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MARLBOROUGH. Sir,— Blenheim, 7th April, 1880. I have the honor to forward you a report of the proceedings of the Board of Education for the District of Marlborough for the year ended December 31, 1879, together with Tables 1 to 4, a balance sheet of revenue and expenditure, a list of scholarships held during the year 1879, and the Examiners' papers and report thereon, and the report on the public schools by the Inspector. Attendance. —The number of scholars on the rolls at the end of 1878 was 1,014 ; at the end of 1879 1,079. The working average at the same dates was 776 and 834 respectively. Grants to School Committees. —The vote of ten shillings for each scholar in average attendance has been paid over by the Board to the various school committees, according to a scale determined upon by the Board to meet as nearly as may be the requirements of each school committee respectively. Building Grant. —Out of this grant the Board has completed new school houses in Blenheim and Tua Marina, teachers' residences at Waitohi and Canvas Town, besides providing school furniture and many repairs to existing buildings. New school houses and teachers' residences are wanted at Picton, Spring Creek, Havelock suburban, Kekerangu, and in the Pelorus. Libraries.—The grant for libraries forwarded to the Board for distribution has been paid to the Libraries of Blenheim, Picton, and Havelock, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Libraries Subsidies Act. Training of Teachers.—Four of the teachers in the service of the Board took advantage of the grant of £80 for the above purpose. Three of them went to the Normal School, Christchurch, and one to that in Dunedin. Expenditure.—The balance in hand to the credit of Maintenance Account at the beginning of the year was £680 ss. 3d., and at the close of it, £622 lis. 2d., leaving a deficit of £57 14s. ld. To this, however, must be added one quarter's payment to the school committees, amounting to £104 3s. 10d., less £36 due to the Board on account of inspection subsidy, making a total deficit on Maintenance Account of £125 17s. lid. This deficiency is far less than at the close of last year, and the improvement is due partly to the closing of some of the schools during a portion of the year, but chiefly because more money has been received by the Board under the head of " statutory capitation " owing to the increased average attendance of pupils, whilst at the same time the- Board has exercised the utmost economy in the administration of its funds. The Board, however, desires to point out that at present the teaching power in some schools is insufficient, and ought to be increased, and that new schools are required in some of the outlying districts where the expenditure is certain to exceed the receipts on account of the small number of scholars attending such schools. The Board expends on teachers' salaries the largest possible proportion of its funds, reducing the departmental and other expenditure in order to secure the most effective teaching power, but it has still respectfully to urge, that whilst the population of its district is so scattered, and the proportion of small schools under its charge so great, the statutory capitation per head is not sufficient to afford the teaching power which is required. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. A. P. Seymour, Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1879. Receipts- £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance Ist January, 1879— By Office and Board — Maintenance Account .. .. 680 5 3 Office staff, salaries .. .. 115 12 6 Special Buildings Grant .. .. 192 3 S Departmental contingencies .. 81 10 10 Grants from Government— School Inspection— Statutory Capitation (£3 155.) .. 2,973 15 0 Salaries .. .. .. 125 0 0 Grants to Committees (10s.) .. 396 10 0 Travelling expenses .. .. 66 2 6 Scholarships (Is. 6d.) .. .. 86 9 0 Teachers' salaries and allowances .. 2,886 7 6 Inspection subsidy .. .. 155 2 6 School Committees, for educational purSpecially for buildings .. .. 2,594 3 7 poses .. .. .. 296 3 2 Training of Teachers .. .. 80 0 0 Scholarships— Fees for District High Schools .. 50 0 0 Paid to holders .. .. 80 4 0 From Public Libraries vote .. .. 81 17 8 Expenses of examinations .. 4 4 0 Contingencies .. .. .. 28 11 0 Training of teachers .. .. 80 0 0 School Buildings— New buildings .. .. .. 694 11 4 Enlargement, improvement, and repairs .. .. .. 1,173 18 0 School furniture and appliances, not included in preceding .. .. 143 1 0 Purchase of sites .. .. 275 4 2 Plans, supervision, &c. .. .. 94 3 3 Library Committees, out of Public Libraries vote .. .. .. 80 17 8 High School fees .. .. .. 50 0 0 Contingencies .. .. .. 44 7 1 Balance on 31st December, 1879 .. 1,027 10 9 £7,318 17 9 £7,318 17 9 John Robinson, Secretary and Treasurer.