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Berthon, Specimens of Modern French Verse. German (upper)—Macmillan, Part II.; Schiller, Wilhelm Tell; Bucheim, Composition. German (lower)—Macmillan, Part I. Mathematics— Arithmetic, the whole subject; algebra, to permutations and combinations, inclusive ; geometry, Euclid, Books 1., 11., 111. IV., VI. ; trigonometry, Lock's Trigonometry. Science : Botany— The morphology and physiology of the botanical types, specified in the junior scholarship schedule. Chemistry—The metallic elements ; revision of the non-metallic elements ; the Senior Division have revised the whole of inorganic chemistry. Lowest. —English—Macmillan's New Zealand Eeader, No. VI.; English history, James 1. to George II.; geography, Asia, North America, Australia; grammar, composition, &c, Nesfield's School Grammar, parsing and analysis. French —Chardenal, Part I. Arithmetic : Division I.— decimals, problems, proportion, simple and compound interest; Division ll.—compound rules, practice, vulgar fractions. Science—Elements of physiology.

4. Arrangements for Drawing ; Manual, Commercial, and Technical Instruction ; Gymnastics, Drill, Swimming, etc. Boys' School. Drawing : Mechanical drawing one hour per week (optional); drawing from round two hours per week (optional). Commercial and technical instruction : Book-keeping, Lower Fourth and Remove Forms ; shorthand, Upper Fourth and Lower Fourth ; commercial arithmetic and mental arithmetic; chemistry and botany in the two highest forms; chemistry in Lower Fifth, elementary physics to the other forms. Drill and gymnastics : Once a week for the whole school. Swimming: Special class under instructor (optional). Girls' School. Drawing : Drawing is included in the school course, and the pupils receive one, two, or more lessons weekly in freehand, model, light and shade, drawing from the cast, &c.; there are also classes for advanced pupils for which models are engaged, and the pupils make life-studies in chalk and oils ; these pupils also learn the painting of still life and of flowers. The studios are well equipped with casts, easels, &c. Manual instruction: The usual school teaching of sewing is carried on in the four lower classes of the school. Gymnastics : There is a thoroughly equipped gymnasium, and every girl in the school is drilled by an expert drill-master in calisthenics and gymnastics. Swimming: A course of lessons is given for those who wish it by the Gymnastic Master.

5. Scholarships. Eighteen pupils at the boys' school and nineteen at the girls' school received free tuition as having obtained 50 per cent, of the obtainable marks at the Senior, or 60 per cent, at the Junior District Scholarship Examinations.

SOUTHLAND HIGH SCHOOL. Staff. Mr. H. L. Fowler, M.A. ; Rev. Wm. White, M.A.; Mr. J. G. McKay; Miss E. Stevenson, M.A.; Miss E L Brown, M.A.; Mr. J. V. Hanna. 1. Report of the Board. I have the honour to present the following general report by the Board of the schools under its control: — At the beginning of the year the Board comprised the following Governors : Messrs. J. L. McG. Watson and A. F. Hawke, nominated by His Excellency the Governor; Messrs. W. Macalister and J. C. Thomson, elected by.the Southland Education Board ; and Mr. C. S. Longuet, the Mayor of Invercargill. Mr. Macalister was appointed chairman. The school still maintains an excellent position in the University examinations. Technical classes for cookery and dressmaking were formed, and very satisfactory results have been attained. The special feature of the year was the building and opening of a well-equipped gymnasium. In the last annual report the Board referred to efforts which were being made to erect a building of the kind; this year has seen the gymnasium erected, with superior fittings and first-class apparatus. It was formally opened on the 28th November. Mr. J. V. Hanna, an efficient instructor in gymnastics, was appointed to the charge of this department. The Education Board kindly offered the services of their architect, Mr. W. McCaw, who prepared plans and specifications for the building and supervised its erection. The gymnasium is now one of the most suitably designed and best-equipped in the colony. Both sides of the school get full advantage of this institution. The Education Board bears a share of the annual financial burden, and in return a liberal arrangement is made for instruction being given to pupils of the primary schools. The ensign presented to the school in June was appreciated. The design of the school buildings, however, was such that a second was necessary. The Board therefore procured one, and on all suitable occasions these ensigns are hoisted. The proposal in the circular issued by the Education Department on the 11th December, offering £6 to the Board for each pupil passing Standard VI. of the primary school course admitted free to the high schools, was accepted by this Board, and a large increase in attendance resulted. W. Macalister, Chairman,