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fi.—lf.

Auckland. Auckland, 2Gth August, 1878. Re Lieeaet Geant (see Chairman's letter of 23rd Jufy). Of the borough libraries subsidized out of the recent grant, all have complied with section 7 of Act except the Auckland Mechanics' Institute— £175 granted at the special request of the Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Vincent E. Eice, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. Secretary.

Sic,— Board of Education, Auckland, 23rd July, 1878. I am requested by the Board to address you in reference to the apportionment of the grant allotted to this district under " The Public Libraries Subsidies Act, 1877," and entrusted to the Board for distribution in terms of your circular, No. 3, dated 21st February last. Acting upon the instructions conveyed in that circular, the late Board published an advertisement inviting applications from the public libraries within the Auckland Provincial District, and specifying the twelve months ending 31st December, 1877, as the period in respect of which the voluntary subscriptions of each library were to be reckoned in the distribution of the grant. After receiving and considering the applications sent in up to the 31st May, the Board fixed upon pound for pound as the basis of distribution, and grants were accordingly allotted to the several libraries entitled to participate. The applications received from borough libraries were found to represent the sum of £473. These libraries the Board considered to be equally entitled with others to participate in the distribution of the grant, subject, of course, to their compliance with the provisions of section 7of the Act. In the case of the Auckland Mechanics' Institute a representation was made to the Board by the Hon. Mr. Sheehan that that library had been promised a grant under the Act, and at his request the Board included it in the distribution. I forward herewith a list showing the amounts allotted in each case, from which it will be seen that nearly one-half of the grant has been absorbed by borough libraries. There yet remains a balance of £4 7s. unallotted, against which there are claims to the amount of £75 ; and I am desired to request that, in consideration of the circumstances herein set forth, the Government will place a further sum of £70 13s. at the Board's disposal, so that it may be enabled to treat upon an equal basis all applications for grants in respect of subscriptions received during the year 1877. I have, &c, J. Logan Campbell, The Hon. the Minister for Education, Wellington. Chairman.

Sic, — Education Department, "Wellington, sth August, 1878. In reply to your letter No. 2,173, of 23rd ultimo, I am directed to inform you that the whole of the vote of £5,000 has been distributed amongst the Education Boards in accordance with the Public Libraries Subsidies Act of last session, and that the Government have no other funds available for making the additional payment asked by your Board. I have, &c, The Chairman, Education Board, Auckland. John Hislop.

Hawke's Bat. Napier, 2Gth August, 1878. All expenditure of library grant has been made only to free libraries, in accordance with the Act. G. T. Fannin, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. pro Secretary.

Taeanaki. New Plymouth, 24th August, 1878. No portion of recent grant has been received (sic) to libraries within boroughs. My letter, Ist August, gives particulars of claims allowed and disallowed. Wm. Noethceoft, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. Secretary.

Wanganui. Wanganui, 2nd September, 1878. The recent grant for public libraries was all given to free libraries. A. A. Beowne, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. Secretary.

Wellington. Sic,— Education Board of Wellington, 26th August, 1878. In reply to your memorandum No. 727 of 24th instant, I have the honor to report that no portion of the grant for public libraries has been given to libraries not being free libraries within the meaning of the Act. The only library within a borough that received any of the grant was the Masterton Library, and that is free within the meaning of the Act. Eobeet Lee, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. Secretary.