A.—No. 3.

44

RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, AND

Letter from Mr. R. Pollock to the Secretary to tho Commission. Sir,— College Office, Nelson, 15th March, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo, requesting me to furnish a report of this Institution, showing its state, &c, &c, up to the Ist January, 1870. I thought it advisable to defer my reply, until the monthly meeting of the Governors, which took place a day or two since, in order that I might lay the matter before them, and take their directions. This I have done, and, in accordance with those directions, I now enclose a copy of our last Annual Report, published in accordance with the Statutes of the College. This Report, with the accompanying statement of accounts and balance sheet, will, I doubt not,, furnish the information required by the Commissioners. I quite agree with you, that it is to be regretted, that circumstances should have prevented the Commissioner's personal inquiry when in Nelson, as the precise nature of the information sought would doubtless have been better understood. I have, &c, F. Wakefield, Esq., Robt. Pollock, Secretary to the Commission, &c, Wellington. Secretary.

Report of Governors of Nelson College. 1. The number of pupils taught at the Nelson College during the past year has been considerably in advance of the attendance in the year immediately preceding: — 1869. Boarders. Day Scholars. Totals. Attendance Ist Quarter 39 11 50 2nd „ 39 10 49 3rd „ 33 12 45 4th „ 36 14 50 The numbers in the corresponding quarters of the previous year being 39, 40, 40, and 47. 2. The appended financial statement exhibits a continued reduction in the balance against the College. Indeed, tho College is now really free from debt, and its apparent indebtedness results from the difficulty of collecting moneys in all cases within the quarter for which they are properly due. 3. The recent Christmas examinations of the pupils gave most satisfactory proof of the efficiency of the present tutorial staff. His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond, after a somewhat prolonged examination, pronounced the "teaching thoroughly sound and effective," and reports of an equally gratifying character have been presented to the Governors by the other examiners on that occasion— the Rev. Samuel Poole and the Rev. C. 0. Mules. 4. His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, about the middle of the past year, visited and inspected the College, and expressed himself pleased with its general efficiency. 5. At the suggestion of the Head-Master, some changes have been made in the distribution of the fund allotted to Foundation Scholarships. The subjoined table (which includes the alterations referred to) gives a complete list of the Scholarships in connection with the Nelson and Marlborough College, and the names of the present holders: —

In the recent examination for the Stafford Scholarship, the Governors have again availed themselves of the friendly services of tho Bishop of Nelson. 6. In their Report of 1868, the Governors assert the " desirability of connecting the Provincial system of education with that of the College, by giving peculiar facilities for the admission into the College of the best trained and most advanced among the scholars of the Provincial schools." A recent addition to the funds of the College (which is further referred to below) will soon afford the desired opportunity. Already two exhibitions affording free admission into the College to boys bond fide educated at such schools, have been created by the Governors, and after due public advertisement, have been eagerly competed for. This system has received the warmest approbation of the College Masters (who to assist the views of the Governors have generously forgone their fees), and, when experience shall have declared in its favour, will be extended from time to time as means permit. 7. While seeking to promote the admirable existing system of public education in this Province, the Governors have not been entirely forgetful of one who, prior to the establishment of that system, devoted himself to the cause of education here ; and at a recent meeting they resolved to recognize the early services of Mr. Campbell, by giving to his son (for some years a pupil of the College) a free education for the space of two years. 8. The Trustees of the Nelson Trust Funds, in the exercise of powers vested in them by " The Nelson Trust Funds Act, 1854," have lately handed over the remainder of those funds to the Governors of the Nelson College. Although making no material difference in the present means of

Scholarships. Time for wdiich held. Annual Value. When obtained. By whom. End of Term. Newcome Richmond Stafford Fell a f 1st Classical 1 \ 2nd do. g ) 1st Mathematical... £ (,2nd do. Three years Three years Three years Two years One year One year One year One year £30 £30 £20 £20 £20 £10 £20 £10 January, 1869 June, 1867 June, 1869 June, 1869 Christmas, 1869 do. do. do. J. Burnett F. Wither Barnicoat (1) Blackett (2) Blackett (1) Barnicoat (2) T. Campbell (1) Wastney (1) January, 1872 June, 1870 June, 1872 June, 1871 Christinas, 1870 do. do. do.