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that the demands for educational buildings throughout the Dominion were of so pressing a nature that only actual necessities could be provided by the Government. The members composing the deputation were equally positive that the building classed as a luxury was a necessity, and its deletion would, while detracting from the usefulness of the building, also greatly mar the architecture of the design. Eventually, a compromise was arrived at, the Minister undertaking to find <mi additional £850, which would suffice to erect the part of the building required by the Department, and the deputation, on behalf of the Bop.rd, agreeing to find the money for that part stated to be a luxury. lam satisfied that the assembly-room is a really useful part of the building. The necessity of finding a sum equal to about £600 to complete the building having been pointed out to the Mayoress, that lady kindly consented to organize a movement to supply the Board with the deficiency, and she hopes to complete this good work during the course of the present year. The thanks of the Board are due to Mrs. Nash for her kindly efforts, and I trust the citizens, for whose children the building luis been so thoroughly equipped, will assist by every means in their power. The new building will be ready for occupation during the third week in February, and it is proposed to open it on the 16th instant, if the Minister of Education can be present to perform the ceremony. The contractors are Messrs. Sollitt Bros., who also secured the contract for furnishing. The excellence of their workmanship is apparent to the most casual observer. The new year may therefore be expected to add new laurels to the school; and I believe it will be a year to reflect the greatest credit on teachers and scholars alike. The attendance during the past year has constituted a record, but there is every indication that it will be eclipsed by the attendance during the coming year. The average attendance showed an increase of seventeen over the previous year, and the income from these enabled an additional teacher to be engaged. The increased attendance during the coming year is expected to require the appointment of still another teacher, and this is a matter which will require the Board's immediate attention. In the meantime Mr. Opie is filling the position temporarily. At the end of the last term Miss Lynch, headmistress, resigned, and Miss Ironside has been appointed in her stead, her testimonials being of the most satisfactory nature, and her educational attainments such as to satisfy all requirements. I believe that the choice of the Rector will be amply justified. At the end of the year the Rev. Archdeacon Harper found it necessary to resign, owing to his removal to Wellington, and the annual election failed to secure a member to replace him. The thanks of the Board are due to the reverend gentleman for his excellent work as a governor. While the results of the past year are not quite up to the high standard of the previous year, owing to the circumstances already mentioned, I feel sure that the principles inculcated and the moral lessons taught are fully equal to the highest standard, and of this the Board and the teachers may be justly proud, as the foundations laid during this critical period of the [pupil's life are those on which the superstructure will eventually be erected. Another matter for congratulation is the fact that the educational advantages of a high-school training are beginning to be appreciated by the 'parents, and they are showing a decided tendency towards the extension of the school period. The change effected during the previous year to have separate class-rooms for boys and girls in the lower forms has been continued as far as possible, and the result has exceeded anticipations. The new school is so arranged and furnished as to allow the Rector a chance of extending this principle. The boarding-school has amply justified its existence, and the Rector deserves the greatest praise for his foresight in establishing it. As soon as possible the Board will consider the equipment of the gymnasium, which has already been approved. The playing-grounds are in excellent order, and the footballground in particular has been drier than ever before. The gardens are also being restored to their original beauty, and in a few weeks no trace of the devastation wrought by the fire and the cartage of material will be visible. The financial aspect, apart from the requirements for extra buildings, is healthy, the increased capitation of last year provided by the Department to assist unendowed secondary schools being responsible for this most gratifying position. The balance in hand at the end of the financial year for purely educational purposes is small, being mostly made up of insurance-moneys payable on account of contract for erecting the new school. I have purposely refrained from dealing with the Technical School, as during the past year, for the first time in its history, the Chairman of the Board has not been the Chairman of the Committee in charge of this important branch of education. The experiment of appointing a separate Chairman has proved so eminently satisfactory that it is well worth further consideration. The report of the Technical School Committee will, therefore, appear separately. In conclusion, I desire to thank the members of the Board for their loyal assistance and hearty co-operation during my occupancy of the chair. I retire after a year of office feeling sure that every member of the Board has given me that hearty and unselfish co-operation which goes to make the position of Chairman such a pleasant one. W. H. Collingwood, Chairman. 2. Work of the Highest and Lowest Classes. Highest. —English—Anglo-Saxon Primer (Sweet) ; Middle English Reader, Part II (Morris and Skeat); Morris' Grammar, chapters i-vn ; Shelley, Prometheus Unbound : Milton, Samson Agonistes ; Carlyle, Sartor Resartus ; Shakespeare, Tempest ; Palgrave, Golden Treasury ; Nesfield's English Grammar, Past and Present; essays. Mathematics —Arithmetic, New School Arithmetic (Pendlebury); algebra,! Baker and Bourne's Algebra, Parts I and II ; geometry, Baker and Bourne's Geometry, Books I-VI1; trigonometry, Elementary Trigonometry (Pendlebury). Latin—Caesar, De Bello Gallico, Book VII ; Horace, Epistles, Book I; Matriculation Selections (London University, Tutorial College) Dies Romani (Arnold); Arnold's Latin Prose Composition. French —-Wellington College French