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of education, is under the direction of an experienced teacher, and forms a part of the curriculum of the schools. During the year the Board sold 1,092 acres in the Strath Taieri District, at an average price of £3 19s. 2fd. per acre. The terms were 10 per cent, cash at sale, 15 per cent, in three months, and the balance extending over seven years, with interest at 6 per cent, per annum. Of the Strath Taieri Block 862 acres were leased under the perpetual-leasing system of " The Land Act, 1882," at an average annual rental of ss. 9-J-d. per acre. Annexed hereto are reports from the Eector and from the Lady Principal, showing the work done in the schools during the year.* No examinations other than by the teachers were held during the year, but various members of the Board paid frequent visits to the schools. The audited statement of accounts was forwarded to the Education Department on the 28th instant. I have, &c, D. M. Stuart, D.D., The Hon. the Minister of Education. Chairman.

2. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1884. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Endowments — By Overdraft Ist January, 1884 .. .. 349 10 7 Price of reserves sold .. .. 6,046 19 4 Management— Current income from reserves .. 3,619 4 6 Office salaries .. .. .. 170 0 0 Interest on moneys invested, and on Other office expenses .. .. 10 19 4 unpaid purchase-money .. .. 1,575 15 0 Legal expenses .. .. .. 11 17 1 School fees— Other expenses of management .. 115 3 10 Boys'school .. .. .. 1,493 1 0 Teachers'salaries and allowances—■ Girls'school .. .. .. 1,304 15 0 Boys'school .. £5,132 18 7 Boarding-school fees .. .. .. 1,430 0 0 Girls'school .. 1,857 18 11 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds 0,990 17 6 (amount from Education Board, Boarding-school Account .. .. 1,067 18 4 share of expenses, appointment of Examiners' fees .. .. .. 105 0 0 teachers) .. .. .. 39 3 7 Appointment of teachers .. .. 131 7 7 Amount paid to Board's credit by Ec- Prizes .. .. .. .. 54 12 11 ceiver of Land Hovenuo, in error .. 25 2 6 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 42 2 9 Balance, Ist January, 1885 .. .. 1,262 10 9 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 197 14 5 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 67 2 5 Interest on current account .. .. 6 9 4 Discount on promissory notes .. 92 5 1 Endowments— Expended on site or buildings .. 7,077 18 i Expenses of survey, sales, &o. .. 200 18 5 Amount refunded to G. G. Russell Fund 4 13 9 Deposit, Gray Eussell Eund .. .. 40 0 0 £16,796 11 8 £16,796 11 8 I have compared this abstract with the Treasurer's books and vouchers, and I certify it to be correct. —H. Livingston, Auditor.

3. Gbay Eussell Scholarship Fund. £ s. d. £ s. a. To Amounts advanced on mortgage .. 1,000 0 0 By Capital .. .. .. .. 1,000 0 0 Balance at Bank .. .. .. 97 6 3 Interest from mortgages .. .. 97 6 3 £1,097 6 3 £1,097 6 3 Correct by books ; but £40 due to High Schools Board.—H. Livingston.

4. Eiohaedson Cadet Coups Fund. & s. a. & s. a. To Bank of Now Zealand shares .. .. 150 0 0 .By Capital .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 Amount advanced on mortgage .. .. 50 0 0 Interest accrued from investments .. 104 9 3 Balance in bank .. .. .. 54 9 3 £254 9 3 £254 9 3 Correct by books; but £33 15s. in hand (dividend warrants) should have been paid in.—H. Livingston. D. M. Stuaet, D.D., Chairman. C. Macandbew, Secretary.

SOUTHLAND BOYS' AND GIELS' HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Board's Beport. The Board at the commencement of the year consisted of the following members: Messrs. Lumsden (Chairman) and F. W. Wade, appointed by the Government; T. Denniston and D. L. Matheson, elected by the Education Board of Southland; and W. S. Moir, Mayor of Invercargill. In September, Messrs. Lumsden and Wade's term of office having expired, Mr. Lumsden was reappointed, and Mr. Henry Wilson appointed by the Government in lieu of Mr. Wade. In December Mr. Froggatt, the newly-elected Mayor, became member in place of Mr. Moir, his predecessor. Mr. Lumsden was re-elected Chairman of the Board. The Board has held fifteen meetings, th&

* Not reprinted.

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