7

E.—s,

a judgment as to its prospects and present necessities ; while the result of the census has shewn that the institution subserves a population of about 13,000, now beginning to increase rapidly. Wm. Wilkinson, Chairman of Governors. The Hon. the Minister of Education, James Kilgour, Governor. Wellington.

Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 3.lst December, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ c. d. To Balance from last year ~, ~, 103 7 2 By Insurance ... ... ... ~, 610 0 School Commissioners ... ... 107 15 7 Printing and advertising ... ... 33 18 0 Rents ... ... ... ... 18 0 0 Office expenses ... ... ... 9 17 0 Government grants ... ... ... 1,900 0 0 Rates ... ... ... ... 710 2 School fees ... ... ... ... 125 3 9 Secretary ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 Scholarships ... ... ... •12 12 0 Salaries ... ... ... ... 490 0 0 School buildings ... ... ... 1,200 0 0 Repairs and alterations ... ... 259 3 0 School furniture ... ... ... 113 12 3 School requisites ... ... ... 744 Travelling expenses ... ... ... 35 19 6 Legal expenses ... ~, ... 2444 Fires and cleaning ... ... ... 13 3 0 Bank interest ... ... ... 0 3 4 Balance, Bank of New Zealand ... 55 13 7 £2,266 18 6 £2,266 18 6 R. A. Heald, Secretary. W. Wilkinson, Chairman. I hereby certify that I have examined the books and vouchers of the Governors of the Thames Boys'and Girls' High School for the year ended the 31st December, 1880, and that I find the same to be correct. 20th January, 1881. L. A. Dureieu, Auditor.

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. Sic,— New Plymouth, 29th March, 1881. I have the honor to submit the following report on the progress of the proceedings regarding the New Plymouth High School. On the 10th May, 1880, the Board resolved to offer a premium of £25 for the most approved plan of a high school, limiting the cost to £1,200. No. 1, the plan most approved, was guaranteed not to exceed that sum. On inviting tenders from builders, the average of six tenders was £2,010. This result has created considerable delay, and tenders were invited on No. 2 plan, considered next best. These not resulting satisfactorily, No. 3 was tried. Ultimately No. 1 plan (a copy of which w^as forwarded to the department) was adopted, on a tender of £1,600; the necessary steps are now being taken to erect the building. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Benjamin Wells, Chairman.

Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance in Bank of New Zealand, Ist i By Advertisements and telegrams inviting January, 1880 ... ... ... 769 14 1: plans and tenders ... ... ... 718 8 Grant from General Government ... 1,000 0 0 Travelling allowances to country members 7 0 0 Rents of reserves from School Commis- Mating tracings of plans ... ... 6 0 0 Bioners ... ... ... ... 154 19 7 Maori curiosities for the Museum ... 22 10 0 Rent of cottage on school reserve, Cour- Deposit account, iSank of New Zealand... 1,500 0 0 tenay Street ... ... .., 7 0 0 Cheque-book ... ... ... 0 4 2 Balance in Bank of New Zealand ... 388 0 10 £1,931 13 8 £1,931 13 8 Wm. Northcroet, Secretary. Benjamin Wells, Chairman. I certify that I have examined the books and accounts of the New Plymouth High School, and find them to be correct, and corresponding with this statement. C. Rennell, Auditor.

WHANGAREI HIGH SCHOOL. Sir, — Whangarei, sth February, 1881. I have the honor to forward herewith the audited balance-sheet of accounts of the Whangarei High School up to the 31st December, 1880, in accordance with section 8, " Whangarei High School Act, 1878." I have nothing to report, except that we have been unable to start classes as we contemplated, from two causes —paucity of means at our disposal, and the difficulty of obtaining the services of qualified teachers. We have also been endeavouring to utilize the endowment, but have not as yet succeeded. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, J. I. Wilson, Chairman,