E.—l.

106

I attach tbe following explanation and directions with reference to the returns, and I am to request that they be filled up as far as practicable in accordance with the directions given. John Hislop.

Explanation and Directions. Return No. I. —This return is intended to include school-buildings and works actually under contract, or in respect of which the Board has positively incurred liabilities, but which are not completed and wholly paid for on Ist January, 1881. But the return may also include any slight extras which may be wanted to render the buildings and premises complete. You will be careful, however, to show the particulars of such extras and their estimated cost in a separate line. Enter each distinct school-building and residence separately. If the school and the residence form one building, specify approximately in separate lines the particulars and cost of each. Return No. 2.—This return is intended for buildings and works not included in Return No. 1, and in respect of which the Board has not contracted any liability. Be careful to enter first of all and to distinguish works in school districts already constituted which are considered absolutely necessary for the present wants of the district. Then enter and distinguish the buildings and works considered absolutely necessary in localities which the Board has resolved to form into school districts. Show schools and residences separately, even when forming one building. Enter in a separate line the cost of school site, when such has to be purchased. Enter the buildings and works as far as possible in the order of urgency and importance. In cases where the Board's estimate of requirements is based upon an expectation of increased school attendance, you are requested to furnish, in the form of notes to the return, any statistical information which can be adduced in support of such expectation. In the case of a proposed new school or new school district, you will please furnish, in a separate note, particulars as to the distance of the proposed site from the nearest existing school, the character of the population, whether settled or otherwise, and the number of children of school age who cannot attend schools already in operation. This return should not include prospective wants, such as may hereafter arise from new settlements or other causes. In estimating the cost of school-buildings, everything should be included essential to the complete equipment of the school—such as closets, fencing, school furniture, &c. But it should be borne in mind that the greatest possible economy compatible with efficiency should be exercised in the expenditure of moneys placed at the Board's disposal for school-buildings. The definition of the term " school-buildings " is given in the last paragraph of Circular No. 15, of date 2nd November, 1878. John Hislop.

(Circular No. 69.) Education Department, Wellington, The Secretary to the Education Board, * 10th January, 1881. By Order in Council, bearing date 10th June, 1879, " The Temperance Lesson Book " is recognized as a book which, subject to such restrictions as the Education Board of any district may impose, may be used in any public school. Sir William Fox proposes to offer valuable prizes (of not less than £10 each) to be awarded to pupils of the public schools by competitive examination in the subject-matter of this book, and he is now in correspondence with the Government on the subject. Mr. Dick instructs me to ask you whether the Board would be willing to act in concert with the Government in order to give effect to Sir William Fox's proposals. Probably the Board would not be asked to do more than to distribute circulars to the schools and to provide a suitable room, and perhaps a supervisor, for the examination. Wm. Jas. Habens, Inspector-General of Schools.

(Circular No. 72.) Education Department, Wellington, The Secretary to the Education Board, Ist March, 1881. I am directed to forward copies of the enclosed Circular Memorandum addressed to teachers of public schools, and to ask that you will be good enough to distribute them. John Hislop.

[Enclosure in Circular No. 72.] To the Teachers of the Public Schools. The attention of the Minister of Education having been directed to the fact that an annual loss of about £400 is sustained by the Telegraph Department in consequence of wilful damage done to insulators, the masters of public schools are requested to use their influence with their pupils in order to induce a feeling of respect for the public interests involved in the regular working of the lines. By order. John Hislop. Education Department, Wellington, Bth February, 1881.

(Circular No. 73.) Education Department, Wellington, The Secretary to the Education Board, 2nd March, 1881. I have the honor, by direction of the Minister of Education, to forward copies of a notice issued by order of the Hon. the Postmaster-G-eneral with reference to the proposal to receive for lodgment in any Post Office Saving Bank deposits of penny postage stamps of the value of one shilling, with a view to the encouragement of habits of thrift among children. I forward also copies of the cards which will be provided by the Post Office Department for the collection of the stamps. I am, on behalf of the G-overnment, to request that your Board will be good enough to cause the notices and the cards to be distributed among School Committees and teachers as soon as convenient. A perusal of the notice and the card will show that the scheme, is a very simple one, and that its operation would in no way interfere with the proper duties of the teachers, or necessarily add to their labours. In all probability, however, many teachers would interest themselves in the matter, and would be very glad to bring it under the notice of their scholars. Those of them in the remoter localities