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Attendance.—The attendance for the year shows an increase of 279, the number on the roll for the quarter ending 31st December being 3,637, as compared with 3,358 for the corresponding period of 1893. The average attendance shows an improvement on the previous year, it having risen from 2,371 in 1893 to 2,653 in 1894. There is still room for improvement in this respect, but the Board cannot overlook the difficulties that have to be overcome by children attending the outlying schools. The district is a bush one, and the roads are nearly impassable in the newly-settled parts during the winter months, thus preventing the delicate and the younger children putting in an appearance at school during these months. Buildings.—New school buildings were erected during the year at Carrington Road, Hurford Eoad, Pungarehu, and Salisbury Boad, and an old building was removed from Waitara to Waihi, these works, with a number of repairs and additions, absorbed the building grant, and compelled the Board to encroach on the Education Fund to the extent of £224 13s. 2d. for building purposes. It will thus be seen that the Board has been unable to do anything towards providing residences for teachers, the necessity for which was pointed out in last year's report. The building grant for the year is barely sufficient to meet the urgent requirements for teaching purposes, and unless a special grant is made for residences the Board will be reluctantly compelled to shelve this important question for another year Scholarships.—Two scholarships were awarded in Class A and one in Class B, and, on the recommendation of the Board, the governors of the New Plymouth High School granted two freetuition scholarships to two of the unsuccessful candidates, whose papers showed considerable merit. School Committees.—There are now thirty-five School Committees and three provisional Committees in this district, and the sum of £859 15s. 4d. has been paid to them during the year for school purposes. The Committees of the districts in which new schools have been built have acted in a liberal spirit, and the Committee generally take great interest in their duties, and perform them punctually and with diligence. Inspection.—Mr. William Murray, who has served the Board as Inspector during the past eleven years, tendered his resignation, and Mr W E. Spencer, Assistant Inspector to the Wanganui Education Board, was appointed to succeed him. The latter entered on his duties on the first of this month (March, 1895). The Board takes this opportunity of recording its appreciation of Mr Murray's services. He entered on his duties just as the district began sensibly to progress , at the time he sent in his first report (December, 1884), there were thirty-six schools open, with a roll attendance of 2,113 pupils, whereas there are now fifty-two schools, with a roll attendance of 3,637. Notwithstanding this increase in his duties, and that he was in indifferent health during part of the term, he performed the arduous duties of his position with diligence, zeal, and ability Income and Expenditube.—The income of the Board from all sources, including the balance of £1,782 ss. Id. from last year was £13,595 17s. 5d., and the expenditure was £11,666 ss. 5d., leaving a credit balance of £1,929 125., against which there were liabilities and appropriations amounting to £1,899 16s. Id., which left but a small margin to begin the new year with. For information respecting the state of education in the district, I beg to refer you to the Inspector's report. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Eobebt G Bauchope, Chairman,

Geneeal Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1894. Receipts. £ s. d. • Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year — By Office staff —Salaries . 150 0 0 On Building Account 1,200 10 4 Departmental contingencies 125 4 5 On Scholarship Account 7 12 8 Inspector's salary 300 0 0 On General Account 508 13 5 Inspector's travelling expenses 75 0 0 On Land Account 5 8 8 Examination of pupil-teachers 3 17 9 Government grant for buildings 1 400 0 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances 8,002 13 0 Kefund from School Commissioners .. 43 8 0 Incidental expenses of schools 1,137 111 Government statutory capitation 8,759 2 3 Training of teachers . 141 10 0 Scholarship grant . 222 17 9 Scholarships— Inspection subsidy 200 0 0 Paid to scholars 180 0 0 Payments by School Commissioners 1,182 4 4 Examination expenses 3 3 0 Rents of school sites, &c. 6 0 0 School buildings— New buildings 692 13 4 Improvements of buildings 713 18 7 Furniture and appliances 36 15 4 Sites . .. .. 57 0 7 Plans, supervision, and fees.. 47 7 6 Balance — On Building Account £1,380 16 2 On Scholarship Account 4 9 8 On General Account 658 18 2 On Land Account 5 8 8 Cash in hand .. 0 15 2,049 li 1 Less outstanding cheques 120 2 1 1,929 12 0 17_5 £13,595 17 5 Eobeet G. Bauchope, Chairman. B. Veale, Secretary Examined and found correct. —James Edwabd FitzGebald, Controller and Auditor-General.