E.—l

85

The foregoing tables show a slight decline in the examination results as compared with those of last year ° The percentage of passes in standards is 72, as against 73, and the percentage of passes in subjects, 80, as against 81. The decline has been chiefly in Standards 1., 111., and V., while in Standard IV there has been a noticeable advance. There was no change in the standard of proficiency required by the Inspectors. Normal School.—Tho report of the Sector of the Normal School is appended. Ihe attendance of students during the year was 73, 35 being senior students and 38 junior There has been a considerable increase in the number of male students in the junior class. At the beginning of the year the staff of the institution was strengthened by the appointment of a tutor, a master of the model school, and a teacher of singing. It is hoped that, with this addition to its staff, the school will be able to furnish a regular supply of young teachers of sound education, familiar with approved methods of teaching, and trained to organize and manage either a separate class or a school of several classes. The total cost for the year was, Salaries . 1.102 li 1 Allowances to students . 1,204 4 5 £2,306 15 6 Scholarships.—During the year sixteen scholarships—ten senior and six junior—were offered for competition. The examination was held in December. Thirty-seven candidates entered for the senior, and fifty-three for the junior In addition to the scholarships given by the Board, the Board of Governors of the Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools grant free education for three years at the Dunedin High School to all the candidates for senior scholarships who make over 50 per cent, of the attainable marks. In addition to the candidates who wore successful in attaining scholarships, eleven competitors made over 50 per cent, of the marks, and were thus entitled to free education at the hi<di schools for three years. The Board was pleased to notice that three holders of the Board's scholarships, who were attending the Dunedin high schools—namely, Annie Forbes, F B. Allen, and John Montgomery—were successful competitors at the examination in December last for junior scholarships in the University of New Zealand. Drawing Master's Department.—The report of the headmaster of the Drawing Department is appended. Early in the year the Board determined to reduce the expenditure in this department, and accordingly dispensed with the services of the two male assistants. The staff now comprises the drawing-master, a female assistant, and a male pupil-teacher. Teachers, pupil-teachers, and Normal School students continue to receive instruction in drawing, free of charge as heretofore, but the teaching of drawing by the master and his staff in the city and suburban schools is discontinued. The total expenditure on the department amounted to £749 12s. 2d. for the year, and the receipts from fees to £303 6s. 6d. The Hon. the Minister of Education. P G. Pryde, Secretary

General Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1883. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance, General Account 11 16 1 By Office staff, salaries 940 0 0 Government grants for buildings 17,005 17 0 Departmental contingencies' 533 15 1 Government grant (special for playgrounds) 600 0 0 Inspectors'salaries 1,450 0 0 Statutory capitation (£3 155.) 54,919 17 2 Inspectors' travelling expenses 589 3 6 'Special capitation (55.) . 4,135 13 9 Examination of pupil-teachers 13 5 0 Scholarship grant (Is. 6d.) 1,212 14 10 Teachers' salaries and allowances (mInspection subsidy 500 0 0 eluding rent, bonus, &c.) 56,401 0 9 Grant for training of teachers 2,000 0 0 Incidental expenses of schools 5,550 5 4 Payments by School Commissioners for Training of teachers 2,306 15 6 primary education 7,183 19 2 Scholarships—Paid to scholars 1,261 7 6 Payments by School Commissioners for School buildings— secondary education .. 471 13 1 New buildings 12,331 3 9 Bees for district high schools .. 113 0 0 Improvements of buildings 1,927 16 10 Other receipts Furniture and appliances ' 362 9 11 Drawing Department—Bees 303 6 6 Sites 957 18 3 Sale school sites 298 1 4 Plans and supervision 714 5 10 Sale buildings • • 99 10 0 Other expenses— Bent school site 25 5 0 Drawing-Master's department 749 12 2 Libraries 230 10 9 , Libraries 14 1 6 Deposits forfeited 18 2 0 Credit balance of account on Slst DeInterest 282 8 3 ber, 1883Building Account 600 0 0 General Account .. 2,708 14 0 £89,411 14 11 I £89,411 14 11 P G. Pryde, Secretary and Treasurer, Otago Education Board. I have compared the above abstract with the Treasurer's books and vouchers, and I certify it to be correct. —H. Livingston, Auditor.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities, 31st December, 1883. A. Exclusive of Building Fund. Assets. £ s. d' Liabilities. £ s. d. Cash in bank on this account, 31st Decern- Balance . 3,039 17 0 ber, 1883 . 2,717 10 4 Due from scholarships . . . 322 6 8 £3,039 17 0 £3,039 17 0