E.—B

4

school from an expert, and, it being the duty of such examiner to report on other secondary schools, they would be enabled to compare their own with other secondary schools in New Zealand. The late examination was conducted by two gentlemen residents of the Thames, and, judging by their report, the Governors ought to be well pleased at the result. They would, however, be much better satisfied, and the report would carry a great deal more weight with the public, coming from a man who was not only responsible to Government, but had other secondary schools to examine. Wm. Feasee, Chairman of the Board of Governors.

Receipts and Expendititee for the Year ended 31st December, 1882. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Grants from School Commissioners ... 69 0 3 Repayment, bank overdraft ... ... 29 1 5 Rents from reserve ... ... ... 267 19 5 Rent ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 0 Government grant ... ... ... 500 0 0 Surveying ... ... ... ... 175 13 9 Gold fields revenue ... ... ... 586 11 11 Expenses, leasing reserve ... ... ... 53 8 0 Sale of cottage ... ... ... ... 11 0 0 Insurance ... ... ... ... 4 12 6 School fees ... ... ... ... 386 13 5 Advertising and printing ... ... 15 10 6 Office expenses ... ... ... 3 8 8 Rates ... ... ... ... 20 15 0 Salaries ... ... ... ... 922 19 0 Repairs to master's house, &c. ... ... 50 9 6 School furniture ... ... ... 15 0 8 School requisites ... ... ... 18 5 2 Travelling expenses ... ... ... 670 Legal expenses ... ... ... ... 20 17 11 Fires and cleaning ... ... ... 24 6 0 Interest, Bank of New Zealand ... ... 6 13 9 Balance in Bank of New Zealand ... 450 16 2 £1,821 5 0 £1,821 5 0 W. Feasee, Chairman. 18th January, 1883. . Richd. A. Heald, Secretary. I hereby certify that I have examined the books and vouchers of the Thames Boys' and Girls' High School for the year ended 31st December, 1882, and that I. find the same to be correct. —L. A, Dukrietj, Auditor.—9th February, 1883.

WHANGAREI HIGH SCHOOL. Receipts and Expendittjke for the Year ended 31st December, 1882. Receipts. £ 8. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance in bank on Ist January, 1882 ... 185 15 0 Book sales account ... ... ... 3193 Grants from School Commissioners ... 207 0 9 Salaries account... ... ... ... 197 6 8 Rents received ... ... .. ... 10 0 0 Furniture and requisites ... ... ... 28 19 1 School fees ... ... ... ... 89 6 6 School-rent account ... ... ... 47 10 3 Booi sales ccount ... ... ... 14 12 5 Office expenses ... ... ... ... 9 3 1 Advertising and printing ... ... ... 6 15 0 Land-purchase account ... ... ... 60 0 0 Balance in bank ... ... ... 125 11 4 £506 14 8 £506 14 8 [Note. —In addition to £28 19s. Id. expended on furniture and requisites, the sum of £8 Is. lid. in the " Books " account has been devoted to use of school.] Joseph Bell, Secretary. I hereby certify that I have examined the books and vouchers of the Whangarei High School for the year ended 31st December, 1882, and that I find the same to be correct.' —L. A. Dtjebieu, Auditor. —16th February, 1883.

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. Sib,— New Plymouth, 21st May, 1883. I have the honour to report that the high school has made very fair progress during the year 1882. It was opened on the 30th January with thirty scholars, and closed for the Christmas holidays with fifty-nine scholars. There is a great desire manifested by parents to send their children to the high school before they are sufficiently advanced. The Principal has indeed an assistant, with a salary of '-£150 per annum ; but the attainments of the scholars are so unequal that it is difficult to classify them properly for the efficient working of the school. The question is now being considered by the Governors whether to raise the standard or to increase the staff of teachers. The Governors at present are inclined to increase the staff if funds can be obtained. The Inspector-General visited and inspected the school on the 10th of October, and I beg to refer you to his report for further information. Since my last report thes master's house has been completed and the necessary furniture and appurtenances supplied. The balance-sheet shows the receipts and expenditure for the year ending 31st December, 188'2: The Hon. the Minister of Education. Henby Govett, Chairman.