8 Current income from reserves .. .. 510 1 0 Cleaning, fuel, light, &o. .. .. 70 18 8 Interest on moneys invested and on un- Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 32 8 6 paid purchase-money .. .. 30 0 0 Bents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 315 0 Paid by School Commissioners .. 141 18 2 Endowments, sales account— School fees, boys' school .. .. 396 611 Proceeds invested, fixed deposit, Bank Books, &c, sold, and other refunds, boys' of New Zealand .. .. 1,050 0 0 school, including fees received for Expenses of survey, sales, manageextra subjects .. .. .. 46 17 6 ment, &c. .'. .. .. 31 19 4 School fees, girls' school .. .. 215 2 6 Deserves —Rates, expenses of leasing, &c. 22 8 5 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds, girls' Furniture and fittings .. .. 8 9 11 school, including fees received for Sundries —Stamps, telegrams, chequeextra subjects .. .. .. 23 12 4 book, &c. .. .. .. 10 1 0 Balance at end of year .. .. 155 18 10 £2,848 16 6 £2,848 16 6 Geobg-e Lumsden, Chairman. Chables Eout, Treasurer. Correct by Treasurer's books and vouchers and bank passbook. —H. Livingston, Auditor. Amounts due to the Board on account of Preserves and unpaid, 31st December, 1886. Bents.— .... Total, £207 os. 2d. Deferred-payment Instalments. — .... Total, £86 ss. Accompanied by statements—(l) school fees in arrear, (2) rents in arrear, (3) deferred-payment instalments in arrear. —H.L.

3. WORK OF THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST FOBMS. Boys' School. Highest Form. —Latin: Horace, Odes, Book I.; Cicero, Pro Milone ; Arnold's Latin Prose Composition (Bradley). French: Moliere's L'Avare, Brachet's French Grammar. History: Henry VIII. to Victoria (Edith Thompson, with notes from Green). English : Historical English Grammar (Morris); Julius Caesar and Merchant of Venice. Mathematics : Arithmetic ; Euclid, Books I. to IV.; algebra to end of quadratic equations. Chemistry : The non-metallic elements (Eoscoe's Elementary Lessons in Chemistry). Lowest Form. —Latin : Smith's Principia, Part I. English : Morris's English Grammar Primer, English Eeaders. History: Curnow's Smaller History. Geography: Petrie's. Arithmetic: To end of weights and measures. Girls' School. Highest Form. —Latin: Caesar, Book I.; Principia Latina, Part IV. French : La Picciola, Brachet's French Grammar. English : Smith's English Grammar, Macmillan's English Literature. History : Collins's. Geography : Mackay's. Lowest Form. —French : Bue's to end of verbs. English : Morris's English Grammar Primer, Globe Eeaders, Lady of the Lake. Geography: Petrie's. History : Curnow's Smaller History. Arithmetic : Hamblin Smith's to end of weights and measures.

E.—9

4. Eepoet of the Inspectob-Genebal of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Southland Boys' and Girls' High School (10th November, 1886).—Since my last visit Mr. Highton has taken Mr. Blanchfiower's place as Headmaster, and the Headmistress has left the school. Her place has not been filled up, the number of girls being considerably smaller than formerly. Part of the time of the Headmaster is devoted to the girls' department. It would be unreasonable to expect the highest degree of efficiency in a school with so small a staff and where the salaries of assistants are necessarily low; and lam of opinion that the results obtained ought to be regarded as quite satisfactory. The junior class in the girls' school is doing very elementary work. I am glad to see that the new Headmaster has introduced geometrical drawing into the course.

[Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,425 copies), £26 165.]

Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Crovernmont Printer, Wellington.—lBB7.

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EDUCATION: REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-9, 1886.], Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session I, E-09

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EDUCATION: REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-9, 1886.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session I, E-09

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EDUCATION: REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-9, 1886.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session I, E-09

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EDUCATION: REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-9, 1886.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session I, E-09

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EDUCATION: REPORTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. [In continuation of E.-9, 1886.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session I, E-09

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No known copyright (New Zealand)