E.—9

20

exceptions, passed in all the four branches, gaining very high percentages in several of them. The Upper Fourth did not come out as well as we could have wished in geometry, but did excellent work in arithmetic. The arithmetic of the three lower Forms also was exceedingly good. The boys all showed an intelligent apprehension both of the principles and processes of working out their various sums, and the work was generally done with great neatness. Closely connected with mathematics is natural science, a subject that now finds a prominent place in the course of study in every well-organized school. During the present session Mr. Mackay, the Principal, has taken up and lectured on two important branches of it—viz., mechanics and heat—in the highest Form. We were sorry to see so few present themselves for examination on this subject. The papers sent in, however, were very good, notably those of Brandon and McCredie, both of whom deserve special mention for their proficiency in this department of study. Passing now to the English subjects, we note that the work attempted by the Upper Fifth Form is that required by the New Zealand University for its junior scholarships. On a previous occasion we referred to the wide range of this course and. the indefiniteness of one of the subjects presented. We regret that the recent regulations of the University Senate, instead of diminishing the evil complained of, have rather intensified it. Nevertheless, we are happy to report that a fair percentage has been obtained by all the boys in the several subjects—English grammar, history, geography, and English literature. The papers given in on English literature show a very fair general knowledge of the chief writers of the Stuart period, considerable expertness in paraphrasing, and a capability of appreciating the beauties of Milton. In regard to the Lower Fifth, we are able to announce very creditable results. Of the seventeen composing the Form, fourteen obtained more than halfmarks in all the subjects. Of the Fourth Form, in its three divisions of Upper, Lower, and Shell, the results obtained in history, grammar, and geography were very respectable. A number in each division of this Form distinguished themselves by their answering in the several subjects, and a fair proportion obtained more than half-marks. In respect to the members of this Form who fail to come up to our requirements, their failure was largely due to weakness in parsing in the grammar subject, and want of fulness and accuracy in history. The Third Form did fairly well in geography ; but we cannot report so favourably concerning the work done by it in grammar and history, the answering in the latter subject being far from satisfactory. The boys of the First and Second Forms, with a few exceptions, obtained a high percentage of the attainable marks in grammar, history, geography, dictation, and reading. They showed such a measure of proficiency in the several subjects as indicated careful and intelligent teaching. It gives us much pleasure to report that in the majority of cases the pupils in all the Forms did their work with great neatness, and, with the exception of a few whose writing and spelling need amendment, the general style of the work was unexceptionable. We have thus presented you with a brief resume of the results of the examination just concluded. But we cannot close without offering a remark on the discipline of the school. This seems to be all that could be desired, and is maintained without apparent effort. On the whole, then, we can once more heartily congratulate you on the present state of the College, as indicated by the results of the recent inspection. Educationally and otherwise it is in a thoroughly sound and healthy condition. There is but one thing more we should like to say. We are very sensible of the honour you have done us in appointing us year after year examiners of such an institution as Wellington College. We have endeavoured to discharge our duties to the best of our ability, and are quite prepared to stand by the estimate we have formed and expressed of the work of the school; yet, upon the whole, we venture to suggest that, in our judgment, it might be well and wise for you, in the interests of this institution and for the further satisfaction of the general public, to have an occasional change of examiners, and on the next occasion to ask one or two of the professors of one of the colleges affiliated to the University of New Zealand to examine and report on the work of the College. We have, &c, A. Macgregob, M.A. The Governors, Wellington College. W. H. West, 8.A., LL.B.

2. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st December, 1884. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Current income from reserves.. .. 1,018 13 10 By Overdraft, Ist January, 1884 .. .. 121 9 2 School fees .. .. .. .. 2,076 16 0 Salary and commission .. .. 162 15 6 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds .. 11 10 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 2,419 1 8 Levin Scholarship money .. .. 20 0 0 Examiners' fees (two years) .. .. 105 0 0 Interest, Moore and Rhodes's Scholarship Scholarships .. .. .. 110 0 0 funds .. .. .. .. 74 0 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 16 0 0 Balance, Ist January, 1885 .. .. 630 12 11 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 156 511 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c, .. .. 36 2 0 New works on buildings .. .. 49 9 7 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. .. 30 16 9 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 68 8 9 Interest on current account .. .. 26 0 10 Eates on reserves, and fencing .. 103 4 3 Interest on loan, and legal expenses .. 411 3 7 Sundries, unclassified .. .. 15 14 9 £3,831 12 9 £3,831 12 9 Examined and passed.—E. Macalistee, Provincial District Auditor. J. E. Blair, Treasurer. Chas. P. Powles, Secretary,