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Wm. F. Moat, Chairman. H. N. Gaeland, Secretary. Examined and found correct. —James Edwaed FitzGeeald, Controller and Auditor-General. TAEANAKI. Sic, — School Commissioners' Office, New Blymouth, sth April, 1889. I have the honour to forward the annual report of the Board of School Commissioners for the year ending the 31st December, 1888. During the year the Board has held twelve ordinary and four special meetings. The following are the attendances-of each member: T. King, Esq., 12 ;E. Barris, Esq., 15; B. G. Bauchope, Esq., 14; T. Humphries, Esq., 15 ; Mr. District Judge Eawson, 1. The greater facilities given under the Bublic Bodies' Bowers Act and "The Land Act, 1885," for leasing lands on more advantageous terms to tenants are inducing extended settlement throughout the district, and most of the rural lands vested in this Board are now let. As will be seen from the statement of accounts appended hereto, there is a large amount of arrears of rent. This is accounted for partly by the fact that tenants held back their rents pending the fate of the Fair Bent Bill before the House last session. The reductions made to tenants holding land under the Bublic Trustee have also had the effect of inducing lessees under this Board to allow their rents to accumulate, with the hope of similar reductions. The Board has, however, taken steps to collect these arrears, and has determined to re-enter on all properties where the tenants are unable to pay their rents in a reasonable time. A large number of applications have been received for reductions of rent, and the Board secured the services of Mr. G. F. Bobinson, Crown Lands Banger, to examine and report upon the leases of the applicants. Small reductions have been made in a few cases, but in the majority of cases it was found that the tenants were not paying excessive rents. Owing to the death of the late Secretary, Mr. W. Northcroft, Mr. E. Veale has been appointed Secretary to the Board. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Edncation, T. King, Chairman.

•xpem lituri !y Office —Salary and expenses ... Office stationery, postages, &c. Expenses of leasing—advertising Fencing, &c, reserves Surveys Crown Lands Office fees Bates Legal expenses Payments to Boards— Auckland Education Board Hawke's Bay Education Board Payments towards secondary education—Gisborne High School Eefunds —■ Lease deposits Eent deposits Balance at credit on 31st December, 1888 £ s. 71 8 5 10 18 16 4 11 2 16 1 12 79 17 40 9 a. 6 8 9 0 3 6 4 6 £ s. a. 28 11 6 1 12 0 5 18 6 £ s. a. 100 0 0 7 2 8 24 15 3 4 11 0 3 15 0 1 12 6 104 4 8 45 14 6 0*18 9 24'"7 4 5 5 0 1,524 0 76 0 0 0 I 1,600 0 0 825 11 4 825 11 4 7 16 7 12 0 6 4 4 0 12 0 0 7 12 6 870 3 0 Total expenditure 3,607 2 5 Assets. >alance of cash in hand, 31st December, 1888 j-rears of rent for 1886 ... .rrears of rent for 1887 ... .rrears of rent for 1888 ... £ s. 74 10 261 17 872 8 a. 0 7 5 £ s. 6 15 32 18 213 18 a. o 9 0 £ s. d. 870 3 0 81 5 0 294 16 4 1,086 6 5 Total assets 1,208 16 0 253 11 9 2,332 10 Liabilities £ 1 35 s. 4 0 a. 4 3 £ s. 0 8 7 15 a. 2 7 & s. & 1 12 C 42 15 1C .dvertising <ease deposits ... Total liabilities... 36 4 7 8 3 9 44 8