7

E.—B

Abstract from rolls for 1881 and 1882. 1881. 1882. First quarter ... ... ... 141 116 Second quarter ... ... ... 141 117 Third quarter ... ... ... 120 116 Fourth quarter ... ... ... 120 113 The Governors have, in the course of the last year, found themselves in a position to carry out a purpose which they have for many years anxiously entertained, namely, the extension of the benefits of higher education to girls. In the past, however, they have feared that the attempt to do so with scanty funds might result not only in the failure of the new undertaking, but also in injury to the old and successful one. An offer from the Board of School Commissioners for the district, in the early part of the year, to give assistance from the endowments at their disposal for the encouragement of secondary education, induced the Governors to carefully reconsider the question, and they came to the conclusion that the improved state of the funds under their own management, resulting from the successful working for some years past of the boys' college, together with the promised contribution from the fund of the School Commissioners, justified them in the foundation of a like establishment for girls. A site which the Governors consider to be well adapted for the purpose was purchased, and a contract entered into for a building adapted for the reception of about 150 pupils, including from 40 to 50 boarders. The Governors are satisfied that the staff whose services they have succeeded in engaging will secure the confidence of parents in all parts of the colony, and the consequent success and usefulness of the institution. The Lady Principal (Miss K. M. Edger) is a graduate of the University of New Zealand, and during five years' experience as second mistress in the Canterbury High School for Girls has established a high reputation for success as a teacher and for capacity in organization. Miss Lilian Edger has also graduated M.A. in the New Zealand University, and during a comparatively short term as a teacher in the same institution with her sister exhibited an amount of teaching power which gave very great satisfaction to its governing body. Miss Milne has for some time past been engaged in private teaching in this town, and the Governors felt that they could have no higher recommendation than the estimation in which she is held by both parents and pupils. In the selection of a lady to whom to intrust the charge of the boarding establishment the Governors felt a very special responsibility, and they believe that in the appointment of Miss Bell from amongst a large number of applicants they have done all that could be done to secure that best kind of domestic supervision which parents have a right to expect at their hands. The number of pupils whose names have been entered, in the girls' college for the term beginning on the 2nd February is 80. The accompanying table shows the number and present position of the various scholarships in connection with the boys' college. By order of the Council of Governors. Oswald Cuetis, Secretary.

Receipts and Expendituee of the College for the Year ending 31st December, 1882. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance at Bank of New Zealand on the 31st Scholarships— December, 1881 ... ... ... 1,063 13 2 Foundation ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 Interest on mortgage securities ... ... 1,043 16 4 Endowed ... ... ... ... 84 0 0 Rents from endowments ... ... 379 15 0 Governors'fees ... ... ... 50 0 0 Boarding account ... ... ... 2,247 16 0 Exhibitions ... ... ... ... 132 10 0 Tuition account ... ... ... 1,355 12 6 Simmons prize (two years) ... ... 12 0 0 Stationery accounts ... ... ... 51 6 5 Boarding account ... ... ... 1,845 6 0 Suspense account ... ... ... 918 9 Tuition account ... ... ... 1,779 3 0 Miscellaneous receipts ... ... ... 47 11 0 Stationery account ... ... ... 88 0 6 Repairs account ... ... ... 150 18 1 Suspense account ... ... ... 35 1 9 Miscellaneous expenses— Audit charges ... ... ... 9 8 0 Examiners' fee ... ... ... 25 0 0 Insurance from fire ... ... ... 68 5 9 — City rates ... ... ... ... 76 16 4 Subscriptions to college sports, &c. ... 20 6 0 Appliances for Bcience classes ... ... 14 14 11 Printing and advertising, and office rent and expenses ... ... ... 51 18 5 Sundry expenses ... ... ... 17 18 8 Secretary's salary ... ... ... 225 0 0 Balance at Bank of New Zealand on 31st December, 1882 ... ... ... 1,433 1 9 Cheque in hands of secretary ... ... 30 0 0 £6,199 9 2 £6,199 9 2 Receipts and Expendituee of the College for Giels for the Year ending 31st December, 1882. Receipts. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. Overdraft at Bank of New Zealand on the Purchase of land for site ... ... 1,000 0 0 31st December, 1882 ... ...'* ... 3,144 45 On account of building and architect's fees 2,088 19 6 Legal expenses, conveyances, &c... ... 9 5 4 - * Miscellaneous expenses... ... ... 7 7 1 Insurance from fire ... ... ... 24 7 6 Advertising ... ... ... ... 14 5 0 £3,144 4 5 £3,144 4 5 Oswald Cuetis, Secretary. We hereby certify that we have examined the above accounts, and compared them with the several vouchers relating thereto, and found them correct.-— H. C. Daniell, J. T. Catlet, Auditors.