E.—B,

10

has been incurred in building a new bath-room and lavatory, in painting the whole of the outside of the buildings, in draining and improving the grounds, and in the purchase from the late resident master of furniture and outbuildings erected at his expense. For advertising and printing also an unusually large outlay has been required. The Governors have had a more than ordinarily anxious task during the year just ended, in consequence of the resignation of the masters—the second, third, and fourth—at one time and at short notice, in order to accept engagements in Wellington College. Mr. Mackay, the second master, had filled that position for upwards of fifteen years greatly to the satisfaction of the Governors, while the management of the boarding establishment by Mr. and Mrs. Mackay met with cordial approbation from both parents and pupils. Mr. Barnicoat and Mr. Firth, the third and fourth masters, were old pupils of the College, and fulfilled the duties of their respective positions with zeal and ability. Changes of this kind are necessarily productive of temporary injury to the institution in which they occur, and the following comparative statement of the rolls for 1880 and 1881 shows that this College has been no exception to the rule: — 1880. 1881. First quarter ... ... ... ... ... 142 141 Second quarter ... ... ... ... ... 153 141 Third quarter ... ... ... ... ... 149 120 Fourth quarter ... ... ... ... ... 144 120 An unusually large number of new pupils are entering for the present quarter, but, independently of that fact, the Governors have no fear that the permanent interests of the College will suffer from the changes which have taken place in the teaching staff. The Eev. J. C. Andrew, under whose rule of five years the roll of pupils has increased by 75 per cent, retains his position as principal, and the post of second and resident master has been filled by the appointment of Mr. M. Fearnley, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge. The experience of the past six months has satisfied the Governors that the reputation of the College will be thoroughly well maintained by Mr. Fearnley, and that the management of the boarding establishment by Mr. and Mrs. Fearnley will not suffer by comparison with that of former years. In the selection of third master the Governors were less fortunate, and found a further change necessary. They have now appointed Mr. W. S. Littlejohn, M.A., Aberdeen, to that office, Mr. G. A. Harkness, an old pupil of the College, and scholar of the University of New Zealand, being fourth master, and Mr. Harling continuing his duties as teacher of modern languages. The Governors are again this year entitled to refer with particular gratification to the marked success achieved by the pupils of the College at the annual examinations for the Civil Service of the colony in December. In the senior examination, of the thirteen candidates who passed, no less than eight were from the Nelson College, and in the junior examination, on the list of twenty successful candidates, six Nelson College boys are to be found amongst the eight highest places. Special credit is due, the Governors consider, both to the masters and the pupils for so high a measure of success obtained under the pecular disadvantage consequent upon important changes taking place amongst the former only six months before the examination day. The accompanying table shows the number and present position of the various scholarships in connection with the College. By order of the Council of Governors. Oswald Curtis, Secretary.

Scholarships.

Scholarships. Tenable for Amount per Annum. When Obtained. Name of Holder. Expires Endowed — Newcombe Richmond Stafford Pell ... Foundation — 1st classical 2nd „ 3rd „ 1st mathematical 2nd 3rd Governors' Pees— 1st modern languages 2nd „ 1st English literature 2nd „ Provincial — Nelson Town ... 3 years 33 33 3) 1 year 33 33 £ s. d. 24. 0 0 24 0 0 20 0 0 16 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 Christmas, 1881 Christmas, 1879 ); Not awarded Christmas, 1881 » )) Andrews Johnson Fleming Andrew Caro Nicholson Talbot... Morice Mabin ... Christmas, 1884. 3) Christmas, 1882. 33 J) 33 )> it 33 )) ii 33 33 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 )) Munro Meyer .., Seymour Tindill 33 M 33 )) 33 fi ,, ... )? Country 2 years ti 33 33 33 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 52 10 0 6 0 0 5) Christmas, 1880 Christmas, 1881 Christmas, 1880 Kelly ... Johnson U arltrop Rose ... Painton Hodgson Terry ... Rutherford O'Leary Douslin Andrews Christmas, 1883. 3> Christmas, 1882. Christmas, 1883. Christmas, 1882. ,, ... 3) 33 "' J3 Christmas, 1881 Christmas, 1880 Christmas, 1881 Christmas, 1883. Christmas, 1882. Christmas, 1883. Christinas. ,, ... Marlborough J3 Simmons Prize 33 Annual )j