41

H.—l

In Blenheim, land should be secured as sites for tho residences. Scholaeships Are but two in number; are set apart by the Governors of the Nelson College, who remit the tuition fees ; the Board pays £40 a year for each. The qualification is for all boys between the ages of twelve and fifteen attending a public school. One scholarship is given each year, and is tenable for two years. The last examination was held in December, 1877, when thirteen candidates competed. The successful pupil was J. H. Emerson. Inspection of Schools Has been annual, and made by Eobert Lee, Esq., Inspector for the Wellington District. A short time back this Board learnt that Mr. Lee would be unable to visit our schools again, and accepted with great regret his resignation as Inspector of them. It has been left to the new Board to fill the vacancy. The last inspection was made early in the year. Libeaeies. The Board, having undertaken the distribution of the money allotted to this district under the Public Libraries Subsidies Act, has asked the libraries to forward applications, enclosing such information as is necessary to enable it to divide the grant: in the meantime, the Board has no reliable information to give under this head. List of Books. Appendix No. 1, of the Eules and Eegulations, gives a list of books, etc., to be used in the primary schools under the Board. Expenditure. An examination of tho attached papers will show that the expenditure of the Board for the year is in excess of the receipts for the same period. Teachers' salaries (which are certainly moderate) have not been reduced, nor have any of the schools been closed, as the balance in hand at the end of 1876 will enable the Board to continue the present rates till July next. It is to be hoped that further means will be provided to support schools in educational districts such as this, where the population is not grouped in centres, but scattered over a large area. We have at least seven schools with an average attendance of less than 35 children each. It is obvious that these cannot be efficiently maintained out of the sum set apart by Parliament for each child ; and if the suggestion contained in paragraph 4 of Circular No. 2 of February 12th be carried into effect by the Board of this district, viz., payment by average daily attendance, the result will be, not, as is urgently needed, the opening of new schools, but the closing of many of those now open and doing good work in the country districts, notwithstanding that the attendance is not and cannot be so large as in the towns. I have, &c, A. P. Sexmoue, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Chairman.

GENERAL STATEMENT of RECEIPTS and EXPENDITURE for the Year ended 31st December, 1877.

Teachers iesidt fences. Mahakipawa Kaituna Valley Onamalutu Waitohi Canvas Town ... Picton Blenheim „ Kekerangu ... £150 ... 150 ... 150 .., 150 ... 150 ... 250 ... 250 ... 250 ... 150 £1,650

Income. £ p. d. o Balance on 31st December, 1876 ... 547 10 10 Grants from Government ... ... 4,816 12 0 -Jet rents and profits of education Expenditure. £ s. d. By Office —Secretary's salary ... ... 75 0 0 Messenger, &c, salary... ... G 6 0 Rent ... ... ... 15 10 0 Travelling expenses (inspection) 117 11 6 Printing, advertising, &e. ... 61 0 1 Schools —Teachers' salaries and allowances 2,779 3 10 l.ents and rent allowances ... 15 0 0 Petty repairs and other costs ... 276 4 0 Scholarships ... ... ... 87 1 0 Law expenses, other than for reserves ... 1 19 0 School buildings ... ... ... 1,310 14 5 Liabilities of previous Boards... ... 87 13 3 Insurances ... ... ... ... 10 1 9 Interest ... ... ... ... 17 10 0 reserves ... ... ... 106 17 0 School fees collected by the Board ... 439 17 0 Balances from previous Boards ... 159 13 4 Total Income ... ... £6,100 10 2 Total Expenditure ... ... 4,060 14 10 Balance 31st December, 1877 ... ... 1,239 15 4 Total ... ... ... £6,100 10 2 Audited and found correct. Cyeus GoriTEE, Auditor. John T. Robinson, Secretary and Treasurer.