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8.—9

AKAEOA HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Chairman's Eepoet. Gentlemen, — It has again become my duty to present to you the annual report of the Akaroa High School. During the past year the school has been carried on in a thoroughly satisfactory manner by the Headmaster, Mr. W. Walton, 8.A., and I feel sure you will join me in the expression of this opinion. The duties of a Headmaster in any school are arduous, and when performed as efficiently as in the present case should, I think, be properly recognised. The number of pupils attending the school has somewhat fluctuated : beginning with eighteen, at one time it reached twenty-two, and has now again receded to seventeen. This has been owing to various causes, and will, no doubt, to a great extent always be the case. Our efforts have been, and must continue to be, to make the scbool as useful and popular as possible; and I feel sure that in the end they will be rewarded in the way we wish them to be—namely, by a better support from the residents on the Peninsula than we have hitherto obtained. Turning back to the report that I had the honour to present to you this day twelve months, I find that we began the year with a balance in the bank amounting to £61 Bs. 2d., in addition to a fixed deposit of £200, and that, in an estimate of receipts and expenditure for the year ending this day, also laid before you, I estimated our bank balance should be £-53 17s. It is very satisfactory to find that this estimate has proved so very near the actual result. You will see from the balance-sheet laid on the table that our present balance is £51 11s. 9d., and we have owing at the present time from unpaid pupils' fees the sum of £3 13s. 9d., making a total balance to our credit of £55 ss. 6d. This is especially gratifying, as, with the exception of two small accounts for advertising not yet sent in, we owe absolutely nothing; and I do not think the accounts mentioned can amount to more than £2 165., whilst last year outstanding accounts amounted to £12 lls. 2d.: so that, in point of fact, our position is really a better one than it was twelve months ago, notwithstanding two items of expenditure which became necessary which had not been anticipated—viz., the building of a chimney for the girls' class-room, and providing prizes for both boys and girls. The chimney cost altogether £9 135., and the prizes £5 2s. lid. The Board will, I think, see from the foregoing figures that we can again congratulate ourselves that our financial position is a thoroughly sound one. Our fixed deposit at the Bank of New Zealand expires on the 20th of next month, and I shall ask permission from the Board to place it again with that bank on the same terms. In conclusion Ido not think I can do better than repeat the words I used on this day twelve months—viz., we still require to practise that strict economy in our expenditure which has been done from the beginning, and also to use our most strenuous efforts to induce parents to give the school that support which it so well deserves. Should we do this, I have little fear for the result, and am confident that we shall not only maintain our present position, but shall as time goes on materially improve it. I have, &c, William B. Tosswill, The Governors of the High School Board. Chairman.

2. Statement of Eeceipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1884. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d To Balance from last account .. .. 211 19 5 By Master's salary .. .. .. 275 0 0 Fees from scholars .. .. .. 205 9 0 Half-fees from girls .. .. .. 52 3 0 Cash for books .. .. .. 17 3 0 Rent of school .. .. .. 50 0 0 Grant from Commissioners .. .. 53 17 1 Incidental expenses .. .. .. 68 12 5 Rent of estates .. .. .. 268 17 0 Balance at bank .. .. .. 323 10 1 Interest on deposit .. .. .. 12 0 0 £769 5 6 £769 5 6 William B. Tosswill, Chairman. I have audited this account, and I have compared the various items with the vouchers, and find it correct. The balance at the bank is accurately stated.—J. Olliviek, District Auditor, 23rd April, 1885.

ASHBUBTON HIGH SCHOOL. Statement of Eeoeipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1884. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d, To Current income from reserves .. 415 12 3 By Overdraft, Ist January, 1884 .. .. 101 18 1 Interest on moneys invested .. .. 14 8 0 Management .. .. .. 23 6 4 Paid by School Commissioners .. 53 17 2 Teachers' salaries and allowances .. 554 6 9 School fees .. 168 0 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. G 10 G Books, &c, sold, and other refunds .. 18 2 7 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 13 10 0 Mortgage-money fallen due and received 360 0 0 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 35 10 C Balance, Ist January, 1885 .. .. 65 0 5 j Book and. stationery account and other temporary advances .. .. 43 18 2 Buildings—new works .. .. 286 6 6 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 3 7 0 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 5 17 11 Interost on current account .. .. 10 15 8 Sundries, unclassified .. .. 9 13 0 £1,095 0 5 £1,095 0 5 J. E. Buchanan, Secretary.