74

E.—l

are largely due The Committee of the Mount Cook schools, m conjunction with a Committee of the Board has established a night school for boys over school age- the attendance during the winter averaged about a hundred. The school was well equipped with teachers. A course of science lectures was delivered by Dr Hutchinson (gratuitously), and, so far as could be judged without inspection, good work was done. The fee for the winter term was 2s 6d _ The conversion of the Masterton School into a district high school will, it is anticipated, prove a -reat boon to the Wairarapa. The necessity for an institution where the higher branches of education are taught, and where inducement can be held out for pupils to continue their education beyond the limits of tho standards, and at the same time at a reasonable cost, has long been felt in the Wairarapa. The absence in the past of such a school m the district has deterred many promising candidates from competing for the scholarships offered by the Board, the expenses of a course of study at tho Wellington College or Girls High School being farm excess of the prizes offered. The Board anticipate great success to attend this step, and feel sanguine that the additional expense will be covered by the fees from pupils to a very large extent, n °NoßMAL y School —The report of the Principal of the school, forwarded herewith, deals fully with the progress of the institution during the past year An increase of one student cannot be considered very encouraging, and the result of the large expenditure cannot be deemed satisfactory The question of the reorganization of the Normal School, with a view to pacing the whole institution training and practising, under tho responsibility of one person, has been before the Board on several occasions, but the limited funds at its disposal has deterred any positive action from being taken However, the Board hopes that during the next year it will be able to bring about such a change as will insure a more steady and regular increase of students for training the Board is well satisfied with the perseverance and energy displayed by the Normal master and his assistants, and recognizes that they have one and all worked conscientiously during the year. School Inspection.—The report of Mr Lee on the work of the schools examined during the year, forwarded herewith, shows that, with very few exceptions, steady progress is being made, and the teaching of the staff continues good. Returns —The various returns required for the purposes of the annual report 01 the department for the present year, as set forth in Circular No. 83/8, are herewith attached. I have, esc, The Hon. the Minister of Education. J X- Blair, Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st December, 1883. Receipts. £ s. d. . Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance on 31st December, 1882- By Office staff salaries « » Building Account 22 12 5 Departmental contingencies 399 1 2 General Account 1,06112 6 Inspector s salary 500 0 0 Government grants for buildings . 6,412 12 0 Inspector's travelling expenses 217 15 0 Other receipts for buildings- Examination of pupil-teachers .. 8 69 Scientific apparatus 20 0 Teachers' salanes and allowances (mGovernment statutory capitation (£3 eluding rent, bonus, &c 17,896 17 0 15s ) 18 529 811 Incidental expenses of schools 1,541 1 3 Special capitation (55.) 1,164 13 4 Bents of school buildings .. 359 10 0 Scholarship grant (Is. 6d.) 3414 11 Training of teachers . 1,584 112 Inspection subsidy . 300 0 0 ScholarshipsGrant for training of teachers 1,172 1 6 Paid to scholars -09 3 4 Payments by School Commissioners for Examination expenses 90 2 0 primary education 383 17 9 School buildings- ._.. _ Deposits 120 3 0 New buildings 2,036 10 0 Balance of account on 31st December, Improvements of buildings 2,554 10 11 -, gog Furniture and appliances 408 lo 4 General Account . 274 12 3 Sites . . 1,019 10 0 Building Account 215 13 9 Plans, supervision, and fees 229 11 ~ Deposits . • • J* lo v £29,572 4~70 £29,572 £10 J R. Blair, Chairman. Arthur Dorset, Secretary Examined and passed.—E. Macalister, Provincial District Auditor

Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31st December, 1883. A. Exclusive of Building Fund. Assets £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Due from Government- Balance of account, 31st December, 1833 274 12 3 Normal School 418 18 8 Duo to Oomimttoca 459 j. 4 Scholarships 132 10 n Balance . 132 4 0 ; £733 13 7 i £733 13 7 B, Building Fund only £ s. cl, £ s. d. Cash in bank on this account, 31st Decern- Balance of amounts due or to fall duo under ber ,- 215 13 9 contracts . 1,130 18 0 Balance " '■ r " 1 7•' Deposits on contracts 41 3 0 £U77~T~C £1,177 1 6