E.—l2.

taught do not Offer a practical result commensurate with the sacrifice the parents make in depriving themselves of their children's labour after attaining fourteen years. The Governors have indicated their wish that the secondary education taught in the District High School should comprise subjects of a commercial character, and those which the circumstances of the district point to as being of the best ultimate value to' the scholars. Such subjects would include agricultural chemistry, botany (as relating to grasses), and forestry. The Governors are also desirous of aiding the establishment of a Technical School or College at Gisborne. Such an institution would be of great value to the District High School, and would materially aid the teachers and past pupils of this portion of the educational district. Negotiations are proceeding between the School Committee and the Department, which it is hoped will result in a Technical School being shortly established. The Governors are prepared to contribute to the cost of the building. W. Morgan, Chairman.

2. General Statement of Accounts for the Year ended 31st December, 1902. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. dBalance at beginning of year .. .. 217 9 3 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 20 0 0 Endowments— Scholarships .. .. .. .. 75 9 0 Current income from reserves .. .. 80 0 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. 310 0 Interest on moneys invested and on un- j Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 14 0 paid purchase-money .. .. 157 5 0 | Refund School Committee .. ~ 3 0 0 Paid by School Commissioners .. 179 5 2 ; Expenses, delegate to Napier .. .. 411 0 Interest on current account .. .. 2 14 6 j Bank charge, keeping account .. .. 0 10 0 Refund of principal (Wong King) .. 100 0 0 ' Balance Hawke's Bay Education Board .. 129 11 0 Investment—Wong King .. .. 100 0 0 Balance at end of year — In Post-Office Savings-Bank .. .. 311 10 5 In Union Bank .. .. .. 44 12 3 In hand .. .. .. .. 42 16 3 £736 13 11 £736 13 11 W. Morgan, Chairman. C. A. de Lautour, Secretary. Examined and found correct. —J. K. Warburton, Controller and Auditor-General.

MABLBOBOUGH HIGH SCHOOL, Staff. Mr. John D. Innes, M.A., LL.D. ; Miss L. A. N. Downes, B.A. ; Mr. C. V. Goulter; Miss G. Huddlestott. 1. Beport of the Governors. The Governors held twelve meetings during the year, and the average attendance at these meetings was seven. The school continues to increase in popularity and usefulness. The number of scholars attending was, for the first term, 41 boys, 34 girls, 75 total; second term, 41 boys, 36 girls, 77 total; third term, 41 boys, 36 girls, 77 total. The number of pupils admitted during the year was 21 boys, 21 girls, 42 total. The number of pupils who left during the year was 5 boys, 3 girls, 8 total. The number of scholars receiving free education at the High School during the last term of 1902 was twenty-two, of which number twelve were holders of the Education Board's scholarships. The large influx of scholars entitled to free places that may be expected to avail themselves of the regulations issued in December cannot be accommodated in the existing building, not merely for want of sufficient room, but also on account of the strength of the present staff; and if these free scholars are to be admitted a considerable addition must be made to the former and at least another assistant teacher must be added to the latter. It is also to be expected that the number of paying scholars will be considerably diminished now that all that pass Standard VI. in the primary schools and are otherwise qualified can claim admission to the High School; and this, while materially reducing the income of the Board, will render it impossible to provide sufficient accommodation for the increasing number of these free scholars, especially as in all probability a considerable proportion will qualify for a second year's attendance by passing the Inspector-General's examination at 'the end of their first year. The Board therefore earnestly hopes that the Minister will obtain a grant sufficient to enable the Governors to complete the building on the original design, and to enable them to establish some approved branch of manual and technical instruction in connection with the High School. The Governors believe that the usefulness of the institution would be greatly increased if a commodious residence were provided which would enable the Principal to undertake the charge of scholars from a distance as boarders ; but this, though in their opinion a most desirable object, is quite beyond their power, unless assisted in some way by the Government. The school has been visited during the year by the Inspector-General, but no official report has yet been received by the Governors, though they believe that he was satisfied with the general condition of the school. A. P. Seymour, Chairman.

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